Christmas is my favorite time of year.
Not because I get presents, but because I get to give presents and I LOVE the Spirit Christmas brings!
After decorating the house for Christmas this evening we read the book The Last Straw
by Paula Palangi McDonald.
In the book the mom is a little exasperated because her children aren't getting along well and the Christmas Spirit in their home seems to be lacking. So, she decides they are going to make a bed for the Christ child to be laid upon for Christmas. In order to make a "bed" they gathered straw and in order to put it in the manager they have to draw a name of someone else in the family and do something nice all week for that person. For each good deed they do they get to put a piece of straw in the manger.
I have my doubts about whether or not this is going to work in our home. However, the kids seem really excited about it. In fact, we already have 1 piece of straw in the manger and we drew names right before bed.
I remember my friend Melanie and her family doing this every year and I remember wishing my family could do it to. Well, now we are. (I'm pretty sure it was Melanie and her family that gave us the book, manger and baby).
I'm excited for the Christmas season!
I'm already grateful for the spirit we've had in our home and it's only December 1st!
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