Loving Sacrifice
In the excitement and craziness of the Christmas season, in giving and getting gifts, counting down the Advent calendar, chocolate and cookies, it’s easy for the little ones (and for us adults, as well) to forget why all this is happening—because of a baby born over two thousand years ago in a stable in Bethlehem.
We’ve found a delightful way that our five-year-old grandson “Boo” LOVES that focuses on sacrificial giving at a child’s level. After we’ve put up the Nativity set together and talked about each character in the story, I give him a bag of hay. With each act of “loving sacrifice” he makes, he gets to add one piece of hay to the Baby Jesus’s manger--to make a softer, better bed for Him to sleep in (it gets a little crowded so most of it goes around the manger, but Boo gets the point.) Then, on Christmas eve, he brings the hay he’s collected and adds it to the manger in the church Nativity scene. It’s quite a poignant moment.
You’d be amazed at how excited he is at the many possibilities of performing acts of loving sacrifice. He is constantly on the lookout for new ways to help. Boo especially likes to hold the doors for his now-disabled Grampy. If he gets to push the handicap button that opens the doors automatically, so much the better!
I’m also on the watch for him, pointing out times I see him display honor and kindness. Like when he shares his toys or his snacks with his friends. Or when he gets an ice-pack for Granny’s aching back, complete with a carefully-folded dish towel around it.
It’s exciting to watch him discover the Reason for the Season on his own, and it keeps Christ at the forefront of Christmas, not only for Boo, but for all of us.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year, from my family to yours.
Publisher's Weekly Bestselling, award-winning author of nearly 30 novels, Deb Kastner enjoys writing contemporary inspirational western stories set in small communities. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith as a natural and genuine part of her characters' lives.
Deb lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and a pack of miscreant mutts. She is blessed with three adult daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite hobby is spoiling her grandchildren, but she also enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music (The Texas Tenors are her fav), singing in the church choir, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on horseback.
http://www.debkastnerbooks.com
*Giveaway*
Mistletoe plays an important part of Deb's latest release, and one winner will win a sprig of mistletoe & a "Joy to the World" book mark from Emilie's Etsy shop to keep your holiday lively!
All giveaways run until January 2nd and winners will be announced shortly after. Use the image to the left to share on social media and don't forget the hashtag: #SpreadTheChristmasJoy16
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