The Journey Heavenward: Teaching Your Kids About Christmas/Devot. Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good weekend!

I saw this article at the beginning of the month and thought it would be helpful in explaining Christmas, the true reason for, to anyone of any age. I think we are living in a time when this current generation does not even begin to fathom the True Reason for the Season because we have commercialized and X-mas-it so much. We are cutting out the True Meaning in our society and in the lives of this current and next generation! Where do you do think it has gotten us?

I said to a crowd of people this past weekend that the whole meaning of Christmas for many, until the last however many years or so, has been celebrating God's willingness to come

to earth as humble Baby to one day wear a crown and die on a tree. That is the heart of the Season. And it's the only thing that will last in our hearts and lives past the tree and

the gifts. Jesus is the Everlasting Gift that can bring hope and joy all year, all lifetime, long. What are we doing to share it?

I found a short devot. that I hope is a blessing to you heart this week. May the Babe of Christmas, the Saviour of the world, be reflected in your life this week!

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/tidings-comfort-joy (Used by permission. Taken from http://www.icr.org/#

(Christmas Article below)

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For many of us, it probably feels like Christmas gets more hectic, and more materialistic, every year. It can often be tough for our families to maintain focus on the "reason for the season"—Jesus' birth—when we're surrounded by commercialism and so many conflicting messages. A recent Focus on the Family® radio broadcast that many listeners found especially helpful is "Teaching Kids About Christmas," featuring Phil Vischer, the creator of Veggie Tales® and Jelly Telly®.

Phil provides a wealth of background on the various cultural traditions (mostly European) that eventually blended into the familiar modern trappings of Christmas—Santa Claus, gift-giving, evergreen trees, etc. He points out that younger children, especially, may struggle with understanding how church pageants about Jesus can fit in with "wall-to-wall Santa Claus."

Phil gives tips on striking a balance, such as telling the story of the real Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop who loved Jesus so much that he gave all his money to help kids in poor families. Our goal for this broadcast is to help families emphasize the true meaning of Christmas—and how that sets up Easter.

You can listen to "Teaching Kids About Christmas" on our media player. Also, for a donation of any amount, we'll be happy to send you a copy of the Jelly Telly® DVD Buck Denver Asks ... Why Do We Call It Christmas?

If you know someone who could be encouraged by this broadcast please share this email! Or, if we can be of assistance to your family in relation to these issues, please let us know—;we're here to help.