Celebration of Christ ~Day Eight

Today I will give you a couple of ideas

that are Thompson favorites!

1) Save up your used toilet paper rolls. Use scraps of Christmas wrapping paper or tissue paper. Roll your toilet paper tube in the paper and glue seam closed with a glue stick. Tie one end closed with yarn and fill with candies or small toys/trinkets. Tie the other side closed with yarn so they look like little firecrackers. We add a ribbon to so we can hang them on the tree or doorknobs along with a little to/from and scripture tag! So easy and the kids love it!! Let your children give them to their friends at school, bus drivers and the mail lady! Drive around to family and friends and leave on their doorknob!! Let your kids sneak them on the tree of each house you visit throughout the season!! What a great treat for them to find! Have fun with it!!

2) Make your own Christmas cards! Have one of your children draw and color a Nativity scene. Scan it into your computer and print off your own cards on card stock paper with a message of Christ. We've done this several years. Pictured is our card from last year which were drawn by our little Miss Lola. I think this year it is Tristin's turn. Inexpensive, meaningful and fun!!

Have a great day everyone!

~Tina

Celebration of Christ ~Day Six & Seven!

As I sit here this morning in front of the computer, I'm thinking of all that I have to do on the big old "TO DO LIST"! The past couple of years have been a struggle for me.... I remember being able to sit by the fire and drink a cup of coffee and just be still with the Lord. I think He misses that. I KNOW He misses that. I long for that again! In going through the craziness of life lately and through the work HE has me doing there is a balance, and through this year the Lord is showing me where that balance is. So today if you haven't already, put up the tree and watch the joy of your children decorating it. Hang your stockings and drape all your twinkle lights. Take time out of the craziness of life and sit back by the fire with a hot cup of coffee and be still with the Lord, with your family, and do it all with the heart of celebration!

Celebration of Christ ~Day Five

He is Jesus.
The One and Only.
Transcendent over all else.
To know Him is to love Him.
To love Him is to long for Him.
To long for Him is to finally reach
soul hands into the One true thing
we need never get enough of.
Jesus.
Take all you want.
Take all you need.
Till soul is fed.
And spirit freed.
Till dust is dust.
And Face you see.
Jesus Christ.
He's all you need.

As I was reading Jesus, 90 days with the One and Only by Beth Moore this morning, I was brought to tears. This isn't the first time as I daily read this great devotional. As I was pondering about what I could blog about today for our Celebration of Christ, I was holding this book in my hand. Beth Moore is a great vessel and obedient servant for our Lord! She has a great way of taking words that you have read many times and bringing them visually into your heart. Day one takes you into the mind of heart of Mary... Can you imagine?! She asks the question, "What if you had been Mary, how do you think you might have responded to this pronouncement of His name, especially at this declaration of Mary's involvement in His birth?

WOW...I'm not sure what my reaction would be, stunned for sure!

So as we continue to celebrate Christ I encourage you to get into His word everyday and involve yourself in a biblical Bible study, devotional or book to increase your understanding of Christ and to draw yourself nearer to Him!

You can find Beth Moore's book here!

Celebration of Christ ~Day Four

We are in day four of our Celebration of Christ!
Here is another great idea plus a new song.......

Great Idea:
-Have a "Jesus Tree" that is decorated with ornaments that all focus on the names of Christ. Some examples were simply balls painted with the names of Christ. Others were things like a little lamb representing the "Lamb of God", a bottle of rosemary, a King, a dove- "Prince of Peace", etc.

Which goes along with the new song I was talking about...

Messiah, Creator, Baby Born To Be Our Savior...Father, Redeemer, Hope Of Glory, Friend Of Sinners...All Knowing, All Powerful, Forgiving, Oh So Faithful...The Helper, My Maker, Living Stone, Our Mediator...Sinless High Priest! Messenger! Prince Of Peace!Bread Of Life! Holy One! Counselor! Beloved Son!King Of Ages! King Of Kings! Ruler Over Everything!Immanuel! Cornerstone! Morning Star And Lord Of Lords!

All names of Christ which can be found in Take no Glory's new Christmas song!
Download your free copy here.

Send me some of your ideas or family traditions! Also email me some of your favorite Christmas photo's and they just might be featured right here on the blog!

Have a great day everyone!
I'll be back again tomorrow with more!!

Tina
babybeblessed@gmail.com

Celebration of Christ ~Day Three

Santa is a FUN THING right?! That is what I always tell my kids. I received this little poem through an email and really liked it so I wanted to share! What a great thing to read to your children to keep Christ first in their hearts during this month of Celebration and throughout the entire year!!

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you".
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season!

You can purchase the Santa kneeling down to Jesus from HERE

Celebration of Christ ~Day Two

I think this is a really cute idea!

Make your own Nativity!

I'm thinking about doing this on my front porch!!

What You Need: Three clay or plastic pots (the ones pictured above are one 14" and two 18" plastic pots); three 7"- 8" balls; light brown spray paint; burlap or other fabric (color of your choice); hay or natural fiber (I used coconut tree fiber); heavy-duty tape, hot glue and glue gun; scissors.
What You Do: Spray paint balls, allow to dry. Turn the two large pots upside down. Tape two balls to the top of each pot. Drape fabric over balls to form veils. Cut two long strips of fabric to form headbands. Tie headbands to hold veils in place. Apply hot glue to sides of pot to hold veil (Make sure you don't touch the balls with the hot glue or they will pop. Unfortunately I can testify to this!) In the smaller pot fill the bottom with hay or natural fiber (You can fill the bottom with plastic bags, then place the hay on top). Place the third ball in the smaller pot.
To display at night, attach a star with lights to a pole and place it behind the nativity. Wrap a string of white lights one time around the nativity and the rest of the lights around the top of the manger.
Copyright 2004 Sarah Keith

You can find it here

Celebration of Christ ~Day One

First off...thanks to everyone who played along with our Yay Free Friday!
Congratulations to the Winners!

1st Place- Carrie Kight
2nd Place- Erin Crews
3rd Place- Sara Linkert Burfeind

Answers-
1. Tristin, Natalie, Lola, Kolton
2. Put me in the Zoo
3. Carlsbad, Boo, Thunderbootie or NightHawk Ninja
4. Jan 1, 2008
5. 1974 Grass Green Spirit by Urban Chiks
6. Diet Coke
7. Justin Boots
8. Aug. 16 2008
9. Lola
10. Keith and Chris
11. Natural colored line chenille
12. Janessa
13. May
14. Revelations 7:17
15. 19 months

Today we are officially kicking off our Celebration of Christ here at the BbB blog! We will be offering little tidbits and fun ideas to help keep the focus on Christ throughout the holiday season. Our first idea is one that I love!

-Wrap a baby doll in "swaddling clothes" and put in a basket by the front door. This will remind you each time you walk past that Jesus is really the focus of the holiday.

I plan on putting a little tree by our back door. We have a lot of traffic coming and going daily, so what an awesome idea to put a little doll in one of my old baskets and leave it by the little tree to remind everyone who enters the TRUE reason for the season...