Homefront december 2016 by Christ Community Church

DECEMBER 2016

a spiritual parenting resource

homefrontmag.com

GETTING STARTED

8 2016 CHRISTMAS SHOPPING GUIDE!

14 HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CHRISTMAS CAROLS?

34 WHEN GOD WHISPERS TO YOUR HEART.

We believe that the Holy Spirit is God’s chosen teacher. It is He who causes spiritual growth and formation when and as He chooses. As such, we have articulated 10 distinct environments to create in your home. We desire to create spiritual space, which we refer to as an environment, in which God’s Spirit can move freely. The environment of OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE recognizes that God transforms us when we step out in faith. Our flesh seeks comfort, but God’s Spirit wants to challenge our faith and inspire growth. As we encourage our children to step out of their comfort zones from an early age, they experience a dependence on the Holy Spirit, who equips and strengthens them beyond their natural abilities and desires. We believe these experiences will cultivate a generation of believers who, instead of seeking personal comfort, will seek a radical life of dying to self, living by the Spirit, and following Christ. As adults, when we’re in situations where our own resources fulfill what’s needed, we tend to rely on our own abilities. Our kids, on the other hand, don’t have nearly as many personal resources to draw upon. Their pure faith often helps them to depend on the Holy Spirit far more readily than we do as adults. That’s why James tells us to “consider it pure joy” (James 1:2) when we encounter trials. Joy in trials may seem like an oxymoron, but when we come to the end of our own resources and our own strength, and we depend on the Holy Spirit, then we’re truly in a relationship with the Almighty. That’s the place where sanctification happens … and where we find true joy!

CONTENTS FAMILY TIME Family Verse

Capturing the Season

Storytelling

Worship

Conversation Starters

Create

Game Time

Traditions

Family Time Recipe

Kids in the Kitchen

Prayer

God's Word

Tot Time Rhyme

Blessing

Taking Action

Global

The Christmas Star Someone in Need Spread the Word

The Shepherd's Choice A Humble Home

Here We Come A-Caroling

Birthday Party for Jesus

Christmas Tree Bread 15-Minute Creamy Tomato Soup Christmas Pinwheels

Christmas Card Prayers The Uncomfortable Christmas

Sit at Home

One Warm Coat

Michelle Anthony

Executive Pastor: Parenting, Junior High, and Children | New Life Church Family Ministry Ambassador | David C Cook Twitter @TruInspiration

Armenia

INSPIRE, EQUIP, SUPPORT

OUR MISSION INSPIRE parents with ideas to create fun, spiritually forming times in the normal rhythm of everyday life. EQUIP parents to become the spiritual leaders of God’s truth in their own households. SUPPORT families to engage their communities and change the culture around them.

Student ID

Everyday Mom Blog

Everyday Dad Blog

Tough Topics

Marriage

Spiritual Grandparenting

Music Spotlight

Jesus in Real Time When God Whispers to Your Heart

What Makes a Father? Called Out of Comfort A Radical Faith Journey

Design and layout by Stephanie Reindel | stephanie@homefrontmag.com

The Tradition of the Candy Cane Tree

Only Jesus

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

EDITOR'S NOTE What comes to mind when you think of Christmas? I think about hot cocoa and twinkling lights and “visions of sugarplums.” I picture standing with my grandchildren, watching them sing beautiful carols at a candle-light service—carols that tell the magical story of a loving Savior entering our world as a baby. Typically, Christmas does not evoke a longing for being uncomfortable or stretching my faith. However, this month’s issue of HomeFront highlights the amazing risks each person took on that first Christmas, and how they were transformed as they stepped out in faith. Our EVERYDAY MOM BLOG (page 34) shares about Mary’s doubt and response, while our EVERYDAY DAD BLOG (page 36) compares being an adoptive dad to Joseph’s role in Jesus’ life. CONVERSATION STARTERS (page 11) challenged me with how the shepherds must have felt when they stepped out of their comfort zones to spread the good news. This month’s CAPTURING THE SEASON (page 6) reminds us that the Magi risked everything to follow the star that led them to the newborn King. This issue of HomeFront challenged and changed me. The truth that God Himself stepped out of everything comfortable—for you and for me—overwhelms me with a desire to “fall on my knees,” as the familiar carol declares. My hope is that you and your family will be filled with the same awe of our incredible Savior! Merry Christmas!

Debbie Guinn

Editor in Chief | New Life Church dguinn@newlifechurch.org

WWW.HOMEFRONTMAG.COM Things you won't want to miss: • Parent blogs to inspire you • Mobile-friendly format • Lots of downloadable giveaways • Marketplace to purchase article bundles and more! The website is filled with fresh ideas and creative resources to help you spiritually parent your children.

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FAMILY VERSE Memorizing Scripture can be an incredible practice to engage in as a family. But words in and of themselves will not necessarily transform us; it is God’s Spirit in these words who transforms. We come to know God more when we’re willing to open our hearts and listen to His Holy Spirit through the words we memorize. Have fun with this verse, and think of creative ways to invite your family to open up to God as they commit the verse to memory. Consider purchasing an 8" x 10" frame to hold your family memory verse each month!

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

c a p t u r i n g t h e s e as o n

the christmas star The Christmas star is a beautiful symbol of Christ’s miraculous birth. Although we don’t know much about the actual star, we do know from Scripture that a bright light in the sky that holy night led the Magi out of their comfort zones and into the town of Bethlehem.

AFTER JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM IN JUDEA, DURING THE TIME OF KING HEROD, MAGI FROM THE EAST CAME TO JERUSALEM AND ASKED, “WHERE IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN KING OF THE JEWS? WE SAW HIS STAR WHEN IT ROSE AND HAVE COME TO WORSHIP HIM.” — MATTHEW 2:1–2

This month, allow these Christmas Stars to serve as a reminder that we, too, have the privilege of worshipping Jesus. WHAT YOU’LL NEED • Christmas Star template download at bit.ly/homefrontstars • yarn or twine (approximately 25 ft. per star) • cardboard • cotton balls or batting • glue gun and glue sticks • hole punch

If you are using batting, cut two pieces of starshaped batting per ornament.

Make a hole in one of the points of the cardboard star with the hole punch.

Loop a small piece of twine through the hole. This will be your ornament hanger.

Attach the batting or cotton balls to both sides of the star-shaped cardboard using the glue gun.

Place a small drop of hot glue on the tip of one the star points to attach one end of the twine or yarn and begin wrapping the star.

Continue wrapping the star, periodically placing hot glue in spots where the twine or yarn may slip.

Once the star is completely wrapped, use a small drop of glue to secure the end of the twine or yarn.

• scissors WHAT YOU’LL DO 1.

Download and cut out the Christmas Star template.

Trace the star onto cardboard and cut around the edges.

by Debbie Guinn Debbie is the Editor in Chief of HomeFront. She has more than 25 years of experience working in children’s and family ministries. She is passionate about equipping parents to become leaders of God’s truth in their own households. Her most cherished time is spent hanging out with her grandkids—they are her favorite people on this planet! Instagram @homefrontsp Twitter @homefrontsp

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

sto ry t e l l i n g

someone in need

Mr. Johnson was packing the back of the van with two hockey sticks, two pairs of skates, and a warm blanket, while Mrs. Johnson buckled Cooper’s little sister into her car seat. Cooper’s team, the Jaguars, was having a great season so far. They had won all but three games in the Boys’ 8 and Under Division, and today was another big game.

