Here's an excerpt, so you can "taste test" and see why this is such a great way for families to celebrate the season:
Advent
Story
"I have a surprise for you
kids," Mom said as soon as Daniel and Holly walked in the door after
school.
"What?" They both wanted to
know.
"Follow me," Mom requested as
she walked toward the family room.
Two-year-old Evie followed along
behind, clapping her hands and giggling.
"She must know what the secret is,"
Daniel commented to Holly.
Holly laughed when Evie shouted,
"Sec-et! Sec-et!"
Mom smiled as well. "That's her
new word for the day."
Then Mom held up a box that had a bunch
of what looked like little doors. Twenty-five of them to be exact. They each had
a number.
"What's that?" Daniel asked.
"It's an Advent calendar. Each day
we'll open one. Behind each door is a treat for each of you and a word we can
talk about to help us prepare for Christmas."
"Can we open one now?" Holly
wanted to know.
"You may." Mom pointed to the
first door.
"Advent," Holy read after she
took out three small candies and handed one to Daniel and Evie.
"Advent is all about the days
leading up to Christmas. We can talk about what Christmas really means and
prepare our hearts to worship Christ."
"Why did Jesus have to come to earth
as a baby? Why couldn't He come as a grown-up?" Daniel wondered as he
picked up the baby Jesus from the Nativity set.
"Well, Jesus needed time to
prepare, too. He needed to experience all the things we experience. He
experienced what it was like to grow up, have a family and friends, and be
tempted by sin just like the rest of us. No matter what problems we face in
life, Jesus truly understands."
"But I thought Jesus was perfect
and never sinned?" Holly questioned.
Mom nodded her head. "He was
perfect. He didn't ever sin, but He still went through a lot of the same things
we do. Because He lived a perfect and sinless life, that's what made Him a
suitable sacrifice for our sins. Only a perfect Man could pay the price for
us."
Daniel and Holly didn't say anything.
For a few moments, the only sound heard was Evie slurping her candy and quietly
repeating, "Sec-et."
Mom continued. "God had to prepare
the world for Salvation to come in the form of His Son, Jesus. It wouldn't
happen overnight. It would take Jesus' entire life time here on earth."
Daniel, always the one who wanted to
learn more, said, "I think this will be interesting."
"I think this will be fun,"
Holly gave her opinion.
"I think it will help prepare us
all and help us to understand Christmas just a little bit better."
Devotion
Read Matthew 25:1-13
This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been
revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had
seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:25b-26
Advent is
a time of preparation. The Christmas Advent begins four Sundays before
Christmas. Many families, especially those with young children, have Advent
calendars. Each day the children get to open a door, receive a little gift, or
remove an object in the countdown for and in anticipation of Christmas.
Children,
for the most part, look forward to Christmas because of the gifts they will
receive. That’s not a bad thing, but we as adults, should have a much deeper
anticipation of Christmas. We take the time to buy and wrap gifts, prepare
food, clean the house for guests, buy new outfits, attend parties, etc. But how
much time do we put into meditating on the actual birth of Christ and
worshipping Him?
Many
years, at least in our household, we spend time putting up the tree and
decorating it, only to ignore it. We more often than not, sit in the room with
the TV. Unfortunately, that’s often the way we are with God as well. We accept
Him as Savior. We attend church on Sundays. Other than that, we pretty much
ignore Him, too.
This
Christmas, in anticipation of the celebration of His birth, let’s focus on Him
a little more throughout the month. Let’s prepare our hearts by reflecting on
why He came to earth.
Christmas
will be that much more special when we focus on the true Reason for the Season.
Activity
This activity will take some extra
planning. Get together as a family; you can even invite your extended family
members to take part in this one as well. Choose a family that is in need; try
to find a specific need if possible. Gather together money to give to that
family for the specific need that they have. If possible, try not to let them
know where their Christmas gift is coming from. That makes it all the more
exciting for both them and you.
Song - The Twelve Days of Christmas (How I Want
to Sing)
Buy the book!
"The 25 Days of Christmas Family Devotional: Making Christmas More Meaningful"
can be purchased on Amazon http://amzn.to/2iUUI8m
About the author:
Ruth O’Neil has been a freelance writer for 20-plus years.
She sees everything as a writing opportunity in disguise, whether it is an
interesting character, setting, or situation. You can find her book series
“What a Difference a Year Makes” on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or her website (http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/). You can
also visit her on her blog at http://ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/.
When she’s not writing or homeschooling her kids, Ruth spends her time
quilting, reading, scrapbooking, camping and hiking with her family.
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