Comments on: Simple Sheperding http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/ Mon, 21 May 2012 23:30:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Joy http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16647 Joy Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:10:33 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16647 When my son was little we hosted a birthday party for baby Jesus every year. We baked a cake, sang Happy Birthday and the children who came made a tree ornament every year that somehow depicted how they could give their hearts to Jesus. I always took their pictures and we'd place their photo in the ornament as well. On Christmas day we always set a place at the table for Jesus. We place a crown at His place setting. It gives us a visual reminder throughout the meal of His presence with us, as it's His birthday we are celebrating. Looking forward to reading your daughters writing. Joy When my son was little we hosted a birthday party for baby Jesus every year. We baked a cake, sang Happy Birthday and the children who came made a tree ornament every year that somehow depicted how they could give their hearts to Jesus. I always took their pictures and we’d place their photo in the ornament as well.

On Christmas day we always set a place at the table for Jesus. We place a crown at His place setting. It gives us a visual reminder throughout the meal of His presence with us, as it’s His birthday we are celebrating.

Looking forward to reading your daughters writing.
Joy

]]> By: Stacey Posey http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16645 Stacey Posey Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:59:55 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16645 We have began having family devotion time. That used to be scattered and not regular enough for us, but during the school break, it's beming a daily habit. We are using the book Leading Little Ones To God. It's touching to us all: age 3 to 33! We have began having family devotion time. That used to be scattered and not regular enough for us, but during the school break, it’s beming a daily habit. We are using the book Leading Little Ones To God. It’s touching to us all: age 3 to 33!

]]> By: Angela Juarez http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16628 Angela Juarez Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:00:22 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16628 Thanks for the devotional and all the great ideas. I have to admit it seems every year we get caught up in the day to day (not even Christmas to-dos) and leave behind the real reason for the season. I love the ideas that were mentioned all will hopefully work for my family (kids ages 2-10 almost). I am feeling frustrated that I don't feel more in the Spirit and thankful for the real reason of Christmas. THanks for your post and your blog! Thanks for the devotional and all the great ideas. I have to admit it seems every year we get caught up in the day to day (not even Christmas to-dos) and leave behind the real reason for the season. I love the ideas that were mentioned all will hopefully work for my family (kids ages 2-10 almost). I am feeling frustrated that I don’t feel more in the Spirit and thankful for the real reason of Christmas.

THanks for your post and your blog!

]]> By: Oh Dear http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16627 Oh Dear Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:51:22 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16627 Your devotion was sooo my day and still I was able to post a list of how I was blessed through it. We do advent books-were the kids get to open a present each day until Christmas of Christmas books one being the Bible. I wrap them at the end of the year and store them with the Christmas decorations. We are currently filling baby Jesus's manger with straw by the kind things we do for others. I jot down on the straw how it was earned( straw is strips of yellow paper.) On Christmas we will lay a doll on the comfy bed, we have made. We also reenact Las Posadas, going to each door in our home searching for a place for Joseph and Mary to rest. My husband hides behind each door answering the knocks. He suggest a broom closet for the couple and then on Christmas morning-they awake to find that Baby Jesus is now present. We have wrapped Jesus up under the tree as well as a gift and will probably do that again this year seeing that our oldest child asked Jesus into his heart this year. We bake cupcakes for His birthday to share. Donated toys. memorize scripture or poetry about His birth We occupy our 2 year old to look for Jesus in lawn decorations as we drive. I love to hear, " THERE DEZUS!" We have followed the stars through the house, like the Wisemen, to Find Jesus and our gifts. We discuss who St. Nicholas really was. Focus on what we are giving vs. what we are receiving. Thanks for more suggestions! Your devotion was sooo my day and still I was able to post a list of how I was blessed through it.

We do advent books-were the kids get to open a present each day until Christmas of Christmas books one being the Bible. I wrap them at the end of the year and store them with the Christmas decorations.

We are currently filling baby Jesus’s manger with straw by the kind things we do for others. I jot down on the straw how it was earned( straw is strips of yellow paper.) On Christmas we will lay a doll on the comfy bed, we have made.

We also reenact Las Posadas, going to each door in our home searching for a place for Joseph and Mary to rest. My husband hides behind each door answering the knocks. He suggest a broom closet for the couple and then on Christmas morning-they awake to find that Baby Jesus is now present.

We have wrapped Jesus up under the tree as well as a gift and will probably do that again this year seeing that our oldest child asked Jesus into his heart this year.

We bake cupcakes for His birthday to share.

Donated toys.

memorize scripture or poetry about His birth

We occupy our 2 year old to look for Jesus in lawn decorations as we drive. I love to hear, ” THERE DEZUS!”

We have followed the stars through the house, like the Wisemen, to Find Jesus and our gifts.

We discuss who St. Nicholas really was. Focus on what we are giving vs. what we are receiving.

Thanks for more suggestions!

