The Reasons for the Season advent devotional book starts tomorrow, December 1. Be sure to get a copy today, so you won’t miss a day.
Click here to get your copy.
Reasons for the Season includes 24 Ready-Made Family Devotions that will put the focus on Christ this Christmas
Includes:
1. The Reason Behind Christmas Trees
2. The Reason Behind the Treetop Star
3. The Reason Behind Christmas Carols
4. The Reason Behind Nativities
5. The Reason Behind Christmas Stockings
6. The Reason Behind Poinsettia Plants
7. The Reason Behind Garland
8. The Reason Behind Christmas Wreaths
9. The Reason Behind Christmas Lights
10. The Reason Behind Candy Canes
11. The Reason Behind Reindeer
12. The Reason Behind Christmas Parades
13. The Reason Behind Gingerbread Men
14. The Reason Behind Nutcrackers
15. The Reasons Behind Traditions Around the World
16. The Reason Behind Christmas Cards
17. The Reason Behind Christmas Cookies
18. The Reason Behind Gift Giving at Christmas
19. The Reason Behind John the Baptist’s Birth
20. The Reason Behind The Journey to Bethlehem
21. The Reason Behind the Shepherds’ Visit
22. The Reason Behind the Christmas Star & The Wise Men’s Visit (and When it Likely Happened)
23. The Reason Behind Jesus’ Birth
24. The Reason Behind the true Christmas Story
There are scriptures to go along with each page.
This would be a great resource to do each morning at your breakfast table or in the evening as a family. It’s educational and meaningful.
Here’s an excerpt:
Day 1
Theme: The Reason Behind Christmas Trees
Family Memory Verse: Luke 2:7 -9 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Discussion Starter: Pass around a Christmas ornament and have each family member tell about his/her favorite Christmas memory when the ornament is passed to him/her.
Discussion: The Christmas tree is said to have originated in Germany. In fact, the word tannenbaum is a German word meaning Christmas tree. In 1570 a small tree was decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels, and paper flowers and erected in a guild-house (like a club). The children were allowed to collect the treats from the tree on Christmas. Wax candles were added in the 18th century. Eventually, the tradition spread to different countries. Toward the end of the 1800’s, artificial Christmas trees were introduced. They, too, originated in Germany. Metal wire trees were covered with goose, turkey, ostrich, or swan feathers and often died green to look like needles. The Addis Brush Company created the first artificial-brush trees. They were a company that made toilet brushes and used that same machinery to make their Christmas trees! They patented their “Addis Silver Pine” in 1950.
Activity: As a family, decorate the Christmas tree. Talk about where the ornaments came from. Discuss any handmade ornaments from the tree; who made them and when.
Prayer: Pray for each person who has given or made an ornament that is hanging on your tree. Remember to continue to pray for them each time you see the tree.
Extra Activity: Have each family member make an ornament to hang on the tree. This can be as simple as popsicle sticks painted green and glued at the corners to form a triangle (Christmas tree). Glue colorful sequins to the “tree” and attached a star at the top.
