From their very first Christmas, and even now in their adult years, my husband and I have eagerly and joyfully given gifts to our children. Some years were “lean” and the gifts were very simple, homemade, or from second-hand stores—and our children loved them just the same. Looking back though, I see how temporal those gifts were. For the most part, they were simply fleeting pleasures. I hope and pray that along with those wrapped gifts we gave them something far more priceless and satisfying.
This busy Christmas season, as your shop for gifts for your children, it might be helpful to keep these words from Randy Alcorn in mind:
Parents, if I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this: When it comes to your children’s lives, no one can take your place. So, don’t wait for someone else to talk to your kids about Jesus. Do it yourself. Read Scripture with them. Memorize it together. Pray with them. Go help the needy together. Give together and serve together. Show them what it means to be a disciple.
Leave your children a lasting spiritual legacy.
It only takes money to leave an inheritance. It takes character and spiritual vitality, “a long obedience in the same direction,” to leave a true heritage.
(“Parenting Teens: Leaving a Lasting Spiritual Heritage,” www.epm.org)
As a follow-up to these thoughts, his article “Changing Christmas in our Families and in our Hearts” is also worth reading. And here are a few suggested resources to help your family…- Read Scripture Together—ESV Illustrated Family Bible: 270 Selections from the Holy Bible
- Memorize Scripture—Fighter Verses resources
- Pray Together—Lord Teach Us To Pray Family Devotional Guide
(Image courtesy of Chris Sharp at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.)
