Songs to Get You into the Spirit of the Season
This group brings its unique sound to a Christmas album. I love that there is so much variety in this collection. There are common standards, uncommon standards (In the Bleak Midwinter makes me think of a certain "good" family I know and love), and several original pieces, some instrumental and some with wonderful lyrics. While many people would consider Christmas Songs to be haunting or meditative, I feel it imparts a feeling of reverence to my music mix and I think their version of Little Drummer Boy is the best ever!
An Activity to Add to the Jolly Atmosphere
Fire! Fire! (Anyone else out there willing to admit you just read that in a Beavis and Butthead voice?)Tonight, turn up the heat and head outside to build a bonfire (if you live at a sweltering latitude, like we do) or gather around a roaring fire in your fireplace to take the chill off. Whip up a batch of hot cocoa to sip as you watch the flames lick the logs and take a few moments to just relax and catch your breath amongst all the hustle and bustle of the season.
If you really want to get fancy, turn this little activity into a great get-together and create an amazing hot chocolate bar like this one.
Some Reading Sure to Garner a Great Response
I just discovered this book this year and I already absolutely adore it! I love how the illustrations resemble an old, cracked, masterpiece painting, but my favorite part is the absolute joy that radiates from each page as all of creation cries out in celebration of the greatest news ever. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, Luke 19:40. Song of the Stars is definitely one of those "special books" that you'll want to own as a hardback copy, to treasure for years to come.
A Movie to Get You in a Merry Mood
Ah, yes. Such serious music and reading material for today, so of course I had to shake things up a bit with today's movie selection. I often list this movie as my all-time favorite. It is goofy and ridiculous and I can pretty much quote the entire thing by heart. Any time someone starts to choke, they're "yakking on a bone" and I'm not even going to try and count how many times I've repeated a certain line while my dad is emptying the black water tank of his RV out at the dump station. Christmas Vacation cajoles you into wrapping up your cat and green jello mold and joining your loved ones to celebrate what the holidays really look like.
Faith Focus to Put You in a Festive Frame of Mind
If
you haven't downloaded them already, make sure to grab your free coordinating printables to go along with this portion of the series.
Day 23 - Bethlehem
Today's study also includes a prophesy fulfillment. Read Micah 5:2, then Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4-5 to see how Jesus lives out Matthew 5:17 (see verse in graphic below) by being born in this special town.
Add your city sticker to the tree to serve as a reminder for today's verses.
What will you be doing to observe this twenty-third day of Advent? Does your thermometer tell you to build your fire inside, or out? I'd love to hear! Leave a comment or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.
Join me throughout the rest of this season for more great ideas to incorporate into your family traditions to help celebrate this special time of year. Be sure to pin the series landing page so you can find every post, or better yet, sign up for free updates so you don't miss a single suggestion and to get your free printables!