My daughter and I have the special tradition of wrapping Christmas presents while watching the classic movie, White Christmas.  You know you’ve created a tradition when you look forward to it and it seems more awkward not to do it.  I love that my daughter now expects this as a fun part of our seasonal bonding! 

In the movie, Bing Crosby croons a song that sticks with us all year long.   I have used this media inspired teachable moment more than once at bedtime for the kids and myself!  (Click on picture to play the clip.)

 “If you’re worried and you can’t sleep,
Just count your blessings instead of sheep.
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings.”
– Irving Berlin

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 For more Parenting with Scripture Christmas ideas, see http://www.parentingwithscripture.com/category/holidays/christmas/

Have you ever spent much time thinking about the meaning of Christmas carols?  Snuggle up by the fire for family devotionals this month and enjoy using a resource like Christmas Carols for a Child’s Heart.  Follow up by surprising your family with the supplies to make Christmas Carol Ornaments. (Instructions and picture below.)

Preschool ideas/resource:
For a fun December preschool boredom buster, give your child some jingle bells (be careful because of the choking hazard) or some other shaker to play along with Christmas hymns or any Christmas music.  Have them shake high, low, soft, loud, in front of his tummy, behind his back, etc.  Play “Freeze” by stopping and starting the music and having the child freeze when the music is stopped.  I love Cedarmont productions for preschool Bible music –

School-age through teens idea (even crafty adults love this one!): 
Photocopy your favorite Christmas hymn.  Cut it into strips.  Feed the strips into a clear glass or plastic ornament.  Sets of these can be found a craft stores like Hobby Lobby.  Attach a ribbon and tag with the name of the carol for a bit of extra flare.  These make lovely gifts!

 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 
Psalm 95:1

For more Parenting with Scripture Christmas ideas, see
http://www.parentingwithscripture.com/category/holidays/christmas/

As we went through the Christmas season last year and participated in several means of donating or giving to those in need, I desired further the impact of these gifts in our hearts and minds.  That’s how we came up with the “Gifting Gift.”  Each time we participated in an way to give to others in need, we added a note about it in the box.   Amidst our brightly wrapped packages, this little box served as a reminder through December to lift up a prayer for those who are less fortunate.  On Christmas morning, we took time to open the Gifting Box and pray for each of the people the notes represented. 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” 
Matthew 25:40

If you are looking for child-friendly giving ideas, here are a couple of suggestions:
*Any age can help shop and put items in a wrapped box for Operation Christmas Child.  If you go somewhere like the dollar store, your child may wish to use some of his allowance money for several items.  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/.  Collection of these boxes is in November, but add “Operation Christmas Child Boy/Girl” notes in your Gifting Gift to remember to pray for them on Christmas day. 
*Any age can help you look through the on-line catalog of items available for donation through Food for the Poor, Samaritan’s Purse, or World Vision.   Our family had a set amount planned to spend, with the kids having decided a portion of their money as well.  Once in the catalog, it was neat to see how all of us desired to put in more once we saw the needs.  Each of our children found what item they would like to donate toward, based on their budget.  Then, our family picked one of a higher amount to sponsor together.  How cool is it that this ministry allows children here to know that they have just provided a rabbit, sports equipment, or a Bible lesson to a child across the world who wouldn’t have this help otherwise!
https://secure3.convio.net/ffp/site/Ecommerce;jsessionid=32B5ED710C9883356984CA749D08E53B.app367a?FOLDER=0&store_id=6061

For more Parenting with Scripture Christmas ideas, see http://www.parentingwithscripture.com/category/holidays/christmas/

Involve the whole family in giving thanks through this Thankfulness Tree!  Trace the children’s handprints onto fall colored paper and help them cut them out , if need be.  Meanwhile, a teen or adult can prep the poster board with the title “We are thankful for…” and tree shape as seen below.  The children use glue sticks to paste their handprint leaves all over the tree.  Then, each family member can write things they are thankful for on all the leaves.  Display in the kitchen or family room for a meaningful Thanksgiving decoration. 

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:13

Here are some of our cutie-patootie neighbor boys working on their family’s tree at our neighborhood Thanksgiving party last year.

In the hallway at church this Sunday, I heard a great example of a mom parenting with Scripture on the topic of anger.  My friend and neighbor, Jennifer, shared how her 3 1/2 year old had been struggling with anger.  She asked him if God would want him to be angry or happy.  He said, “angry.”  Jennifer suggested that they pray and find out what God says about it.  They looked up the topic and found that Proverbs 22:24 says,

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered.” 

I love how she paraphrased to help him understand on his preschool level by saying it means that God doesn’t want us to play with angry people.  She also shared that Colossians 3:12 says,

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 

She explained how God wants us to be kind, gentle, and patient rather than angry.  After the discussion, his attitude totally changed. 

On to the next day…When the anger flared again, she asked him if he remembered whether God wanted him to be angry or happy.  He replied, “Angry.”  Jennifer persisted and said, “Wait a minute, are you sure?  Do not…” (she paused to give him a chance to think).  Sure enough, that little one chimed in “play with an angry man!” 

Mr. 3 ½ year old had listened and hid God’s Word in his heart through that teachable moment! 

“Lord, you have given us so much.  Give us one thing more—grateful hearts.”  (Paraphrased from original below.)

I’ve heard my sister-in-law say this many a time.  Sometimes it would be to my nieces (who may or may not have been rolling their eyes from hearing it so much growing up).  Other times, it would be a well-timed reminder amidst an extended family discussion.  Now that my nieces are older, they admit to appreciating it more.  I have adopted the saying and hope it’s a nugget of wisdom that will quickly come to the heart and lips of my children.  What a wonderful principle to live by, not only this time of year, but all year long!

