Homespun Memories for the Heart by Karen Ehman

Author:Karen Ehman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2005-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

7. Searching for the Gift of Christ

Jayne Harris of DeWitt, Michigan, says her children search among the angels on her tree (which always hosts an angel theme) for five hidden letter ornaments that spell out JESUS. “The kids must find these letters in the tree before opening any presents,” she says, “and this keeps God’s gift from being forgotten.”

8. The Three Gifts

Karen’s family has the tradition of giving their children just three gifts, in addition to their stocking stuffers, on Christmas morning. This is an attempt to simplify and teach a lesson on contentment. They remind their children that the Christ child received three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—and so each year, that is the same number they will receive. Each Christmas they open one gift to wear, one item to read, and one thing to play with.

Colleen Redfield of Rochester, Minnesota, adds a new twist on this idea. “Our children receive gifts on Christmas morning that mirror the same gifts that were given to Jesus by the Magi. We’ve adapted them a bit, but the result has been a wonderful way to remember those first gifts given so long ago.

“First they receive a ‘gold’ gift. This symbolizes the gold Jesus received. It’s precious and worth a lot. The gold gift for our child is the one big gift they may want, something that is their heart’s desire.

“Next is their ‘frankincense’ gift. This was an incense or spice used in Jesus’s time in the temple, something that was used during prayer and fasting. A frankincense gift should be a gift that will draw them closer to God. This can be a new Bible, a Christian book or video, or for the young ones, a play nativity or Noah’s ark set.

“Finally is their ‘myrrh’ gift. This was the fluid that was used upon death, covering the entire body. Today, it could be translated into something that they need that covers the body—pajamas, a new coat, a sweater, or pants.”

What a great way to teach children a lesson in Bible history!

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