Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street, talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.
DEUTERONOMY 6: 6-8

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By Angela Klein

 A mom rediscovers the spirit of Christmas from her 3-year-old's childlike faith...Read more

Churches in many parts of the country recreate the experience of being in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth to help families understand what it may have been like for Mary and Joseph as they came to Bethlehem. If there is one in your town or a nearby town, be sure to visit it. If not, be sure to watch this: Bethlehem Montage

 The Naval Safety Center offers these timely tips to military families that seem good advice for all of us as we move through the busy holiday season.

• Have a realistic plan. This will reduce the strain of juggling tasks, duties, errands and appointments.
  
• Stick to your lists and your budget. Overspending is a common source of Christmas stress. Remember that the point of the season is to show care, not to simply consume.
  
• Learn how to say "no" to less important activities. Be selective. Don't over-schedule. If you limit yourself to two social events per week, you won't run down your batteries.
  
• Plan parties or shopping trips with family and friends, in order to cut down on the number of events and responsibilities.
• Schedule some "down time" to use for rest and reflection.
• Keep your sense of humor.
• Establish your own standards, and don't be governed by other's expectations or demands.
• Don't skip meals or live on snacks because you are too busy.
• Don't sacrifice your exercise program as you get busier.
  
  From the Navel Safety Center

Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired but content, into my easy chair. The kids were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for Santa...Read more

Many parents have expressed concern about their children receiving too many gifts, not having places to store the gifts they receive, and gifts being too much of a focus at Christmas. The following ideas were suggested by other parents as helpful in keeping gifts from getting out of control. Each idea has worked for actual families. See which ones might work for you

• Give your child one nice present instead of several. Explain that Christmas is about Jesus’ birthday and invite your children to think of ways to give, rather than receive.
• Ask grandparents and extended family members to give no more than one gift to each person.
• Make a homemade certificate giving the gift of a special outing with a parent, such as to a museum, science center, sledding, beach day, camping, etc. 
• In lieu of a gift, invite children to think of a favorite memory that they share with a family member and to draw a picture that reminds them of the memory. Create a family book to hold these pictures and on Christmas morning, invite everyone to tell about their picture.
• Be sure to encourage everyone to write thank-you notes for gifts received. Christmas is certainly one of those times when we can teach and model gratitude.
• Encourage family members to donate something individually or as a family, rather than buy gifts.
• Agree on no gifts and suggest that everyone select a canned food item to give to the local food pantry.
• Put gifts that are duplicates or not age-appropriate into a large box and store it. Once or twice a year, donate all of the stored toys.

To make this gift you'll need:

• Small plain boxes [cardboard jewelry boxes work very well]
• Glitter, sequins or any ornamentation that can be glued on
• Ribbon
• Printed poem

Decorate the box in anyway you please. Add ribbon and the poem with the signature of the giver.

A Box of Love

This is a very special gift
That you can never see.
The reason it's so special is
It's just for you from me.
Whenever you are happy,
or even feeling blue,
You only have to hold this gift
and know I think of you.
You never can unwrap it.
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box close to your heart,
It's filled with love inside.

• Unplug the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season by Jo Robinson and Jean C. Staeheli
• A Simple Christmas: A Faith-filled Guide to a Meaningful And Stress-free Christmas by Sharon Hanby-Robie
• Advent Arts and Christmas Crafts: With Prayers and Rituals for Family, School and Church by Jeanne Heiberg
• Expecting God's Surprises: Devotions for the Advent Journey by Robert E. Dunham
• The Wonder of Christmas: A Family Advent Journey by Melody Carlson and Dan Brown
• Sing-along Christmas Carols by Roger Priddy
• The Shepherds' Prayer: A Christmas Novel by Richard M. Barry

Scripture Stories:

Matthew 1:18-25 tells about the Birth of Jesus the Messiah

Luke 2:1-20 tells about the birth of Jesus

• The Parable Series: The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs
• Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate
• Good News of Great Joy by C. Michael Dudash
• Mary's First Christmas by Walker Wangerin
• The Legend Of The Three Trees  by Catherine McCafferty
• The Story of Christmas by Jane Ray
• Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado
• The Tiny Star by Art Ginolfi
• The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
• My Birthday, Jesus' Birthday by Holly Davis

We’ve listed only a few of the hundreds of Christian books about Christmas here; click on this link to see more!