Comments on: Celebrate with Joy: Week 1

By: E.E.

E.E. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:42:54 +0000

For the past five years my husband and I have read and reread the devotional, "Preparing My Heart for Advent", by Anne Marie Stewart. While it's designed to be a women's devotional, it really isn't gender specific. There are daily readings from November 1st through January 6th, and each year we glean something new from Anne Marie's in-depth studies. Christ's birth becomes nearer and dearer to our hearts with each passing day of the Advent season, and our eyes have been opened afresh to the beautiful way all of Scripture is tied together.

By: E.E.

E.E. — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:35:42 +0000

@Mrs. Taft, That is the neatest idea! We'll have to give that a try next year! We normally do the traditional advent wreath.

By: Mrs. Taft

Mrs. Taft — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:54:04 +0000

I think my comment got flagged as spam because it contained an URL...oh well Loved the post!
Mrs. Taft´s last blog ..Unconventional Advent Wreath

By: Mrs. Taft

Mrs. Taft — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:52:58 +0000

I love this post Here's what I did for our advent wreath this year:
http://tinyurl.com/y8vnalu
Mrs. Taft´s last blog ..Unconventional Advent Wreath

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:34:08 +0000

I love this time of year! We are celebrating Advent by the lighting of the candles and special time to focus on Christ on Sunday evenings. Also, every day of December I do a giving activity with the children to teach them the meaning of Christmas, God's love, serving others and gratitude. We call it the 25 Days of Giving. I've been writing about it on my blog and I'm excited that this year it is a bit viral!
Andrea ´s last blog ..25 Days of Giving Kick-Off

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:05:23 +0000

I bought this book YEARS ago and have done the Names of Jesus many times. This year I printed them on paper chain links and we take one down each day to learn. I have six kids and three are married and those kids were home when we started using this book. Now the younger three have joined in the traditions. I would highly recommend getting this books.
Merry Christmas everyone!

By: Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:58:41 +0000

@Kate, No, our kids don't believe in Santa Claus. We don't mind if the topic of Santa comes up or if a book mentions him, but we're very upfront about the fact that Santa is not real, is just a made-up story, and that Santa and gifts are not the point of Christmas, but rather Christ is! With gifts, we make the focus more on blessing and loving each other by thoughtfully giving gifts instead of trying to pretend that they magically come from Santa or wherever. This way they learn about giving to others, they're not disappointed when they learn the truth, and they don't get hung up on the gift aspect of Christmas. Personally, I really don't think it's a necessary thing to teach our kids about and can even be detrimental to how we celebrate important holidays like Christmas (or Easter, with the Easter Bunny, etc.). We want our celebrations to remain pure and focused on why they are truly important, and not to get watered down with the godless ways that our culture celebrates them.

By: Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home

Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:54:06 +0000

@Elisabeth, That's so neat that you've met Sondra and have the book yourself! I also love the idea of celebrating Reformation Day instead of Halloween (which we don't celebrate).

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:32:26 +0000

I was wondering, do your kids believe in Santa Claus? I'm struggling with whether or not I want my daughter (almost 3) to believe in Santa or not. Your thoughts?

By: Elisabeth

Elisabeth — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:03:28 +0000

This is a great book! I bought it from Sondra at our state homeschool convention a couple of years ago. She is a joy herself! I also appreciate her ideas on Halloween alternatives (more of a Reformation Day type celebration that includes young people learning about a hero of the faith & then dressing up like them & presenting their life).