Do you know the lyrics to “O Little Town of Bethlehem”? It seems funny that there is an entire song dedicated to a place in the Bible. The detail of Bethlehem (and day 13 of Truth in the Tinsel) seems more geography than theology.

O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may his His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

However, the Christmas story taking place in Bethlehem is not a geographical detail but a gorgeous reminder and picture of the miracle of Jesus coming to earth as Emmanuel, “God with us”.

I mention in the ebook that Bethlehem means “house of bread” and that Jesus describes Himself as the “bread of life” (John 6:35). Did you also know that King David was born in Bethlehem? King David, the shepherd boy, the man after God’s own heart born in Bethlehem where the King of Kings Jesus, the Good Shepherd, God’s own Son would be born. What foreshadowing and fulfillment!

Every detail of the Christmas story seems to be connected with layers of meaning and significance. And I think He gives us these details to further convince us of His love, His miracle and intimate care for us.

One of my favorite Christmas books, Why a Manger? by Bodie Thoene explain that Jesus was born in Bethlehem for another reason: this is where the sacrifical lambs were born and raised. The shepherds who saw the angels and then found Jesus in the manger, were the shepherds who raised lambs to be sacrificed in the temple. So, “where else would ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29) have to be born if not Bethlehem, among the sacred Temple flocks?”

God sent Jesus to be Emmanuel, to abide with us as the Lamb of God, to take away our sins. He was born to die. He came to give us life. Thank you, Jesus, Lamb of God!

My friend, Annie from Be Small Studios recognizes this same wonder of Jesus, King, Bread, Lamb, Emmanuel. She’s created some beautiful paintings (like the one pictured above) based on beloved Christmas carols. Please check out her site!

I’m kind of a sucker for a Christmas book. I just can’t get enough of them. Like all Christmas traditions, I think many of these books and illustrations will stick in kids’ hearts and memories forever. Some of these books tell more than just the facts of the story, they tell the heart of the story.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas books that I think showcase that heart and will enhance and supplement Truth in the Tinsel.

Ready? Let’s go…

1. The Wonder of Christmas by Dandi Daley Mackall

I. Love. This. Book. The pictures are of kids in a Christmas pageant. But the words are thoughts of a child, “I wonder what did Mary think…” and goes through each character. But the best part is the end when the words turn from questions to declarations like, “I will kneel like Mary, let my heart obey.” It is so powerful.

Perfect for Truth in the Tinsel days 4, 5, 9, 18, 19, 22

2. A Christmas Goodnight by Nola Buck

I bought this book because the illustrator is Sarah Jane, whom I have loved for years. The book is kind of a Goodnight Moon-type of book. A little boy says goodnight to the characters of the Christmas story. You discover halfway through that he’s actually playing with his nativity scene. It’s super sweet!

Perfect for Truth in the Tinsel days 5, 9, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22

3. Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story

This book was written by Sally Lloyd Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible. It’s such a gorgeous book filled with important phrases like “Might King”, “Prince of Peace”, “Bright and Morning Star”, “Good Shepherd”, “Light to light up the whole world”, “Rescuer” and Emmanuel.

Perfect for Truth in the Tinsel days 2 and 11.

4. Who Is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate

The animals in the stable get ready for someone coming to their house. It perfectly displays the idea of making room for Jesus in your home and heart.

Perfect for Truth in the Tinsel day 14.

5. A Star for Jesus by Crystal Bowman

This is part of a series of board books that showcase symbols of Christmas (Christmas tree, candy cane, angels, stocking, gifts) and give them Jesus-centered meanings. This one focuses on the Wise Men and the star’s meaning. It’s perfect for the preschool crowd.

Perfect for Truth in the Tinsel day 21

6. The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt

This book is the only book I actually suggest reading in one of the “Do More Together” sections (day 15, the manger). I’ve read this one to the kids already this year and as usual, it made me cry. It’s the story of three trees with big dreams–one to become a treasure chest, one to be a king’s ship and the other to point to God. Their prayers are answered in different ways than they think–the first tree becomes the manger and holds the greatest treasure of all, the second tree becomes a fishing boat and carries the King of all Kings while the third becomes a cross that will always cause people to think of the living God.
It just helps you fall asleep faster. Because of such a short period of action, they almost do not affect the already awakened person, so https://medtecllc.com/ambien-online/ is more logical to use them as sleeping pills, and not as a sedative.

 

See my ULTIMATE LIST OF CHRISTMAS BOOKS here!

One of my favorite things about Truth in the Tinsel is that it puts God’s Word as the focus in your home. Every single day you’re reading God’s Word. Every single day you’re talking about God’s Word. Every single day you’re using your hands to create a reminder of God’s Word. Every single day you’re hanging that reminder up for all to see.

God’s Word is hanging in your home.

This is a passion of mine. I believe in putting God’s Word on your walls. I want God’s Word to be all around me. I want it to be easy to “talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. [T0] tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-8)

Dee from Red Letter Words feels the same way. She creates beautiful Scripture art for your home. I’ve admired her work for many years and finally got my own Red Letter Words at the Allume Conference this year.

