December

·       Do a family puzzle together during Advent.

·       Pick up an Advent devotional booklet at church. Gather as often as possible around an Advent wreath and share devotions as a family.

·       Celebrate Santa Claus on St. Nicholas Day (December 6^th), reserving December 25^th for celebrating Jesus’ birth.

·       Make snow angels

·      Take one night and really slow down as a family.  Light candles, listen to quiet Christmas music, and share favorite Christmas memories.  What is the best present you have ever received?  Tell stories from your childhood of traditions you treasured.

  ·       Use a crèche to re-tell the Christmas story throughout the month of December.  A great book to use is “Celebrate Jesus! At Christmas” by Kimberly Ingalls Reese (Concordia Publishing)

·      Use the following table prayers during Advent and Christmas: 

          Father, we are waiting for a birth in an empty stable.
          Thank you for love and hope and for filling this table.  Amen.

          Thank you God,
          for Jesus’ birth,
          for the food on this table,
          and peace on earth.    Amen.