Changed By Love

Changed By Love

Following the Lamb wherever he goes… Revelation 14:4

I Resolve to Not Make Resolutions

Looking for wisdom in how to prepare for a new year?

I have a few suggestions.

First –

Don’t make resolutions you know you won’t keep.

Second –

Pray first, ask questions later.
And then pray some more.

Third –

Listen to the broadcast in the post I did right before this one that actually appears below this one.

Fourth –

Look back to see God’s work in your life, then look up to see Jesus and ask what He wants to say to you today.

Fifth –

Ask Him to help you hear His voice and make the plans to do the things that are His will for your life in the coming days. Make sure you write down whatever He tells you. Write down the things that you really want to accomplish. That makes it much more likely that you will do them.

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. James 1:5-8

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 4:5

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

Resolutions, Plans, Assessments, Prayers? I’ve Got Questions!

Are you asking yourself if you should even bother to make resolutions?

Do they seem to set you up for failure and disappointment?

You might want to consider trying a new way to prepare for the new year.

Listen to this broadcast and see if this might be the answer you are looking for as you start out this new year. Put God in your plans. Look at what He did in you, for you, and through you last year. Ask Him what He wants to do in your life this coming year.

https://www.facebook.com/Familyschooling/videos/2247717152155932/

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things – From This Christmas 2018

As I have reflected on the way this Christmas played out for us, I thought I would share the things that have worked best for us through the years and what were my favorite parts of this Christmas.

Christmas is a stressful, rushed time for a lot of us.

 

Many years ago, I learned the importance of planning and organizing and making memories in order to get the most out of our time together during the holidays.

I learned that I could feel more calm and relaxed if I had a plan and a list of things I definitely wanted to do during the holiday season.

I listened to lots of online classes with Cindy Rushton and many other homeschool speakers and loaded up on tons of great ideas of books to read, activities to do, movies to watch, recipes to bake, and ways to plan and organize the making of memories. I wanted to squeeze every ounce of family togetherness and enjoyment out of the holiday season. And I wanted to make it meaningful and keep Christ at the center of Christmas.

So I incorporated some Advent activities, especially Ann Voskamp’s book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift, and ornaments for the Jesse Tree. I really like finding the prophecies in the Bible that foretold Jesus’ coming. We lit some candles and did advent readings fairly regularly some years. I tried to do them every day, but many times I found myself feeling pressured, impatient, and frustrated with my kids, so I eased up on trying to do it every day. Most of my kids and I are more spontaneous and would rather have variety instead of lots of structure and rigidity and ritual. 

A series of books by Arnold Ytreeide provides wonderful stories to read consistently through the Advent season. The chapters are short and are labeled by the number of the day leading up to Christmas day. Each of the chapters is a cliffhanger.

We enjoy picking out a real Christmas tree and decorating it and the mantle and a few other areas, but we are not very elaborate or sophisticated in our decorating style.

I usually get a family picture taken and use it on Christmas cards, but we didn’t do that this year.

For a couple of years I had my youngest kids do a little Christmas Bible study called “Jesus the Promised One” by Katherine Loop at
https://www.christianperspective.net/product/jesus-the-promised-one-christmas-devotional

We do like carrying on traditions, and I let the kids lead in the things that they really want to make sure we do each year during the Christmas season.

My kids have chosen to do these things every year:

1. Bake sugar cookies and cut out shapes and decorate them.

2. Watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special and many other Christmas specials from the cartoons they enjoyed growing up.

3.  Watch “The Muppets’ Christmas Carol”.

4.  Go see Christmas lights.

5.  On Christmas morning, we like to eat quiche and Chef Mickey’s Breakfast Pizza, made by Kelsey and Katie.

I made ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner, and we enjoyed our dinner together. We also had a nice dinner together on Christmas Eve. It’s unusual for us to all eat together at the same time with so many different schedules, so it was very special.

The movies I enjoyed this year were “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “The Man Who Invented Christmas”, “Christopher Robin”, “Eloise at Christmastime”, “The Bishop’s Wife”, and “The Muppets’ Christmas Carol”.

The books I enjoyed reading with the younger girls were “Carl’s Christmas” by Alexandra Day, “Gifts of the Heart” by Patricia Polacco, “Saint Francis and the Nativity” by Myrna A. Strasser, “Great Joy” by Kate DiCamillo, and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by Susan Jeffers.

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This year, I only read one page from Ann Voskamp’s book and didn’t try to make a Jesse tree. We didn’t read any of the Ytreeide books. We didn’t do any special Christmas Bible studies.

But I did a little candlelight ceremony to illustrate how the light overcomes the darkness, but the darkness cannot overcome the light. And we sang “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” and then “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

Simple, relaxed, not busy. Just a few things we really love. A few of our favorite things.

 

Books to Read Aloud about the Real Meaning of Christmas

The Real Meaning of Christmas

I thought I would compile a list of picture books (and a bonus chapter book or two) that will help you and your family celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.

