Christmas and Character Training
Who has time for character training at Christmas time? The truth is, we cannot afford not to make time. It is at busy times that our hearts are often revealed – we revert to what comes naturally, and if our hearts have not been changed towards Godly character then we have some heart work to do. Christmas gives our family plenty of learning opportunities that we need to grab hold of. We cannot let these windows of opportunity slip into the busyness of planning and commitments.
Find your way around this pageLove vs Selfishness
Gratefulnes vs Murmuring
Contentment vs Covetousness
Love versus SelfishnessLove is unconditional – we love without expecting anything back.
You can give without loving,
But you cannot
Love without giving
- Amy CarmichaelI think a great passage for us to remember at this time, and at anytime that life gets hectic is the love passage of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. I never cease to be amazed at how many heart issues this passage alone addresses!
Gratefulness versus MurmuringGratefulness is giving thanks for the ways others have benefited your life. And it starts with being thankful for what God has done.
I find it interesting that
Character First
lists murmuring as the opposite to gratefulness. I am reminded of the children of Israel as they wandered around the wilderness – they murmured and it changed their attitude, they quickly forgot what God had done for them, oftentimes only the day before! Nothing holds back a heart
From gratitude so much
As holding onto expectations
- The Power for True SuccessWhat have we allowed our children to expect? Is this helping their heart respond appropriately? Read more thoughts on Gratefulness
Contentment versus CovetousnessContentment is recognizing that our true happiness does not come from material things.
Some quick keys for our children to know - There is a difference between needs and wants
- Complaining leads to covetousness
- People are more important that things (this includes family).
In this day and age where we have more than we really need, it is easy to ignore the things in the cupboard and want more new stuff. It is not how much we have,
But how much we enjoy
That makes happiness
- Charles Spurgeon
Live life with your kids!
Read more Lifestyle Homeschool Character Notes.
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