Christmas is the most anticipated holiday in the Baird house. It starts with the chopping of the fir tree (our tradition is to do it the day after Thanksgiving) and lasts all month long with stories, singing, treats, ornaments, and visits with friends and family.
This year is especially nice because I have a whole week between Thanksgiving and December 1st to prepare for Advent. So, as I am getting ready for Christmas, I'd love to share with you some of the traditions we have in the Baird family! Maybe I will inspire you to try something new this year, or start a tradition of your own!
The first Advent tradition is to find Christmas picture books, twenty-four of them. Some I own, and some come from the library. The books are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree, and every night, starting on December 1st, a child chooses a book to unwrap and read together. What makes this fun is the surprise of unwrapping the book, the pleasure of reading a book that is a known favorite, discovering new favorites along the way, and, for mom and dad, not having to listen to the kids ask, "Can we open a present early? Just a peek?" My method is to wrap only a few books at a time (library books always go first), then reuse the old paper (if possible) to wrap a new book for the following night.
Need help finding some great Christmas stories? Here are a few of our favorites:
Santa's Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki
A picture book that perfectly combines Santa with the true Hero of Christmas
This is a chapter book for read-aloud or older children, but it's best read together. You'll see Christmas with fresh eyes!
The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The old English may be hard, so I recommend reading this aloud, or listening to an audio version of it. But don't think that watching a movie of this story (even the Muppets version... my favorite) is enough. Most adaptations remove Dickens's Christian message (and his humor– that Dickens is surprisingly funny!)
Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
A longer picture book that always moves me to tears
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
How that traditional little candy can tell a wondrous story
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
A simple, touching story about a girl and a homeless man
More favorites:
Tree of Cranes by Allen Say
Oliver and Amanda's Christmas by Jean Van Leeuwen
Toot and Puddle: I'll be Home for Christmas by Holly HobbieToot and Puddle: Let it Snow by Holly Hobbie
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
The Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett
(and if you like Jan Brett's books, she has a plethora of Christmas stories: The Night Before Christmas, Who's that Knocking on Christmas Eve? The Twelve Days of Christmas, Home for Christmas)
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Twenty-four days of socks!
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Our other tradition involves a little more work. On a long string, I hang twenty-four Christmas-y socks (twelve pairs). In them, I put scripture passages that narrate the Christmas story, along with an ornament to match the verse. Because I have only twelve ornaments, I alternate the verses with Christmas carols that relate to the verse of the previous day, along with a little treat. (So sock #1 contains a piece of paper that reads 'Luke 1:26-38' with the ornament of Mary, and sock #2 contains a piece of paper that reads 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' and a treat.)
Every morning, starting on December 1st, we will take down a sock, read the verses inside, and hang up the ornament, or sing a Christmas carol and enjoy a treat. There are many variations of this stocking idea that you can do. A friend of mine found verses that described a name of Jesus (the Word, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life...) which then became a clue to where a treat is hidden in the house. For example, if the clue was 'Light of the World', the prize was by a light switch or a lamp. Whatever you choose to do, make Advent a time to bring the focus of Christmas back to its origin: the beautiful, amazing, and humble birth of Emmanuel, God with us!
Christmas Story Passages with Corresponding Ornaments and Carols-
(remember that these are only a suggestion, change them to suit your needs or preferences)
Day 1-2) Luke 1:26-38~ Mary, O Come O Come Emmanuel
Day 3-4) Matt 1:18-25~ Joseph, Silent Night
Day 5-6) Luke 2:1-6~ donkey, O Little Town of Bethlehem
Day 7-8) Luke 2:7~ Jesus, Away in the Manger
Day 9-10) Luke 2:8-9~ shepherds, The First Noel
Day 11-12) Luke 2:10-14~ angels, Angels We Have Heard on High
Day 13-14) Luke 2:15-20~ sheep, Go Tell it on the Mountain
Day 15-16) Matt 2:1-6~ Magi, We Three Kings
Day 17-18) Matt 2:7-10~ Magi, O Come All Ye Faithful
Day 19-20) Matt 2:11-12~ Magi, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Day 21-22) Matt 2:13-23~ camel, What Child is This
Day 23-24) John 3:16~ mini globe, Joy to the World
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