]]> By: Deb http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16625 Deb Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:40:31 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16625 Since our grown-up kids were little tykes, we've always had a family Christmas play on Christmas Eve for our family and relatives who were visiting. When they were little they dressed as Joseph, Mary, a shepherd, and an angel. I love to go back and look at those pictures of the early days. During these grown-up years the kids are involved in choosing the songs and music, along with reading poems and Christmas stories. Dad still reads Luke 2, and every year we have grown to treasure their production each Christmas. I look forward when grandchildren are old enough to take part. Since our grown-up kids were little tykes, we’ve always had a family Christmas play on Christmas Eve for our family and relatives who were visiting. When they were little they dressed as Joseph, Mary, a shepherd, and an angel. I love to go back and look at those pictures of the early days. During these grown-up years the kids are involved in choosing the songs and music, along with reading poems and Christmas stories. Dad still reads Luke 2, and every year we have grown to treasure their production each Christmas. I look forward when grandchildren are old enough to take part.

]]> By: Sally http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16624 Sally Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:18:06 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16624 Wow this is all so amazing to see how many of you brought your kids up teaching them about baby Jesus, the real meaning of Christmas!! My husband and I gave our lives to the Lord 5 yrs ago and unfortunately my 2 older boys were grown but I still have 1 at home and I can surely tell you what a difference it has been raising a child in church!! Also the good thing is that God gives us grace!! My mom passed away in 07 and my husbands dad passed away this June so this year we have not bought many gifts as we are focusing more on giving God the glory for the family we do have!! I can honestly say this is one of the 1st Christmases that I have not been depressed and stressed with everything being about gifts and money. I give him all the Glory and Praise!! I serve an awesome GOD!!!! Wow this is all so amazing to see how many of you brought your kids up teaching them about baby Jesus, the real meaning of Christmas!! My husband and I gave our lives to the Lord 5 yrs ago and unfortunately my 2 older boys were grown but I still have 1 at home and I can surely tell you what a difference it has been raising a child in church!! Also the good thing is that God gives us grace!! My mom passed away in 07 and my husbands dad passed away this June so this year we have not bought many gifts as we are focusing more on giving God the glory for the family we do have!! I can honestly say this is one of the 1st Christmases that I have not been depressed and stressed with everything being about gifts and money. I give him all the Glory and Praise!! I serve an awesome GOD!!!!

]]> By: Linda http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16623 Linda Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:52:49 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16623 As I read the devotion today, I knew that I needed to take the time to be quiet and alone with the LORD. I really liked the idea (from Karen's blog) about hunting for the baby Jesus. I have two little boys and I think this is something that we could incorporate into our family. I am sure many other families do this but one thing that our family does on Christmas morning every year is to read from Luke 2 before we open presents and before the busyness of the day begins. The moment of Bible reading can help to get the day started on the right track and get our minds fixed on what the day is really all about. As I read the devotion today, I knew that I needed to take the time to be quiet and alone with the LORD.

I really liked the idea (from Karen’s blog) about hunting for the baby Jesus. I have two little boys and I think this is something that we could incorporate into our family.

I am sure many other families do this but one thing that our family does on Christmas morning every year is to read from Luke 2 before we open presents and before the busyness of the day begins. The moment of Bible reading can help to get the day started on the right track and get our minds fixed on what the day is really all about.

]]> By: Amy http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16622 Amy Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:56:11 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16622 I find ways to reach out to my neighbors and act in a Christ-like way. (Always, but especially during the hustle and bustle of Christmas time!). -Amy V. I find ways to reach out to my neighbors and act in a Christ-like way. (Always, but especially during the hustle and bustle of Christmas time!).

-Amy V.

]]> By: Crystal http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16621 Crystal Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:21:59 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16621 Our family honors God by purposefully giving more than we get. We donate our time and money to organizations that perform service that is especially important to us as a family. The parents donate blood - blood is always needed, but especially at this time of year when donations are down and the need is up. With the financial downturn this past year, it has been a little more challenging, but we've done it. The children are only getting one gift ($25 limit) and the adults nothing, but we've kept our commitment to give more than we get. Our family honors God by purposefully giving more than we get. We donate our time and money to organizations that perform service that is especially important to us as a family. The parents donate blood – blood is always needed, but especially at this time of year when donations are down and the need is up. With the financial downturn this past year, it has been a little more challenging, but we’ve done it. The children are only getting one gift ($25 limit) and the adults nothing, but we’ve kept our commitment to give more than we get.

]]> By: Jean J. http://karenehman.com/home/2009/12/21/simple-sheperding/comment-page-1/#comment-16620 Jean J. Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:59:11 +0000 http://karenehman.com/home/?p=1710#comment-16620 Since Christ saved me 8 years ago, I keep looking for more and more ways to make Him the focal point of Christmas...as He should be. I can be grateful despite our financial situation this Christmas because of the lack of money we are not caught up in all the shopping, decorating, etc. We have kept it simple and I love it!!! Since Christ saved me 8 years ago, I keep looking for more and more ways to make Him the focal point of Christmas…as He should be. I can be grateful despite our financial situation this Christmas because of the lack of money we are not caught up in all the shopping, decorating, etc. We have kept it simple and I love it!!!

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