Christmas Family Fun - Week 1

Christmas is hands-down, my most favorite time of the year!  I love looking at the creative ways that people decorate their homes (inside and out!), I love listening to Christmas music, drinking hot chocolate by the fire, and I even love walking around the mall enjoying all of the exciting “hustle and bustle” as people try to find that perfect gift for a special someone.  I’m ashamed to admit that I even look forward to ABC Family’s 25 days of Christmas, so that I can watch the hokey ‘Original Christmas movies’ that they produce!  Yes, it’s truly the most ‘wonderful time of the year’!

One of my sweetest memories from growing up, was the special Christmas traditions we adopted into our family.  Things like going to the candlelit Christmas Eve service together, all color-coordinated, or riding around the car to see the beautiful Christmas lights are just a couple of the treasured memories I hold close.  This week, as I was thinking about what to write on our blog for Family, I had the idea of sharing some fun family activities that involve a Christmas theme!  So, with hopes of helping you to get into the Christmas spirit and make special family memories within your own home, we’ll be giving you a great Family Fun idea to try out each Friday in December!  So without further adieu, here’s our first family ‘fun’ idea! J

Since our very first Christmas being married, Steve and I have tried hard to remember that this sweet season is all about Jesus.  With that being said, we know of a lot of people who could use His help in many areas of their lives.  Perhaps we knew some friends that needed wisdom in making a decision, or just needed help as they were struggling through a tough time.  Maybe it was someone that we just wanted to pray that God would bless them incredibly or grow them up to love Him in a way that allows them to be used to change the world.  Whatever or whoever it was, we have tried very hard not to get so caught up in the great festivities, that we forget to keep our focus on the person who we’re supposed to be celebrating in the first place.  So here’s what we did….

We bought a piece of red and white poster board from Wal-Mart and went to work.  We cut out shapes that looked like stockings, and each night, would pick someone to pray for.  After praying for them, we would write their name on the stocking and hang it in our home.  It may seem like a small thing, but it became a daily tradition, and something that helped us keep our focus on the real “reason for the season!”  This year, we’ll be doing this same tradition, only allowing Caleb to join the mix!  Each night, before he goes to bed, we’ll spend time praying for his teachers, his friends, and the many people in his life that love and pour into him!

December 2nd has just arrived!  Why not start today, and spend the next 23 days leading up to Christmas Day praying for others!  What a difference something as simple as a little “prayer” stocking can make!