some christmas things

we put up our nativity

and dave and i have had this little village since before we had kids, but it's stayed tucked in boxes the past few Christmases because i didn't think they were quite old enough.  this year, they definitely are and it warms my heart to see them stop and stare at the lights in the buildings.  i used to spend HOURS staring at the buildings and the people in our village growing up, just imagining what was going on inside and where the people were going.

 we've been doing our version of jesse tree.  a couple years ago we tried the one that ann v. wrote, but it was WAY over their heads and so for the past couple years we've done The Advent Storybook.  it's about a little bear and his journey to bethlehem.  i made our own little paper ornaments to go along with the story. 

after the story and hanging the ornament, the kids get to open a present.  none of the presents are new,  i have a huge "jesse tree" bin filled with our christmas books/stuffed animals/dvd's and all of their stocking stuffers from past years,  so they get to open one thing from the jesse tree bin every night.  they absolutely love this little tradition and ian asks multiple times a day "how bout jesse tree?"

 life group christmas party.  wonderful.  

 going to get our tree.

have ya'll heard of what the adventure project is doing to raise money for stoves this year?

you can send someone a lump of coal soap.  so fun.

i just ordered one and it's super easy to do.  you can include a personal message (like below) and send it straight to their door.  the packaging is cute; the impact, beautiful.  

hey friend! instead of sending you a Jesus bobble-head or a fruit cake, i sent a stove to a family in haiti.  this'll clean up the air they breathe, and hey, you can clean behind your ears with your coal soap.  win win.  merry christmas. 

i hope i get one of these in the mail.  

you can also be a part of sari bari's 100 christmas gifts.  mel works long and sacrifices much to see women set free from the sex trade industry.  come along side of them to see the sari bari family celebrate christmas together.  plus, there are beautiful hand made items on the sari bari website that someone on your list will love.....nothing like a beautiful story behind a beautiful work of art.

you guys, jesus was born.

hope is HERE.

the weary world rejoices.

merry christmas. enjoy it.