December 10

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. 
Psalm 139:23

As the days move on and we are on the search for how God would desire us to be, maybe we should pray and meditate on this Psalm. Why do I do the things I do? What motive is in my heart? Am I truly trying to please God or just going through the motions? It is God’s desire for us to have a clean heart. To be pure before Him. We often get sucked in the Christmas rush and forget Him totally, or He gets pushed back to where we don’t have to think about what or why we’re doing all that we deem important. So today stop and listen. Evaluate your motives in purchasing the next Christmas present. Will it glorify God or pacify your conscience? Ask Him to search your heart and motives in how you celebrate His Son’s birth. Then be ready to listen and obey. This Christmas celebrate to glorify Him!

Father, forgive me for doing Christmas my way and for doing what I think is best for my family. Help me to rethink and start anew on ways to glorify You this season. I Love You! Amen

[Note to layout: subchapter 1] Tenth-Day Activities

Have you ever ridden a donkey? They are not the most comfortable animals to ride. Maybe you and your family can look up a ranch around town that gives horseback rides and take a family ride together. There are also ponies at Old Tucson just west of Tucson Be sure to check prices, as they vary. But if you can do this activity, it will give you an idea of how Mary and Joseph traveled.

How are Mary and Joseph doing on their journey? Do you think they are getting tired? How far do you think they have traveled so far? If you have a donkey to go with your nativity set take him out of the storage box, maybe he could walk with them now. Joseph may have had a donkey to start the journey with, or he may have purchased one on the way to help Mary as she traveled. There would have been times that she would have ridden the donkey and other times she would have preferred to walk. If possible, take a walk with your family and discuss some of the challenges Joseph and Mary would have come across on their journey to Bethlehem. 

What’s in a name? When Jesus was born, He was given the name Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Research with your children some of His other names and what they mean. Then look up your names on the Internet and see what they mean. Talk with your children about how you chose your child’s name.