Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Spiritual Christmas Gifts

A few years ago my hubby and I started a new Christmas tradition in our house.  We give each of our kids a "spiritual gift" on Christmas morning.

Most of their gifts (from family and friends) are under the tree, but their spiritual gifts we keep under our manger scene that sits on our Family Worship Table

When we started this tradition, we wanted to give our kids something more meaningful than the typical "gift from Santa", so we used to tell them it was their "gift from Jesus"...but since that well-intended idea got confusing fast ("Jesus mailed this to me?"  "Was He here?" etc) we decided to just call it their "spiritual gift"! :)

How it works, is that we just buy a gift for each child which emphasizes a way that the Lord has gifted them or a desire he's given them.  We pray about what the Lord wants to say to them, and then give them a scripture to go with their gift. 

This scripture then becomes "theirs" for the new upcoming year!

For example, last year
~Trusten (our outdoors-man) got a bow and arrow with a verse to "be strong and courageous"

~Brahm (our musical child) got a set of drum sticks with a verse that read, "Burst out in jubilant song! Make music to the Lord!"

~And Samuel (our brave and might defender of all things) got a Nerf sword to be "a mighty warrior for Jesus"!

Giving our kids "spiritual gifts" at Christmas is just another way we try to let them know that at Christmas, Christ is more!

(This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday and Wednesdays Walk Down Memory Lane!)

11 comments:

Devina said...

I love this idea!

Heather Hart said...

Great idea!!! Thanks for sharing!

{:miss v:} said...

That is such a special family tradition. You guys are doing a fabulous job in raising your children in the Lord and it's just a blessing to witness it. It's also very convicting and encouraging all at the same time!

Great job!

cooperkelly4 said...

Love this idea Grace! It is so simple and thoughtful. treasures for sure. =0)

Unknown said...

Visiting from "Lazy Wednesday's Walk"...What a great idea, love it!

Janet Rose said...

This is a special way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas! Stopping by from Wednesday's Walk.

Retta said...

We don't celebrate Christmas but we could definitely incorporate this in to our Chanukkah celebration! Thank you for sharing this!

Stacey said...

I. LOVE. THIS.

Great idea!!

The Lazy Mom
www.imalazymom.com

Alise said...

What a really neat idea! I love it!

Jenilee said...

you have such wonderful ideas for making Jesus first at Christmas. What a precious investment in your kids lives! God BLess!

Shonda said...

I would love to do this for my children!

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