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!
**********************
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.
**********************
12 Days of Christmas Giveaways Rules
- You can comment on all 12 days (once per person) up until midnight Pacific time, Sunday, December 17. All posts are linked on Day One here.
- U.S. Addresses only please.
- One daily winner will be chosen from each day’s comments and all winners (including Grand Prize) will be announced on Wednesday, December 20.
- Share the giveaway with your friends and followers using the share buttons below.
- If you’re not already subscribed, click here and receive an email notification each day of our series.
We also love baking cookies for our neighbors! They always appreciate it. Thanks for the traditions!
Sugar cookies are wonderful fun!!
Thank you for the links to some of the recipes. The one I was most interested in (the GF sugar cookie one) gave me a broken link…. I’ve just found out that I have an intolerance to farina, so wheat is out!
As a working mom with twin toddlers, I could certainly use both of these books! Thank you for the suggestion. Though we know and love our neighbors, we can still let them know during the holidays!
I really would love to read these books. I really don’t press pause like I should. I tell mothers around me to do that, but then I do not practice what I preach. Love that beautiful bracelet! Merry Christmas one and all!
Thank you! You just inspired me to reach out to my neighbors. I always make it seem so complicated but it is as simple as baking treats and giving them away!
I love the stars cookies and verses idea. Thank you also for the recipes. May God bless you always as you and your family bring light to your neighborhood.
Thanks for the encouragement! We just moved to a new neighborhood. I will not be able to do something at Christmas time but will begin to pray and think about what we might do this year to reach out. Thanks for the link to the GF cookies!!
We do lots of baking for our neighbors, too – and sometimes we slip messages like yours into the package.
All I want for Christmas is more time to read all the great books I have tried to win on this 12 days of Christmas. I like that the baking shape has a story behind it that kids can learn and we can share with neighbors.
I love baking cookies and giving them away but I never thought about including a verse with them. Thanks for the suggestion.
I love this idea for my two year old. Great way to bring the nativity to their world. Thanks for the idea.
Oh to reach my neighbors. I am terrible when it comes to this!
Thank you for sharing!!
I LOVE SUGAR COOKIES! Thanks for the sharing the wonderful recipes and great ideas.
How very special to share God’s words….I love to bake and share. May His light continue to shine bright thru you. Merry Christmas and Have a blessed evening!
Love this.
Good idea and great way to share with neighbors!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
Thanks for giving us a chance to win.shared on Facebook and Twitter.love making cookies and giving them away.
Sharing Gods love in so many ways.
Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Good reminders…too bad I’m a cookie killer. I never get them right. Maybe the children will catch this – since mama is now old. lol
I love all the symbols at Christmas time!
We need to remember to press pause daily
Love this.