Focus on the Family Magazine - December 2023/January 2024
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
- No tags were found...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
KIDS & TEENS / CHRISTMAS STORY<br />
HACKS & FACTS<br />
an interactive<br />
Nativity<br />
I have multiple Nativity sets, which<br />
I allow my kids to incorporate into<br />
playtime. Using dinosaurs, acti<strong>on</strong><br />
figures and toy cars, <strong>the</strong> kids take<br />
baby Jesus <strong>on</strong> all kinds<br />
of adventures!<br />
—Elizabeth James<br />
let your light shine<br />
At Christmas, our family ga<strong>the</strong>rs in a small, dark room in our house and discusses<br />
how <strong>the</strong> world was living in darkness. As we recount <strong>the</strong> story of Jesus’<br />
birth, we pass out candles and light <strong>the</strong>m so <strong>the</strong>y illuminate <strong>the</strong> room. Then<br />
we talk about how Jesus came as <strong>the</strong> Light of <strong>the</strong> World.<br />
an almost accurate story<br />
—Alyssa Pruitt<br />
One Christmas, I wrote down <strong>the</strong> Christmas story as told by my children. I put<br />
it <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> inside of our Christmas cards for every<strong>on</strong>e to read. Here is <strong>the</strong> last bit<br />
to give you a sample of how my children have begun to know <strong>the</strong> story.<br />
• J<strong>on</strong>athan (5): Then wise men came and gave gifts for <strong>the</strong> baby Jesus Christ.<br />
• Sarah (7): No, it wasn’t “Christ” yet. Just “Jesus.”<br />
I plan to do this every year so I can see how <strong>the</strong>y mature in <strong>the</strong>ir understanding<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Nativity and its significance to our faith.<br />
—Jesse Neve<br />
A STABLE<br />
LESSON<br />
One Christmas, I took my kids to<br />
a local farm where we saw many<br />
sheep and o<strong>the</strong>r animals. The kids<br />
observed <strong>the</strong> sounds and smells<br />
while we discussed Jesus coming<br />
from heaven to be born in a stable—<br />
lying in a feeding trough while surrounded<br />
by farm animals. It was such<br />
a simple, profound activity.<br />
—Courtney Roberts<br />
back to<br />
Bethlehem<br />
I call <strong>on</strong>e of our<br />
Christmas traditi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
“Back to Bethlehem.”<br />
On Christmas Eve,<br />
we take an imaginary<br />
adventure to<br />
Bethlehem, just before<br />
Jesus was born. We<br />
sit <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> floor for<br />
a candlelit, Middle<br />
Eastern-style meal.<br />
We even dress in<br />
period-appropriate<br />
clothing with sheets<br />
for tunics and homemade<br />
headdresses. I<br />
usually serve simple<br />
foods such as hummus,<br />
rice, grapes, olives and<br />
pita bread.<br />
During dinner we<br />
discuss why Jesus<br />
came—that He arrived<br />
in Bethlehem <strong>on</strong> God’s<br />
missi<strong>on</strong> to save humankind<br />
from our sins. It’s<br />
been a huge success,<br />
and every year <strong>the</strong>y ask<br />
me if we can do “<strong>the</strong><br />
special meal” again.<br />
—Christina Johns<strong>on</strong><br />
ILLUSTRATIONX - SAMY LOWE / ADOBE STOCK - MNSTUDIO<br />
10<br />
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA<br />
DEC <strong>2023</strong> / JAN <strong>2024</strong>
Change language