holidays Archives - Truths for Tots

Share Saint Patrick’s Day Facts and Fun with Children

Truthsfortots Blog, Cathy Jo's Blog March 14, 2014March 16, 2017family activities, family devotions, holidays 0 Comment

Saint Patrick’s Day with children…

Saint Patrick’s Day is the celebration of a man that told his homeland of Ireland about Christ.

Saint Patrick is not really a saint with a capital S as he was never authorized by Rome. He was a saint in the Christian definition as a saint is “one who is holy and set apart”.

Patrick was sixteen years old when he was taken from his homeland in a raid and became a slave. He was taken to, at the time, the pagan country of Ireland. While there he wrote that he prayed nearly a hundred times a day. He was a slave for six years until he managed to escape.

After forty years he felt called to go back to Ireland and witness to the people there. It has been said that he used the shamrock to witness by explaining the Trinity. Patrick introduced Latin to the people of Ireland. Handwritten copies of the Bible were completed in Latin for the people of Ireland. This replaced the awkward Ogham scripts. He stayed in Ireland as a missionary until his death.

A good book to teach young children about St. Patrick’s Day is “The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day” by Patricia A. Pingry and Illustrated by Pamela R. Levy.

A fun snack to make is the Shamrock Shake: Place 1 pint (2 cups) vanilla ice cream, 1 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract, and green food coloring into a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and green sprinkles.

A good craft to emphasize the trinity is the Shamrock Craft: Cut the top off a green pepper. Place open end of pepper in green paint and begin stamping.

St. Patrick's Day Crafts

As read in the book of Philippians Paul greeted fellow Christians or saints with joy so too should we. Bake some sugar cookies with your children and add green sprinkles or sugar to decorate. Share these cookies and joy to your neighbors.

Paul and Patrick are examples of men that reached out to others. They both told others about Jesus Christ and His Word.

Enjoy this day, reach out and share the Good News of Christ.

For more Saint Patrick’s Day craft and food fun please check out my Pinterest board http://truthsfortots.com/saint-patricks-day-facts-and-fun/

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

Three leaf clover photo from Irishviews.com

Love, Not Just For Valentine’s Day

Truthsfortots Blog, Cathy Jo's Blog February 14, 2014family, holidays, special days, valentine's day 0 Comment

Daily Truth: “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

On Valentine’s Day love is written on conversation hearts, chocolates, and cards. Children make cards and parents buy cards to share on this special day. According to Hallmark, 1,400 billion cards are made for Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in the amount of cards mailed.

There are thousands of books, poems, and songs written about love. Artwork, both paintings and sculptures depict this. We long for and seek after love.

Why is love so important? We are made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27) So we are made for love.

The Greek word “agape” is the type of love that means love, dear, and charity.

The greatest of faith, hope, and love is love. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

This Valentine’s Day share love with your neighbors, family, and friends. Make cookies and cards or do an act of kindness to share God’s love. Teach your children about sharing with others. True love is found in what God did for us by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth for us. Love is all about giving.

Below is a tried and true sugar cookie recipe to share with family and friends. Decorating cookies with your children is fun and sharing the finished product brings even more joy.

Sugar Cookies

2/3 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

4 teaspoons milk

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Add egg and milk; beat till light and fluffy. Sift together dry ingredients; blend into creamed mixture. Cover and chill at least one hour. On lightly floured surface, roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut in desired shapes with cutters. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 degrees about 8 to 10 minutes. Cool slightly; remove. Add frosting and decorate as desired. This recipe will make about 24 heart shaped cookies.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your family.

“Faith, hope, and love… the greatest of these is love.”

