Friday, December 03, 2010

Preparing for the TRUE meaning of Christmas…

This time last year, Carrie told me about this advent devotional that she had written to do with her children. I thought it was brilliant and was jealous that half of December had gone by without me participating in it as well.

Sooooo, I got the idea that THIS year, we should scrounge up 24 people and have each person make 24 of one ornament to go with a day of her devotional.

When October rolled around, Carrie and I got planning. We found 22 takers (plus both of us), added some application ideas to the devo and got busy making our ornaments. It wasn’t an easy task, but we knew that the payoff would be priceless.

We were pleasantly surprised that everyone was SO excited and was putting so much thought and effort into their ornaments. It was going to be extra special to have 24 unique ornaments that would go along with a devotional that would teach our children so many wonderful things about Jesus.

Finally, November 29th rolled around and we were anxious to see everyone's creations…and, at our “exchange party” I was BLOWN away! The ornaments were DARLING and the collection that we now had was perfect and priceless.

I love that each of us are now spending a part of our day sharing God's word with our little ones…and that this devo and matching ornaments helps us focus on the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I know it will be something that will grow with our kiddos and something that we love for years and years to come!

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Here were the sweets at our party…
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The boxes that we made for everyone to store their ornaments in…beg. of Dec 017

My little lamb ornament…
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Admiring everyone’s work…beg. of Dec 046

And, some of our creative party goers…beg. of Dec 047

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***Stay tuned for our family’s memories using this sweet advent devotional!***

11 comments:

RMRR said...

SO cute! You will have to share each day!!

RMRR said...

SO cute! You will have to share each day!!

allyo said...

I wish I could have been a part of this. I would love to know which each ornament was and the devo that went with it...I know that is a lot to ask, but what a special thing to get to do with you family. Please share!

Keri said...

I am in awe!! What a special thing. I want to see each ornament.

Unknown said...

I would love to know what the devo is and the ornament idea too...maybe I will do a day like this with my group of girlfriend mommies. :) Great idea and totally worth the hard work.

Kelli said...

I agree!! I would LOVE if you would show each day! What a wonderful idea to do with friends!

Jenny said...

Did you make up a devotional or is it something you can buy? I'm so excited to hear more about this!

Mindy said...

Can/will you share the devotional? It looks like this is similar to a Jesse Tree. I have been looking at these the last two years but have yet to come up with something for my own family.

Melissa said...

oooh, i want to see/hear more.:)

Michelle said...

I know this is a post from last year, but I was wondering if you could post a tutorial on how you made your sheep ornament. I have it in our exchange and I havent found anything I love, except this.

Team Darley said...

Will you do the ornament exchange each year? I'm trying to figure out what u could do the 2nd year if u already have the ornaments. Any ideas? Email me at amydarley@gmail.com :) thank u!!!