Creating a New Christmas Family Tradition

The Holidays are coming up.  Holidays are so fun with family, but then as a parent, you start thinking about what feelings, events, and traditions you want to be instilling in your child as the years pass.  In our hearts, we don’t want it to be all about the presents, what they get, but unless we are DETERMINED and intentional, won’t it end up being that way?

Do you want to start a tradition with your family that will bring your family together as a team.  Something that teaches your family compassion, opens their eyes to the needs of others instead of their own wants for more toys.  Each year Reece’s Rainbow does something called the Christmas Angel Tree.  As a family, you chose a child from their site who is an orphan.  Tell your kids that these children don’t get stockings, or presents.  No parents make them special Christmas dinners, wake them up or go caroling with them.

Once you choose an orphaned child and think of fun, family ways to raise money for them, have your kids decorate a bucket or jar and collect coins.  Bake some yummy Christmas cookies together, and as you mix and stir, talk to your child about how your are spending your time not for yourselves, but helping someone in need super far away.  Ask your child why it’s important and how they would feel if people they didn’t even know were working together to help them.  Ask them for their input and ideas of raising money.  Post a picture of your child on the fridge and as a family pray for them, make that child part of your life, part of your efforts as a family unit.

Your family will get an ornament with your child’s face that together you can hang on the family tree. Many families have watched their efforts result in their child finding a home, their life saved!  Can you imagine the impact that would be for your little ones to see their prayers and efforts pay off.  I promise you that they will be more excited maybe even than some of their big, huge presents.  Not to mention, a real child will get  a real family.  I can tell your from my expereince raising support and praying for 3 orphans with my high school bible study was abosolutely amazing and life changing.  It brought us together like no other.

Read more info here: http://reecesrainbow.org/angeltree2011/christmaswarriors

 Here are some of the kids that need your family to become a Christmas Warrior for them:

 Penny

Jesse

Jin Wu

‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Matthew 25:40 

Sew seeds in tiny hearts of love, compassion and service.