Disclaimer: I received this complimentary product as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.
Tis the season to be thankful…falalalala As the holidays draw near, I feel like it is so important for us to take a step back from all of the commercialism, all of the worldly stuff that it is so easy to get caught up in and to bless the Lord. The Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights – We are also told that God loves a cheerful giver. Perhaps now is a good time to revisit what it means and how we can be that cheerful giver. WorthyKids has developed a wonderful way to do just that with The Giving Manger.
So what exactly is The Giving Manger and how does it work? This is a super sweet set that comes with a hardcover book, a manger, straw and a Baby Jesus. We can help our families to shift the focus from getting to giving as we seek out those opportunities to be a blessing to others. For every kind deed that is done, we place a piece of straw into the manger. What a beautiful tradition to begin with your whole family. Maybe even some close friends!
The storybook, written by Allison Hottinger, shares with our children how much joy can be had from giving. Follow Anne and Ben whose family doesn’t have much financially but always enjoyed a special gift each year made by their father. One morning their father announced their new tradition – the gift of giving – developing the heart of a servant. Just like that of Jesus.
While in the beginning this giving manger didn’t seem like such a wonderful thing to Ben and Anne – as we walk with them we see how both begin to learn and grow. As straw filled the manger, eyes were opened to how simple it is to give – folded laundry, a hot meal to eat, a kind note to a sibling. As they begin to give, they experience a joy within that grows them all the more into the image of our loving God.
Every day beginning on the first of December, look of opportunities to do a kind deed or look more closely for your children’s kind deeds being done to others. Keep the manager in an open space, a reminder of the heart off the Lord, finding ways to bless others wherever you may be. Not sure how to give? In the back of the book explore Manger Moments. This is an amazing list full of ideas that can really help our kids (adults too) to get those giving juices flowing. 🙂
Matthew 25:40 says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Having grown up in a home which service work was simply a part of what we did, I know how powerful those experiences can be. To take time, to go out of our way some days, to be a help to someone in need. Certainly this has become much more challenging in our current political climate however, this is the time that it means so much more to offer someone your time and your service. Thinking outside of the box, we can be sure to find many ways to reach out to others, showing the love of Jesus.
We have read and continue to read this book together! I love how much my youngest daughter especially enjoys this story and the lovely, simple illustrations in the book. One example is a recent connection with made with the director of From Home To Heroes, a small but love filled project to give to our service men and women. We are working with our little hygge group to become involved in this one!
But it doesn’t always have to be about the “stuff”. With so many distractions, we must be intentional about how we spend our time and our money. For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and joy and peace. There are simple, powerful ways that we can share that every day. Without a doubt materials like this can be enjoyed all year round. We may even keep this out as a vivid reminder, all year long, that to give is better than to receive. ❤
Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
The Giving Manger Giveaway!
WorthyKids is eager to bless others with a giveaway of The Giving Manger kit to one of my blessed readers! Click on the link below to enter! Open to those in the United States Only!
Don’t forget to click on the banner below to read reviews from other members of the Review Crew who had the chance to use this wonderful set.
A "Peace" of Mind 