We started a new Christmas tradition last year that helps us remember to keep Christ in Christmas.
We start out with an empty manger. My Bishop gave us this cute little one.
Then we cut strips of yellow construction paper to make straw pieces.
We add one “straw” to the manger for each service that we do inside our family and out. We can also add straw if a service is done for us by someone outside our little family. (Like my MIL took my girls yesterday because I had the flu so I put a straw in our manger for her kind act.) The goal is to get the manger nice and full so that Jesus will have a soft, cozy place to lay Christmas morning. We decided to crumple the straw this year to add some volume.
Last year we had a big family fight over whether we should write down our services on the straw or not. (No, really we did. Don’t get Chad and Elle on different sides. Neither one is backing down.) But we learned that it was nice to be able to read all of the services, so we are writing down our services this year, but we just won’t put our name on the straw.
Then I set up a kid accessible manger station so we can add to it everyday.
On Christmas Eve, dad will read all the services. Then on Christmas morning, we will lay our little doll Jesus in a soft, full manger.
How do you keep the Christ in your Christmas celebrations?
![I spoke in church today and said the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of Charity. I read Moroni 7:45-47 to make my point. But wherever there was the word ‘Charity’ I substituted it out for ‘the Atonement of Jesus Christ.’ See if these scripture verses now have new meaning for you:
“And the Atonement of Jesus Christ suffererth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth in the truth,
[The Atonement of Jesus Christ] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not the Atonement of Jesus Christ, ye are nothing, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail-
But the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
So Easter really reminds us of love. The first and greatest commandment.](https://www.raisinglemons.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
I love this. We never put baby jesus out in the nativity until christmas morning. And the three wise men are not near the manger either. They have to travel through the house. 🙂
Hey, let me know if you would want to participate in my finding Christ in Christmas forum. I’d love to have you!
Erin
Do you know where your bishop got the mangers?
He made it. He is a cabinet maker. Sorry- that doesn’t help much does it.
Great idea!