I just copied the Amazon summaries, since I thought they were pretty good. I added my age recommendations which were sometimes different than the “experts” suggested. But I am thinking of homeschooled children as I make my recommendations.

 

https://amzn.to/41ie6TJ

 

“Bells jingle, sleds dash through the snow, trees are topped with sparkling stars, and children everywhere dream of candy canes and presents. But the best gift of all-the most magical gift of the season-is when we spend Christmas with those we love.

Once again, this New York Times-bestselling author and artist has created a special, beautiful book that families will want to share year after year. (And readers will want to look for the Spirit of Christmas image that Nancy Tillman has hidden on every page!)”  I would recommend this for ages 4-8.

 

https://amzn.to/3ZC0sK2

“The tale is unfolded with such mastery, humor, and emotional force that we are entirely within its power.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Jonathan Toomey is the best woodcarver in the valley, but he is always alone and never smiles. No one knows about the mementos of his lost wife and child that he keeps in an unopened drawer. But one early winter’s day, a widow and her young son approach him with a gentle request that leads to a joyful miracle. The moving, lyrical tale, gloriously illustrated by P.J. Lynch, has been widely hailed as a true Christmas classic.” I recommend this for ages 6-12 years.

https://amzn.to/49mnoQL

“As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder…

“Who invented Christmas?”
Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that…

Jesus is the best present of all.
This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.” I recommend this for ages 4-8.

https://amzn.to/41gXcot

Twas the Evening of Christmas: 2018 ECPA Christian Book Award Finalist (Children category)‘

‘Twas the evening of Christmas, when all through the town,
Every inn was so crowded, no room could be found.
Tired Mary and Joseph, who went door to door,
At last found a place on a small stable floor.
For over 200 years, families have gathered on Christmas Eve to hear the much loved words of Dr. Clement C. Moore’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. This year, families can gather together to share the real Christmas story–the story of Jesus’ birth. ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas echoes the familiar language and rhythm of Dr. Clements’ poetry, but instead of focusing on Santa, it focuses on the baby Jesus, who is, after all, the true hero of Christmas. All families will delight in this simple retelling of the most famous story ever told. With a cover that comes alive with foil and sculpted embossing, this book is sure to become a Christmas classic. I would recommend this for ages 4-8.

https://amzn.to/41o4F50

This story “uniquely teaches the Christmas story to your children by starting at creation and sharing that Jesus has always been present and that God has always had a plan for Christmas. Bible verses and Jesus Calling devotions are on every spread of this beautifully illustrated book with foil and glitter on the cover.”  I would recommend this one for ages 4-10.

https://amzn.to/4fWE8Av

“A snowy night, a warm cabin, and a boy who hears the Christmas story told for the first time―beginning with Creation and ending with the Resurrection

A classic Christmas picture book, One Wintry Night tells the story of a mountain boy who is injured in a snowstorm and seeks refuge in a cabin. While he waits out the storm, the woman who lives there tells him the Christmas story. In a magnificent blend of a contemporary setting with the history of God’s redeeming love, Ruth Graham created a wonderful and unique version of the Christmas story. Breathtakingly illustrated by renowned artist Richard Jesse Watson, One Wintry Night is the perfect gift for the young and the young-at-heart that will fascinate both those who have heard the Bible story many times and those who know only a few details.”  I would recommend this story for ages 6-12.

 

https://amzn.to/4iut27w

“Little Polly Flowerdew lives with her two maiden aunts, and she is absolutely sure that something special is going to happen this Christmas. She leaves her bedroom window open on Christmas Eve, just in case the three wise men decide to come visit. When she wakes up on Christmas morning, more than one miracle seems to have taken place.

A moving, lyrical, and endearing chapter book, celebrating the magic as well as the mystery of Christmas by Elizabeth Goudge, mistress of the art of storytelling. Charmingly illustrated with ink drawings by Margot Tomes, it is a perfect Christmas read-aloud for young children and parents looking for something slightly sentimental and bracingly wholesome.” I love Elizabeth Goudge’s writing! I would recommend this book for ages 8-12.

 

https://amzn.to/3CQMw5J

2016 ECPA Christian Book Award winner!
“Based on the overwhelming success of The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp has expanded her presentation of the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree so families can celebrate together. Each day, families can read the provided Scripture passage (in connection with the original book), engage with a specially written devotion to help children of all ages understand the Advent theme for the day, and participate in suggested activities to apply the theme.

This special edition is beautifully illustrated. It can serve as a precious guide to help recapture the sacredness of the Advent season and to help the entire family understand and celebrate the epic pageantry of humankind from Adam to the Messiah.” Ages 3-adult. I recommend this as a read-aloud for the whole family together.

 

https://amzn.to/3CVToPo

FIRST EDITION, HARDCOVER. ILLUSTRATED. FAMILY BOOKSHELF EDITION “Among the many legends that have to do with Christmas Eve, there is one that says on that night lost things are found again…” I enjoyed this story.