Preschool – Elementary Craft idea: 
Cut out hearts from fall colored construction paper.  Have children decorate them and write (or write for them) the words of Psalm 86:12, the quote above, or simply the word “Grateful!”  Hearts could be hung from a light fixture or ceiling, strung as a garland, or put on the fridge with magnets.

Simplest Grateful Heart – Preschoolers can help glue verse and color one heart.

 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 86:12

“Thou that hast given so much to me give me one thing more, a grateful heart:
not thankful when it pleaseth me,
as if Thy blessings had spare days, but such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.”    
– George Herbert (circa 1600) 

Grateful Heart garlands by 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders
(It’s hard to see, but several words are written on each heart.
They chose between the saying from the introduction and the Bible verse.)

Years ago, my mom started an incredibly special Christmas present tradition for her grandchildren – giving handmade nativity sets from around the world!  Through her involvement in WOM (Women on Mission) at her church, she became aware of www.worldcrafts.org.   Their mission statement begins, “World Crafts develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Our vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.”  In buying their products, we are able to help make a difference across the world! 

This link is for their beautiful selection of nativity sets – http://worldcrafts.org/shop-subcategories.asp?cat=2&subcat=20.  Prices range from 19.99 to 79.99 not including shipping.  One year, for a more budget friendly option, my mom substituted a lovely handmade card with nativity scene for each of the kids.  http://worldcrafts.org/shop-subcategories.asp?cat=2&subcat=11  These come in sets so can be divided up.   I have known some of the nativities to sell out.  Thus, the early November post.  Get ’em while you can and mark your calendars for future years for a reminder to place an early order for best selection.

When family travelled internationally and brought back surprises, we added these sets to the collection.  As my kids’ collections grew, I began to get attached to them and requested a set for me and Tim as part of our Christmas presents also.  That way, when our kids head off on their own, they can take their sets and we’ll still have ours to enjoy displaying.  For now, we just put out one of each set and keep the others stored. 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:16

As I sat in church next to my sweet teenage niece, I couldn’t help but notice that she chewed and picked on the skin around her nails throughout the entire service.  I tried to decide whether to just let it go or say something.  I sent up a quick prayer asking my Father to give Auntie Kara wisdom as to what to do.  Later in the hour, He gave me my answer.  I remembered doing exactly the same thing as a teen and my mom kindly saying, “Kara, you’re to pretty to pick at your nails like that!”  Brilliant, she was!  In that one simple sentence, she knew that the sincere compliment would mean enough to me that it would impact my action better than if she had just incessantly nagged at me about not doing the unsightly habit.   “Lord, please give me such wisdom in my words as I parent my children!” 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

3rd grade began this year for my son, Jake, with hearing rumors of some of the 4th grade boys thinking of a name to call the 3rd grade boys.  My son was on the fringe of all of this and pretty much unaffected.  So, I don’t know the whole scoop.  However, it presented some great teachable moments to discuss name calling.  First of all, it was important to find out if the 4th graders were intending to be hurtful or playful.  Then, I asked what my son’s approach would be if they started calling them this name in a hurtful way. 

Our pastor, Buddy, recently shared a perfect example from his college days.  Being a die-hard Auburn fan, he went with a friend to a rival team’s game, sporting an Auburn jersey.  During the game, an inebriated rival fan got in Buddy’s face and started yelling at him.  Buddy’s friend stood up and said, “If you want him, you gotta’ go through me!”  Neither my pastor or his friend were looking for a fight.  But his friend had the guts to stand up to the bully and was even able to talk him down.   In his sermon where this example was used, Buddy referenced this verse.   

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7

The bigger point of the sermon was living out and sharing our faith despite our circumstances.  I realized that for Jake, standing up for what is right on the playground is what that looks like in his 3rd grade world.  Though my karate kid would love to swing into action in such a circumstance, we discussed what would be a more appropriate approach…a more “self-disciplined” one.  Just like Buddy’s friend, I challenged my kids to be the kind of friend that stands up for others and for what is right.  And, they can try to do that with “power, love, and self-discipline.” 

It turns out that the principal handled the situation so there was no need for Jake to intervene.   Simultaneously however, there was a friend of his who had a nickname that I felt needed to be addressed in light of our discussion on name calling.  One of Jake’s friends in his class is a good deal taller and bigger than the rest of the kids.  I overheard that his friends were calling him, “The Giant.”  When I questioned Jake about whether his friend was ok with this or not, Jake said he was and that he knew they were just teasing.  Be that as it may, I know what it’s like as I was called “Too-Tall Kara” in the 4th grade for the same reasons.  While it didn’t truly bother me either, I shared with Jake that I would have appreciated a friend checking with me just to be sure.  I challenged Jake to pull his friend aside and find out how he really felt about the nickname.  He did and the friend is indeed ok with it.  I told Jake I was proud of him for being a good enough friend to ask him. 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Grace.  That word carries such peace within it.  It means not getting what we deserve.  God loves us no matter what!  This is a principle we try to speak of often with our children.  Just as God loves us all unconditionally, so do we as parents love them.  We ALL sin and make mistakes and are in need of God’s grace.  We say regularly that there is nothing they could ever do that could keep us from loving them.  We may be grieved at their actions, but we will still love each of them as a person.  We remind them that they can come to God and us for forgiveness for anything.  In this day in age where suicide is sadly a too common way out, we want it engrained in our children that they can always, always, always turn to us and God…no matter how bad they think the situation is. 

“Does this mean we can do anything we want?” a precocious or wise child might wonder?   Romans 6 helps answer that question.  “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”   Romans 6:1-4

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. 
Ephesians 1:7

This sign hangs above our pantry and I love the daily reminder.  The older I get, the more  I realize how broken we all are and how much we are need of grace from God and each other.