“What does a Gingerbread House have to do with the Savior?”

That is the question I was asked after having moved to the South just 4 months prior.  I was talking with a neighbor about Christmas traditions when I discovered her family does Gingerbread NATIVITIES…not Gingerbread Houses.  I’d never heard of such a thing.  I asked her about when she decided to do Gingerbread Nativities instead of Houses?  She paused and said…

“Sarah, what does a Gingerbread House have to do with the Savior?”

Duh.

Like any other mom out there I love the idea of traditions at Christmas time.  Gingerbread houses included.  I love the wisdom of this sweet neighbor about looking at our existing traditions to see if there is anyway we can bring more emphasis to message of the Savior.   How can we better #lighttheworld ?

I recently discovered a tool that has been a game-changer for our holiday traditions.

The 25 Days of Christ.

“Gather your family each night in December to study the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as you countdown to Christmas. Children of all ages will love and remember these scripture stories as they place a symbolic ornament on your tree after each night’s reading.”

I have spent the past few days getting my 25 ornaments painted and ready for our Christmas countdown.  As I’ve painted each of these symbolic ornaments

#1:  For Christians in all forms.  The 25 Days of Christ, while owned by a fellow Mormon Mompreneur, has an ornament kit for all Christians.  You can get the New Testament Edition, or the New Testament/Book of Mormon Edition.  This makes the 25 days of Christ a fantastic tradition for any family who desires to celebrate the Savior!

#2: As a teacher, I recognize the importance of learning in all different forms.  This hits them all.  There is nothing quite like a tradition that will help every member of the family connect with the Savior.  Regardless of age, personality, or who learns best in which way, the 25 Days of Christ teaches about the Savior in all the most powerful forms of learning.

Visual:  Seeing the miraculous life of Christ build story-upon-story through ornaments on a tree.  

Aural:  Hearing the stories of the Savior each night.

Physical: Holding the ornaments. Painting the ornaments. Placing the ornaments on the tree. 

Verbal:  Reading stories from the scriptures and answering questions about each symbol brings the life of Christ to life!

#3: The ornaments celebrate the entire life of the Savior.  From the stable, to the cross, and many of His miracles in between.   I initially loved the idea of this teaching my own children about the Savior – but it ended up being a fantastic reminder for me – of all He did, of the way He impacted the world, and the compassion He carried for those from all walks of life.  These ornaments reminded me…maybe moreso than my sweet kids.

Truly amazed by what this simple little box of ornaments has brought to my family at the start of this Christmas season!  May we all remember to find ways that we can center our homes around Him who brings light to all!  #lighttheworld

Merry Christmas,

Sarah

P.S.

The 25 Days of Christ is a part of our 2016 Christmas Guide and they even have a discount code.  Want to get it?  Click here to get your free copy of our digital Christmas Guide magazine.