12 Days of Christmas 2014 (Part 2): Christmas at our Home

Usually, I post far too many words and not enough pictures.  The next few posts should reverse that trend.  

 

As usual, we celebrated Christmas early since we would be traveling over Christmas.  We chose the Saturday before Christmas.  The heavens seemed to confirm that timing as snowflakes fell from the sky that morning. (Gift #840) 

Attention ladies, if after moving into a new home, you put so many home improvement projects on your husband's "honey do list" that he burns out before he is even half-way through the list, your Christmas stocking may look like a handy-man's shopping cart at Home Depot. (See lower left pic above).  I also found more supplies wrapped under the tree. (left)

We started a new Christmas tradition in our family this year based on the three gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. The wise men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. So after reading the story and noting the symbolic significance of each gift, we gave the kids their "gold" gifts. When they play with these gifts, may they remember that Christ is the King of kings.

His gold gift

Their frankincense gift should draw them into worship just as frankincense was used by the Jews in worship ceremonies.  The kids each received quality devotional journals, and our daughter said it was her favorite gift of all. (Gift #841)  May these gifts remind the children that Jesus is the Great High Priest who makes intercession for them and took the judgment we all deserve in our place.

As they opened their myrrh gifts, we reminded them again that myrrh is made from the sap of a tree that has been wounded and was used to preserve bodies for burial. As they put these gifts (fuzzy socks, Crocs, a shirt, hair accessories, underwear, lotion, chapstick) on their bodies, may they remember that Jesus came as the suffering Savior to be wounded and crucified in our place, but the tomb does not hold him for He conquered death for us all.

Top left: Frankincense, Bottom left: Gold, Right:  Myrrh

I was concerned that this new tradition would disappoint the kids (fewer gifts) while I tried to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas, but the children seemed to understand the significance and appreciate the new tradition. (Gift #843)

Since we could not arrange a visit with Judy and Troy this year, they shipped us gifts in a large box.
The kids had a blast opening it. (Gift #844)

 Here are some pics of the kids enjoying the gifts from Ju-Ju and Troy:

This year was Muffin's first Christmas, and she really seemed to enjoy herself as she ran through the gift wrap, leaped in and out of the gift boxes, and took long naps under the warm and cozy Christmas tree lights.  Watching her delight was a new gift this year. (Gift #845)  

Our daughter used her own money (Gift #846) to buy Muffin a jingle bell collar and a brush which she put into her stocking.  Here is a video clip of Muffin receiving her Christmas stocking.

The kids tested to see which new Nerf weapon has the longest range before the big Nerf war commenced with all the cousins at Nana & Pops' house.  Both of their new weapons shot 49 feet and wanted to keep going, but they hit the wall behind me. Too bad the snow turned into drizzling rain or they would test the range outside.