Saturday, December 5, 2009

The Jesus Stocking


(I've posted about this tradition of ours in years past, but wanted to include it again for those who missed it.)
We stopped filling stockings as a family a few years ago because they typically are filled with unnecessary small items that drive me crazy. We came up with a use for one of those stockings and labeled it “The Jesus Stocking”. The idea is that anyone in the family can slip bills or change into the stocking during advent and it will remain a mystery how much is inside until we empty it on Jesus birthday. Christmas Eve we discuss and decide what He would want us to do with it. Weeks before Christmas my children pour over the Gospel For Asia Gift Catalog, imagining what they can buy for the poor. It truly takes their eyes off of what they want for Christmas. All they think about is how they could earn more money to give away! We could buy a sewing machine to give a woman a trade in India, buy a missionary a bicycle, chicks or goats for a starving family...the possibilities are endless. This year we will be focused on helping those we know who have been unemployed as well as missions projects. This has become our favorite tradition at Christmas and what our celebration is centered around…giving Jesus something for His birthday. Give it a try!

1 comment:

Angie Tolpin said...

I love this Jesus Stocking Idea... We started a similar tradition last year. isaac and I decide on a sum of money ahead of time and over the weeks leading up to Christmas we also brainstorm ideas after dinner about how to bless others. My kids always look forward to getting the World Vision & Gospel for Asia Catalogs, and VOM Relief Packs. you are totally right on about how their hearts turn from what do I get to who can we give to... what neighbor needs help. Last year was the best we bought groceries for some Somalians in NE Portland and delivered it. Then we gave them Safeway gift cards. The kids still play with the toy goat we got from World Vision when we bought a goat last year too. The Lord blesses our hearts as we serve and obey doesn't He friend! :)
Thanks for your intimate sharing. It motivates me to share more about this with others. You are an inspiration!