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Christmas & Advent

I LOVE Christmas! I even wrote an Advent devotional about how much I love Christmas, and how we can use the 'secular' trimmings to draw closer to Christ!

Here are my thoughts, ideas and resources to help guide you through what can be a stressful season, to make it joyous and hope-filled.

10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR 5-8s

October 24, 2019 6 Comments

Faith-building stocking stuffers for your 5s-8s this Christmas! Fill their stocking with items to encourage and challenge them as they grow as Christians.

Around this time of year, I start to think about Christmas presents and, in particular, stockings. I do love the fun of picking out small treats that my children will enjoy - but I also feel the pressure of needing enough to deem their stockings well and truly 'stuffed', whilst also not wanting … [Read more...] about 10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR 5-8s

Books and resources· Christmas & Advent· Discipleship for kids· Family Life

10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR UNDER 5s

October 24, 2019 3 Comments

Faith-building stocking stuffers for your under 5s this Christmas! Fill their stocking with items to encourage and challenge them as they grow as Christians.

Around this time of year, I start to think about Christmas presents and, in particular, stockings. I do love the fun of picking out small treats that my children will enjoy - but I also feel the pressure of needing enough to deem their stockings well and truly 'stuffed', whilst also not wanting … [Read more...] about 10 STOCKING FILLERS TO NURTURE FAITH FOR UNDER 5s

Books and resources· Christmas & Advent· Discipleship for kids· Family Life

HOW NOT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR IN-LAWS

December 20, 2018 Leave a Comment

What kind of relationship should we have with our in-laws?

A couple of weeks ago I was having a text conversation with my sister-in-law about some of the family arrangements for Christmas. At one point, I was about to type a reply saying, "Your family is ridiculous!" Allow me to back-track and give some context. I get on really well with my in-laws, and … [Read more...] about HOW NOT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR IN-LAWS

Christmas & Advent· Faith· Family Life· Marriage

‘BABY SHARK’ NATIVITY SONG (AND THE ADOPTIVE ROLE OF JOSEPH)

December 17, 2018 3 Comments

Baby shark Nativity song

One of the important spiritual preparations I've made this Advent to enable my heart to draw closer to the Christ-child, to recognise the wonder of God-incarnate, sent from heaven to rescue us from ourselves, is... ...to re-write a Nativity version of "Baby Shark". Yeah, that kind of sums up my … [Read more...] about ‘BABY SHARK’ NATIVITY SONG (AND THE ADOPTIVE ROLE OF JOSEPH)

Adoption· Christmas & Advent· Faith

WHAT GOES IN OUR ADVENT BASKET?

December 3, 2018 13 Comments

Creating an Advent basket is a simple but wonderful family tradition for Advent and Christmas. Here's what to put in it.

The kids and I love Advent, and all the fun preparations for Christmas. We have loads of little traditions that we look forward to, and try to focus on sharing the story of Jesus' birth in creative and fun ways. One of these traditions is our Advent basket. You may do something similar in your home … [Read more...] about WHAT GOES IN OUR ADVENT BASKET?

Books and resources· Christmas & Advent· Discipleship for kids· Faith· Family Life· Parenting

ADOPTION AND ADVENT: COMING HOME

November 30, 2016 9 Comments

How Advent and adoption are linked; how Advent is a metaphor for our spiritual adoption; and how earthly adoption can be a metaphor for Advent. Chapter 1 of Redeeming Advent by Lucy Rycroft.

The following comes from my Advent devotional, Redeeming Advent. Buy it here! Advent, for our family, is a season full of traditions. I'd love to say that it was a time for increased spiritual growth, as I lead our young family in meaningful Bible reflections every morning - but, in reality, I … [Read more...] about ADOPTION AND ADVENT: COMING HOME

Adoption· Adoption process· Books and resources· Christmas & Advent· Faith

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The Hope-Filled Family - UK Christian parenting and adoption blog by Lucy Rycroft
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How adoption/fostering might affect toddlers' behaviour.
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