Shameless Plug!

At the marriage conference that we went to in Utah, there was a well stocked bookstore in which I spent a great deal of time. I had to cut my buying list down from about 20 books to only3 books and a Christmas nativity scene. I got out for only $60 which is really good for me. I just love books and can't keep from buying them.

So, we have been home for a couple of weeks now and just today opened the nativity scene to take a closer look. It is called, "What God Wants For Christmas" by Family Life. In the box is a pop up manger scene, 7 gift boxes and a book with poems that tell the Christmas story. In each box is a different character from the story. Each day you tell one part of the story and open one box. The angel Gabriel is the first box that is opened and he takes you through the rest of the story asking probing questions in a way that young children can understand. It promotes discussion about Jesus and why He was born. The first 6 boxes are characters from the nativity scene and in the 7th box is a surprise. It is a mirror! As your children looks into the box and sees themselves looking back an opportunity is created to share the gospel message with them and to make it personal. There is material at the end of the book of poems that guides you through explaining salvation with your child in a way that is easily understood by little ones. I love this nativity scene and am so excited to make it a new tradition this Christmas.