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

Getting to the Heart of the Matter: More than a Valentine

Truthsfortots Blog, Cathy Jo's Blog February 4, 2014February 5, 2014children, family devotions, holidays, parenting 0 Comment

Daily Truth: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” Matthew 22:37

Getting to the heart of a matter can be a difficult thing for several reasons. Let’s face it, we sometimes try to pack too many activities into a day. Our schedules do not allow us to address important topics. At other times we just do not think the time is right to discuss issues that arise in our family. Sometimes we do not feel equipped to teach our child what should be taught in a particular situation. We are surrounded by things in this world that vie for our attention. We have difficulty distinguishing between good, better, and best. At times we can lose sight of “getting to the heart” of the matter.

At the heart of the matter is Truth. Truth teaches to the heart. As parents we come up with many family sayings as: always do your best, finish the job, or obey quickly. But, if we are not using God’s Word with God’s principles we are not teaching to the heart.

John wrote these words in John 12:37-43.

“But although He [Jesus] had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

‘Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.’

These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

Teaching to the heart of our child means that our own hearts must be right first. If you do not know how to be a child of God yourself and would like to know more please click here.

If over scheduling yourself and your family is a problem ask God to help you with prioritizing. Align yourself with God. If you feel unequipped or are in need of a systematic way of guiding your child’s heart to God below are some reliable resources to help with the training and teaching of your child.

Leading Little Ones to God Shepherding a Child’s Heart

Step Into the Bible: 100 Family Bible Devotions to Grow Your Child’s Faith

Let’s live for God’s glory and show our children that living for God is what really matters. Living for God and reaching the hearts of children for God is what counts for eternity.

What are some things you do or resources you like to “get to the heart” of the matter?

Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,

Cathy Jo Johnson

All material written is the property of Truths for Tots.

Too Busy To Be Still

Truthsfortots Blog, Guest Blog December 21, 2013December 21, 2013christmas, family, holidays 0 Comment

Daily Truth: “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10

I don’t know about you but this is such a busy time of year! Now we are exactly one week from Christmas!! Agghhh!

Ok – calm down!

Add to all the hustle and bustle of the season, one of my little men has a birthday exactly a week before Christmas!

Talk about busy. We all are experiencing it. Christmas programs, school programs, gift buying, food preparing, present wrapping, parties, and the list goes on and on.

Every year I say to my husband, “Next year I am NOT going to be so busy at Christmas time”. And every year – it’s busy.

I think as mom’s it’s even harder to just sit back and enjoy the season. We want to be the best mom ever and meet the needs of all our family members and make this the “Christmas of the year”.

This week I was reminded of Mary, Jesus’s mother. In Luke 2 it says, “But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”

Now “these things” refers to the shepherds and their news of the angels.

The word ponder means “to consider something deeply, thoroughly; meditate”.

Mary meditated on “these things”. Yet, somehow I think she meditated not only on what happened in Luke 2 with the shepherds and the angels but also on all the events that had transpired bringing her to this point.

Let’s think on Mary for a moment.

First, she is told by an angel that she is going to have baby. Yet, she will remain a virgin. Oh, and by the way, you are carrying the Messiah – the Savior of your people.

Secondly, her aged cousin Elizabeth is pregnant and her baby immediately sensed in utero that Mary’s baby was special.

Thirdly, Joseph is visited by an angel and told to take Mary as his wife and not to be afraid. Especially amazing considering that stoning is the custom for an unwed mother at that time.

Fourth, they travel to Bethlehem from Nazareth. No small journey for a pregnant women near her due date on a donkey. It was roughly 80 miles or about 1 week journey.

Fifth, she delivers her baby safely in a stable. Not her first choice I am sure.

Sixth, she is visited by shepherds that tell her a host of angels came to them and told them where to find Joseph, her, and her new baby.

Never mind that she had no idea that King Herod was determined to kill her new baby or that wise men would follow a star to find her babe.

Neither did she have any idea of all the events that would encompass her baby when He became a man.

Neither could she see the road to Calvary that He would have to travel.

Neither could she see the cross that her sweet child would hang on to die for the sins of mankind.

Neither could she see the tomb that would conquer death.