“Let’s go, Coop!” Cooper’s dad yelled from the kitchen sink as he finished filling a large thermos with water. “Coming!” Cooper bellowed from his bedroom. Eight-year-old Cooper Johnson sat on the edge of his bed pulling on extra-long game socks under thickly padded hockey pants, and yanked an oversized red and gold jersey over his head. Shoving a black shiny helmet and heavy-duty shoulder pads into his hockey bag, he grabbed some pucks off the floor, heaved the bag over his shoulder and ran down the stairs.

As they drove to the rink, Christmas was definitely in the air. Carols played on the radio. Twinkling lights lit up rooftops and windows. Red ribbon wrapped around street lamps looked like 8

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

sto ry t e l l i n g

giant candy canes on sidewalks all over town. What an exciting time of year!

When the Johnsons got home, Cooper was quiet as he helped his dad unload the car. He set his hockey bag down in the garage next to the family bikes and dropped his game skates next to an extra pair. He rested his hockey sticks against a bin filled with skateboards, football gear, a scooter, and some rollerblades. Cooper couldn’t help thinking about Ty and his too-small shin guards, ripped pants, and old beat-up helmet.

“Don’t forget,” Mrs. Johnson said as they drove, “we’re doing Christmas gifts a little bit differently this year. Remember the poem we learned at church last weekend?” Something you want, something to read, Something to wear, someone in need.

Later that afternoon, Mrs. Johnson went out for errands. When she got home Cooper met her at the front door. He had a feeling the bags she was carrying held a new helmet, some trading cards, and maybe even a really cool jersey.

“Oh, that’s easy,” Cooper told his parents. “Something I want is a new helmet.” Cooper’s helmet was still in good shape, but a kid on his team had a brand new one with a gold stripe on the side that he liked a lot. Cooper went on, “And for something to read … a pack of hockey player trading cards.”

“I think I know someone who needs our help, Mom. And I think I know just what he needs.” Cooper put his jacket on and took the shopping bags from his mom. Together they walked toward the end of the street, headed straight for Ty’s house.

“Don’t you have a lot of those?” Mr. Johnson asked. “Two hundred and thirty seven the last time I counted,” Cooper answered quickly. And for something to wear, Cooper described a hockey jersey he had seen at the mall with his favorite player’s name on the back.

PARENTS

“You forgot the last part, Coop,” Mr. Johnson reminded his son. “What about someone in need?”

Christmas seems to be a time when our children are especially over-indulged with their “wants.” Consider challenging your kids to move out of their comfort zones using this gift list as a guide:

Hmmm … Cooper thought. That part wasn’t as easy. “How about if we give some of our old toys away to the hospital like we did last year?” Cooper offered. “The stuff we don’t play with anymore. Or bring canned goods to Sunday school?”

1. something you want 2. something to read

“Those are great ideas,” Mrs. Johnson said, “but I wonder if there’s someone else out there who may need our help.”

3. something to wear 4. someone in need Don’t be surprised if God's Spirit brings about a transformation in the process!

Mr. Johnson pulled up to the hockey rink and everyone headed inside. Cooper ran to the bench and started to lace up his skates. As the teams got ready to play, Cooper noticed that everyone was there except for Tyler. “Hey, Coach, is Ty coming?” Cooper asked.

by Kathryn O’Brien

Tyler was a new boy in Cooper’s class at school. He had recently moved into a little house at the end of Cooper’s street. Ty was shy and didn’t talk much, but everyone at school knew he was the best hockey player in the whole third grade. Just before the whistle blew, Ty joined the team on the bench. He was wearing the same old ripped hockey pants he always wore.

Kathryn O’Brien writes books for kids and has a heart for moms. She’s published five children’s picture books, including her latest series, Sit for a Bit, which teaches Bible verses to little ones in a fun and lasting way! Kathryn loves writing about faith and family for several publications and online blogs. Website kathobrien.com

Cooper had never noticed till now that Ty’s shin guards looked way too small and his helmet was scratched. But those things didn’t seem to bother Ty—he scored three goals that morning, and the Jaguars won!

Facebook iamkathobrien Instagram @sit4abit

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

wo r s h i p

spread the word What kind of value do I ascribe to God when I choose not to share about Him because it makes me a little uncomfortable? This season, I invite you to reflect with me on the discomfort of the God of the universe coming to earth as an infant, the value He put on each of our lives by doing so, and, in turn, ascribe that same value to Him by getting out of our own comfort zones. One way to do this is by sharing His Word with other people, no matter how uncomfortable it might make us feel. Even as a pastor, it's often uncomfortable for me to share my faith. It's easy to stay in the small talk, or just to find out the facts about a person, but when we get to the point in a conversation where it might lead to the specifics of the gospel, I worry that I might offend. Yet, my most comfortable relationships center around those conversations—the deep and spiritual—the very words I struggle to speak at times. If these are the relationships I most value, why won't I get out of my comfort zone to pursue the same kind of relationships with other people I care for, some of them even family members? A few years ago, our church challenged each person to give away a Bible to someone who didn't have one. We purchased 600 Action Bibles for 600 kids in our faith community to give to to 600 kids in our broader community. I get excited when I think about what God can do with 600 copies of His redemptive story going out into homes. I picture families getting lost in the drawings that both bring the stories to life and bring back memories of childhood comic books. I picture kids sitting up late at night in bed with flashlights reading this story with its golden thread. I imagine parents, who heard these stories as kids, finally seeing how it all comes together as one big story of redemption. I could envision great results, but when it came to the actual moment to give my Bible as a gift, I felt extremely nervous as I entered the conversation with the principal of my kids' school. To be honest, my Bible gift doesn't have some amazing story of salvation, but by getting out of my comfort zone and having an uncomfortable conversation, I broke a barrier to boldness that day and exalted God to the place He deserves in my life. Other Bibles that went out came back with stories of lives transformed, and even years later we are hearing of people finding the Greatest Gift through the gift of a Bible.

This month, I challenge you, as a family, to consider worshipping God by getting out of your comfort zone and giving away a Bible to someone you know. Here are a few simple steps to prepare your hearts and follow through: • Pray about who God would have you give a Bible to— someone who needs to know about His love: it might be a friend or relative, teammate, or even an "enemy." • Pray for the person by name every day. • Be kind to the person God has brought to mind; show love and friendship; deepen or establish the relationship and begin some conversations that might be a little uncomfortable. In this holiday season people more naturally talk about their faith celebrations. • If your child wants to give a Bible to a friend, talk to the child's parents so they understand why this is important for your child, and make yourself available for any questions. • Pray—more. • Present your Bible gift. Explain to your friend that because you value her, you want to give a gift that is of high value to you and your family. In our church's experience, as people told their friends and relatives that the Bible was a gift of significance to them, it was received with gratitude. • Pray that your friend will open the story and read it! • Invite your friend or relative to church—let him know that you would love to have him join you and learn more about God. • Keep praying! God is the one who transforms hearts and minds! We exalt God when we give His Word to others. We also demonstrate our value for people when we tell them about the greatest joy of our lives. So let's get out of our comfort zones and spread the Word! Courtney Wilson Courtney is the Elementary Director at Christ Community Church in the suburbs of Chicago. You can usually find her chasing her four amazing kids around with coffee in one hand and a camera in the other. 10

