As a family, we feel that it is really important as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years get close, to keep our focus on Christ. In an increasingly materialized world, that's not always easy to do, and that's why we work to make it happen in our family. We want to teach our children to think about others, and more than that, to remember that Christ is the center of ALL that we do.
One thing that I remember from growing up is how my parents did a really great job of keeping us focused on the most important thing during the holidays...Christ. Instead of being about gifts and what we wanted or all the food we were going to eat, etc., the holidays were about giving (to), loving, and serving others, all because of Christ. I guess that's why it makes me kind of sick to see all the extravagant stuff that we as Christians indulge in around this time of the year. That's not what I want it to be about for me. That's not what I want it to be about for my family.
So here are a few of the practical ways that we are focusing on Christ and others with our children this season:
1) Talking to them about each holiday, and pointing it all back to Christ.
2) We're letting each of our girls pick out a few toys that they want to give away to bless other children.
3) We took the girls to pick out some things to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.
4) Talking with our children about the things we have and how we are thankful for them.
5) Keeping gift giving simple, by not indulging in over extravagant or numerous gifts.
6) We're including them in picking and wrapping gifts to bless family and friends.
How do you keep your family/children focused on Christ during the holidays? I'd love to hear how you do it!
1 comment:
We also keep the gifts simple, nothing over the top. And we try to talk with them as much as we can about the real reasons for the holidays.
Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
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