Christmas is my favorite time of year. Not because of the gifts and decorations but because of the smiles on everyone's faces. Everyone seems happier, lighter during this season of the year. The air is filled with peace and blessings seem to be over flowing. What a world it would be if every one was as nice every day of the year and not just on Christmas. 

Just like everyone else -- we have our own special traditions. The tree always goes up the day after thanksgiving while Christmas music plays in the back ground. The whole day we have spent cleaning the house waiting for Daddy to come home so we can start decorating. As soon as the tree is up the presents go under it. We hang up our stocking with an extra one for Baby Jesus. Our gifts to him this holiday season, we slip on little pieces of paper and place in his stalking. The wreath goes on the front door. We anonymously leave a present on our neighbors doorstep the week before Christmas. We send out Christmas Cards on December 1st and decorate with outdoor lights the first weekend of December. Christmas eve we celebrate the birth of our Savior with a Candle light dinner. Game Hens, Stuffing, Croissants, Italian Veggies, and a birthday cake. In the morning, before we open gifts we sing happy birthday to Jesus and pray. It gets so busy here on Christmas that we want Him to know that this day is about him and no one else -- even if we are busy with other things. We go to the train park every year to see the lights. We take pictures with Santa. We celebrate the advent. These are just some of our traditions. Enjoy creating your own special memories!!

Books:

  The Christmas Lion Storyteller Book This comes highly recommended by several people I know. It has always been on my wish list but has yet to make it into my house.

  Christmas in Camelot This is one of the Magic Tree House books.

  Too Many Tamales A great book for those who live in the Southwest. 

  The Legend of the Candy Cane

  The Legend of the Christmas Tree

  The Candy Maker's Gift

   The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Wojciechowski. I love this book! It is such a sweet story in so many ways but most important of all it shows how each of us can make a difference in the lives of others around us if we are only willing to put forth an effort. 

  Jontham's Journey This is a great advent study that I highly recommend! We learnt so much from this, this past year that I can't wait to do the sequels. Make sure you order this book in plenty of time to prepare for the upcoming season!

  Tabitha's Travels Sequel to Jontham's Journey. These can be used in any particular order. All of them are great!

  Bartholomew's Passage Sequel to Jontham's Journey. These can be used in any particular order. All of them are great!

  The Polar Express This is a cute story! Here in Arizona, the Grand Canyon Railroad has a special train every year called the Polar Express that you can book and take a trip to the "North Pole." Its a lot of fun and now there is a movie as well.

  The Story Of Christmas by Patricia A Pingry

Copyright © 2006 Tuscan Sun Academy
Last modified: June 26, 2006