Christmas Books to Add to Your Collection
Last week Laura asked about Christmas books: “One of the things we’d really love to do though is have a load of books and stories that we read around Christmastime: I wasn’t brought up in a Christian home and my parents had many stories we’d look forward to at Christmas, it was a lovely tradition, but they’re not necessarily the same books I’d choose for my kids You’ve mentioned your Christmas collection of books a couple times, and I was wondering if you could do a post that lists what’s in that box? If you’ve done one before then point me in the right direc

Is it Possible to Have an Incredible Yet Frugal Christmas Celebration?
It’s been crazy-busy here, even more so than usual.  Do you remember my dear friend Heather, who lost her husband nearly two years ago?  God has brought a wonderful man into her life and they are getting married next month!  We recorded music for her wedding yesterday, and I’m helping give her a small shower tonight.  So privileged to be celebrating with Heather and Phil. In lieu of a post today, I want to reprint a comment from the last post on celebrating Christmas. Naomi wrote: Kendra — This has got to be one of the most re

Honoring Christ and Celebrating Christmas, Part II
I’ve been pondering what more to offer you on this subject of honoring Christ as we celebrate His birth. We get so muddled, don’t we? We want to reject materialism but in our humanity we tend toward the pendulum swing that lands us on the rebound rather than balanced somewhere in the middle. How do we magnify Christ in our Christmas celebrations while the world marches around us blaring their cheap imitation of Christmas? Several years ago I read a short article by

Honoring Christ and Celebrating Christmas, Part I
There have been a few posts that hint at the coming Christmas season, but I received an email from Melinda recently that made me think perhaps we should talk a bit about the non-tangible aspects of celebrating Christmas. Melinda wrote: I would like to suggest a post regarding the holidays. These are my favorite three months of the year, yet my joy and peace somehow are always compromised! Perhaps there are things that have worked for your family you would like to share that help keep the focus on the Father. Jonelle [mutual friend] has mentioned that you send out a 4th of July card instead – things like that maybe. Personally- can you giv

Christmas Gifts Among Siblings
Our kiddos draw names for Christmas giving.  They love being able to focus all their available resources on one person, and I love listening to their ideas as they plan and plot each year. Last year we required them to make a gift for their recipient, and it was really neat to see what each child came up with.  The littlest ones had a bit of help Nine-year-old sister made a fancy