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

co n v e r sat i o n sta r t e r s

An angel of the Lord appeared. Can you imagine seeing an angel? Do you think you would be excited? Scared? In awe? A long, long time ago a group of shepherds stood out in a field, taking care of their flocks. They looked up at the stars and listened to the gentle bleating of their sheep. Suddenly, a great light flashed, forcing the shepherds to shield their eyes, and an angel of the Lord appeared. The Bible tells us that the shepherds were TERRIFIED! The angel had a special task that night—to deliver a very important message to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10–12) When they heard the message, the shepherds knew that God was calling them out of their comfort zones. In that moment, the shepherds had a choice: they could choose to stay put, to allow this night to be the same as any other, or they could choose to go and see the promised King. The shepherds decided to go—they wanted to know more about the thing the Lord had told them about—and they hurried toward Bethlehem. Once they met Jesus, everything changed—they couldn’t help but share the good news with everyone! God has a similar pattern in mind for us. We hear about the birth of His Son, Jesus. We hurry to meet Him, to know Him, and we realize He offers salvation. And, just like the Shepherds, when we hear this incredible news we have a very important choice to make. Will we stay where we are, keeping the news to ourselves? Or will we be brave and take courageous steps to tell our friends and family about King Jesus?

GET YOUR CHILDREN TALKING 1.

What important choice did the shepherds have to make the night they heard about Jesus?

God has a part for you in His story. He wants you to tell others about His Son, Jesus. List the names of family members or friends you could talk to about Jesus.

When you talk to them, what will you tell those people about Jesus?

by Krista Heinen Krista is the NextGen Associate Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI. Krista helps equip and support the families at Elmbrook through resources, events, and conversations. Twitter @KristaHeinen 11

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

c r e at e

a humble home In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. — Philippians 2:5–7

Home is a word that should bring with it sweet memories from our earliest years. And yet, we all know that, in this fallen world, reality for so many of us is anything but sweet. The first Christmas my husband and I were foster parents was, well, bittersweet. A three-year-old boy and his baby sister had been placed in our home just two months before. Their futures were far from certain. Nobody had asked them for permission to be taken out of their comfort zones right before the holiday season began. How absolutely vulnerable and at the mercy of strangers they were during that time in their little lives. It makes me think of how vulnerable our Savior allowed Himself to be when He took the form of an infant. He stepped out of everything comfortable and was born into a manger—a home we would never think of as pleasant or agreeable! This Christmas season, create these popsicle-stick stable ornaments as a reminder of the home where Jesus allowed Himself to be born—for our salvation! Take some time as a family to soak in the marvel of Christ's absolute humility. May we look for ways to step out of our comfort zones and imitate the humble attitude of Jesus. WHAT YOU’LL NEED

—— Cut two craft sticks at 3 7/8" for the middle pieces of the stable walls.

• 8 popsicle or craft sticks per stable

—— Cut two craft sticks at 3 1/4" to make the roof.

• 1 small wooden star per stable • twine

—— Leave two craft sticks uncut for the floor and center wall.

• glue gun and glue sticks • wire cutters or sturdy scissors

Glue the walls of the stable to the floor. To space them evenly, start with the two outer walls, add the center wall, then add the shorter two wall sticks on either side of the center.

• optional: wood stain WHAT YOU'LL DO 1.

If you would like your manger to be a darker color, stain your craft sticks and allow to dry before beginning.

Cut your craft sticks to the following measurements using wire cutters or a pair of sturdy scissors:

Turn your stable over so the floor is on the front. (You don't want to see the curved and cut ends of the craft sticks.)

Glue on the two roof pieces.

Glue the star in place.

—— Cut two craft sticks at 3 3/8" to create the sides of the stable.

Glue a piece of twine to the back of the ornament for hanging.

by Hanna Erickson Hanna is the social media manager for HomeFront. The brother and sister mentioned in this story are now six and four years old! They, along with a two-year-old little sister, officially became Ericksons last year. This Christmas, they will all celebrate the birth of their Savior as a forever family. 13

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

game time

here we come a-caroling The Christmas season usually means parties, events, and dinners galore! At your next gathering, invite the whole bunch to join in on a fun game for everyone! WHAT YOU’LL NEED • Christmas carol downloads from bit.ly/homefrontcarols BEFORE YOU START Go to bit.ly/homefrontcarols and print one copy of each Christmas carol or simply look up the lyrics to your favorite Christmas songs on your smart phone. TIME TO PLAY! Gather all the players together and designate one person to be the judge. Give this person one of the Christmas-carol cards. Everyone else will sit or stand in a circle. You will also need to select one player to start the game.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

game time

Explain to the group that the judge will share the title out loud. When the judge says, “Go,” the starting player will begin by saying the first word of the carol. Going in a circle, everyone will take turns saying the words one at a time, from memory. If a player misses or forgets the next word, he is out. The following person will pick right up with the missed word and continue on. Keep this going until only one player is left. The judge will use the Christmas-carol card to follow along and make sure everyone says the right words. Once you have your winner, start again with a new carol and a new judge! FOR THE YOUNGER ONES If your kiddos are not familiar with the Christmas carols, it's not a problem! Simply partner them up with an older child or adult. Encourage the pair to work as a team. Perhaps the older child or adult whispers the word to the little one, and she gets to say it out loud. REMEMBER! Whether you nailed every carol or missed every word, there is something quite uncomfortable about remembering words or songs on the spot! Remind your children that even some of the most fun and exciting things can feel a little uncomfortable. In fact, Jesus left the greatest comfort of all—His home in heaven with God—to come to earth as a human. It doesn’t get more uncomfortable than that! But, the good news is, something wonderful happened when He stepped out of heaven. He saved all of us from sin! As your family celebrates the birth of Christ this season, encourage them to remember that sometimes God asks us to do things that take us out of our comfort zones, but we can trust that it will always be for something better, and He will transform us when we obey! by Heather DePartee Heather has been in children’s ministry for seven years and is currently working at The Well Community Church in Fresno, CA, as the Kids Ministry Director for one of their three campuses. She has gone back to school for a degree in early childhood development and is loving every second! She is married to Adam and is crazy about pretty house plants.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

traditions

birthday party

for jesus door. Then they all heard, “It’s Joseph and Mary and our newborn son, Jesus!” The children were delighted when they opened the door to see a man and woman dressed in ancient clothing and holding a newborn baby.

When my children were young, I wanted to make sure they understood the true meaning of Christmas amidst the commercialization and Santa fixation that often surrounds this sacred holiday. So, one year I decided to throw a birthday party for Jesus and invite the children in our neighborhood.

We invited our guests in and gathered around them, bringing the gifts we had purchased for Jesus. As the children brought their gifts, we sang, “Away in a Manger” and taught the children simple hand motions to the lyrics.

I sent birthday invitations for a mid-December gathering asking that the gift purchased for the party would be a wrapped toy we could donate to a local ministry’s toy drive. My children were thrilled to help blow up balloons and put up colorful streamers in preparation for the big day. We made a sheet cake and wrote “Happy Birthday, Jesus” in frosting, and placed a few candles to blow out when we sang the traditional birthday song.

We finished our evening together by lighting the candles on the cake and singing “Happy Birthday” to baby Jesus. We blew out the candles together and served cake to each child. As the children left with their ornaments, we gave them goodie bags along with invitations to join our family at our church’s Christmas Eve service.

The day came for the celebration and so did a dozen children from our neighborhood. As they entered our home, we led them to a table with craft supplies to make an ornament of baby Jesus swaddled in cloth and lying in a small wreath manger.

