Holiday Traditions

In an attempt to focus on gratefulness and thanksgiving this holiday season, we have instituted a few new holiday traditions.  (Thanks to A Holy Experience and Pinterest)  First, was a thanksgiving tree.  We were able to print off pretty colored leaves that had Scripture verses already on them.  Every day one of us would read a verse on thanksgiving or gratefulness.  There were even a couple of blank leaves to write what we were thankful for.  The kids found a bunch of sticks in the backyard, I placed them in a beautiful vase and we hung the leaves on it.  It graced the center of our table through the Thanksgiving holiday.

There are sooooo many fabulous ideas on Pinterest and a mom could really go crazy trying to do them all.  But, the other day at book club someone mentioned reindeer pancakes and I knew I could do that!  Most of the ingredients we all ready had.  And pancakes for dinner are usually on the menu.  So, here it is.  A new Christmas tradition.  My brother was here for dinner that night.  Not sure what he thought!

In an effort to really focus on the birth of Christ and anticipating and celebrating his birth, we decided to do a Jesse Tree (again, thanks to A Holy Experience.)  It has been a great daily devotion that we do together as a family.  Each story from the Old Testament points to a Savior and the lineage of Jesus and we all have been learning a little something.

Of course I had to throw in a picture of our tree.  It is so pretty.  We went to Lowe's one day and it was the first tree we saw and everyone agreed on it.  I don't think we have ever found a tree that fast! Almost all of our decorations mean something.  It has been our tradition, that when we travel, we get an ornament.  There is also one of a dog for our Angel.  There is a saddle that was for Shorty.  There are two pregnant bears.  And numerous ornaments that have shown our growing family.

The last tradition I added, which I am certain we will do every year, is ornaments with all the different names of Jesus on them.  I bought a bunch of red, green and silver glass ornaments and Little Mama and I have written 24 different names of Jesus on each one, with the matching Scripture.  It has been really neat to see the references to Jesus through out the whole Bible.  Some names I had never heard of before.  The list I had of the names of Jesus had about 50 if not more.  Some time during the day, one of the kids will grab an ornament, read the verse and then place the ornament on the tree. 

Amidst the hustle and bustle this year, I just felt we needed to do a little less stressing and a lot more reflecting.  We still enjoy all the activities and excitement that this season brings, but I hope we have been taking more than a few minutes to really be thoughtful about the reason for the season. . .