One of the Amazon reviewers said this about it, “Mom got this book out every Christmas and I read it every year. When I moved to my own home, I hunted down copies of this book for me and all my sisters. It’s a short, sweet story with a varied cast of interwoven characters. A book that gives you a warm holiday glow.”
For such a short story, there were quite a few characters who were each affected by a stranger who took the time to interact with each of them. I think your family will enjoy this story. Recommended for ages 10-adult.

You may need to search for this to find it at a decent price, but it’s worth looking for.

Studying History at Christmas Time in a Charlotte Mason Way

 

 

Someone recently asked about what we do for history around Christmas time. Well, anything we do related to the Bible I consider a History lesson, so the Advent activities and things related to the Birth of Jesus I count as History.

The Advent books by Arnold Ytreeide contain a lot of historical content. Jotham’s Journey, Bartholomew’s Passage and Tabitha’s Travels are all Advent stories. They are cumulative, so it’s good to read them in order. The latest in the set is called Ishtar’s Journey. We read it last year, and my kids enjoyed it. They all have edge-of-your seat action and cliffhanger chapter endings that keep the kids wanting to hear more.

 

 

 

 

For Easter time, he has another book called Amon’s Adventure. This one is about the son of a character in one of the previous books.

We usually do a lot of Advent activities that cover different aspects of preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus. And I consider those History, too. We have used the free Jesse Tree Devotional by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience. She has beautiful devotions and nice paper ornaments you can print out and put on a Jesse Tree. Scroll down to the bottom of her home page and click where it says Free Family Advent Christmas Devotional with Jesse Tree Ornaments to find out how to get it. She has written a book called “Unwrapping the Greatest Gift” that is a work of art. The pictures are beautiful, and the devotional stories that go with the Jesse Tree symbols are full of Ann’s poetic writing that makes you pause and think about the full meaning of each symbol and the full prophetic fulfillment and the profound impact of Jesus’ birth.

We did a nice Advent activity with the book Jesus, The Promised One by Christian Perspective. It comes with little books. You can get one for each child. Then each day of Advent you read a short devotional to them and they put a sticker or color something in their little book that goes with the story. They each get a gold pen, too, that they really like to write and color with.

Our Advent activities usually become our History lessons before Christmas. I bought the book, One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham (Billy Graham’s wife). I checked it out of the library one Christmas and started reading it but didn’t get it finished before Christmas. I took it back unfinished! I hardly ever do that. But I couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to finish it after the season was over. This book is worth reading, but you should start it long before Christmas day. It has an interesting modern day story line about a boy who is injured in a snowstorm and has to wait out the storm in a cabin where a lady tells him the WHOLE Christmas story. She takes us through the whole story of Christmas, starting with Creation and ending with the Resurrection!

 

The Advent Book by Jack and Kathy Stockman at Celebrations and Traditions. is really good, too. You can use it like an Advent calendar. The pictures in the book are all different doors. The child opens a beautifully illustrated, elaborate door, and a part of the Christmas story is found written there.

I just got the book On That Night by Elizabeth Yates, too. It might be a little bit over the heads of younger children. It describes several different people who were affected by reflecting on the Nativity scene at a Christmas Eve service and how each found something that night that they had lost. I really enjoyed the story and found it very inspirational. There was an element of suspense as the story took you on a journey to discover the connections between the characters and what they had lost.

 

https://www.amazon.com/That-Night-Elizabeth-Yates/dp/B0006C00F2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1545070679&sr=1-1&keywords=on+that+night+yates

Another little book I enjoy at Christmas is by Elizabeth Goudge, one of my favorite authors. It is called “I Saw Three Ships”.  An Amazon review says this about it:

“A moving, lyrical, and endearing chapter book, celebrating the magic as well as the mystery of Christmas.”

Another story with a slight air of suspense, like most good stories carry, this one has a few surprises and twists that will make you wonder and ponder.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1567925049/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=chabylov-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1567925049&linkId=781a59939eb568026f3c6808057d78c7

I love to read lots of Christmas stories to my kids before Christmas, trying to find good Classics and living books during the Christmas season. That’s my way of doing Christmas in a Charlotte Mason way. I kind of sneak narration in lots of times by asking one of the kids to sum up what we read the last time before we start the day’s reading. Sometimes I will have them write notes, make cards, write something that has to do with Christmas or some kind of notebook page about Christmas, and we have made a couple of lapbooks over the years about Christmas symbols.

 

I like this lapbook by Carisa at 1+1+1=1.

And here’s a nice Tot Pack for Toddlers and Preschoolers for Christmas, also by Carisa.

Our main History right now is learning some Texas history. I want to get back into Diana Waring’s Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries when we get settled in here.

Those are some of the main things we do to incorporate history into our Christmas season. I try to keep the Bible first in all of our homeschooling, especially our study of History.

I hope you are able to glean some helpful ideas from this list.