This tradition became something that our children and the children in our neighborhood looked forward to every year. Eventually it got so big that we moved it to our church and hundreds of children joined in the tradition. Even today, my adult children fondly tell stories of those parties when we gathered together with friends and family to focus on Christ during the Christmas season.

After the children finished their ornaments, I read from the book of Luke, chapter 2, in the Bible where Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem when she was almost ready to give birth to Jesus. Then we invited them to play a game. This was a modification of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Instead of a tail, I made a dozen “Mary” cutouts and we tried to pin Mary on the donkey!

by Michelle Anthony

Next, children decorated sugar cookies—and ate them! We had secretly arranged for "guests" to arrive while they were decorating their cookies. There was a knock on the door … and we led the children to go together to see who it might be. One child was selected to say, “Who’s there?” before opening the

Michelle is the Executive Pastor of Parenting, Junior High, and Children at New Life Church and the Family Ministries Ambassador at David C Cook. Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian education, theology, and leadership, and more than twenty-five years of church ministry experience as a children’s and family pastor. She lives in Colorado Springs and loves a good book and a cup of coffee. 17

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

fa m i ly t i m e r e c i p e COMBINE CHRISTMAS TREE BREAD WITH OUR EASY 15-MINUTE CREAMY TOMATO SOUP TO BRING COMFORTING CHRISTMAS FAVORITES INTO YOUR HOME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THIS COMBINATION IS SO GOOD, YOU'LL WANT TO INVITE YOUR NEIGHBORS OVER TO SHARE THE JOY!

christmas tree bread Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 25–30 min. Yields: 30–36 pieces WHAT YOU’LL NEED

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• pizza dough (refrigerated or homemade)

Preheat oven to 425° F and grease a baking sheet.

• 3/4 block cream cheese

Mix cream cheese, shredded cheese mix, and Italian spices together.

Roll out dough and cut into 30 to 36 even pieces.

Place 1/2 tablespoon cheese mix onto each dough piece.

Roll each dough piece into a ball.

Place 6 or 7 balls in a row toward the bottom of the baking sheet (this is the bottom of your tree).

• fresh herbs (eg., basil, thyme, and rosemary)

Build your tree, using one fewer balls for each row (to create a triangle shape), ending with one ball at the top.

Place 4 balls under the bottom row for the tree trunk.

• Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)

Melt 1 tablespoon butter and brush over tree.

10.

Cook for 25–30 minutes.

11.

Wash your herbs and mince together with garlic clove.

12.

Melt remaining butter, add herbs and garlic, and drizzle over tree.

• 1 cup provolone and mozzarella shredded cheese mix • 1 garlic clove • 1 teaspoon Italian spices • 3 tablespoons salted butter

* For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

15-minute creamy tomato soup Total Time: 15 min. Yields: 4 servings WHAT YOU’LL DO

WHAT YOU’LL NEED • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes • 1 tablespoon crushed garlic

Combine the tomatoes, broth, and garlic. Bring to a boil, and let boil for 10 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sugar and butter. Mix until they are dissolved, melted, and well-combined.

Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring until all the cream is combined and the soup is creamy.

Stir in the basil.

Serve hot with freshly grated parmesan cheese!

• 2 cups chicken broth • 2 tablespoons sugar • 1/3 cup butter • 1 cup heavy cream • 15–20 basil leaves, chopped * For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

by Debbie Guinn

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

k i d s i n t h e k i tc h e n

christmas pinwheels THESE DELICIOUS TREATS WILL BE FUN TO MAKE AND FUN TO GIVE AWAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. CONSIDER PACKING SOME UP WITH AN INVITE TO YOUR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE FOR THAT SPECIAL NEIGHBOR OR FAMILY MEMBER YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO INCLUDE.

Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 15 min. Yields: 20 pinwheels WHAT YOU’LL NEED

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie crusts into two squares.

Generously brush the crusts with the melted butter.

Allow your children to spread the cranberry filling on top of the crusts.

• 2 refrigerated pie crusts

Roll each one into a log.

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Pinch the edges to seal.

• 1 whole egg

Combine the egg and water in a small bowl and beat until well blended.

10.

Brush each log with the egg mixture.

11.

Carefully cut each log into 10 slices.

12.

Place the slices, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet, 1 inch apart.

13.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

14.

Place pinwheels on a cooling rack.

15.

Spread a teaspoon, or more, of honey on each pinwheel.

16.

Let cool before serving.

• 1 cup dried cranberries • 1 cup chopped walnuts • 1/2 cup sugar • zest of 1 orange

• 2 tablespoons water • honey * For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

WHAT YOU’LL DO 1.

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Mix the cranberries, walnuts, sugar, and zest in a bowl until thoroughly combined.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

p r ay e r

christmas card prayers Joey started kindergarten. Cassie made the basketball team. Nate got a new job. Aunt Betty passed away.

a new calling in life, and God has given strength to walk through difficult days.

Such is the news from Christmas cards and letters. Some mundane, some life changing. Always a touch from someone dear.

A few months ago I received a letter from an old friend whom I hadn’t heard from in months (since last Christmas!). All her kids signed the letter, and said they had prayed for our family that day. My faith was encouraged, and I felt the love of God and friends. At Christmastime, days can be so busy that it’s hard to add one more thing. But after the festivities calm down, you can take a moment to be that blessing for your Christmas-card friends. Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Keep praying for the Lord to come in your friends’ lives in the days and months to come, and watch what the Lord might do.

I’m not good at keeping up with social media, so I look forward to sending and receiving Christmas cards, staying connected with friends and family who have moved away, or even those across town. I hang up the cards in our home entry way, and I know that I’m sharing the celebration of Christ’s birth with those I love. But after the celebrations are over and the cards come down, I feel like I’m throwing away a piece of my friends’ hearts that they’ve shared with me. So instead of going in the trash right away (they do eventually go in the trash), those Christmas cards go into a napkin holder on our kitchen table.

PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE

At dinner when we pray, we pull out a Christmas card or letter. Whoever knows the sender best gets to pray for them. From their letter, we know a little of what’s going on in their lives. But sometimes we pray for more. For gospel work beyond surface news. For patience in suffering, for God to change hearts, for God to work through them in others’ lives. There is a danger in praying for people. We have just stepped into God’s story in their lives. We might start caring about the things we pray for. We might call or email and ask how that situation is going. Paul Miller, in his book, A Praying Life, points out that when we pray, God sometimes allows suffering to bring about the deep work needed in a life. As we love that person through prayer, we may also see opportunities to step into their story as God uses us to comfort or give practical help. We may be called out of our comfort zones, out of the safe Christmas-card stories, and into battle for our friends. I rarely see the connections of prayer for those far away to what happens in their lives. They may not even know I’ve prayed for them. But I’ve seen God answer years-long prayers in my own life when I’ve come to the end of my resources and asked friends to pray. Refugee friends came to church, a family member found

Display Christmas cards as they arrive and enjoy sharing the season with loved ones.

Take the cards and/or letters down in January when things aren’t so busy. Place them in a basket or napkin holder where you will see them daily, perhaps at the kitchen table.

Take one card or letter each day and pray for the sender. You can pray alone, with your family, or with a prayer partner.

Optional: Send a note, text, or email to your friends and let them know you prayed for them. Don’t let this step keep you from praying if you don’t have time to write a note!

