The Blessing Box
We keep things very simple in regards to how we celebrate Christmas here. One thing we have done this year with our girls - thanks completely to my mom - is to have a Blessing Box. This is something my mom put together for us back when I was a little girl and I fondly remember it!My mom came up with 25 gifts that relate to some blessing we have been given from the Lord (such as winter gloves to remind us that we can use our hands to serve the Lord) or correlate to one of the attributes of Christ (such as a a small flashlight reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World, or a small pearl bracelet to remind us that He is the Pearl of Great Price). She then wrote a small little devotional of sorts which would be at a two-year-old's level with a few verses and an explanation of the significance of the gift.
She typed up these devotionals and put one per day in envelopes numbered from 1 to 25. Then she wrapped up all the gifts and put a number sticker on each of them that corresponded with the little devotional for the day.
Every morning, Kathrynne gets to open up one present and then we read the devotional and talk about its meaning. Kathrynne has absolutely loved this and it's been a simple way to incorporate more Scripture into our everyday lives. It's also been a great way to have our focus on the Lord and His blessings in our life this season.
I'm grateful to have a mom who is so creative and thoughtful and always looking for ways to point her grand-daughters to the Lord. It's been such a blessing and worked so well for us.Edit: Since some of you were asking, my mom sent me the file with all of the devotionals and corresponding little gifts listed. If you would like a copy to get some ideas from to do something similar in your own home, just email me.
Labels: Christmas, Family fun
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:00 AM
35 Comments:
You are most definitely so blessed to have the Godly mother you do....what a wonderful idea...I am going to purpose to do this next year, Lord willing! I would love to read more posts like this....things handed down from you from your mom and such! Keep the ideas coming...how blessed we can be to learn from those who have been there and successfully done it!
Blessings,
Heather in Pa
What a GREAT idea!
We give 3 gifts to our boys at Christmas. We have found that it really helps to stay focused on the true meaning and stay in budget!
Thanks for sharing this!
Great idea! I read about something similar...you collect small boxes (ones that can fit in the tree) and write a prophecy from the Old Testament about Christ's coming and the New Testament verse that shows that prophecy is fulfilled. This is done every day during Family Worship. I thought it was a great way to keep the focus on Christ during the Christmas season.
That is a really cute idea!
What an amazing idea and godly grandma! That's awesome!! We use a daily scripture ornament with a small devotional, like Jesse Tree ornaments or Proclamation ornaments, but opening a little gift each day sounds like great fun in the devotional for kids. Maybe we'll incorporate something like that too. Thanks for sharing.
Crystal,
That is so great! I love it. I was wondering if you were willing to share more details so the rest of us could use it next year with our dc. If it's only a family thing, then I understand. This would be a great tradition to pass on from generation to generation.
Edwena
that's such a good idea!
><>Jade<><
What a wonderful idea! I am going to work on one to have for next year and look around the house now for items to use for the next few days. My kids will be thrilled to open presents early!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Really neat idea---the pics are great too!
A very creative way to bring the Scriptures alive to children.
I can imagine how you could expand on different verses and names...I too would appreciate your sharing verses or ideas that could be used.
That's such a wonderful idea!
That's an awesome idea!! By the way, are you not doing the Making Your Home A Haven Challenge anymore?
What a fabulous idea, Crystal. :o) I may just borrow that one for next year!
This is a wonderful idea! Better than an Advent Calendar, I think. And definitely more hands-on for a toddler or pre-schooler.
Brenda
I love it!! Did your mom have an extra blessing box for each of you? You came from a large family, so that would've gotten expensive. We have 4 children, but if they took turns taking one out, that would be great! Thanks for another great idea, Crystal!!
Merry Christmas!
Christy
What a good learning tool.
What great memories this will create! I will file this away for ideas to use next year.
What a great idea - and what a blessing to have a Godly Grandma like that!
I'll definately be using this next year... how much better is this than an advent calendar!?
Your mother is amazing. She could have felt overwhelmed just getting the family into the car for vacation, but instead she made interview questions to use on the road trip. She could have felt overwhelmed just getting through the Christmas season with all the extra programs and activities Christmas usually brings, but instead she made blessing boxes. Her foresight and creativity is something that I really admire. I would love to hear more about your mom. Your daughters are blessed to have such a grandma.
Ruth
Wow! What a fantastic idea. I'll file this one away for some day, Lord willing.
I love the big smiles on Kathrynne's face in almost every picture I've seen of her! She must be a joyful little girl.
That was one of the most wonderful ideas that I've seen. It's a beautiful way of teaching little ones about the real meaning of Christmas.
This is an excellent idea - reminds me a lot of the Advent kalendars we had in Germany when I was a kid. My German "daughter" (former exchange student) and her family send them to us each year. Great idea!
I love your mom, she so reminds me of mine... Thank you for reminding me what a blessing it is to have a Godly mom.
ps: I got the apron yesterday. I felt so good its almost too pretty to wear!!
This is a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing.
Pam
This is a really great idea!
I will definitly be emailing you for this list!
I love that idea! Thanks for posting it!
I have been doing something for elderly people : every year I put quotes together, like 24 verses of the bible contaning the word "love" or "peace" or promesses of the bible...
I make a little fabric bag and put the litlle pieces of folded papers(decorated and closed) I add a little rapped gift for the 25th!It is easely sent by post.
This year , for a change, I send 24 different teas...
My young adults really appreciate this too!
(sorry for my english, I live in France!
I really like this idea - could be incorporated for the whole year too by doing one gift/blessing a month. Thank you for sharing!
I love this idea! How precious! Something my sister-in-law does to keep to her budget, and her 4 girls Christmas Spirit in the right place is to give them each 4 gifts:
Something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you read!
That is a great idea!
That is a terrific idea. Thanks for sharing.
crystal, you are so blessed to have a godly mother. And, a creative one at that! Thank you so much for sharing all your blessings with us. What a godly heritage your little girl has and what meaning Christmas will be for her as she grows!
Merry Christmas!
gail
www.homeschoolblogger.com/
lovinthosebunnies4Him
Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea! I emailed you.
How neat! And sweet!
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