I don't want to take away from Mom's post so read this and then hurry and read hers. The tree they put up is beautiful. Her post actually is what prompted this post. We have an invitation to extend to you all.
Mom talked about Christmas and wanting to have more focus on Christ at Christmas time. Chelsey has always loved Christmas so much and I will admit that I didn't used to like it at all. I felt jealous as a little kid of all the things my friends got. I didn't want to make mom and dad disappointed by knowing that I wasn't always pleased with what I got. It is so hard as a child to understand, you know? I always felt such a heavy feeling at Christmas. I could see the anxiety in mom and dad and I always took some of that anxiety on myself, I think. I didn't want mom and dad to feel so worried about money or about getting us what we wanted. So, when Christmas came around, I didn't look forward to it.
Now, however, it is different. I really love Christmas. We don't typically do a lot for our boys as far as gifts go. They are still little and are pleased with just about anything. I have really wanted to keep the focus of Christ at Christmas because of the anxious feelings I had at this time of the season. There is no reason that mom and dad should ever have felt worried to please us with things. I don't want my kids to ever feel they are entitled to receive things.
One way that we decided to bring Christ into our home during Christmas is to have a Christ-Centered Christmas Dinner. We choose a family we feel has really shown an example of Christlike service, to us or those around us. We send out an invitation and buy a small gift, nothing expensive but something meaningful, and make a nice dinner. When they come over we feed them (of course) and give them a letter of appreciation for the example they have been and give them the gift.
I love this night so much. We really anticipate it each year. We begin months in advance thinking of who to invite and looking for the perfect family. We talk to the boys about why we are having this family over. Our hope is to one day let the boys choose the family or person they think is a good example of Christ. Then, hopefully, they will begin months in advance thinking about this dinner too.
I really feel it has helped our family focus on Christ during Christmas. We want to invite you all to choose a family you can honor and have a dinner for them. You don't even need to buy them a gift if money is tight. Just invite them, write them a note, and let them know how much you appreciate their example.
Anyone want to do it? We are having our dinner December 20 and we choose the Wood's, a couple in our ward.
We will post pictures of that night when it comes. If you don't do this, think of another way to focus on Christ and let us all know what you did.
Merry Christmas, All!
4 comments:
We do something somewhat similar but on a different scale. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, we each choose a person who has been an impact on us during the last year. We write a small note, attach it to a candy bar or something, and leave it anonymously on these people's doorsteps. Well, Jen and I do our anonymously, but the kids like to go to the door and give their gift to their person. It's been a lot of fun. -Jess
I would like to do that. We actually talked about doing things like that in Church yesterday and it would be a fun way to get to know people in our ward as well. I think it's great that you do that.
I've always loved what you guys do Adrianne! What a great way to inspire others and let them know you appreciate their example.
We've always picked a family in our ward that we think could use a little help and involved the kids in picking out a toy or something to share. One year we bought a tub of hot cocoa, marshmallows, some oranges, and the book Christmas Oranges. We put it all together in a basket and dropped it off anonymously as an FHE for the family. It's always so fun to involve the kids in it. They love it! I like the idea of writing notes and letting the kids drop it off too. It allows them to experience the feelings of xmas. Maybe we'll do that for FHE tonight.
I think my LOVE of xmas has come because of the fact that I didn't want to worry about THINGS at xmas. When that is the focus, it's stressful. The lights, the hot chocolate, the music, the books, etc. all bring in elements that help us remember what xmas is about. My kids will hopefully learn to love xmas for the right reasons as a result of my focus on what's really important. I think even baking together is a good way to forget about the worldly things of the holiday and simply create memories.
What a great idea. We will have to think about a family and do it!
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