Is it too soon for a Christmas list? Naw....
We limit our kiddos to three gifts each. This is specifically for the three gifts given to Jesus by the three Wise Men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (And it helps our pocketbook, too!) These three gifts represent Christ's three roles. Gold is for His Kingship. Frankincense was typically used in worship in the temple symbolizing Christ's role as our High Priest. Myrrh was used in embalming to anoint the dead representing His death and resurrection.
We have modified those to relate to ourselves in saying that Gold is the one gift you really, really, really want. THE gift. The ONE RING. Oh, wait...that's Gollum. Your frankincense gift is something that will draw you closer to God and aid in your worship towards him...a Bible, a Bible Study, devotional book, a worship cd, to name a few. The myrrh gift is something that will adorn your body...clothing, shoes, robes, hair bows, lotions, bath stuff, jewelry, etc.
Now, our oldest is just 5 so we are still improvising on this. Their Frankincense gift, for example will be a VeggieTales video or a book about Jesus. Last year, the boys' myrrh gift was superhero capes. Their gold gift was a Geo-Trax set. You with me now?
So...in the spirit of keeping with our family's tradition...here are mine!
Gold: A trip with my husband. Alone. As in...no kids. Any destination would be lovely, but I'd really love to go here:
Disneyland!!!Frankincense: The three schools offered on Carm.org (Theology, Apologetics, Critical Thinking)
Myrrh: Gift Certificates either to adorn myself....or my house! (In which case, we all win, right???)
Chances of my getting my Gold gift are pretty slim this year. You know, the economy and all. Oh, that and we bought a new house. Yeah. I'm ok with that. I guess. If.I.have.to.be.
But the others are pretty doable unless you wanna translate my myrrh gift into a new sectional couch
....in which case my #1 is cheaper. Just sayin'.I won't even bother to mention that we could get the couch in the same city as my #1 and kill two birds with one stone.
I think a new house IS pretty golden! i scrolled down and read your last post about the grapevine pumpkin. It looks great! Special touches like that make a home cozy.
ReplyDeleteWith 4 kiddies 5 and under, MY #1 wish would be SLEEP!
I love your idea with the three gifts! I wish id heard about that earlier. My kids are 17,16 (or she will be in a few weeks) 13, and 9- trips away without the kids are a NEEDED thing but we didnt take one until about 7 years ago when I found a super cheap cruise to the bahamas for 3 nights. It was lovely and I cant wait to do that again.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea, 3 gifts!! I will have to make a b-day cake for Jesus and have 3 gifts. This Christmas will be so fun! Hope you get one of your Gold gifts!!
ReplyDeleteThis is SUCH a fantastic idea! I am going to do this! It is such a great way to incorporate the meaning of Christmas and eliminate over-giving your kids. Thank you so much for joining in TWOC and sharing your ideas!!
ReplyDeleteWe just started the 3 gifts this past year with our son. Not detailed as you have but I like that idea/explaination of the 3 types. I told my DH it will be easier to start the tradition now instead of later.
ReplyDeleteLike "Mrs. Smith", I wish I had read this earlier! This is great! Thank you for visiting me and commenting.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back.
This is really a special way to do it. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Love that idea! LOVE the sectional! LOVE IKEA!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for your sweet comment! (O:
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the 3 gifts idea and what it means. I'll have to discuss this with my husband, since this will be our little girl's first Christmas- right in time to start a new tradition! (O:
Is this couch from Ikea?? If so, we have it (in tan) and LOVE it!!!! So comfortable and holds up great to kids and dogs. :)
ReplyDeleteWe give our children three gifts each on Christmas Eve then on Christmas Day Santa leaves a present and stocking.
ReplyDeleteI really have enjoyed reading your blog, thanks for stopping by mine.
Have a good day!
you need the coach. i love it. and why aren't you a interior designer or something? you are talented!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I love the 3 gift ideas. It is so easy to get caught up in the shopping rush, this is a great way to focus on not spending too much money and keeping Christ in Christmas, great ideas.
ReplyDelete7 kids in one bed, we slept on the bed the long way. It wasn't 7 for too many years, I was 6 when my oldest sisters graduated from high school, then it was 5, which was more manageable. :)
Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm on the hunt for a new couch too! Hope you find one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. :) I LOVE wrapping the books up for Christmas. I taught 5th grade and my students still loved unwrapping them...I don't think that kids ever get too old for picture books. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your post and blog! As everyone else has said, the three gifts is such a perfect idea - what would our world look like if all Christians instituted your lovely tradition. It would refocus things, wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteChristmas Blessings,
Jayne at mysongwithin
I would so love a vacation with my husband alone too! That would be heavenly. Also, I really like what your profile info says. It is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm here with TWOC:
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/10/making-list-checking-it-twice.html
I love that idea. Your kids get what they want but they still remember the "reason for the season"! I hope you get your trip- even if it has to be just a weekend at a swanky hotel 3 minutes down the road ;) baby steps, right?
ReplyDeleteGlad to see so many other people loving Christmas as much as I do!
Your idea with the 3 gifts is fabulous!!! And I love your idea of killing 2 birds with 1 stone.
ReplyDeletelove the idea of just 3 gifts - genius :D
ReplyDeleteOk, I know I'm coming in kind of late here, but I just found your blog through the 12 Days of Christmas list. I LOVE this. I immediately sent my husband the link to your site after reading it. We don't have kids yet, and we love to start this idea right from the beginning. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete