Welcome to a place where we can share ideas about grandparenting, especially ways to pass spiritual values and family stories to the next generation.

Mary is the co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart.
Visit www.legacyconnection.org
My photo
Co-author of The Grandparent Connection: 365 Ways to Connect With Your Grandchild's Heart

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Christmas is for Sharing and Loving


Subscribe to Grand Connection by Email

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

This past weekend Pops and I babysat for two of our grandkids. The oldest, who just turned six, was busy making Christmas gifts for her family.

Our little grand told Pops and me that Christmas is for sharing and loving. How true! I'm reminded of these stanzas from a poem written by Leona Vaughn:

Oftentimes our minds are so filled with thoughts
Of the gifts we give or we get,
We sometimes forget to thank Our Lord above,
For giving the greatest gift yet.


We can help our grandchildren concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas by talking with them about the names of Jesus. Author and speaker Kay Arthur focuses on the following four in her article The Wonderful Names of Christ:

The Good Shepherd: "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."    —John 10:11 (New American Standard Bible)

The True Vine:  "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."    —John 15:5 (NASB)

The Light of the World: "Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.'"  
                                           —John 8:12 (King James Version)

The Bright Morning Star: "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am … the bright morning star."    —Revelation 22:16 (NASB)

And of course, there is Luke 2:11: "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

What other names for Jesus Christ are especially meaningful to you?

May we never lose the true wonder of Christmas. May we always remember that Christmas is for sharing and loving!

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
www.grandconnection.org

© by Mary May Larmoyeux.
Photo Credit: © U.S. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Mary, you make such a good point about remembering that Jesus is the greatest gift of all and the reason why we celebrate Christmas. Thank you for your gentle reminder as we enter into this busy shopping month.

Mary May Larmoyeux said...

I have to remind myself many times in December about the reason for the season. Happy shopping,Sharon!

Anonymous said...

Mary, How can one look at the sky in the morning without being reminded “.... I am the bright morning star” ? It is beautiful.
My favorite always is, “Be still and know that I am God.” Blessings, Rita

Mary May Larmoyeux said...

It's good to hear from you, Rita. I love those verses, too, epecially the reminder to be still and wait on God. -- Mary