Light the World

Every year I worry about what I can do to help the kids focus on the true meaning behind Christmas. This year the church proposed the "Light the World" challenge...encouraging us to light the world in 25 ways over 25 days by serving and following the example of Jesus Christ! It was perfect. I didn't take pictures of everything we did but here are some of them....

"Jesus Showed Compassion and So Can You"

We picked a name of an Angel Tree and bought Christmas gifts for that child.

The kids also picked out a toy they don't really need and donated them to a Santa Shop for kids.

"Jesus Worshiped Through Song and So Can You"

I participated in the Nativity choir concert singing for the mixed choir and a women's ensemble. I love the spirit that music can bring to help you remember Christ this time of year.

"Jesus Helped Others to See and So Can You"

Austin and Mikayla donated their old pair of eye glasses to the Lion's club who uses them to help others who can't afford them sometimes sending them to kids oversees.

"Jesus Healed the Sick and So Can You"

We took homemade chicken noodle soup to someone who was sick.

"Jesus Visited the Lonely and So Can You"

We participated in Christmas caroling with Craig's mom who every year takes goodie plates and sings carols to her neighbors, some nearby grandma's, and we also stopped to sing for a church member who had recently lost his wife.

The kids always enjoy getting to do this!

And it was the first time caroling for these babies!

"Jesus Taught Others and So Can You"

We had the kids each take a turn to teach a story from the scriptures.

"Jesus Cared For His Loved Ones and So Can You" 

The kid's cousins come into town without their parents several days before Christmas. All the family in town did a great job helping to take care of them. On this day they were hanging out at our house and joined us for dinner.

"Jesus Taught Us to Clothe the Naked and So Can You"

We donated clothes that we don't wear anymore.

"Jesus Showed Gratitude and So Can You"

We gave thank-you gifts to our mailman, the bus driver, and the kid's school teachers.

I really enjoyed doing this and it helped us focus not so much on the getting but on the giving!