Christmas by the Hour
We start our Christmas celebration the 24th…”Noche Buena” (Christmas Eve) and a “re-calentado” (literally, re-heat of left overs) the 25 th. What we love to do these days is keep Jesus the center of our celebration.
How do we do this?
I start two weeks ahead to plan different activities, I jot down each of them and keep them inside an envelope in a basket. We keep an eye on the clock and every hour and a half one of us (taking turns), goes to the basket and grabs and activity for all of us to do. Some of the activities may be :
* Reading a specific Bible verse, which I write down beforehand and place in a little envelope. The Gift of the Word is open.
* Singing Hymns. We have the name of several hymns (and the lyrics for them) in the basket. We bring Him worship.
* Reading short Christmas stories. Little kids enjoy this activity a lot; they like to remember the story of Jesus coming as a baby in a manger. We remember, we gaze at the miracle.
* Praying, thanking. You might find a little note in an envelope saying: Lift up your voice in prayer.
* This year I will be introducing some poetry that I found at Desiring God by John Piper. These poems are a beautiful way to remember, to worship, to ponder. I found this other poem that I will certainly include in the celebration’s basket…White.
* Post-scriptum…Ann shared with us this link on how to make a garland of Jesus’ names. I really liked the idea and I am thinking that it would be a good thing, not only to start with it now, but also to include some of those great titles of our Savior, their meaning and the scripture reference in different envelopes as well and put them in the basket . (This is another beautiful Jesus’ Names garland made with fabric, that I would really like to make!)
May God give you a Christmas full of Him!
How do other families celebrate? More here:
This post is also linked to Everything Else Thrown In, Thank you Dianne.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 4:36 PM
The idea of the notes in the basket is wonderful…\
It makes for an element of ‘surprise’ and of togetherness.
Have a very Joyful Christmas every day of the year ~ Maria
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Thanks so much for sharing over at my place. Hope your season is going beautifully. Much love in Christ, Dianne
Monday, December 14, 2009 at 5:21 AM
[...] 245. Lord, thank you for a basket that is starting to be full of gifts. [...]
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 5:10 AM
[...] would like to start making a Jesus’ names garland, but most of all I want to make good memories while cutting it and measuring it; memories, always [...]
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Wow! I LOVE your blog here – GREAT post! As I read through from post to post I was so encouraged. Thank you for sharing your soul with us!! I’m a huge John Piper and “Holy Experience” fan! And I homeschool too! I’ll be back!
Courtney
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 12:17 AM
What a lovely idea! I am seeing, through reading all these posts, how much more intentional we need to be this season. Thank you so much for the ideas!
Amy @ Raising Arrows
http://raising-arrows.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 5:54 PM
You have many wonderful ideas! So God-glorifying to all in the house. Blessings on your Christmas,
Lisa
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Lisa and Angie,
Thank you for your kindness and for taking the time to leave a note.
Have a Christmas full of Him!
Becky
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 2:55 PM
I like the basket of ideas to do evey hour. hanks for sharing!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Hi Becky, thanks for your encouraging comments over at my place. I love your ideas and plan to use some of them this year. I have not been as faithful to my memorizing this past week as I intend to. We were traveling and celebrating with family and friends. I reviewed a little but not much. However, this is something that I plan to do for the rest of my life–now that I know I can. Celebrating with you, Dianne
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 8:21 AM
Thank you, Claire, for your visit!
May God fill us with His joy this season!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 7:26 AM
i find Godliness here
a family waiting in anticipation for a God they love