Truth in the Tinsel

Ok so here is my review for "Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands" by Amanda White.

I honestly had no idea what to expect when I received the book. But the first page had me nearly in tears. Hearing her tell her story about her daughter wanting to share what Christmas is REALLY about with her son was so precious. It just reminded me how important telling the story of what Christmas is and WHO it celebrates. The book is designed for preschool aged to early elementary aged, BUT there really is something for every age!

Each day you read some scripture, make an ornament that corresponds with the scripture, and talk about why you are making that ornament. (She even lists additional stuff to do each day if you are looking for more to do with your kids). When I saw the "supply list" at the beginning of the book, I'll admit...I was WAY intimidated. Inara is my first kiddo and I just don't have "normal" kiddo craft stuff laying around. Honestly, I was kind of bummed. I don't really have extra money to go to the story and buy all the needed stuff for the crafts but I still want to share the important story of Christmas with Inara in a meaningful way.

But I am so thankful I kept reading. She makes it VERY clear, the point isn't that your ornaments are perfect, or even that you do this every day (she has a couple alternate calendars for busy folk). She even says this as some encouragement "You are not trying to make amazing ornaments to grace Macy's christmas tree. You are merely helping your kids meditate on a portion of Scripture by letting them make something with their hands". The point is to take time and talk about what happened. She mentions that you can improvise. As I went through the days listed and materials needed, I was already tweaking things. "Well I don't have this...but I could use this instead".

I REALLY am thankful she gave examples of alternate schedules. I do think SOME of the crafts are a little too old for Inara, and its like she gave me permission to not make this be some legalistic thing I HAVE to do every day in order to be a good mom. I am excited I GET to share this with Inara and I think doing an abbreviated schedule might work best for us now. Plus if I do one every day, some days Justin might not be able to join us and I really want to make this a family event. Sharing Christ together!

I will TRY to take pics and document how it goes, but if you have kids...DO IT! The ebook is $4.99 and totally worth it. Plus if you buy today you get it for $2.99. So buy one for you and for a friend. I have a couple friends who I'll be buying it for :)

The end of the introduction just struck me and really made ME think about Christmas and be thankful too:

"The little Baby is no longer in the manger, but alive and sitting on a throne-waiting to have a relationship with you and your children. Help your children get to know Him this Christmas."

*Just full disclosure, I am NOT getting paid for this post. I volunteered to review the book and received a free copy to review. If you order through my links I will get a small percent of the cost. But I would recommend buying it even if I was not getting a small percent,