The holiday season is now here in full swing. Christmas lights are hanging on the street corners as the colors of red and green fill the air (aka the store windows). During this season there are many opportunities to teach your children about loving others. Yesterday at church the preschoolers learned about how Issac showed kindness to people, Genesis 26:12-33. Isaac obeyed God and received many blessings and even though the Philistines were trying to hurt him, he continued to show kindness.
During the next several weeks many charitable organizations will have opportunities for people to give to others in the spirit of Christmas. This is a great opportunity for you to show your preschooler how to share and be kind to others.
Some Tips:
Choose a child close to the same age as your child/children. This will help them identify with the person they are helping.
Have your child help pick out the toys, clothes, food, etc. they will be sharing.
Try to find a way for your child to feel a sacrifice of giving during this time. For instance, instead of going to McDonalds make a sack lunch and use that money to buy presents for another child.
As the business of the season consumes our daily lives sit down with your spouse and make a plan for teaching your preschoolers about Christmas. What special things will you do as a family this year? Do you have a child-friendly nativity? Do you have a Bible story book or other books to read your preschooler about the true meaning of Christmas? Will you family do advent devotions together? It is important to make a plan, because the other "stuff" can quickly become the unintended focus of Christmas.
I pray this holiday season will be a time when you grow closer as a family as your family grows closer to God.
