Christmas At Our House - Traditions (Part 2)

A favorite tradition that our children ask about as soon as Thanksgiving is over is our Christmas Nativity Calendar.

I have to say that this is one of the best items I ever brought over to Russia from the States. I purchased it years ago at a Bible Book Store. I had always wanted to find one of these that specifically included the Christmas story from the Bible.

Our children can't wait until December 1st, when it is time to pull the calendar out of the box and begin the countdown to Christmas. They all love taking turns to hang up the figures every night before bed.

Each figure pertains to the Christmas manger scene with baby Jesus being the last piece to put on for Christmas Day. There are sheep, angels, a star, wise men, the innkeeper, Mary, and Joseph, as well.

Timothy holding the paper that you read from.

The calendar came with a numbered list showing each piece and corresponding sections to read as they are hung on the board. It is even more enjoyable for the children now that they are older and can handle it by themselves. Mommy and Daddy just sit back and listen!

Christmas At Our House - Traditions (Part 1)

When my husband and I were married we both looked forward to creating special holiday traditions with our own family. When most of us think of family traditions, we think of Christmas. Christmas is definitely one of my favorite times of the year. I love the decorations, lights, falling snow, carols, and fun times together with the family. One of our favorite traditions we began with our children in order to help keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus' birth, was taught to me by a dear friend of mine. Mrs. Janice Hickman is a beautiful Christian woman who has been like an adopted Mom to me ever since I was in Bible college. As my husband and I were about to be married, we spent much time with the Hickmans learning all we could about marriage and family.

Mrs. Hickman and I during a visit on our last furlough (2-15-09).

The tradition Mrs. Hickman taught me was regarding the reading of the Christmas story which families often read on Christmas morning. In the Hickman family, often on Christmas Eve, the children all dress up as Mary, Joseph, an angel, shepherds, and the wise men. As they stand together with baby Jesus in Mary's arms, Mrs. Hickman reads the Christmas story. Mr. Hickman records the yearly tradition with the video camera. Now, this all sounds serious and formal but it is the funniest thing to watch the children either try to hold still and be serious, or the opposite while Mrs. Hickman sweetly reads the Christmas story! In the end, you have a precious memory recorded for the family to watch as the children grow.

Here are a few photos of our children from years past, as we have kept this family tradition.

Christmas 2002 (blurry due to being a photo from a video camera)

In 2003, we didn't need a doll to use as a baby Jesus, we had a baby Timothy to lay in the manger!

Christmas 2003

Christmas 2004

Christmas 2006

Christmas 2007

On Christmas Day, usually in the evening after the presents have been unwrapped and sometimes just before the children go to bed for the night, the kids dress up with whatever material, towels, or t-shirt of Daddy's they find and come into the living room by the tree for pictures. After the photos are taken, we all sit down and watch the kids as they portray Mary, Joseph, and either an angel or a shepherd while Daddy reads the Christmas story.

It is a wonderful note to end our Christmas celebration, remembering that Jesus was born in a manger to die for our sins.

May the Lord bless you and your family this Christmas as you celebrate His birth.

I am linking this post up to the Baptist Missionary Women blog for their Christmas Blog Hop. Check it out!