Keep Christ in Christmas

As Christians, we often worry about the commercialization of Christmas. Too often, the focus is on gifts and what we receive, rather than what we give. It is important that we keep the true meaning of Christmas alive and think about those ways that we can bless others and share the spirit of Christ with our friends, family and neighbors.

Share the Story of Christmas
Educate your children about the real origin of the Christmas holiday. Take some time each year to read the Bible and share the story of Christmas in Luke 1:5-56. Involve the entire family in setting up a Nativity scene at your home. The Nativity could be a small ornamental set inside your home, or a large outdoor display for the neighborhood to see.

Give
Give of yourself the way Christ gave of himself. Participate in local charitable operations in your community. Adopt a family and provide those in need with gifts and food. Volunteer your time and work at a homeless shelter, woman’s shelter or orphanage. Giving to others and being of service to your community is the ultimate way to get into the Christmas spirit and realize the true meaning of being Christ-like.

Spread Joy
Many people find themselves alone on Christmas. Spread Christmas cheer by fellowshipping with those who you know are likely to celebrate the holiday alone. Visit hospitals and nursing homes. Bring treats, sing Christmas carols, and spread Christmas joy. If you know of elderly friends and neighbors who do not have family close by, invite them into your home to share the day with your family. Simply involving others in your holiday will share happiness and bless those around you.

Share Devotionals
Keep Christ in Christmas by making it a tradition to share Christmas devotionals with your family members. You can take the time to do this on Christmas Eve, before bed. You can also take the time to pray as a family on Christmas morning, before the hustle of the day and the excitement of opening gifts takes over your thoughts. Giving thanks to Christ for all that He has given us is the ultimate way to keep the spirit of God involved in our Christmas holiday.

* This blog is sponsored by www.zuluf.com. For more great blogs like this one, visit www.zuluf.com/blog. If you are looking for fabulous wholesale Christian gifts, visit www.zuluf.com. 

Ways to Give at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for all of life’s blessings. It is also a time to acknowledge those who are less fortunate. While you are giving thanks this year, why not make some time to give to those who are less fortunate? There are many opportunities for charitable service throughout the holiday season.

Volunteer at a Community Dinner

Many communities host Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate. Contact local community outreach programs or community centers to see how you can help. Spend the morning cooking and serving a Thanksgiving meal to the people of your community. You are sure to feel thankful and blessed that you had the opportunity to serve your fellow man.

Visit a Hospital or Nursing Home

Thanksgiving is about family, but there are many members of your community who are unable to spend time with their families during the holidays. Visit the hospital or a local nursing home and spend some time visiting with ill or elderly people who may otherwise be alone on Thanksgiving. It is a good idea to call ahead to ask for permission before bringing food or gifts to patients.

Adopt a Family

Share your good fortune by sponsoring a family for Thanksgiving. Many communities offer Adopt-a-Family programs, wherein you can donate all of the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to a family in need. Contact your local community outreach program and ask about opportunities to provide a meal for a local family. This is a great project for extended families, so get your aunts, uncles and cousins involved in the giving!

Expand Your Table

If you know of neighbors or community members who are likely spending Thanksgiving alone, invite them to join you and your family for dinner. Your invitation will be a blessing to your new friend, and your family will be enriched by sharing their table with a new guest. Holidays are a time for togetherness.

Bless a Soldier

Members of the US military serve our country 365 days a year. Many are unable to be at home with their families during the holidays. Why not spread Thanksgiving cheer by sending a care package to a soldier overseas? Toiletries, new socks and a few treats packaged up with a beautiful note of thanks make a wonderful way to support our troops and thank them for their service.

* This blog is sponsored by www.zuluf.com. For more great blogs like this one, visit www.zuluf.com/blog. If you are looking for fabulous wholesale Christian gifts, visit www.zuluf.com.  

Easy Holiday Cards Made by Your Little Elves

The holiday season is a great time of year to have some creative fun and bond with your little ones. Preschool and elementary-aged children love arts and crafts, and the these fun little projects help young ones develop gross motor, fine motor, and creativity skills.

All it takes to have a bunch of holiday fun with your little ones is:

1.       Kid friendly scissors

2.       1 glue stick per child (or glue dots, a new favorite at our house)

3.       Holiday cookie cutters

4.       Red construction paper (or any other color they desire)

5.       A box of washable markers

6.       Glitter (optional)

Kid-made holiday cards are fun to make and to receive. The cutting, drawing, gluing, and decorating is lots of fun and it helps children develop and hone necessary skills. Completing these cards is easy. Start by folding the red construction paper and place the desired cookie cutter up against the folded edge of the paper. Next, help your child trace the cookie cutter, leaving the folded edge in tack. Then cut out the traced shape. Remember; do not cut the folded edge, as you want this to open like a card.

Once it is cut out, help your child decorate the front by using the glue stick and glitter. Open it up and allow them to draw a picture or write a message. If they cannot yet write, let them tell you the message and you can write it for them. Have them “sign” the card and it is set to be delivered for the Holidays! This little project only costs a few dollars, gives you quality time with your child, and is a true blessing to the recipients. 

If you are looking for awesome hand-crafted Christian gifts to go with the fun Christmas cards, take a look at the awesome selection of affordable Christian merchandise at www.zuluf.com.

The Story Behind The Jack-O-Lantern

Have you ever wondered why we carve pumpkins as part of our Halloween traditions every year. This art and craft project is something that almost everybody has done, and children delight in sharing this fun activity with parents. Believe it or not, the infamous Jack-O-Lantern is Irish folklore that dates back centuries.

The story goes like this:

Jack, a farmer in his time, convinced Satan to climb up to the highest branch of a  tree using trickery. When Satan reached the top of the tree, Jack proceeded to carve a big cross in the bottom of the trunk. This Holy symbol in the tree trunk made it impossible for Satan to climb down and get out of the tree.

Jack literally made a deal with the Devil. He agreed to help him get out of the tree if the Devil promised to not tempt Jack again. When Jack finally passed away, he was not allowed into Heaven because of the sins he commited during life. He was also rejected from entering Hell due to tricking the Devil during his lifetime. His spirit was condemned and he was forced to wander Earth aimlessly, without ever being able to rest.

Jack took a turnip and carved a face into it. He then lit the turnip with an ember given to him by the Devil. He used the carved and lit turnip as a lantern that lit his path on his never ending journey on Earth. This is why he gained the name "Jack of the Lantern," which we now know as Jack-O-Lantern.

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