Ask God which people or situations He’s laying on your heart. Is there a way to comfort, offer help, lend a listening ear, or share the joy with your friends?

Thank God for the people He’s brought into your life!

by Sarah Willis Sarah is a wife to Scott, and a mom to four grown children and one crazy dog. She is also a physical therapist for children. One of her creative outlets is writing funny Christmas letters to friends near and far. 22

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WE MAY BE CALLED OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES, OUT OF THE SAFE CHRISTMASCARD STORIES, AND INTO BATTLE FOR OUR FRIENDS.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

family time

g o d ' s wo r d

the uncomfortable christmas

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family time

g o d ' s wo r d In the face of every human instinct, of all that was comfortable, and the countless implications that would surely follow, Joseph said, “Yes,” to what God asked of him.

Let me paint you a picture of my favorite Christmas Eve tradition: With bellies full of Christmas ham and hearts full from the Christmas Eve service, we make our way to the living room. The fire roars, the hot apple cider steams, and everyone opens a new pair of ridiculous Christmas pajamas. We take way too many pictures, then everyone’s phone goes into a box in the kitchen. Distractions removed, we open the Scriptures to Luke and read through the Christmas story. It’s a familiar passage, to be sure, but it never ceases to build our sense of longing for the coming King. Under the glow of the Christmas tree, we create our own silent night as we reflect and ultimately give thanks for Immanuel, the God who is truly with us. It’s a magical night, really. It’s nostalgic, it’s cozy, and it is incredibly comfortable.

We could go on to discuss the shepherds leaving their flocks, the wise men pilgrimaging across great distance, and Jesus’ eventual followers willingly abandoning their lives and all they’d known. The point is clear: Jesus was and is not concerned with anyone’s comfort. He was not even concerned with His own as He willingly left the Father’s side to put on flesh and bone only to pay the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. In light of this, as Christmas draws near, gather with your loved ones and embrace your familiar traditions of this season. I know I will. But do so remembering the faith, risk, and dependence woven beautifully and consistently throughout this story.

The irony of my family’s tradition struck me recently. In the most comfortable way possible, we remember and celebrate a story wrought with anything but comfort. The more I’ve looked at the people who played a part in the first Christmas, the more I’ve realized how each one took significant leaps out of their comfort zones.

HEAR IT • Read Luke 2:1–20 together as a family. As you read, stop and talk about each person in this familiar part of God’s story. Discuss how they must have felt stepping out of their comfort zones. Share with your children that Luke 1 also tells us that when the angel appeared to Mary she was confused and a little frightened. She even asked, “How will this be?” But as she began to understand what God was asking of her, Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled” (v. 38).

Perhaps most noteworthy is Mary, whom we know was a virgin and engaged to be married to a descendant of King David. We can assume that Mary probably came from a hardworking family of humble beginnings. I imagine they probably kept to themselves, a law-abiding clan that did right in the eyes of the Roman Empire and steered clear of all real danger. One Nazareth evening, their behindthe-scenes lives flipped upside down with the angel Gabriel’s announcement that Mary would conceive and give birth to a son—the Son of the Most High. Now, if what we’ve assumed about Mary is true—that she happily flew under the radar—could anything require more faith, more risk, more dependence than miraculously carrying the most polarizing baby in the world’s past, present, or future? And yet she responded simply by saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. … May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

• As a family, do you feel God is calling you to get out of your comfort zone in a specific way? • If so, how might Mary’s response inspire you to action? DO IT Inviting people to church can sometimes feel risky and uncomfortable. This Christmas, consider stepping out in faith and inviting others to attend the services at your church—make sure to meet them there, sit with them, and engage them in true friendship moving forward!

Then there’s Joseph, the descendant of King David we mentioned above. We know Joseph was a righteous man and we can follow his logic in deciding to break his engagement to his virginyet-pregnant fiancée. Assuming the worst, Joseph planned to quietly part ways from Mary, not wanting to disgrace her publicly. Considering the options, this surely would have felt like the most comfortable, appropriate course of action. But then an angel of the Lord visited Joseph, too, and God brought this humble man into his role to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy.

by Jeff Gideon Jeff is the Storytelling Director at ROCKHARBOR Church in Orange County, CA. He also freelances as a storyteller for ministries, non-profits, and other organizations committed to celebrating God's presence in the here and now. He lives with his wife, Cindy, in Dana Point. 25

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tot t i m e r h y m e ( ag e s 3 & u n d e r )

SIT AT HOME

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you SIT AT HOME and when you walk ALONG THE ROAD, when you LIE DOWN and when you GET UP. Deuteronomy 6:6–7

SIT AT HOME

ALONG THE ROAD

LIE DOWN

GET UP

Have fun reminding your little one that Christmas time is Jesus’ birthday with this sweet rhyme to the tune of "Old McDonald."

Happy Birthday baby Jesus, Christmas time is here. Emmanuel means God with us, Christmas time is here. The reason for the season bright, We celebrate this holy night. Happy Birthday, baby Jesus, Christmas time is here. by Crystal Lewis Crystal Lewis has been a Grammy-nominated, multiple-Dove-Award-winning singer and songwriter for more than 25 years. In addition to being a pioneer of the Christian music scene, she, along with her husband of 26 years, Brian Ray, have raised two children, who are now 19 and 21. Today, Crystal continues to write, record, and tour. Blog crystallewis.com Instagram @thecrystallewis Facebook OfficialCrystalLewis

Twitter @thecrystallewis

Get the audio recording of this song at bit.ly/decembertottime Repetition is fundamental to almost any learning style, so when you’re teaching your children, use repetition! 26

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blessing

A BLESSING CAN BE A PRAYER OF COMMISSION, A BIBLE PASSAGE, OR WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. BLESSINGS CAN BE SPOKEN OVER A CHILD FOR THE PURPOSE OF DECLARING GOD’S PROTECTION, JOY, AND WISDOM OVER HIM.

We don’t often associate “out of the comfort zone” with Christmas, but when we stop to think about it, God becoming a human is about as “out of the comfort zone” as it gets! God stepped into His own creation as a weak, helpless little baby. Jesus was born into a poor family and entered a life characterized by discomfort. His humble birth was only the start. As an adult, Jesus had no wife or kids, no home of His own, no one who fully understood who He truly was. He constantly stepped out in faith, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, yet He got no reward. His best friends all abandoned Him, and He was put to death even though He committed no crime.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As Christians, following Jesus is not comfortable. Why would life be comfortable for us if it wasn’t comfortable for our Leader? We, too, are called to depend on the Holy Spirit and to step out in faith into unknown and uncomfortable situations. We can feel assured as we do this because we know the end of the story. After Christmas comes Easter. Jesus is our Risen King! He has come and will come again! We eagerly await the day when all will be restored, when every knee will bow before Jesus, and when, as His followers, we will share in His eternal reward.

BLESS Then, pray this blessing: “[Insert child’s name], may you have courage to step out of your comfort zone, depending on the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide you. May you follow Jesus even through the hardest parts of life. May you remember the end of the story: that Jesus is coming back, and that there is great reward to come for those who follow Him.” by Emily Schulz Emily is the Director of Family Ministries at New Denver Church in Denver, CO. She is enjoying the newlywed life with her husband, Phil, and recently graduated with her MDiv from Denver Seminary.

READ Read Philippians 2:5–11 over your child:

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ta k i n g ac t i o n

MISSION To provide anyone in need with a warm coat, free of charge. VISION That One Warm Coat will become a part of the American lifestyle; that when a coat is no longer needed, people will think of us and donate it; that donors will be warmed by the knowledge that their coats will go directly to children, women, and men in need. HISTORY In the fall of 1992, Lois Pavlow had an extra coat that she no longer wanted; rather than discard the coat, she wanted to give it to someone who really 28

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family time

ta k i n g ac t i o n

EVERY $1 HELPS PROVIDE 2 COATS

TEXT "COAT" TO 80100 TO GIVE $5 standard data/ text rates apply

RAISE

AWARENESS!

#warmamillion #igavewarmth @onewarmcoat

How many will you warm?

needed it, but didn’t know how to go about doing that. She decided she would hold a coat drive, and with the support of her local Macys, she had a location. For the next nine years, Lois and the Macys in Union Square, San Francisco, organized a coat drive on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving. What started with one coat grew into a sizable coat drive that received local media coverage.

effectively and children find it difficult to learn. For most, a warm coat solves the problem. But, for the nearly 15% of Americans living in poverty, a warm winter coat is a budget “extra.” Families with children make up 35% of the US homeless population.¹1 One in five children is living in poverty².2

Fast forward to November 26, 2001—Sherri Wood was in her car listening to the DJ on the radio station describe the scene at Union Square where a woman was rushing to get to the coat drive before it ended, taking a city bus with 10 gently worn coats overflowing out of her arms. This description sent chills down Sherri’s spine and light bulbs went off in her head, “Why?” she thought. “Why is there only one coat drive? Why does the coat drive only last three days? Why can’t everyone hold coat drives?” Six month later, Sherri approached Lois with her ideas to create a coat-drive program that anyone and everyone could enact, and the One Warm Coat we know today was born. Starting with a volunteer staff of one, a small board of directors, zero budget, and a simple website, One Warm Coat has grown from a single coat drive in San Francisco to a national movement and staff-led 501c3 nonprofit organization. Why? It’s simple. One Warm Coat helps people help their community in an easy and fun way.

3.5 million people experience homelessness each year.2 15% of seniors live in poverty.2 LEARN MORE Website OneWarmCoat.org Facebook One Warm Coat Instagram @onewarmcoat Twitter @onewarmcoat 1 ¹America’s Youngest Outcasts: A Report Card on Child Homelessness. American Institutes for Research & The National Center on Family Homelessness. 2014. 2 Income and Poverty in the United States: 2015. United States Census Bureau. September 2016.

Today, One Warm Coat supports more than 3500 coat drives annually and is currently expanding the coat-drive program to be able to collect one million coats each year. We are supported by volunteer Coat Drive Ambassadors of all ages, representing every state, from preschools to families, faith-based groups to scouts, retail stores to large corporations, and everything in-between. All because one person had one extra coat to give. THE NEED Health experts report that even a 2-degree drop in body temperature results in reduced heart rate, loss of coordination, and confusion. Adults cannot work 29

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family time

g lo b a l

Awakening a compassionate heart and a global mind-set in children for people beyond the boundaries of their own neighborhoods.

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ...

armenia?

Armenia is a landlocked nation located in southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia. Armenia has a total area of 11,506 square miles. Armenia shares boundaries with Georgia on the north, Azerbaijan on the east and south, Iran on the south, and Turkey on the west.

Georgia Azerbaijan

Armenia

Turkmenistan

Turkey

Cyprus

Syria

Iran

Iraq

QUICK STATS

POPULATION

3,031,420

LANGUAGE

ARMENIAN

RELIGION

92.5% ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH 2.3% OTHER CHRISTIANITY 4% NOT RELIGIOUS

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g lo b a l NOW THAT WE KNOW THE LOCATION OF ARMENIA, LET’S MEET ITS PEOPLE.

There are over three million people that call Armenia their home.

If you went to church in Armenia, you would most likely go to a Christian Church.

To talk with your friends in Armenia, you would speak Armenian.

To say, “Merry Christmas,” you would say, "Shnorhavor Amanor yev Surb Tznund" (which means, “Congratulations for the Holy Birth”).

Some Armenians fast (don't eat anything) for the week before Christmas. The Christmas Eve meal is called khetum. It often includes dishes such as rice, fish, nevik (green chard and chick peas), and yogurt/wheat soup called tanabur. Desserts include dried fruits and nuts, including rojik (whole shelled walnuts threaded on a string and encased in grape jelly), and bastukh (a paper-like dessert made of grape jelly, cornstarch, and flour). This lighter menu is designed to ease the stomach off the week-long fast and prepare it for the more substantial Christmas Day dinner. Favorite and traditional holiday foods in Armenia include Anooshaboor (Armenian Christmas pudding), Khozee bood (glazed ham), and dried fruits. Every house is ready with lots of sweets, because anyone might knock on the door and come in for a party!

DID YOU

KNOW

• Chess is a required subject in schools. • Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD. • Mount Ararat is the national symbol of Armenia. Although it’s now officially in Turkey, Armenians have a special spiritual bond with the mountain. As the Bible says, it’s where Noah’s Ark landed after the flood. Masis (as it is called by Armenians) is seen from almost everywhere in Armenia.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January 6th. On this day it also celebrates the Epiphany (which means the revelation that Jesus was God's Son). Epiphany is now mainly the time churches remember the wise men's visit to Jesus; but some churches, like the Armenian Apostolic Church, also celebrate the baptism of Jesus (when he started his adult ministry) on Epiphany. Santa Claus (Gaghant Baba or Kaghand Papa) traditionally comes on New Year's Eve (December 31st) because Christmas Day itself is considered a solely religious holiday in Armenia. At the beginning of December a big Christmas Tree (Tonatsar) is put up in Republic Square in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Children take presents of fruits, nuts, and other candies to older relatives. www.whychristmas.com/cultures/armenia.shtml

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equip

st u d e n t i d (6 t h to 8 t h g r a d e )

Children at the orphanage in Tajikistan. Photo Credit: Nicole Curtis.

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

equip

st u d e n t i d (6 t h to 8 t h g r a d e )

JESUS IN REAL TIME I remember holding a girl named Zamira who had turned 16 that year. Zamira’s brain and body hadn’t developed past the size of a 7 year old. I remember her laugh. It was marked by a deep joy that I encountered for the first time that day. My friends and I walked away from that party with a taste of what adventure with Jesus looks like.

Growing up for 16 years of my life as a missionary kid in a third-world county in Central Asia, you would assume I lived in a constant state of discomfort and adventure. While that assumption wouldn’t be 100% false, I was actually relatively comfortable. I was at home. While I was reaping the blessings of my parents' sacrifice and service, I was engaging in what I now call “service by association.” My parents served, therefore I served. My parents sacrificed regularly, therefore I had opportunities to sacrifice. I usually took those opportunities to serve or sacrifice not out of my own heart or desire, but rather because they were facilitated for me. It was easy, it was convenient, and oftentimes, if I’m being frank, I felt obligated.

In reflecting on my orphanage birthday party, I’m realizing now that was the first time I had the opportunity to risk something big. I was given a unique opportunity to go way out of my own comfort zone and lead my friends into sacrifice. Going outside of my comfort zone is where I first remember encountering Jesus in real time. It wasn’t in going to church every Sunday. It wasn’t in being raised in private school. It wasn’t in prayers before bedtime. It was because of my mom’s boldness in encouraging me to do something different.

