The light of our Christ Candle flickered in their faces as we talked about Emanuel, our God with us born on Christmas day. Once we were gathered around the tree I asked them the question, “What Does God want for Christmas?” The question hung in the air for a few moments and finally the answer we had been building up to for weeks was spoken.
“He wants me. ” said my four year old.
I am always looking for ways to bring purpose and meaning to our family time during the Christmas season. A few years ago, I found a tool called, “What God Wants for Christmas.” I love the way it involves my girls in the Christmas Story and the fun it brings to our own ABC Advent. { It is produced by FamilyLife, you can read about it, here}.
This year, I was was inspired by a book called “The King’s Christmas List.” This book by Eldon Johnson, tells the story of a little girl invited to the king’s birthday celebration. Once she arrives, she notices that everyone is giving gifts to each other and no one has a gift for the king {you can find this resource, here}. She realizes this is not right, but herself has nothing to offer…or so she thinks.
This year, I combined both of these tools and challenged my girls in a new way:
- First, we want to give God our hearts. To allow Him to live there and make us the kind of people He wants us to be.
- Second, we can give Him our time, talents, and money to be used by Him how He pleases.
- Third, we asked them to give up a couple of small presents they normally received and instead take that money and give to the ministry of their choice as a gift for Jesus. We asked them to keep it a secret from everyone (except me because I was in charge of making the gift happen).
- Next, I asked them to wrap up a tiny box with something that would symbolize the ministry they chose and place it under the tree.
- Finally, during our last ABC Advent celebration on Christmas Eve, they opened their box and revealed to everyone where they gave their money.
I can’t tell you how sweet it was to see them open these gifts and share what ministry they chose and why. They were so excited to share about the gift they gave. Hands down, it is the most precious thing we did all Christmas season. It was so simple, yet is spoke volumes to my girls and the adults present. It is a new tradition that we will bring back next year and hopefully build upon.
Today I am linking up with MODsquad and sharing this story. If you would like to read about how other mom’s and their families gave back this Christmas, you can do so by clicking the button below! I’d also love to hear about what you did to give back, too. Leave a comment below and tell me what you did this Christmas to give in Jesus name.
Ohhh I LOVED that Stacey! I think I might just have to buy those books for next year and do it with my girls as well! Thanks for the GREAT ideas!
Love God Greatly!
-Angela
Merry Christmas Angela! So glad you were encouraged, thanks for stopping by today!
Loved this. Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂
i love this stacey! we, as adults did something similar in our exchange this year. we picked names, and instead of giving them a gift … we donated funds to a charity we thought embodied them.
i’m definitely adding this to our traditions next year! thank you for your continued inspiration!
Sounds like a wonderful tradition~even if I have young men! What a great way to get away from the materialism surrounding Christmas. Making it more personal than what we just do as a family. I may have to get 1 of those books and adapt some ideas for our family.
Blessings, Janis
Yes this would work for boys too! One of my daughters gave the gift of 5 ducks through World Vision. They have many neat gifts that boys would love to give, too!
We also generated more of a focus of giving this year. For starters, our church adopted a family and we bought items on that list. We also gave in general, to a number of different missionaries and charities. Some here, some there.
We kept our own family Christmas simple. When it was all said and done, we realized we had spent more in what we gave away than what we did on our own family Christmas… and that actually seemed most appropriate!
I enjoyed your idea of wrapping the giving gifts to be placed under the tree. I’ll bet that will be a memory (and lesson) your children will carry with them for their lifetime!
Donnetta that is amazing! It is more blessed to give isn’t it?
“The King’s Christmas List” sounds amazing. I love that. I am going to have to put that on my list for next year. Thanks for sharing. Your heart always blesses me.
Likewise Lara! 🙂