Having problems with message search?
Jesus – Wonder of Christmas - Countdown
MUM-e-Mail
To equip and encourage
mothers of preschoolers and their supporters
December 2008
Mother Maxim
For God did not send his Son (Jesus) into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ~ John 3:17
Mother Moment – The Wonder and Delight of Christmas
Is Father Christmas or Santa Claus for real? What do you tell your children about them?
My children were never impressed by the Santas in the mall. Their first reaction was to cry and run away – what a strange-looking man all dressed up like that! And now they view this overdressed fellow with mild curiosity.
We are not `party poopers'. We view Christmas as a season, not just a day. December 6th is `Put Up Tree' Day, where we talk of the symbols on it. We talk about Saint Nicholas, the Turkish Bishop whose image has evolved into Santa Claus, and the various traditions around him. We still have presents, but not from Santa and his reindeers (I'm not sure how they'd go around here anyway with the hole in the ozone and all). Christmas carols are played with great regularity throughout the month of December.
I grew up having Father Christmas bring the presents but soon figured out that my grandfather was never around when Father Christmas arrived. Then I saw Poppop climbing in the window when I was six years old. The fantasy was done!
Before having children, I never stopped to think or discuss with my husband how we would present the wonder of Christmas to our children. It just happened. We have opted for the Truth. It's Jesus' Birthday. We have our Nativity scene up that we interact with through December until Epiphany on January 6th. Saint Nicklaus was real. Jesus was real. Not much fantasy but plenty of wonder and delight.
I find myself awed again and again that the God and Creator of the Universe is intimately interested in us on Earth. God loved us so much that He arranged for His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born to a young woman in an animal's yard – and live his life among us to show us the way to God. That's pretty amazing!
And so our family celebrates – with the joy and peace that God gives mingled among our decorations and the tree. There's plenty of wonder and delight for our children at Christmas time.
And not a spot of snow anywhere.
© Johanna Whittaker, Hamilton, NZ, Dec 2003
Mother's Heart
Focus … Prioritise for your family … Simplify … Worship …
Enjoy Christmas – the day and the season.
--
Creative
Metal tray, backing sheet drawn as a grid, magnetic homemade symbols – easy and effective Advent calendar – kids love this.
MOPPETS
Create your own December countdown (activity) calendar.
20. Go on a pyjama ride with the littlies to see the Christmas lights.
21. Oohh! The anticipation – Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Light, is coming.
22. Visit or volunteer at an old folks' home, women's refuge, Night shelter.
23. Watch a Christmas video or DVD with your children, telling the story of Jesus' birth.
24. O Holy Night, … the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Sing or dance together.
25. Happy Birthday, Jesus – Emmanuel, God born as man. Who is coming to your party?
Shalom, God is with us!
From Last Time :
What makes you come alive?
MOPS Links
www.mops.org - http://www.mops.org/forms/MyMOPS/Prayers_Nov08.pdf
Merry Christmas!
See you again in the New Year …
Johanna W
MUM-e-Mail is a free twice a month newsletter from MOPS (NZ) Inc. © 2008
MOPS (NZ) Inc, P O Box 12-307, Hamilton, NZ. - info@... - www.mops.org.nz
Use these links to change your e-mail address or format – (Edit Membership)
or unsubscribe (send empty).
Offline 
Send Email