A couple months before my twelfth birthday, my mom came to me with an idea. She told me there was a huge need at a local orphanage, and asked if I would consider inviting my girlfriends to visit the kids there instead of having a birthday party at our house. She also asked if I would want to spend money on food and toys for the orphans, rather than receiving gifts that year. I remember staring blankly, wanting to be excited, but rather feeling fear and disappointment. I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea what my friends would think about me. And I didn’t necessarily want to miss out on presents that year.

In a season where we’re celebrating God stepping down out of everything comfortable when He came to earth, how can you facilitate opportunities for your middle schooler to do the same? Be bold and unashamed in encouraging your kids to go out of their comfort zones, because that’s where they’ll encounter more of who Jesus is and what His heart is for the world. His heart is that we invest deeply in opportunities to love people with sacrificial love. This only happens outside of our natural abilities or desires, but will lead your kids to experience dependence on the Holy Spirit from an early age.

I agreed to my mom’s suggestion, and proceeded to invite my friends to my party. On my twelfth birthday, seven of my friends and I walked into a room full of kids of all ages, lying in cribs on their backs, staring at a white ceiling. We were hit by an overwhelming smell of urine, and greeted by the cries of kids who were taken outdoors once a week, twice if they were lucky. There was little to no natural light, and there was one caregiver responsible for a room of 15 to 20 kids. This particular orphanage was for kids with mental or physical disabilities. Most had cerebral palsy, down syndrome, or severe birth defects. I remember my head spinning with a weight I had never felt before.

Why not challenge your children to take that risk as soon as they can? For where their treasure is, there their hearts will be also (see Matthew 6:21). by Adrianne Verheyen Adrianne recently graduated from Vanguard University with her bachelors in Cultural Anthropology. Born and raised in Tajikistan, Adrianne’s heart aches for the voiceless and misunderstood. She loves writing as a way to create awareness and motivate action. She currently lives in Costa Mesa, CA, with her husband, and can be found gardening, dreaming up new recipes, or biking to the beach on the weekends.

We spent that afternoon feeding the kids mashed bananas and apples. We sang songs. We ran a puppet show. We gave them something we had taken for granted our entire lives—physical touch and affection. 33

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When God Whispers to Your Heart Sarah Hume

I can only imagine how Mary must have felt when the angel told her of her role in the arrival of our Savior. Inadequate. Ill-equipped. Doubts as numerous as the stars. And yet, it was happening. God had seen Mary and knew her heart. The plan was in motion and He had chosen her to be the vessel. He knew her shortcomings, her temptations, her moments of wanting to be in control. But He also saw her heart and believed in her ability to trust and yield to His plan. He knew that when she’d put her

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trust in Him, He would take her life on a path she could never have imagined and give her what she needed for each step of the way. I love that God often sees in us what we could never see in ourselves. It’s a beautiful thing and, oddly, gives me that needed boost of confidence when I’m sitting on the fence between comfortable and unknown. Comfortable always looks easier. Comfortable can be done on auto-pilot, which is extremely tempting for this multi-tasking mama. Comfortable tends to make me look better, which is always alluring because I excel at looking like, as Buddy the Elf says, a “cotton-headed ninny muggings” when left to my own devices. Most of all, comfortable doesn’t invite commentary or judgement. Comfortable flies under the radar, which gets this people-pleaser’s vote every time. Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t want us to live in comfortable. He wants to take us by the hands and lead us into the unknown. Outside of our comfort zones is always unnerving. The enemy prowls around every corner there, waiting for us to forget that we walked out with the King of the universe holding our hands. Our family has had the privilege of adopting our youngest three children from China. Our first adoption was planned down to the split-second. Sure there were curveballs, but we knowingly and excitedly walked into the world of special-needs adoption that first time. I always tell people our last two adoptions were a surprise. That tends to get some puzzled looks, but the truth is, our last two kiddos were brought to us. Each of our children’s adoption stories is beautiful and different, but the common thread with the last two is that I sat on the aforementioned fence for quite some time. We already had our three darling girls. Everyone fit in our car. Everyone had her own bedroom. We could all easily fit around our kitchen table. Hotels could accommodate us in one room. Our family and friends had already rallied around us for our first adoption, excited and supportive—would they really do that again? Three kids is a reasonable family size, right? No one stops you and asks how in the world you are functioning with all those children to raise. No one questions your sanity or ability to juggle multiple IEPs, doctors, therapists, and surgery plans. For us, three children was comfortable. Thankfully, God had bigger plans that led us out of comfortable and smack dab into the middle of messy and beautiful. I simply cannot imagine our life any other way, and I am ridiculously thankful God was patient with this mama on the fence. What happens when God whispers to your heart, “It may look crazy to other people, but this is what I want you to do …”? What happens when God places you in a situation so far beyond what you imagined your life would look like, or what you thought you were capable of doing or being part of? If you’re like me, you wrestle with reconciling your inabilities with God’s infinite power and might at work in our weakness. The control freak in you argues that this was not the plan. You start by worrying about what people will say as they watch you step outside the comfort zone, and then you start to worry they might be right! Life outside the comfort zone is never easy, rarely safe, and can often be a lonely road. I truly believe God sometimes calls us outside our comfort zones so that we are forced to walk the edge of the cliff, clinging only to Him to steady us. In that sweet surrender of stepping out in faith, He reveals Himself to us in a powerfully personal way. The narrow path that leads outside of our comfort zones is where transformation lives. It’s where the Holy Spirit meets and equips us for His good work. And, honestly, there’s no place I’d rather be. Do I always choose “outside the comfort zone”? Rarely. But I can assure you that the moments I have felt closest to the Lord and have tangibly felt the Holy Spirit at work in me are when I’ve opened my hands to release my will, leaving nothing but space for His radical plans to fall into my open palms. Sarah has been married for 19 years to her high school sweetheart and they live in Colorado with their five children. You can usually find her reading, writing, crafting, or loving people through baked goods ... but her heart gets most excited to talk about special-needs adoption and advocate for children without a voice, both here and abroad.

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What Makes a Father? Brian Erickson

Just about any teenage boy with bad judgment and the right circumstances can become a biological father. A small window of time can earn such a boy the title of “Dad” for the rest of his life. For reasons unknown to us, my wife and I haven’t had any luck pulling off a feat some teenagers do before finishing Algebra II—conceiving our own child. In the meantime, we decided to foster parent. This seemed like a good way to support my wife, Hanna, and honor the admonition to, “Look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27). As I’ve written before, becoming a parent was never a goal of mine; it was simply a possibility of marriage. I was happy with my wife plus none. My intention in fostering wasn’t to adopt. I went into the process because it was right, not because I strongly desired to. My motivation for caring for orphans and widows was initiated by duty. To put it another way, I put myself in the same posture as the careless teenager—one of obligation. Now it’s four years later and we’ve adopted the only three children ever placed in our home. Does this make me a father? The unwilling teenage father is made so by blood; I’ve been made so by a judge. A familiar, but overlooked, template for a father figure appears to be Joseph of the Christmas story. Joseph fostered and adopted Jesus. Presumably, Joseph wasn’t anticipating God casting a scandalous-looking parenting situation upon him. If God placed Joseph in an unexpected position of fathering authority by manifesting a child in the womb, then it seems safe to assume there are countless ways a person may end up in such a position—desired or not. The unintentional teen dad and I placed ourselves in fathering positions by the workings of obligation and duty. Others may arrive via proximity, like a coach to a player, or a teacher to a student. Still others may arrive on the wings of desire and love. Coaches, teachers, leaders, and mentors are the only fathers some children ever have. What seems to matter is not how we get into such positions, but what we do once we are in them. Do we abdicate, or engage? 36

