It’s getting colder and Christmas beckons, so welcome to the Winter resource update!
At the start of December, let’s kick off with some Christmas-related ideas.
There are differing opinions about Father Christmas amongst parents, but this interesting article might help you to navigate your way through this knotty problem with your own family:
https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/post/how-do-we-decide-how-to-approach-father-christmas/
As belts are tighter (perhaps due to the rising cost of living rather than over-indulgence in mince pies!) there are lots of good ideas about having an affordable Christmas:
Do you ever find that Jesus can get a bit pushed out of his own birthday celebration by all the festive trimmings that seem to take over? If so, this helpful article suggests some practical ways for you to bring Christ back into the centre of Christmas:
Kitchen Table Project | Building faith at Christmas
Another great way to keep Jesus in mind at this time of year is to build a Nativity scene. If you have Lego fans in your family, this is a lovely activity which has kept mine busy for ages!
https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/the-christmas-story-brick-by-brick#extras (Scroll down to the bottom in the ‘Free Extras’ section for step-by-step picture guides)
Perhaps some weekly Advent devotionals would help you to engage with children in your family? These simple prompts on well -known Bible stories help to show God’s big picture in the lead up to Jesus’ birth: God’s big story in Advent
For those with Neurodiverse family members, the changes brought about by Christmas can be challenging. This guide might give a few ideas about making the season a bit easier for everyone:
https://spurgeons.org/about-us/news-stories-events/blogs/autism-a-survival-guide-for-christmas
Maybe you will be on your own this Christmas. If this is something that you are not looking forward to; there are some ideas here which might be helpful:
Aside from Christmas, the winter season presents lots of opportunities for wrapping up warm and getting outside. How about this fun treasure hunt that can help you to engage with Psalm 8?: Kitchen Table Project | Beauty in winter scavenger hunt
If you want some ideas for saving money and staving off boredom during the winter months; check out this super list of FREE activities for all ages: 19 free winter activities | CAP UK
As January rolls around and the New Year is heralded with fireworks, you might like to use this time to look back on 2024 and think ahead to 2025. This simple sheet can provide a good focus to review and refresh your thoughts and plans:
New Year’s Resolutions are not for everyone but this article talks about the value of resting in God rather than striving to better ourselves in our own strength, and the positive effects that this can have on those around us: https://www.faithinkids.org/new_year_resolution_or_resting_in_jesus/
Description automatically generatedHappy New Clear! January can seem like a great time to de-clutter and get organised again (or for the first time!) Check out these practical tips for getting on top of the ‘stuff’ that might be getting in the way and seeing how your old things might be a new blessing to others:
Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is an increasingly big event in mid-February. It can be a difficult time for those who are lonely or solo parenting. Here are some ideas which might help at this time:
Enjoying Valentine’s Day as a single parent – Care for the Family
Feeling lonely this Valentine’s Day? – Care for the Family
Showing love to others doesn’t need to cost much. Here are lots of ideas for free ways you can show your nearest and dearest you love them based around the 5 Love Languages:
Over this Winter season, you might find that you have more opportunity to chat when you are keeping warm at home. There are some (101 to be precise!) brilliant questions to get a conversation started with those around you. For example: which Bible character would you most/least like to take a long car journey with and why?
With no particular right or wrong answers, who knows where the conversations might lead?
On 5th March from 7.45pm to 9.30pm, we are hosting an event run by Ed Drew (Ministry Director of Faith in Kids) called ‘Raising Confident Kids in a Confusing World’
Ed Drew will serve up an evening of Biblical truth and practical wisdom as he tackles some cultural hot topics, presented with a side order of real-life stories and a generous sprinkling of humour. It is perfect for parents at every stage of family life, from birth through to the teenage years, as well as for grandparents, leaders and anyone else who wants to be part of the wonderful challenge of raising children to lead flourishing lives for Christ.
This event is open to anyone, so please do spread the word if you know people who might like to come along. Tickets are £5 each (or £3 for concessions) but do get in contact with Laura if the cost is tricky. For more information and to get your tickets click here:
So there you have it, a few different resources to help you, and those closest to you, come to faith and grow in faith a little bit more this Winter. If you’d like any support, prayer or just a listening ear about anything that is going on for you and your family, please do get in touch with me. You can catch me at church or email me: lauraevans@stlukesmaidstone.church so that we can make a time to chat further.
God bless you and your loved ones over this Winter season,
Laura 😊
