A Baby In a Manger

I love darling hand/footprint crafts for my littles. In fact, have too many to count pinned for future use. There is just something about capturing those tiny fingers and toes during these itty bitty stages. Just comparing how they grow from year to year is enough to make me a little misty.

This year, I wanted to do one that would not only be treasured but purposeful in the making. G is beginning to really soak in the bible stories she hears at church. She sings Jesus Loves Me in the back seat and knows that God made the moon. I so desperately want our children to know and love Jesus and the sowing of these seeds began before their first breathes. I've prayed for their salvation since their tiny bodies were being formed in the womb.

I was excited to have G really become involved in this year's memory craft. It is seriously now my favorite and it may just be up all year long.

"While Mary and Joseph were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger..."

Luke 2:6-7

As we were making her hand print for the manger, I told her a simple version of Jesus' birth. By the end she was super excited to be celebrating Jesus' birthday and insisted He get a candle like her. Love that girl!

Her precious hand eventually became the manger for baby Jesus. Of course we couldn't leave out N. His tiny foot became an angel and before I knew it, the art project was complete.

While I adore the little handmade items we make each year and enjoy the gifts we share, my most favorite thing is to share the gift of Jesus with my sweet babes. He will always remain the reason for this season and the reason we celebrate. He has been so good to us and for that I am so grateful.