Hi, welcome back to Literacy Musing Mondays. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday seasons. We have a special treat for your this week. Our guest poster is Suzanna from Wonder Filled Days.
(Disclosure: Suzanna’s guest post includes Amazon affiliate links which benefit her and her family if you choose to buy copies of the books she highlights. Thanks for your support. )
She writes about:
Treasuring Traditions
When we were first married, the culture we were a part of, for various reasons, mostly ignored Christmas, so we did the same. However, as time changed things and as our children grew older, I started questioning our approach to Christmas. I started thinking about ways we could honor God in our children’s lives over this season.
During this time, I read Noel Piper’s book Treasuring God in Our Traditions and realized how important traditions are in our children’s lives. In it Noel Piper writes about the value of God-centered traditions. She points out how God, in the Old Testament, established traditions to remind the Israelites, and their children, and their children’s children of His work in their lives. God instructed the Israelites to observe this feast, or sacrifice that animal, or set up that pile of rocks, so that when their children ask, “why” (and children love to ask, “why), that the parents could say, “It is because of who God is; it is because of what He has done for us.”
God knew that despite our good intentions for passing on the values we treasure, that without a solid plan our good intentions would remain just intentions. He knew we needed traditions that would endure through the distractions that life holds. And He knew children need the security and familiarity in an ever-changing world.
So I started researching traditions that would make Christmas meaningful in the lives of our children. I came across the idea of a Jesse Tree and loved it. Here was a tangible display for my children to remind them of who God is, of His promise to send a Messiah, and of how Christ was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.
A Jesse Tree (for my readers who aren‘t familiar with this) is a tree, or a branch, to which each day you add a new ornament that tells the gospel story from creation to Christ. There are many resources online for making ornaments for a Jesse Tree and for daily devotionals to read to go along with them. Of course, there’s Ann Voskamp’s beautiful book, but for those looking for simpler, more child friendly language, there is this lovely idea (http://www.storywarren.com/an-introduction-to-the-family-advent-art-and-reading-guide/) of scheduling readings from The Jesus Storybook Bible. And just recently I discovered this great idea of doing a Jesse Tree with picture books. (http://thebleedingpelican.com/the-jesse-tree-in-picture-books/) I think it will be perfect for Baby Girl, who will be two next year, so that gives me all year to collect books.
I also made an advent calendar based on the one Noel Piper mentioned in her book- a simple burlap scene where we would add another figure of the nativity scene and read another part of the Christmas story each day. Both the Jesse Tree and the calendar were meaningful activities that would build anticipation in my children’s hearts for the wondrous miracle that we celebrate at Christmas time- Immanuel, God with us.
To read more of her family’s sweet traditions be sure to check out her blog post today!
Now a little more about Suzanna. Suzanna married her wonderful husband, Paul, sixteen years ago. They have four boys- ages 15, 13, 11, and 7 and a sweet little girl that just turned one. The boys are all good friends (though they have their squabbles) and they absolutely adore their little sister. She credits the good family relationships to the fact that we homeschool. Her family also served in a very remote part of West Africa as missionaries for 6 years. You can find her online at these places:
Now on to this week’s Literacy Musing Mondays Linkup. First let’s ….
Last Week’s Top Clicked Post!
The Devotional for Women
By Samantha at Square Peg, Holy God
If you are looking for a last minute gift idea for a mom, sister, or best friend, Samantha features a great round up of devotionals not to miss. Be sure to check out her post!
Want to be the next to be featured! Just link up a post and if you are read the most, we will feature you. Also please make sure you link back to us so others will know about our link up and join in. We try to make it worth your while to linkup with us by promoting your posts across our social media networks. We also pin your posts to our Pinterest Board!
Now, it is time to link up to the Literacy Musing Mondays hop! You will have until Saturdays at 12 p.m. now to link up! So come back often.
Linkup Rules:
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Linking up with these hops this week: Social Butterfly Sunday, #LifeGivingLinkup; Inspire Me Mondays at Create with Joy, Inspire Me Monday at Angie Ryg,Mama Moments Monday, Motivation Mondays, Good Morning Mondays, Inspire Me Mondays at Table for 7, Mommy Monday Blog Hop, Tell Me a True Story Blog Party, #Words with Winter Linkup, The Book Nook – Blog Party For Book Lovers!, Totally Terrific Tuesdays, Women with Intention Wednesdays, What to Read Wednesdays, Mom’s Library, A Little R &R Wednesday’s linkup, Kid Lit Blog Hop, Booknificent Thursdays, Cozy Reading Spot, and TGI Saturdays.
Also:
Love this! Thanks for sharing with #TheCozyReadingSpot
Loved reading about the traditions she has set in place. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week! I hope you have a lovely Christmas Eve followed by the merriest of Christmases!
Tina
Tina at Mommynificent recently posted…Happy Christmas Eve and Booknificent Thursday Link Up Party #127
Hello,
I have never heard of a Jesse Tree before. It sounds like a beautiful tradition. Thank you for sharing with us!
Amy @ItsAMindfulLife recently posted…Top Gift Picks From Our Holiday Gift Guide
The best gift to give this Christmas is the love of literature. I always love to give and receive books. 🙂
Lux recently posted…Post-birthday Reflections
I’ve always been a bit sentimental and a lover of history. His Story. It’s told through the material left behind–like what you find in antique shops and registered landmarks . . . and in the traditions followed across all cultures in all ages. Traditions can be a gift or a curse–depending upon how they are employed. As a young mom I sought to incorporate traditions from both sides of the family for our children, connecting them to their past, so they’ll know who they are in the present and have direction for the future. God’s gift of creativity empowers us to tell His Story in so many compelling ways that will remain deep in the hearts of our children–and they’ll one day pass them on, too. I’m watching it in my own grown children today. Taking of old traditions and adding new ones to reflect their new families. Christ as the center–great joy in the season is the outcome. With a thankful heart.
Joy!
Kathy
Kathryn Ross recently posted…When Bells Ring Wild and Sweet
I love your comment. So insightful and inspiring. Thanks so much for stopping by. 😉
Mary Hill recently posted…Literacy Musing Mondays: Traditions
Thanks for sharing your ideas. Thank you all for hosting 🙂
You welcome. So glad you stopped by.
Mary Hill recently posted…Literacy Musing Mondays: Traditions
Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope you will link up again this week 🙂
Kelly @RaisingSamuels recently posted…Educents Holiday Gift Guide
Lovely post! Gives food for thought for young parents like us. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Shantala recently posted…Do external factors influence your opinion of a book? | Diary of A Book BloggerÂ
Thank you so much for featuring my post! This made my day!
Samantha, you welcome. Thanks for joining our linkup!
Mary Hill recently posted…Literacy Musing Mondays: Traditions