Christmas Stockings

Each Christmas we hang our stockings with care,

and fill them with small gifts for loved ones to share.

But do we remember that the first Christmas night

God gave us His Son who gave us His life?

A sacrifice so great- how can we repay?

We can say, "Thank you Jesus" on this His birthday.

Hang a stocking for Jesus and fill it with love.

Do good for others and thank God above.

-Author Unknown

Last year we found that Berean marks down merchandise 50-75% off before Christmas.
We found this great tradition & started a tradition of a Stocking for Jesus.The boys' piggy banks have 3 sections, one each for: God's work, savings, spending.
The kids and parents will pool our money set aside for "Church" to share with people less fortunate than we. The children look through the Samaritan's purse Christmas gift catalog and picked "Share the gospel with boys and girls" (bottom of the pictured page).
On construction paper hearts, we wrote our 'gifts' ---the things we've done or will do to reflect Jesus' love-- and put them in Jesus stocking

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;

as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13: 34-35

On December 6, we remember Saint Nicholas' love for Jesus, by placing small trinkets (race cars that say "Go with Jesus", fruit (apple, orange), office supplies (paper pads, pencils say "God is my ruler"), and candy (candy canes, candy bracelets) in the children's stockings hung by their bed. We remember how the real Saint Nicholas, former Bishop of Myra (modern day Turkey), had thrown a bag of gold coins through the window of a poor family and the coins landed in the stocking of the daughter, and blessed the family as it was used for a wedding dowry. Saint Nicholas did this for the younger two daughters of this impoverished family also. Saint Nicholas' love for Jesus prompted his giving.