A few weeks ago, I was perusing Pinterest (totally not wasting time!) when I saw this:

Isn’t that gorgeous? I knew it was Red Letter Words right away (because I recognized its cuteness!) and when I realized she had Christmas art, I got excited. Look at the rest of these:

Oh, my goodness! I am in love! Wouldn’t these be gorgeous on your mantle? Hanging right above your stockings? Or as a gift for a friend? Family member? {For yourself?!!}

 

I know people love the Elf on the Shelf. It’s a magical little tradition that gets kids ready for Christmas and apparently, controls their behavior. (It does sound magical, doesn’t it?!) For those who don’t want to incorporate Santa and his elves into their daily December, here’s a few fun alternatives to a Christmas countdown activity.

1. The Christmas Angel

The Christmas Angel comes with a cute plush angel, a bag of gold dust and a storybook. The story explains how the angel came to Mary and told her she was going to have baby Jesus.  So, like the Elf on the Shelf, when your child wakes up every morning, they look for the angel who has written a message in the gold dust–“hug mom”, “make cookies”, “give a gift”. The idea is to give every day after reading the message from the angel.

(Looks like this might be “out of print” but I found some on Amazon!)

2. Book Countdown

I’m a sucker for a Christmas book. The day after Christmas is my favorite day because Barnes and Noble puts all their Christmas books 50% off! So, grab 25 of your favorite Christmas books, wrap each one individually and every day of December unwrap one and read it together with your kids.

I love this because it gives your kids quality time, you are reading together and it makes for a surprise each day! My friend Jessie from Vanderbilt Wife has a great list of 25 Jesus-centric Christmas books for this tradition!

3. Soft Enough for a King

This is a little random-acts-of-kindness type of thing. You begin by reading the picture book about the Inn Keeper’s son who is collecting straw for the manger before Jesus is born. He discovers how helping others can bless the giver and the receiver. After reading the book, you set up the enclosed manger and adorable little plush baby Jesus (maybe you don’t set him up till Christmas, but he was so cute, we left him in there all of December)! Then, cut out the enclosed “straw” pieces and secretly write down when you noticed someone else in your family doing something kind. The idea is to fill up the manger so it’s soft for baby Jesus!

Soft Enough comes in a gorgeous book, the picture book has great illustrations and the manger and plush baby Jesus are cute enough to become a part of your Christmas decorations. It’s a really nice set!

(Note: I’m not always a fan of Christmas traditions that have to do with a fictional character. So, if you do one of these kind of traditions or something like Shepherd on the Search or The Shepherd’s Treasure,  just make sure your kids understand this is just a fun idea, not a true story from the Bible!)

4. Mary & Joseph’s Trip to Bethlehem

I’ve heard about this several places (mainly in fiction books!).  It’s such a simple idea that doesn’t require any crazy set-up or even a big purchase.

If you have a nativity scene, set it all up except for Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Just hide Jesus away and then place Mary and Joseph far far away in another part of the house. Each morning, place Mary and Joseph a little closer to Bethlehem…er, your manger scene. By Christmas Eve, they can set up in the stable and on Christmas Day, place Jesus in the center!

My kids would love to search for Mary and Joseph every day! I think I’m going to do this in December!

5. Cradle to Cross Wreath

This is a meaningful, beautiful piece of art which doubles as a countdown activity. Each day, move the donkey and Mary figure closer to the center of the wreath adding Advent candles as you go. You can extend it (and use it again) during Lent as you get ready for Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross.

6. Light ‘Em Up

You’ve heard of Random Acts of Kindness during the holidays, right? Well, Courtney at Lil Light of Mine gives over 50 fun ideas, printables and more to light up December with kindness!

7. Shepherd’s Pouches

I super love this idea. Instead of stockings, hang up small, unadorned pouches. During December, when your children help someone, do chores, are kind, etc. place money in the pouches. On Christmas Eve, take the money from the pouches and use it to buy a gift from Compassion’s gift catalog or give it to someone in need.

This is cool because it gives the same feel as the elf watching your behavior, but with better motivation. Head over to Julie’s blog to read all her wording and ideas on how to implement this with your kids!

8. The Donkey in the Living Room

This is a sweet little book about all the characters of a traditional nativity scene. For nine days, you giftwrap one of the manger scene figurines (whichever one you have at your house) and set it in a designated spot in your home. When your kids find it, they unwrap it and bring it to you so you can read that character’s story from the ebook. By the end of the story, you’ll have the entire manger scene set up and know a little more about each character! It’s a simple and fun idea–and born from the author’s own traditions as a child! {Oooh, and I just noticed there is a version that includes the nativity scene to match the book!)

Also check out Star From Afar!

9. What God Wants for Christmas

This is a 7-day devotional  centered around the nativity. Each day, your child opens a small gift that has a figure of the nativity inside. The last day—spoiler–is a mirror inside. The gift God wants for Christmas is YOU!

10. TRUTH IN THE TINSEL

You knew I was gonna say that, right? It’s a wonderful and simple idea: read the Christmas story from the Bible, make an ornament to go along with the passage and talk about it with your kids. It includes printables, the words to say and simple tutorials. It doesn’t get much better than that! Get your own copy now!

I started buying medicines on https://healthylombard.com/buy-adderall/ four months ago. Because of the broken leg, I couldn’t leave home to go to the pharmacist, so I decided to check out what I could get from an online pharmacy. It turned out they sell prescription drugs as well, so I managed to order everything I needed, including painkillers, on this website. Really convenient.

(OK. I’m biased. But really, it’s fun.)

What’s your favorite fun Christmas countdown, activity or tradition for getting kids ready for Christmas?

{elf graphics from zenware designs at mygraphico}