Holiday Helps

Christmas

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever. - Isaiah 9:5-7

Here are some ideas to help you and your family keep Christ in Christmas as you celebrate His birth!

• Read the story of the birth of Jesus.
• Visit Eclectic Homeschool Online's beautifully illustrated retelling of The Christmas Story.
• Use the Christmas season to enjoy a Christmas Unit with your family. Through the years we have enjoyed all three of these units from Karen Caroe: A Blessed Christmas centered around the symbols of Christmas, Good Christian Men Rejoice! celebrating favorite Christmas carols and hymns, and The Names of Jesus. Cindy Downes also has an Amazing Grace Christmas unit study.
• Read Christmas: A Study of Love by Amanda Bennett for ideas on making your own family Christmas unit.
• Maureen Wittmann provides ideas for meaningful gifts, even if you are on a budget, in her article Thrifty Homeschooler Goes Christmas Shopping.
• Share favorite Christmas carols and hymns with your children.
• Enjoy a special look at the song The Twleve Days of Christmas. Stacy and Tiffany McDonald have put together a A Catechism Craft with a Touch of Hospitality based on the traditional carol.
• Count down advent with Teaching Mom's Advent Calendar. Each day will bring a variety of Christmas devotions, Bible readings, crafts, book ideas, online activities and much more!
• Share a heart-warming Christmas story such as The Bird's Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin, The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter, or The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry.
• As always, you'll find lots of crafts and activities at Annie's Christmas Welcome Page.

May you and your family enjoy a Christ-filled Christmas this season!