Christmas Encouragement for MomsНамуна

Going on an Adventure with Your Children  

As Christ-followers, we have hope. We have hope knowing that our Savior is real and alive: He draws near to us and loves us always. We have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises He made to us. It is written in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As we trust in Him, hope overflows from us! As moms, there is nothing we want more for our children than to know and feel this hope as well.

Jesus’ birth and the promise of His coming to the Earth are the most powerful demonstrations of hope. The season of waiting for His promise is called Advent. Advent means coming, as in Christ’s coming. Advent represents our expectation, anticipation, and preparation for who Christ is and what He has done for us. Matthew 3:3 says, “This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord make straight paths for him.” We are called to prepare a way for Him to come into our hearts.

This December, I would like to encourage you to go on an adventure with your children. Here are some ideas:

• Advent Paper Chain-  What child does not love counting down the days until Christmas? This is a fun way, as the paper chain will end up having 25 links total; it’s meant to be started on December 1st and get shorter every day. Each day has a different theme and Scripture reference on it to read as a family. I did this with my family last year, and my girls loved it! 
• Christmas Nativity Snack- This is a fun alternative to the tradition of making gingerbread houses. Creating nativity snacks brings the focus back to Jesus—and they are yummy! Your kids will enjoy making these just as much as a gingerbread house.  
•  Advent Ornaments-  Christmas is all about Jesus! This is an amazing craft to do with your kiddos. Create 25 ornaments with the 25 names of Jesus written or painted on them. These ornaments could be put on your Christmas tree or used as decorations somewhere else in the home. I also think it could be neat to create the ornaments and put them in a bowl and read one per night until Christmas.  
•  The Shepherd on the Search- I am so excited about this substitute to the secular Elf on the Shelf! This is a newer product from DaySpring that I am definitely planning to use as a tradition with my girls every year. 
•  Focus on the Family Advent Resources-  Focus on the Family is a fantastic ministry that offers printable Advent materials for a small fee, and some are even free. They feature daily Scripture readings to do with your children, activities, and entire posters to help countdown to Christmas. What I love is that every year the theme is a little different.  

**Be sure to check out day 12 of this plan for links to all these activities!

Love,

Rachel Jones and the Help Club for Moms Team

“At this Christmas, when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.” 

~ Mother Teresa