Pages

Friday, December 05, 2008

Giving to those who need this Christmas

There is a story "The Secret Giver" in this month's Friend magazine about a family who secretly gives gifts to a family in need. My boys really liked this story and are planning who they want to give to and what they want to give. A few weeks ago I told my kids that we wouldn't be buying any extras any more (like the occasional happy meal, or toy from the dollar store) I told them that Christmas would be coming soon and we need to save our money to buy gifts. Yesterday they asked if we could have happy meals for lunch (which it isn't really the "meal" that they want, just the toy that comes with the meal. Someone once said, "It isn't the toy that comes free, it's the meal that comes free with the toy you paid for"). I asked them if they remembered what I had told them a few weeks ago. Tom got all excited and said, "Oh yeah, we have to save money to buy our secret gifts to give".
To help with keeping the true spirit of Christmas we have been doing an activity in this months Friend, Stories of Jesus, Tell Them to Me, which lists a scripture story and picture from the GAK, one to do each day of this month. We are also learning the song "Picture a Christmas". I am recently called as the primary song leader so I figure I need to practice with my kids to learn how to best teach the song to the other primary kids - it gives me a chance to have a live audience to work with, rather than having to practice in the mirror or something.

3 comments:

Heather said...

great ideas jenni. thanks for sharing the links. i want to do some of these things with my kids.

Jennybug said...

Primary song leader!!!! I am so jealous--that is my favorite calling ever. I've been it a few times, so if you ever need to brainstorm, just let me know.

I love your ideas for Christmas--we're trying to think of something to do, but the baby coming soon is kind of preventing a lot. Hmmm...we'll just have to think harder!

Bridgette said...

Congrats on your new calling Jenni. You will be great!