"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you."  Hebrews 13:7a Pastors work pretty hard this time of year.  Special services, extra services, special events, extra events... there's lots to do.  They have to come up with a way to tell the same story, the Christmas story, that is new and different EVERY year.  They prepare 1, 2 or 3 extra sermons or messages for the season. 

Christmas-time at our House: part 8 Some people hear 'family devotions' and say to themselves "B-O-R-ing".  And trying to keep up with a devotion a day during one of the busiest times of the year might just be pushing the limits of sanity for some families. In our house we've tried several different things, in the effort of keeping our focus on Christ's birth during the holiday season.  We have had varying degrees of success.  I think we've got one that works pretty well now, finally.

Christmas-time at our House: part 7 Only 2 sleeps until Christmas Day.  My kids are terribly excited! We already started talking about how we're going to decorate - streamers, balloons, a nice party table cloth. The menu for the day is pretty standard (we do the same thing each year), and we still need to get more hot dogs and probably some hamburger buns before then. 

Christmas-time at our House: part 6 We have a few Nativity Scenes around our house: one was made in Indonesia (Papua I think) from a coconut shell -my sweetie brought it back from a trip overseas a few years ago; one we bought in Skagway Alaska this summer that has the holy family in an igloo; one is a music box that my mom gave me years ago; another is an ornament that my grandma gave us for our first Christmas married - it is a musical ornament and it has a lovely sound. We also have lots of other nativity ornaments on our tree.  It's covered with them! Then, we have THE Nativity. 

Christmas-time at our House: part 5 My alarm went off at 6:00am this morning.  I rolled out of bed, grabbed my robe, and headed for the kitchen.  I was on a mission, and time was a-ticking. Today, December 13th, is Santa Lucia Day (St. Lucia Day, St. Lucy's Day, etc.).  My daughter has the privilege of participating in a special celebration of this day every year.  I needed to get a head start on a few things in order for the fun to work best. So, once I got to the kitchen, I began working on some things for breakfast.  I would get them started and then get my daughter up to help at a point where she really could help.  Muffins, cut fruit, juice, hot chocolate... looks good.