One Christmas tradition we have in our house each year is to celebrate Jesus' birthday with an actual birthday cake. It's always red velvet with white icing. We've been doing this for 4 years now, so I was curious if it was making any sort of impact. Last night, I asked Nathan why we have that sort of cake. His answer: "The red is for Jesus' blood, and the white is for the way He makes our hearts clean inside." YES!!
O Lord, please continue to water and grow these seeds that are being planted in their hearts.
Usually, we just read from Luke 2, sing "Happy Birthday," and eat the cake. Last night, we added something new. We watched the movie, The Nativity Story. I recommend it (although the beginning is just a tad violent for a child - it begins with soldiers killing boys 2 years old and younger at Herod's decree, and some crucifixion scenes are involved, but nothing is really shown). It was very thought-provoking. For example, I had never really considered how long it took for them to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem or how arduous that journey would have been. The movie certainly takes a few liberties with the timeline (the Wise Men arrive on the night of Jesus' birth) and some poetic license with fleshing out some of the characters (we get to know Mary's parents), but overall I do believe it is well-done.
Some years we have had our birthday celebration before Christmas and some years after. This year, we waited until we could be a bit more focused and not feel like we were "fitting it in" to everything else. I liked it better this way.
What do you do in your family to remember the true meaning of Christmas?
This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties. Check them out! Monday: Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie Wednesday: Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family Friday: 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama, Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary, Pieces of Amy Other days: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
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