For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. -Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays-Advent Edition! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment. Enjoy!
Not long ago, I finished reading Shel Silverstein’s contemporary classic, The Giving Tree, to Hannah, and when we finished, she turned the last page and harumphed. “I don’t know why he drew a tree like that,” she said, pointing to the illustration of the leafy green tree. “I think a Giving Tree should be a Christmas tree! That makes more sense.”
As we’ve celebrated this Advent season with Christmas boxes (see Dec 3 post) and Bible stories, silly games and sweet treats, I’ve pondered Hannah’s declaration. Certainly the Christmas season is an appropriate time for a “giving tree.” In fact, the very baby whose stable birth we will soon celebrate was prophesied as“A shoot (that would) come up from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1). Sounds like a “tree-ish” metaphor to me. So armed with a desire to accentuate the GIVING more than the GETTING in the final days of this advent season, I decided to create the Bruxvoort Giving Tree.
We traced the small hands in our family onto colored fun foam and cut each one out. Then I asked the kids to help me brainstorm ideas of things we could give that didn’t cost much money. I’m learning that my children immediately associate giving with money. While I do want to raise kids who are generous with their pocketbooks, I also want to teach my clan that generosity comes in many shapes and sizes. Giving can be packaged in the brightly colored boxes of time, sacrifice, commitment, encouragement, and prayer.
Each morning, we pick one “giving hand” off of our tree (which is really one of those thing-a-mijigs made for holding snapshots) and we each decide how we will meet the giving challenge of the day. As I write, Hannah, Josh, and Lizzy are manning the Salvation Army’s red kettle and ringing the bell with Grandma, a perfect response to today’s challenge: Give someone the gift of time.
By the time all the hands are plucked from our cheery tree, we will have given…
*the mailman a surprise to brighten his day
*the gift of written encouragement to someone who needs a lift
*a surprise to bless a teacher
*a visit to someone who may be lonely
*the gift of hope to someone who may feel hopeless
*the gift of laughter (I can’t wait to see the result of that one!) to someone who needs a smile
*a written compliment to someone we admire
*a gift for the animals that roam our backyard
*a love note to a sibling
*a gift of food to someone who is hungry
*the gospel of truth to someone who may not know the Reason for the Season
*a gift to Jesus, the birthday boy!
Are you looking for a simple way to encourage the treasured gift of giving? It’s not too late to create your own giving tree.You don’t need a photo stand and fun foam- just grab some paper and trace a few handprints. Invite your kids to brainstorm ideas (you may be amazed at what they come up with) and start the family tradition of generosity!
The Overflow: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:25
Each morning, we pick one “giving hand” off of our tree (which is really one of those thing-a-mijigs made for holding snapshots) and we each decide how we will meet the giving challenge of the day. As I write, Hannah, Josh, and Lizzy are manning the Salvation Army’s red kettle and ringing the bell with Grandma, a perfect response to today’s challenge: Give someone the gift of time. 
*the gift of hope to someone who may feel hopeless
Great idea! I feel so unmotivated, but want to be! Hope we get to hear some of the fun stories after you have “given” away yourselves!
~Robin 🙂