Yet, here she sat and pondered, meditated, thought on all that had transpired so far.

I am sure she was exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional. Yet, she meditated on ALL the events.

Don’t we get exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotional this time of year. Part of it is because we are so busy. However, we need to look at the example Mary set and take time to ponder, meditate, think on the reason we have Christmas.

It’s not the presents.

It’s not the food, the parties, the programs.

It’s not even the family time.

It’s because God became man so that we could one day live eternally with Him.

That’s reason enough to ponder all these things in our hearts.

Until next week,

Rebekah

The Christmas Tree Gospel

Truthsfortots Blog, Guest Blog December 12, 2013December 12, 2013christian, christmas, family, family devotions, holidays 0 Comment

Daily Truth: ” And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12

Almost every home has some sort of Christmas tree in it this time of year. Did you ever stop to think how the Christmas tree can be a vivid representation of the Gospel? The Christmas Tree has a LONG history behind it, but I won’t go into that. Instead I want to show you how you can use your Christmas tree to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas. 1. The Christmas Tree is “ever”green. God is everlasting. (Psalms 90:2) His mercy is everlasting (Psalms 103:17). One day He will set up an everlasting kingdom. (Micah 5:2) 2. The Christmas Tree points to God – The top of the tree comes to point, directing our eyes to the Heavens. God is the creator of all (Psalms 19:1) and is in Heaven preparing a place for all those who know Him as Savior (John 14:2). 3. The Star – The star at the top of the tree reminds us of the star that shown over Bethlehem directing the wise men to the Christ child. (Matthew 2:1-3) 4. The Angel – Some put an angel on the top of the tree reminding them of the angels that told the good news of the Saviors birth to the shepherds. (Luke 2:8-17) 5. The Christmas Tree lights. God is the light of the world. (John 8:12) God’s Word is a light to those who are in the darkness of their sin. (II Corinthians 4:4) When we know Christ as our personal Savior, His Word lights our pathway. (Psalms 119:105) We are then to be a light to those around us directing them to Christ by our lives (Philippians 2:15) 6. The Red Ribbon – The red ribbon reminds us of Christ blood shed for our sins. (Hebrews 9:22) 7. The Grapevine Garland – On our Christmas tree, I put a grapevine garland down the center of the tree to remind us that Christ’s ultimate purpose of being born was to die for our sins. The grapevine symbolizes the crown of the thorns that were placed on Christ when he was crucified. (Matthew 27:29) 8. The Gifts – The gifts remind us of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. (Matthew 2:11) They are also a reminder of the ultimate gift – God’s gift of salvation to all who will receive it.(John 3:16) 9. The Ornaments – The ornaments remind us of the jewels in a kingly crown. One day Christ will be crowned King of Kings (Revelation 17:14) for He alone is worthy. (Revelation 5:12). One day every knee will bow, confessing that He is Lord of all. (Philippians 2:9-11) As we get closer to Christmas Day, let us take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Until next week, Rebekah

Sweet Christmas Treats for Little Hands

Truthsfortots Blog, Guest Blog December 4, 2013December 4, 2013christmas, family, family activities, holidays 0 Comment

Daily Truth: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalms 119:103

Sweets, sweets, and more sweets! It’s that time of year! Thanksgiving has past, the Christmas trees are up (actually they have been since the beginning of November), and the outside lights are up. The parties start up this weekend which meant some baking needed to be done last weekend. Baking is NOT my thing for three reasons: 1. My cookies rarely come out like the pics. (Those are NOT my cookies pictured above!) 2. The mess, mess, mess, mess ,mess! 3. Sweets are almost more temptation than I can handle! However, I do it for the kids. I am going to give you three recipes that we like and the kids REALLY enjoy making. Our favorite sweet treat recipe are homemade mints. These get made by the dozens and are handed out to our neighbors, teachers, and brought to parties every year.

