Hi friends,
Can you believe we’re already in the week before Christmas?
The lights are glowing, the to-do lists are long, and if your house is anything like mine, there might be a mix of excitement, wrapping paper, and maybe a little bit of chaos too. 😉
Before things get too busy, I wanted to pop into your inbox with a cozy little reminder, a hug in word-form, and a few ideas to make this Christmas week extra special for you and your family. 🎁 Jesus, Santa, and the Heart of Christmas
In this season, kids hear a lot about Santa — the jolly man with the red suit, sleigh, and bag of toys.
I also like to remember the One who came long before Santa — Jesus.
I love how some of the things we enjoy about Santa actually remind us of Jesus: - Santa loves to give… and Jesus gave us the greatest gift of all: His love.
- Santa spreads joy… and Jesus brings a joy that lasts long after the decorations come down.
- Santa cares about every child… and Jesus welcomes every person, every heart, just as they are.
Santa makes Christmas fun.
Jesus makes Christmas meaningful.
If your family enjoys Santa, you don’t have to choose one or the other. You can let Santa be part of the celebration while gently reminding your kids that Jesus is the true reason we celebrate. 🌟 A Simple “Jesus & Santa” Tradition for This Week
Here’s a sweet, easy idea for the Monday before Christmas (or any evening this week): - Make something warm and simple – hot chocolate, tea, or warm apple cider.
- Sit together in the living room by the tree.
- Read a Christmas story that mentions both Santa and Jesus, or talk about them in your own words:
- What do we like about Santa?
- What do we love about Jesus?
- How can we be kind and generous like them both?
- Let each child say one thing they’d like to give this week — a hug, a kind word, a drawing, a toy they’ve outgrown, a phone call to someone who’s lonely.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Kids remember these small, quiet moments. ❤️ 📚 A Cozy Week for Stories
This week is the perfect time to slow down (even just for a few minutes) and read with your kids or grandkids.
You can: - Read a Christmas book each night before bed.
- Ask your child what they think Jesus was like as a child.
- Talk about how every child — no matter how they communicate, move, or learn — is loved and seen by God.
That’s one of the big reasons I write the kinds of books I do:
To remind children that they belong, just as they are.
Stories like: - “Abby-Ability” – celebrating a girl with a wheelchair and big determination.
- “The Buddies’ Adventures” – friendships, imagination, and fun.
- “The Magical Hair Bows” – a sprinkle of magic and confidence.
- “Does Anyone Know My Language?” – (coming soon!) a story about communication, understanding, and love.
These stories are my little way of wrapping kids in a warm, green-ribbon hug of encouragement. |
