One of our favorite traditions is to buy a new Christmas book each year (I try to make it advent or Christ centered), then all who are with us on Christmas write their name in it (so we have ones that have scribbles, drawings, etc) and then each year this special collection gets set out. Then during December we read and reread these special stories. They each have a story, like we found a Go tell it on the Mountain book, basically the song words with pictures. Sam has loved this song since he was little, so we reread it over and over each season! Its a nice way to settle down for an evening and focus on Christ.

It doesn’t really take much for me to focus on Jesus during Christmas time. It’s just I really don’t get all sucked into the madness of shopping and my family is small. I just get excited knowing that the day will arrive when we celebrate the greatest gift of all. And that’s what I think I’ve always felt about Christman, even before I really knew, that giving and sharing with those around you represents His gift to us. It’s really easy for me now with a 3 yr old to just tell him that Christmas is Jesus birthday. It feels right. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not denying my son “santa” but you’ll hear me say Jesus far more. And that’s how it should be.

Traditionally, we have done the three gifts for our kids. We tell them, “If three gifts were good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for you.”

We also wait until the kids are asleep and place our family bible in front of all the presents under the tree opened to Luke 2 and we place the baby Jesus figurine from our nativity set on top of the bible. It’s the first thing the kids look for on Christmas morning! Now that our kids are old enough to read they have begun bringing their bibles with them when they wake up and run to the tree so they can help read the Nativity story.

We will be away from home for Christmas this year, so I recently asked my children what was the one Christmas tradition that they want to remember. They all said, “The Bible with baby Jesus!” I’ll definately be making room for that in my suitcase!

Happy Thanksgiving!