Homemade Mints

1 – 8 oz package of cream cheese

10 cups of powdered sugar

1 bag of milk chocolate chips

1 bag of semisweet chocolate chips

coffee, mint, or whatever flavor you want.

Mix the cream cheese in a mixer. Slowly add the sugar one cup at a time. By 8 cups the mixture should be able to form balls easily without crumbling. If this is the case – don’t add anymore sugar. Add the flavoring of your choice. Mix.

Lay wax paper on a table. Take the mixture and form into 1 inch balls. (This is where the kids come in. They think it’s like playing with play dough.) Place the balls on the wax paper.

In a double boiler melt the chocolate. Pour the melted chocolate over the balls. Let the chocolate harden. Place in small cupcake holders, place in a freezer container, and freeze until ready to use.

Side note: We used white chocolate with coffee flavoring for one set of mints. Andes mints are another option. You can also sprinkle crushed candy cane on the balls AFTER you pour the chocolate.

This next recipe is a little more involved but well worth it!

Truffles

1 cake mix (your choice of flavor)

1 can of frosting

1 bag of semisweet chocolate chips

1 bag of milk chocolate chips.

Bake the cake according to the directions on the box. Let it cool COMPLETELY. Break the cake into pieces and throw in a mixer. Add the can of frosting. Mix until the cake and frosting are well incorporated.

Lay wax paper on a flat surface. Take the mix and roll into 1 inch balls and place on wax paper. (Hint: Have a bowl of water near by to dip your hands in. Wet hands work better in making these balls.)

Once the balls are made, melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Pour the melted chocolate over the balls. Let the chocolate harden. Place balls in mini cupcake holders, place in a freezer container, and freeze until ready to use.

Side Note: We have used peanut butter chips with chocolate cake, red velvet cake with white chocolate chips, etc. The flavors and varieties are as endless as the choices of batter and frostings!

Like so many families, we are starting to go gluten free due to one of my kiddos. So, I found this gluten free sugar cookie mix.

GF Cookie Dough

1/2 c powdered sugar

1/2 c granulated sugar

1 c butter cut into small pieces

3 oz of cream cheese

2 3/4 c of white rice flour

2 eggs

2 tsp of vanilla

1/4 c cornstarch

1/4 tsp salt

1. In a food processor add sugars, butter, cream cheese, and 1 c of flour. Process until mixture is crumbly.

2. Add remaining ingredients and process until well combined.

3. Put in a bowl, cover, and chill for an hour.

Roll out and make cookies to your hearts content. Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes.

Frosting: I made the butter cream frosting on the back of a Hershey’s cocoa container, melted it enough so that I could drizzle it on the cookies, and sprinkled crushed candy cane on the chocolate.

Side note: I added peppermint flavoring in the cookies.

Let us not forget, as we go into this Christmas season, to crave the sweet words of the Bible as much as we crave the sweet treats we make with our kiddos.

Until next week,

Rebekah

O Give Thanks Unto the Lord

Truthsfortots Blog, Guest Blog November 27, 2013November 29, 2013children, family, holidays, scripture 0 Comment

Daily Truth: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever”. Psalms 136:1

Here are some verses to help us remember why we should give thanks not only on Thanksgiving Day but everyday.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.” I Chronicles 16:34-35

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.” I Chronicles 16:8

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Psalms 26:7

“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” Psalms 30:4

“To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” Psalms 30:12

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalms 69:30

“Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.” Pslams 75:1

“So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.” Psalms 79:13

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High” Psalms 92:1

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalms 100:4

“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalms 106:1

“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing” Psalms 107:22

“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.” Psalms 116:17

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14

“Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.” II Corinthians 9:11

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,” Colossians 1:3

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15

“Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.” Revelations 11:17

May I encourage you to read Psalms 136 and just really soak in the power of our God to whom we give all thanks.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving,

Rebekah

Hanukkah on Thanksgiving

Truthsfortots Blog, Guest Blog November 20, 2013November 20, 2013children, family, family activities, holidays 0 Comment

Daily Truth: “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” John 10:22

Hanukkah on Thanksgiving? I know, a little bit of a different title. I will explain but you will have to indulge me in some “factoid” information.

