So, how do we keep the focus? We are all busy with shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas programs, holiday luncheons, work, buying trees, hanging lights and much more. It's really difficult to relax and really enjoy the holidays. Every year I decide that I am going to get all of my shopping done early, so that I am able to keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Well, here we go again. It's Dec 3rd, and my list is endless. I've decided that we have to CARVE OUT TIME in our busy schedules to devote to preparing our hearts and minds for Christmas. My family found a great book 2 years ago called Jotham's Journey, by Arnold Ytreeide. It's a family story for advent. My kids love it! Last year, we found book #2 in the Trilogy, and this year we will complete the series with a book called "Tabitha's Travels". I highly recommend it, as it brings the family together every night to regain focus. We light the candles on the advent wreath, which is fun for the kids. They take turns lighting the candles and blowing them out. The story is very exciting and ends with a cliff hanger every night. The kids can't wait to get back to it. Of course there are nights that we just can't get to it, so we have to play catch up, but that's just the way things go sometimes. Advent began on Dec 2nd this year, so you can still begin and play a little catch-up your self. I guarantee it will be worth your time and energy.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Reason for the Season
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Click here to check out an article & book about Kids & Media by Kirsetin Morello
3 comments:
When I was growing up, we had a book of traditional Christmas stories w/ Norman Rockwell pictures throughout (and one on the cover). After I had kids, I bought the book, too, and we try to read one story each night during the Christmas season. I still choke up when I read the Gift of the Magi (by O. Henry) to my kids. They look forward to taking turns choosing the stories and I love carrying on the tradition.
Hip Moms,
We hear you! Several of you have let us know that the series we recommended in this post is now out of print. Sorry about that! You can still find used copies online, but they are pricey. If you're looking for something to read with your family during advent that costs less than $50+ per (used) book, check out these two:
1. The Jesse Tree (Geraldine McCallghrean) &
2. The 25 Days of Christmas (Greg Johnson)
It's not the same as a fun series, but it's still a good tradition to start and won't break your piggy bank.
If you use amazon, you can enter "advent" under listmania and it will pull up lots of advent books.
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