Now that it is December I can start thinking about what Christmas traditions we want to have for our family. With Monkey getting older he can start to understand what Christmas is all about. I want to make sure that we aren't easily swept up in all the gift giving and the commercialization that our culture has for Christmas. Even though M is not a 'believer' at the moment he has always said that if we celebrate Christmas he wants to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I'm thankful for this because it gives me a chance to bring Christ into our home!
We don't have any traditions set up from my childhood so we are able to be open to anything we want.
One thing that we do is make Christmas cookies at M's grandparents house the day after Thanksgiving. Also we have dinner with my family on Christmas Eve and then we go to church.
Hubby and I have talked and decided to give the WISE MEN'S presents to Monkey each year. If you haven't heard of this idea it is a great way to talk about Christ and his birth on Christmas morning.
Each person gets 3 gifts just like Christ did. So Hubby and Monkey would get me 3 gifts, Monkey and I would get Hubby 3 gifts and we would get Monkey 3 gifts.
The 3 gifts will represent the 3 gifts that Christ got, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
GOLD: Gold was given to kings in the time of Jesus' birth. Of course this is a fitting gift for him. To incorporate it today this gift is something that the person wants the most. So for Monkey it will be the gift that he has asked for or the most expensive gift. Since he is 2 he isn't quite asking for gifts yet. We know which things he will love and we got a great gift for him that is a perfect GOLD gift. We will be putting it together Christmas Eve night and then have a large Gold bow on it because it is too big for wrapping paper. I can't wait to share this with him.
FRANKINCENSE: Frankincense was a white resin that was a cure-all type of medicine. Frankincense was also used as an incense in temples and was forbidden to be used for anything else for a time. The smell of the incense would tell the people where they could meet God. With this in mind we will give gifts that will help bring Monkey closer to God and build his relationship with Him. This year we are giving him CD's and a DVD of Veggie Tales. I figure this isn't the best gift for this but it will work. We already have been given the Toddler, Preschool, and Beginner Bibles so that was out. Plus he loves Veggie Tales and sings along with the hairbrush song in the car all the time. Wrapping for this gift should be done in a white wrapping paper.
MYRRH: Myrrh was also a resin that was a very dark earthy color. It was used in things like anointing oils, perfumes, and embalming liquids. Today you can even find it in soaps and lotions. Because this was used to prepare a persons body after they died it can open up discussion about how even though we are celebrating Jesus' birth, he did grow up and die for our sins. It can help children understand the full circle of Christ's life. This is a gift that I haven't bought yet but I'm planning on getting so bubble bath for Monkey. We have never actually bought bubble bath we just use his normal soap if we want bubbles. I think he will really enjoy this present as well. Some other ideas I have seen people suggest for this is a comfy bath robe, nail polish for girls, special clothing, basically just use your imagination to make this one work. It will be easier for shop for girls than boys for this gift but I'm sure that we can all be creative!
This is our first year doing this and I'm very excited to be able to start this while Monkey is young. I think we will really enjoy Christmas!
One thing that we do is make Christmas cookies at M's grandparents house the day after Thanksgiving. Also we have dinner with my family on Christmas Eve and then we go to church.
Hubby and I have talked and decided to give the WISE MEN'S presents to Monkey each year. If you haven't heard of this idea it is a great way to talk about Christ and his birth on Christmas morning.
Each person gets 3 gifts just like Christ did. So Hubby and Monkey would get me 3 gifts, Monkey and I would get Hubby 3 gifts and we would get Monkey 3 gifts.
The 3 gifts will represent the 3 gifts that Christ got, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
GOLD: Gold was given to kings in the time of Jesus' birth. Of course this is a fitting gift for him. To incorporate it today this gift is something that the person wants the most. So for Monkey it will be the gift that he has asked for or the most expensive gift. Since he is 2 he isn't quite asking for gifts yet. We know which things he will love and we got a great gift for him that is a perfect GOLD gift. We will be putting it together Christmas Eve night and then have a large Gold bow on it because it is too big for wrapping paper. I can't wait to share this with him.
FRANKINCENSE: Frankincense was a white resin that was a cure-all type of medicine. Frankincense was also used as an incense in temples and was forbidden to be used for anything else for a time. The smell of the incense would tell the people where they could meet God. With this in mind we will give gifts that will help bring Monkey closer to God and build his relationship with Him. This year we are giving him CD's and a DVD of Veggie Tales. I figure this isn't the best gift for this but it will work. We already have been given the Toddler, Preschool, and Beginner Bibles so that was out. Plus he loves Veggie Tales and sings along with the hairbrush song in the car all the time. Wrapping for this gift should be done in a white wrapping paper.
MYRRH: Myrrh was also a resin that was a very dark earthy color. It was used in things like anointing oils, perfumes, and embalming liquids. Today you can even find it in soaps and lotions. Because this was used to prepare a persons body after they died it can open up discussion about how even though we are celebrating Jesus' birth, he did grow up and die for our sins. It can help children understand the full circle of Christ's life. This is a gift that I haven't bought yet but I'm planning on getting so bubble bath for Monkey. We have never actually bought bubble bath we just use his normal soap if we want bubbles. I think he will really enjoy this present as well. Some other ideas I have seen people suggest for this is a comfy bath robe, nail polish for girls, special clothing, basically just use your imagination to make this one work. It will be easier for shop for girls than boys for this gift but I'm sure that we can all be creative!
This is our first year doing this and I'm very excited to be able to start this while Monkey is young. I think we will really enjoy Christmas!
Cute idea!
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