A rare occurrence is happening this Thanksgiving. The second day of Hanukkah is on Thanksgiving for the first time in 125 years and it will be another roughly 77,800 years before this happens again.

(Another side note: a comet is also supposed to be passing by earth on Thanksgiving morning and it is one of my dear friend’s birthday. Exciting day!!!)

I love history and learning about different holidays. So, when I found out that little tidbit of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving there was no way I was going to let this great opportunity pass without some sort of acknowledgement.

I am not Jewish and the most I knew about Hanukkah was from watching “Fiddler on the Roof“. So, I did a little research and this what I discovered in a nutshell.

History of Hanukkah

About 160 years before the birth of Christ, King Antiochus IV destroyed the temple and was set on destroying the Jewish race. A small band of Jewish soldiers fought the king’s army and against all odds defeated it. The Jews reclaimed the temple.

The temple was in shambles. So, the people restored the temple. When they went to light the menorah, there was only enough pure oil to burn for one day. However, according to Jewish tradition, the oil miraculously burned for 8 days. This was long enough for more oil to be prepared.

Hanukkah is a celebration of the rededication of the temple and God’s protection of His people. Hanukkah is sometimes called “The Festival of Lights” or “The Feast of Dedication” (see John 10:22 above).

My hubs and I wanted to use this unique holiday combination to remind our children how God takes care of His children. So, we are going to give them a little taste of Hanukkah starting on Thanksgiving Day and carry it over to the next day.

Here is what you are going to need.

1. A Menorah (or you could use 9 candlesticks lined up in a row).

2. A Dreidel

3. Hannukah gelt

4. Potatoes and oil

5. Candles

The Menorah – There are 9 branches to the menorah. The tallest branch is the servant candle. This candle will light all the others. The number of candles lit coincides with the day of Hanukkah. Day 1 you light one candle, day 2 two candles, etc. The candles are lit alternating right and left side and are lit 30 minutes after nightfall. A blessing is then said.

Dreidel – The Dreidel is a 4 sided top that is used in a children’s game. This is done to remember the children who were forced to study the Torah “underground” during the time of Antiochus IV rule. The children would study the Torah in the forest and when soldiers would come upon them, they would hide the Torah and pull out their dreidel’s and start playing.

The best way to see how to play the Dreidel is to google it on the website. You will need the Hanukkah gelt which is the chocolate gold coins for this game.

Latkes – Latkes are basically potato pancakes fried in oil and served with applesauce. Once again, there are a gazillion recipes on how to make Latkes for Hannukah. Just google “Latkes” and you will have your fair share of choice recipes.

Sufganiyot (Doughnuts) – Now who does not like a good doughnut? These are made for a dessert one night cooked in oil.

All the foods are cooked oil to remember how God provided the 8 days of oil for the menorah.

How are we going to incorporate Hanukkah?

So glad you asked.

Thanksgiving Day – We will light the first candle of Hanukkah, read The Story of Hanukkah to the children, and explain how God provides and protects His children. Then we are going to go around the table and ask each member to tell a way that God has shown His provision and protection to us this past year.

Friday – Doughnuts for breakfast. I am going to attempt to make them with the kiddos help. Dinner will consist of fish and latkes. During the day, I will show the kids how to play Dreidel and we will play a few rounds.

We will continue lighting the candles each night until all are lit. This will then carry into our family tradition of lighting the advent candles.

There is so much more to Hanukkah. What I have shared with you is just the scratching of the surface.

Thanksgiving is a time to thank God for His goodness to us. His protection of the Jewish race brought us a Savior and His continue protection of the Jewish race will one day usher in our King.

Until next week,

Rebekah