Keeping Christ in Christmas: Names of God Garland

I have mentioned before my passion for remembering the reason why we celebrate each holiday and removing the commercialism from our family traditions.  While doing this I have been coming up with some creative craft ideas to help us focus our attention on God and incorporate more scripture in our home.

Here is my latest project...

Names of God Garland

Here is what you need:

Construction paper or cardstock

Wrapping paper

Scissors

Glue

Yarn (I used about 6ft)

You can choose to either write the names, in which case you will need a sharpie, or you can print the names.

1) Cut out 12 circles from the construction paper, I used the lid to a baby food jar as a guide.

2) Write some names of God on the circles, here are the ones we used, but of course use whatever ones resonate with you...

Yahweh, Jehovah, Master, Father, Adoni, Elohim

Then we used some Jehovah compound names such as:

Jehovah Rophe- The Lord our healer

Jehovah Uzzi- The Lord my strength

Jehovah Eli- The Lord my God

Jehovah Shalom- The Lord our Peace

Jehovah Sali- The Lord my Rock

Jehovah Jireh- The Lord our Provider

3) Cut out 12 circles from the wrapping paper, you will want them a little larger then the construction paper circles, I used the rim of a pint jar as a guide

4) Now it is time to glue the circles together and onto the yarn.  Put some glue on the back of the construction paper circle

5) Lay a wrapping paper circle face up, underneath the yarn

6) Add the other circle on top, basically you are sandwiching the yarn between the 2 circles.

7) Continue to add the circles every 3-4 inches.  Until all the circles are added.  You will end up with this...

You can use it like this or add more decorations like stickers or glitter.

Now you can add this anywhere in your home.  We cut down our Christmas Tree today, I cannot wait to get it decorated and add our new homemade garland!  Another great idea would be to make or purchase a garland of greenery, wrap your homemade garland around it and hang it over a doorway.

I hope this gets some creative juices flowing and encourages you to focus on Christ this Christmas!

Thanksgiving Tree

As the holidays are quickly approaching I have begun searching for the perfect holiday traditions.   

This has become no small feat.  I am looking for something that is unique, that will teach the meaning of the holiday, and that breaks away from the American "Norm" and focuses on our family values.

In my search I found several variations of "Thanksgiving Trees".   I loved this idea for several reasons, one being that Sam can participate!

We started off with a tree trunk cut from construction paper and then started cutting leaves from different colors of construction paper.  On the leaves we wrote things we are thankful for during this season.  Sam helped by coloring a few of the leaves.  We added leaves for about a week, as we thought of things to be thankful for.  

Here is what we ended up with:

It is on the mirrors by our front door.  Maybe this will set the scene of thankfulness as our family comes to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday!

Some of the things we are especially thankful for this year:

Jobs, Family Time, Sam's giggles, Indoor plumbing, Warm house, Hot coffee, Health, Family to spend the holidays with, Full pantry, Healthy relationships and the ability to give.

In our efforts to bring more scripture into our home, we added a bible verse, which you will see on the right side of the tree.  I have been studying Colossians this month and have really been challenged with things I take for granted, and living a life of thankfulness.  It is amazing how your perspective changes when you search for something to be thankful for in every situation.  I love that as I pass the tree each morning I am reminded of the scripture God gave us and to be thankful throughout the day.  

I hope this inspires you to get creative and to live a life of thankfulness!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!