Best Christmas Season!

This Christmas season has been the best for our family so far. We have implemented (or have been more consistent this year) some family traditions that have turned out to be a hit for the kids. Our first Family Home Evening of the month we talked about how Jesus Christ received three present from the Wise Men. We discussed how important Jesus Christ is in our lives and decided that we wanted to focus our Christmas season on giving gifts to Christ rather than receiving gifts from others and from Santa. We came up with 25 acts of service that we would perform until Christmas day. Each day we perform our service, then we put the piece of paper in a stocking for Christ. On Christmas day (or Christmas Eve) we will pull out all of the pieces of paper from Christ's stocking and see how much service we were able to give. The kids have loved this activity and it has really been fun to see them get excited about serving others. So far we have baked cookies for others, written letters to missionaries, cleaned others rooms without being asked...etc.

Christ's stocking is the white one in the middle.

I made breakfast in bed for the kids. This was my service to them. They were in heaven!!!

I really enjoyed the Christmas devotional this past Sunday. President Uchtdorf talked about how many families are cutting back on holiday spending because of the financial crisis that our country is facing. He said that this could be a blessing in disguise. It gives us the opportunity to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and teach this to our children. This year we are giving each of our kids only 3 gifts just as Christ received 3 gifts. This year our kids will get a gift of meaning (scriptures, something homemade, something with meaning or from the heart), a gift of need (coat, clothes, gloves, etc.), and a gift of want (toy). We have discussed this idea with the kids and they are really excited to focus on giving to others and Christ through service, rather than getting lots of toys and presents. (thanks Lindsay for the idea). I hope that this Christmas season we can all try to find ways to bring happiness and love to others and make Christ our focus. These are just some of the ways our family has chosen to do this. I would love to hear your ideas as well.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!! We love you all!