Christmas- What Really Matters Most

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Every year I do the same thing. I tell myself that I will get all my Christmas shopping, and gifts made and done before Thanksgiving. This has been a Christmas wish that continues to elude me! It has been on very rare occasions that I actually have sent Christmas gifts early enough that they arrive before Christmas. Such high hopes... maybe this year? I doubt it.  

Whether I have stressed about it or not, by Christmas day, it all works out. Gifts are under the tree, and extended family has come to know that gifts will come in the mail after Christmas. I think of it as an extra Christmas bit of fun extended.

In my almost 33 years of marriage and 22 years of homeschooling, I have learned that we, parents, need to be the examples of how and WHY Christmas is celebrated. It's not about how many presents you get, how much you get done, how incredible your Christmas dinner is, or if your house looks as pretty and festive as your neighbor's. Children learn so much more from what they see lived out in our lives than they ever will learn from our words. 

Here are a few ways that our family concentrates more on giving than receiving. 

• Every year World Vision and Compassion come out with a Christmas catalog, when our children were younger, they were given a specific amount of money to spend on purchasing a gift form the catalog.

They would give some of their money from their piggy banks and we would give the rest. This gave us the opportunity to show them the needs of children around the world, to remind them to be thankful for all their many blessings, as well as let them experience the blessing of giving. 

Now, we are doing this with our five grandchildren.

• Our homeschool group found ways to give to others: We have made blankets for the homeless shelter, provided groceries for a family to make a Thanksgiving dinner, sent homemade Christmas cards to soldiers, etc. and this year we filled.....

When our children were very young we would read the story of Jesus birth from Luke 2:8-20. They would dress up as Joseph, Mary, Shepherds, baby Jesus, etc and they would act it out as Dad read.

• My husband and I keep the gifts to our children and each other at a minimal. We are not big spenders that blow the budget, go in debt, etc at Christmas. From the time our children were very young, what they got and how much they got on Christmas day was not the focal point. 

• Find opportunities to give all year long. Your children are watching and learning.

A couple of years back, I created Legends of Christmas Printable Pack: Family Study with Activities a couple of years back, just for you who want to make sure your children are learning, but want to enjoy the season as you do. 

Legends of Christmas will give your family a unique study opportunity to learn about the history revolving around Christmas and the many things used to celebrate it today. 

This fun Christmas product includes coloring pages, writing prompts, activities, discussion questions, and Scripture suggestions to help discuss the history of what's addressed as well as raise awareness of how these can relate to Christmas today, especially pointing to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This resource was designed to be used with children of all ages. 50 pages of fun and learning

I'd love to share a sample of it with you! I know you and your kids will love it! (a discount code for the complete set is included!)

Get your FREE Legends of Christmas Sampler HERE

Why do we celebrate Christmas? Because Jesus was born to give His life and we are so thankful for that gift!

How does your family focus on giving during the holiday season? I would love to hear. Please comment below.

Another year, another Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. And some of the best things about this time of year is that it's a time of gratitude, togetherness, and celebration.

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Enjoying the journey,

~Michelle~

  Michelle Osborn is the owner and founder of Yellow House Book Rental, specializing in providing homeschool curriculum for rent or purchase, as well as counseling and guidance for homeschool families. She is a wife of 32 years, a 22-year homeschool veteran, and mom of four amazing children and five adorable grandchildren. Three of her children are now entrepreneurs, running their own businesses and doing quite well. Michelle’s passions include serving by leading worship at her church and encouraging homeschool moms through one on one, social media and speaking engagements. She has found her niche in helping parents homeschooling their teens through the high school years and on to pursue their dreams

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