January

·        Invite friends over for a homemade pizza or cookie-making party

·        Begin a new hobby or activity that the whole family can enjoy:  skiing, family sing-a-longs, visiting museums, doing puzzles, reading a book together, model railroading, knitting, etc.

·        Celebrate a snow day with a “winter picnic”.  Pack up a thermos of hot chocolate, soup and sandwiches, and go out for a day of sledding, making snow angels and having a snowball fight!

·        Talk together about the following topics:

          What has made this past year really special

          Describe what you think is the best part of our family

          Name one thing other families do that you would like our family to do

·     On Twelfth Night (January 5, Epiphany Eve) or January 6 (Epiphany), hold a house blessing (talk to your pastor for a copy of this rite)

·     Celebrate Epiphany with the arrival of the Magi at the manger scene.  Read Matthew 2:1-12 and then sing “We Three Kings” while ‘traveling’ around the house (carrying the magi from your nativity scene if you have one!) until you reach the stable.

·     Learn a new table grace for the season.  Make one up of your own, or use one of the following: 

         For food in a world where many walk in hunger,

         For friends in a world where many walk alone,

         For faith in a world where many walk in fear,

         We give you thanks, O Lord.  Amen.

         Thank you God, for this nice day;

         Bless our food, our work, our play.  Amen.

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