Thursday, December 12, 2013

FTSF: Christmas Stockings With a Purpose

     I'm not going to apologize this Friday for my carpal tunnel, which is keeping me away from the
Finish the Sentence Friday blog hops more often than I'd like. You guys already know I'd be around more if I could, right? Right.

     On a much more upbeat note, I love today's topic: Favorite Christmas traditions. We have  many, but even so, it's easy for me to pick my favorite.


     When my firstborn was a toddler, we got a small nativity set handed down to us from a friend. We were poor Bible college students at the time, and since our plan was to become career missionaries, it didn't seem to make sense to jump into the materialism of Christmas presents and stocking stuffers. We also lived four hours away from the nearest Walmart, so Christmas shopping wasn't what it is to a lot of families we know now.

     We didn't do candy at the time, and we didn't really have that many toys yet (and wanted to keep it that way!). So, instead of putting trinkets and junk food in his stocking, we wrapped up the pieces of our nativity scene for our son to pull out one by one on Christmas morning.

     Over the years, our stocking tradition has grown and evolved. We inherited another nativity set, so we now have something like seven shepherds, six wise men, and at least ten different animals. Each piece is numbered, and each number corresponds to either a song that we sing or a Bible passage that we read on Christmas morning. Not only is it the very best part of Christmas day, hands down; it's probably one of the best parts of the entire year.

     I have no idea what future Christmases have in store for our family. Sickness, strife, poverty, tragedy ... all these unwanted guests may some day make their way to our humble abode some Christmas down the road. But do you know what? Even if things get horrible in the years and decades to come, I hope to always look back on our Christmas mornings, opening up the true gift of the season with our children as they take the nativity pieces out of their stockings one by one, and realize that I am truly one blessed woman.

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Blog Love: Thanks to Finish the Sentence Friday Hosts: Kate of Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine…, Janine of Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic, Stephanie of Mommy, for Real and Kristi of Finding Ninee.

Random Fact: Our middle son spent his first Christmas in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Got a minute? My Christian suspense novel, The Beloved Daughter, was nominated for book of the year at bookfun.org. If you have a chance, would you give it a vote? (Click the box above the title.) Interested in the novel itself? You can see the description and reviews on amazon.

14 comments:

  1. What a sweet idea! I love the center of the tradition being Christ and his birth. So often we get caught up in the materialism of the season. Thank you for the sweet reminder!

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    1. You're welcome, Sarah! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

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  2. Love this and sounds like it is a perfect tradition in your house. So happy to have you able to link with us today and we totally understand about your carpel tunnel syndrome, but just happy when you can indeed join us!! )

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    1. Thanks, Janine! It's fun to pop in when I can! Merry Christmas!

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  3. What a gorgeous idea, Alana! I hear you with the carpal tunnel getting in the way...I recently broke my hand and typing is such a chore! Merry Christmas to you and your family. May the season be ER and poverty and illness free!

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    1. O no, I'm so sorry about your hand!! Makes me feel honored you bothered to leave a comment. Heal up soon and merry christmas!

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  4. That's a beautiful, beautiful tradition. I love that you've numbered the pieces and they each correspond to a specific piece of spiritual input. So inspired :) I'm glad that you do this.

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    1. Thanks Lizzi! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

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  5. How beautiful - what a unique and wonderful tradition you have created in your family! I'm off to cast a vote for your novel. Can I just vote once or is it one of those systems where you can vote every day?

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and for voting, Lizzy! It's a one-time vote (although some people have been known to vote on mulitple devices ... wink, wink!)

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  6. May the ER not be in your future this Christmas. Have a merry one!

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    1. Haha, Jean, that's one great Christmas blessing! Same to you! :)

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