Kath's Christmas Korner
In Luke 2:10, and 11 where an angel appears to the shepherds, the angel says " I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem." (Living Bible.)
The MOST JOYFUL NEWS! Isn't that worth celebrating? And it's for everyone! In the old testament, the Israelites are told to set up memorials, have celebration feasts etc in REMEMBERANCE of what God has done.
Joshua 4:4,5,6,and 7 - So Joshua summoned the twelve men, and told them, "Go out into the middle of the Jordan where the Ark is. Each of you is to carry out a stone on your shoulder - twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes. We will use them to build a monument so that in the future, when your children ask, "What is this monument for? You can tell them, "It is to remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of God went across!" The monument will be a permanent reminder to the people of Israel of this amazing miracle." (LB)
Now I'm not Jewish, but I think it is important that we do celebrate in rememberance of what God has done for us . Christmas and Easter are important days on my calendar, because on those days I remember the things God has done. ie sending His Son to us in the human form, and His sacrifice. This is not to say that I don't remember on other days, but on these special days I celebrate with my friends and family what God has done. Just as in Joshua, it is a reminder of this amazing miracle.
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We open our presents throughout the day. I've tried to limit it to three gifts like the wise men, but I admit I usually get a bit carried away with smaller gifts.
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There is plenty of Christmas fun on the web. Instead of having a heap of bookmarks I thought it would nice to put my favourite Christmas links here so you could have a look too.
To start with there are the Ten Commandments of Christmas, then some sites that look at the Christmas History and The Spiritual Meanings behind the Christmas Decorations. Don't forget to check out our Christmas Countdown Calendar.
Followed by some Christmas Music. Then you'll find some beautiful Christmas stories and poems to read (or if you're homeschooling the Charlotte Mason way, the poems would make wonderful copywork).
To keep little hands busy there are some Christmas Crafts and Printable Fun and Online Games to do. Then to get some ideas for new family traditions take a look at how others celebrate with their Christmas Traditions. Followed by a section with fun Christmassy sites and games. Don't forget to send some Christmas E-Mail cards to your family and friends. Have Fun!!!
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The Ten Commandments of Christmas by Debra Coe
1. Thou shalt not put any other holiday traditions or celebrations (not even Santa Claus) above the celebration of our Savior's birth and the deep meaning of His life, teachings, and sacrifices.
2. Thou shalt look at thy life and make at least one positive change as your gift to the Savior at His birthday celebration.
3. Thou shalt have many traditions, especially those types of traditions that remind you of the Savior, give service to others, and bring your family closer together.
4. Thou shalt remember those who are alone and help them to have a "Merry Christmas" also.
5. Thou shalt give gifts of worth and not merely add to another's collection of clutter simply for the sake of "giving a gift'. Give of your self which is the way Savior gave.
6. Thou shalt value the effort and thought put into gifts received. Just as with the widow's mite, it is the meaning that gives a gift value not the dollar amount paid.
7. Thou shalt give no gift grudgingly or because you have to. This does not mean to not give the gift to someone, but work until you have changed your own attitude.
8. Thou shalt not become so busy that you don't have time to really enjoy the season.
9. Thou shalt remember that of all the beautiful and expensive gifts, what children want and need most is honor, respect, love, and your time.
10. Above all, Thou shalt find a way to keep the spirit of the Christmas season and of giving all through the year.
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Annie's Christmas History Page - a wealth of information here for those who are wondering if Christians should celebrate Christmas at all, or why we celebrate on the 25th December. If you have questions, this is a good place to find some biblical answers.
The Spiritual Meaning behind Christmas Decorations - Do you know the spiritual meanings behind the Christmas decorations you put up in your home? Does your decorating reflect the true meaning of the season? Let your home reflect the reason for the season this year.
Christmas Countdown Calendar - Check out how we countdown to Christmas. Each day has a simple idea such as watching a movie and stringing popcorn chains, or an informal picnic by Christmas Tree light. There may be some new family traditions to start.
The Jesse Tree - Directions on how to make a Jesse Tree. This one has nice pictures to go with the scriptures. I plan on making it in a poster form and putting it up in our living room.
Music
I love Christmas music! While I'm online I usually have some music playing away and the children enjoy dancing and singing to it as well.
Songs of the Season - Lyrics and midis.
Christmas Carols.net - Lyrics and midis. Has some of the more modern songs like Grandma got run over by a reindeer.
Christmas Sheet Music - To print out and play. We're going to have a go at the beginners big note piano music this year. You don't even need to be able to read music!
The Nutcracker - Short story and music.
Why don't you put some music on now, before you go to look at some more sites?
Christmas Stories
The
Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey Part 1 and Part
2
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Good Stories for Great Holidays by Frances Jenkins Olcott
The Three Kings of Cologne - A Legend of the Middle Ages
The Pine Tree by Hans Christian Anderson
Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect by Richard H. Schneider
Christian
Christmas stories from JoyfulHeart
Christmas Poems
A Christmas Carol by Christina Rossetti
Christmas Crafts
Promise Cards - Great gift idea for kids to make.
Christmas Calendar Chain - A fun way to count down to Christmas.
Fun with Printables
Gift
tags to colour
Nativity
Gift Tag from Billy Bear
A Simple Nativity Set for Young Children to Make
A lovely Mary Engelbreit Picture to Colour In - The Night Before
The Night Before Christmas Colouring In Book
More Christmas Pictures to Colour In
Activity Village's Word Finds and Mazes
A ton of printables from Kids Domain
Christmas Fun Online
Billy Bear's Online Christmas Fun
Kids Domain Christmas Games - 3 pages worth!
The
Christmas Trivia Quiz
A Kid's
Heart Christmas Online Games
Christmas Family Traditions
Perkin's Family Christmas Traditions
Advent calendar online - Each day a child from a different country explains how they celebrate Christmas.
Groner Family Christmas Traditions
Happy Holidays - 25 Ways to Share the Joy
Christmassy Sites and Games
Pass the Parcel Christmas Game - play pass the parcel while reading aloud this Christmas Story.
Kids Domain Christmas Party Games
Christmas E-Mail Cards
Noel Noel Noel Christmas E-Cards - beautiful victorian type cards.
A Kid's Heart Christmas E-Cards - some nice Christian cards here.
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Greetings.com - more Christian ecards.
Cross Daily Christian Christmas Cards - wide range here. Sections include Advent, Preparing for Christmas, Christmas Scripture, and Christmas Humour.
Victorian Holiday Greeting Centre
Pavlova
Pavlova is my all time favourite dessert. For my overseas visitors who may be so unfortunate as to never of had pavlova before, and are wondering what is like, it could be described as a big meringue on the outside, and melt in the mouth soft in the inside. Here is the recipe from the Edmonds Cookbook. (Another Kiwi tradition)
3 Egg Whites
3 tablespoons Cold water
1 cup Castor Sugar
1 teaspoon Vinegar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
3 teaspoons Cornflour
Beat egg whites until stiff, add cold water and beat again. Add castor sugar very gradually while still beating. Slow beater and add vinegar, vanilla and cornflour. Place on greased paper on greased tray and bake at 150degreesC (300degreesF) for 45 minutes, then leave to cool in the oven.
When completely cooled top with heaps of whipped cream. It also tastes good with strawberries and kiwifruit too, and looks festive.
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