12 Days of Christmas
Brought to you by the CROSS COLLECTIVE
Introduction
Hello family! As I'm sure we all can attest to, this season can get really busy and sometimes very stressful. At times, it feels like the 24 days leading up until Christmas are so crazy, that it all just flies by in a whirlwind as we are figuring out gifts, going to holiday parties, making time for family and friends etc... it is too easy to get caught up in the season's busyness and blow right past the reason for it. Prior to December, Gino and I were already feeling the weight of the things we had on our plates this upcoming month and God reminded us immediately of the need to be present. It is Christmas.... we are celebrating the birth of our Savior! The beautiful Gift that we were given undeservedly.... we should be cheering every day, exclaiming our joy and gratitude and as we approach the day of His birth, our hearts should be filled with praises and songs for our Lord, Jesus Christ! Recall the beauty of this day that we are celebrating:
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"" (Luke 2:9-14 ESV)
Good News of GREAT JOY! Peace among us!! Remember this, dig into this Joy and recall the news of our Savior every possible moment.
God has presented Gino and I with the idea of the 12 days of Christmas and we would like to invite you in to partake in whatever way is best for you and your family. Below we have a list of events for each day to keep track of the things you can do this month and also lists what you can be doing on each day with ideas and specifics. There are days of gift giving, days of enjoying the unique opportunities of this season & days of simply giving. As we know, we are all busy and you may think that you simply don't have time for this, but it can be as simple as you desire. What is important is that every single day we will be intentional about recalling and rejoicing in the Good News of Great Joy and spending time with our loved ones as we reflect on this, so that each day, no matter what event/gift/adventure we have planned, it is centered on Him.
Our prayer for each of you is that you grow closer to Jesus, you experience His love for you in new ways and you make memories with your loved ones in a time of giving. We are grateful to God for the family that He has given us and we look forward to hearing how you experience His joy this season.
Love, Steph & Gino
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"" (Luke 2:9-14 ESV)
Good News of GREAT JOY! Peace among us!! Remember this, dig into this Joy and recall the news of our Savior every possible moment.
God has presented Gino and I with the idea of the 12 days of Christmas and we would like to invite you in to partake in whatever way is best for you and your family. Below we have a list of events for each day to keep track of the things you can do this month and also lists what you can be doing on each day with ideas and specifics. There are days of gift giving, days of enjoying the unique opportunities of this season & days of simply giving. As we know, we are all busy and you may think that you simply don't have time for this, but it can be as simple as you desire. What is important is that every single day we will be intentional about recalling and rejoicing in the Good News of Great Joy and spending time with our loved ones as we reflect on this, so that each day, no matter what event/gift/adventure we have planned, it is centered on Him.
Our prayer for each of you is that you grow closer to Jesus, you experience His love for you in new ways and you make memories with your loved ones in a time of giving. We are grateful to God for the family that He has given us and we look forward to hearing how you experience His joy this season.
Love, Steph & Gino
Day 1: "Big Kids"
December 14th
Go to your nearest Target or department store and walk directly to the toy aisle/ section. Reminisce about your childhood, maybe tell your significant other a story or two about your favorite toys or you most memorable time at the store Christmas shopping with your family.
Go to your nearest Target or department store and walk directly to the toy aisle/ section. Reminisce about your childhood, maybe tell your significant other a story or two about your favorite toys or you most memorable time at the store Christmas shopping with your family.
Day 2: "Bookworm"
December 15th
Purchase a new book or pick out a book on your shelf that you want to read together. Write a little note inside of the front flap about why that book is special to you and why you want to give it to your significant other. Choose a book that is either personal, about Christmas, or about theology.
Day 3: "Bake off"
December 16th
Baking night (ideas: favorite holiday goodies or something nostalgic from childhood - chocolate crinkles for Steph, gingerbread house for Gino; Christmas music playing, make extra cookies to give to others)
Baking night (ideas: favorite holiday goodies or something nostalgic from childhood - chocolate crinkles for Steph, gingerbread house for Gino; Christmas music playing, make extra cookies to give to others)
Day 4 "The Poet"
December 17th
Day 5 "Wordsmith"
December 18th
Day 6 "Muggy"
December 19th
Day 7 "Lights On"
December 20th
Day 8 "Bible Study"
December 21st
Day 9 "Generosity"
December 22nd
Day 10 "Ornament"
December 23rd
Day 11 "Stockings"
December 24th
Remember to stuff your stockings and maybe read through your favorite Christmas books.
Remember to stuff your stockings and maybe read through your favorite Christmas books.
Day 12 "Gift of Joy"
December 25th