12 Days of Christmas (2017) – Day 11
GRAND PRIZE!!!
One of you WHO COMMENTS ON ALL TWELVE POSTS AND ALSO SHARES ABOUT THE SERIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA will win a grand prize from me, pictured here.
REMEMBER…in order to win the grand prize, you must leave a comment on all 12 posts. You can start with Day One HERE.
OK, let’s get started with our eleventh day’s guest, Ruth Schwenk!
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A Simple and Fun Holiday Tradition to Reach Your Home and Neighbors
Baking seems like a typical tradition during the holidays, but something simple can be made into a fun and creative way to bring the reason for the season into your home and share it with others.
Moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan just two years ago, and into a brand new neighborhood a year ago, we have spent the last several months on mission to meet our neighbors. It has been so fun to meet so many new people, share a meal and hear their stories. As we have gone outside of our comfort zone and made that invitation it has been surprising to see how our welcome has been so warmly received.
As Christmas is quickly approaching, it is the perfect time to reach out and remind our neighbors we care. So I want to encourage you to reach out over the next few weeks in a fun way!
Making cookies can be messy but it is always fun and the perfect way to let the kids help.
This year we are making sugar-cookie stars! First, buy or borrow a star-shaped cookie cutter. Make some sugar cookie stars (or a different cookie and cut in the shape of a star). Here is an entire list of 20 Healthy Christmas Cookies including a gluten-free sugar cookie option.
Take this opportunity to celebrate Jesus and to share with your children how Jesus is the Light of the World. Talk about how the magi came from the east to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2 NIV).
Now share how Jesus came into our world to be a great Light. “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46 NIV).
Next, share with your children how we can be stars in the universe and how we are called to be the light. “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14a NIV).
Finally, write a Christmas note, including one of the verses above to your neighbors and pack up some stars to include as a small gift. Don’t forget to invite them to join you at church this Christmas!
Day Eleven Giveaway
For the 12 Days of Christmas series, I am giving away my book co-authored with Karen, Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet With Jesus, my book co-authored with my husband, For Better or For Kids: A Vow to Love Your Spouse with Kids in the House and a Press Pause bracelet pictured below!
Ruth Schwenk is the founder of TheBetterMom.com, and along with her husband, the creator of ForTheFamily.org. She is a pastor’s wife, mom of four energetic kids, a lover of coffee, and co-author of four books including Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet With Jesus and For Better or For Kids: A Vow to Love Your Spouse with Kids in the House.
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12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Rules
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Memories with baking cookies with my children is something that is so special. My daughters do the same thing with their children also. They even text me and ask me for the recipes we used when they we’re young.
Great idea, I was planning on doing cookies with my daughters one day next week and have not met any neighbors yet!
Thanks for the idea…and anything involving cookies is a win!
Oh I love your idea! So intentional. So meaningful.
Great giveaway :)
Great way to meet the neighbors!
Love to bake and read! What a combo! We just moved to a new neighborhood-great idea! Blessings!
This is a great idea to make cookies and share with your neighbors. So often we don’t even meet neighbors because we’re so busy. We need to pause and slow down. And do things with our family. I love this.
I love giving away homemade cookies to family, friends and neighbors!
I really needed that push to go out of my comfort zone. Thank you!
I need to get better at reaching out to neighbors and hearing their story and offering a piece of encouragement. Thanks for sharing!! ?
Great ideas. I do a lot for our church family but really need to reach out to my neighbors more. Maybe I will try this.
Baking makes me happy and I for sure need to get to know my neighbors better.
Love the star idea… Thank you and Merry Christmas!
I love to bake for others.
Thank you for pressing the idea of knowing your neighbors. People are not relational anymore. I’ve been really trying to connect with our new neighbors. It’s the little things in life and sharing these moments with freinds.
Love reading your stuff!
I love these ideas. One of my traditions is baking cookies. Thanks for the gluten free recipes. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone
I love this—baking with our children, teaching them while baking, serving others and keeping Christ at the center of it all.
Thank you for the reminder to step out of my comfort zone!
Awesome idea being cookies the books sound great too.
My kids are anxiously awaiting cookie making time. But with the stress of school and very short holiday break, we are putting it off till last 1/2 day of school. :)
what a fun tradition!
We have made small gifts for our neighbors the last couple years, but I enjoy the idea of keeping it simple with baking cookies– and then including a bible verse! why had I not thought of that before?!! now time to get baking!
I love taking my neighbors some of myy homemade cinnamon rolls!