Too often, December flies by and Christmas gets here before I'm ready. Dec. 25 rolls around before I've even had a chance to focus on what the season is all about. In all the activity, I miss the manger. I miss the good news the angels told "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:11). And, if I miss focusing on Jesus during December, so does my family. If my focus is on all the things we have to do instead of on the reason we're celebrating, then that's where my kids' focus will be, too.
I know I'm not the only one of us who rushes through the month, thinking I'll have time tomorrow to focus my, and my kids', attention on Jesus. Instead, we need to take advantage of the opportunities God gives us. It takes being intentional and using the moments we have to keep our hearts and minds focused on the important and not the urgent.
Thankfully, Christmas provides us with endless opportunities to talk with our kids about Jesus. We can use the everyday moments of this season, just like we seek out the everyday moments throughout the rest of the year. We can fill up our souls with Jesus, so we can help our kids find reminders of Him through the ordinary trappings of the season -- from lights to wreaths to snow.
But how do we do that? We're going to focus on the Christmas story all this month on the blog. But if you're looking for more, check out my new Christmas devotional e-book, Everyday Christmas: Helping your kids find Jesus in the everyday moments of the season. Right now, it's available for Kindle and as a PDF download. It should be available for Nook soon.
(If you purchase the PDF download, after you finish your PayPal transaction, click on return to ldfairchild@comcast.net, and it will take you to the page where you can download the book.)
Everyday Christmas offers a daily devotional for you that focuses on a common Christmas sight, sound or activity. The devotional is to refresh your soul and get you thinking about the everyday things of Christmas in a different way. Each devotional is followed by a page of conversation starters, verses and activities for you to use with your kids. If you're looking for a way to focus your family's attention on Jesus this Christmas season, check it out.
All month on the Facebook page, we'll be talking about each day's devotional and ideas. Join in, whether you buy the book or not.
Today, I'm giving away a copy of the PDF download for free. All you have to do to win is comment either here or on the Everyday Truth Facebook page.
I'm hoping that this is the Christmas you and your family find Jesus in the everyday.
So proud to know you, Lori. You have a gift with words, and are using them in a mighty way. May you be richly blessed through your ministry. LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteOh, this looks neat! I've been trying to find a good devotional to teach my toddlers about the reason for this season. Right now we're trying to use a little bit of three different ones, but I'd love to check this one out too.
ReplyDeleteHi, this is my first time to your blog. I was encouraged by your comments on helping children to focus on Jesus, I'm losing sight of that myself as December has begun. I would like to receive your devotional ebook. It sounds like something we need! I will come back and read more on your blog. We do not subscribe to facebook, so we can't join you there.
ReplyDeleteThank you and have a blessed Christmas.