"What We Learn About Today?"

We continued the countdown to Christmas tradition that was started last year. A theme is selected for the family to focus on from December 1st to the 24th. It is a daily reminder of what we celebrate this season. This year we focused on 24 Biblical Heroes. Their heroism was based on the fact that in each of their circumstances, they were obedient to God. This action allowed for Him to work in and through them in a mighty and powerful way.

We put the names in a box and each morning Jeter and Barber would search for the box. Our heroes have been (in no particular order): David, Noah, Esther, Gideon, Peter, Josiah, Samuel, Joseph, Job, Daniel, Isaiah, Elijah, Caleb, Joshua, Ruth, Paul, Deborah, Moses, Samson, Hannah, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego (as one), the shepherds, Mary and finally Jesus...the ultimate hero as described in John 3:16. We talked about this verse but highlighted John 1:1-15.

Since our morning routine has become slightly more involved than last year (Jeter takes showers in the morning now like his Daddy) the boys search for the box each morning to discover who we will be learning about that day. We then read and learn about the hero of the day at the dinner table that night. Afterwards the boys have some creative time to write/draw/color about what was learned.

Since Jeter is older and has a better eye at this age, we added a new twist to the search. When the boys find the box they run to the family room and yell “Christmas 24!” Once BOTH boys have done this the box is retrieved. We then gather in the family room and Jeter reads the name. If it is an easier name, then Barber sounds it out. The information and children’s drawings are on cardstock to be preserved in an album representing what we learned as a family in 2007.

It's been a lot of fun - evidenced by Barber's enthusiastic question (almost daily) "Hey Mom? What we learn about today?"