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Joseph committed to foster and adopt Jesus, bearing the burden of public criticism. He kept Jesus and Mary safe from the murderous King Herod. He raised Jesus to fear and serve the Lord. He provided for the family and taught Jesus a trade. Joseph also disappears in the Gospel stories. After Jesus is the age of twelve, Joseph is never mentioned again. An online Bible encyclopedia describes Joseph in this way: Joseph is known to us only as a dim figure in the background of the Gospel narratives, yet his whole-hearted reconciliation to Mary, even in the face of possible slanderings by his neighbors, his complete self-sacrifice, when he left all and fled into Egypt to save the infant Jesus, are indicative that he was not unworthy to fulfill the great trust which was imposed upon him by the Eternal Father. 1 “Great trust” was “imposed” upon Joseph. As Hanna and I have reached the one-year anniversary of adopting three children, I must consider, “Will I fail the great trust imposed upon me?” Much of my life has been spent dreaming of doing great things for God—wanting to be “somebody.” In the past, I hoped being “somebody” would be as a righteous preacher, positioned front-and-center like a prophet of old, delivering withering words of rebuke and exhortation to an impressive crowd. I’ve hoped to be a healer filled with God’s power to perform miracles, to dream dreams, have visions, and speak divine words. I’ve hoped to be many things, mostly involving me as the center of attention, endorsed by God, and exhibiting power over others. When Hanna and I took in our three foster children, these misguided ambitions began to wither. As the months flicker past, and the children grow, our little family becomes knitted tighter and tighter. These children are flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone. I am a father. Hanna is a mother, and we are a family. We lean into our difficult positions as caretakers. Joseph was a humble caretaker, that was enough.

I don’t care about exerting influence over others, or being a spiritual “somebody” for God. Our world has enough men shouting from stages, but not enough men playing with Frozen dolls, attending tea parties, and crawling around in the dirt looking for bugs. Our world is starving for fathers. Like Joseph, I’ll be one of those. 1 www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/joseph-husband-of-mary.html

by Brian Erickson Brian grew up slowly in dusty Route 66 railroad towns bordering the Navajo Nation. He makes a living as the interactive art director at David C Cook and has been married to his high school sweetheart, Hanna, for nearly 13 years. Brian likes being outside—preferably running. Instagram @BrianEricksonCO Twitter @BrianEricksonCO 37

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called out of comfort the children or even go away for a short vacation during the holiday season.

“When I called you to serve Me in Kenya, I had your children in mind. Don’t let your own fear limit what I want to teach them as they grow up here.”

As our children grow and develop, the choices we encounter as their parents will also change. I remember when I shared with my own parents about God’s call to move to Kenya as missionaries. They gave me unwavering support and encouragement, even when it was not easy to do so. My mother even said, with tears in her eyes, “I would much rather you live thousands of miles away from me, fulfilling God’s plan for your life, than have you living down the street in disobedience.” My mother’s sacrificial and faith-filled response inspires and challenges me as I raise my own children. My continual prayer is that God will help me teach them to hear and follow His voice no matter where He leads them, and that I will say, “Yes,” to what He wants for Abigail and Nathaniel, even if it is a stretch of faith for me as their mother.

These words entered my thoughts so clearly and powerfully one afternoon four years ago. I was pregnant with my daughter Abigail and consumed with concerns and questions about giving birth and raising a child in Kenya. The prospect of motherhood and all the changes that would occur in my life and ministry routine was a huge step out of my comfort zone. I felt unsure stepping into the uncharted waters of parenting, but those words filled me with peace and reassurance as I began my journey as a new mother on the mission field. My husband and I have tried to remember those challenging words as we make parenting choices. One of the first choices we felt God directing us toward was to encourage our children to interact and connect with people—even people who look, speak, dress, and worship differently than our family. This has not always been easy for me, particularly as an introvert. However through this process of setting aside fear and obeying God, our children, who are definitely little extroverts, have provided new opportunities for us to interact with people in our community and build meaningful friendships with them. It has been amazing to see how God is already using our young children in the process of people accepting Christ, and I know it is only the beginning of how He will use them throughout their lives to impact the world.

Perhaps the choices God asks you to make as a parent will be different from ours, but I imagine there will be times when He leads you to cross the boundaries of your own comfort zone. There is a natural inclination within parents to insulate our children in a controlled environment where they are completely dependent upon us. God desires us to entrust our children into His sovereign and capable hands, and to teach them by our example to be completely dependent on Him.

Raising children in Kenya presents unique challenges, especially being separated from grandparents and other extended family. Holidays can be a particularly difficult time as we are learning to make our own traditions and adjust how we celebrate. Technology advancements and having a strong missionary support group here have been a great help. Another blessing is receiving the annual Christmas 4 Missionaries offering from our organization, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC). This gift helps us purchase a few extra nice gifts for

by Kevin and Summer Sneed Kevin and Summer have served as IPHC missionaries in Eldoret, Kenya since April 2009. They are the directors of East Africa Bible College. Summer also works with women to develop Girls’ Ministries. They have two children, Abigail and Nathaniel, who were both born in Kenya. Blog kevinandsummersneed.wordpress.com Our new podcast is called Amani Podcast and is now available on iTunes. 39

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a radical faith journey was powerless as a husband to provide a customarily suitable place for his bride to deliver Jesus. In faith he accepted the humble conditions that would test any man’s identity as a successful provider. Every aspect of the birth of Jesus created a challenge to His family’s comfort zone.

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love the lights, music, food, decorations, traditions, climate, and even the chaos of shopping. The Advent season in our home begins a little before Thanksgiving and lasts until the New Year. On December 26th, I wake up my wife and notify the kids that there are only 364 more days until Christmas! Everything about Christmas provides warm, comforting experiences and memories in my world.

Parenting the Savior of the world came with unique circumstances that pushed Joseph and Mary to the outer limits of their comfort zones. Imagine facing parenting decisions and struggles while knowing that your son is the Promised Messiah. How do you teach and guide the Prince of Peace? What boundaries do you set in place for the King of Kings? How do you influence and teach the Son of God? The feelings of inadequacy that every parent experiences were multiplied for Joseph and Mary, along with the grace they needed.

The first Christmas described in Luke’s gospel was not warm or comfortable for Joseph and Mary. Their journey of radical faith began with the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary that she, a virgin pledged to be married, was pregnant with a child. As an engaged couple they were immediately thrust out of their comfort zones and became the scandalous topic of conversation in the town of Nazareth. To make matters even more uncomfortable, they were required to travel back to Joseph’s tribal home of Bethlehem to register for the census while Mary was in the last trimester—great with a child! Bundled up within the beautiful and warm-fuzzy Christmas event is the cold reality of two newlyweds being led by the Spirit of God on a 90-mile faith journey. When the big day arrived for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, there was no warm and cozy place for them to stay, no midwife or family members to surround them and give encouragement and support. BY FAITH, The manger scene took place JOSEPH AND in a shelter meant for livestock MARY FOUND to bed down during the cold REFUGE AND winter nights, not at all a place STRENGTH IN for fearful first-time parents KNOWING AND to find security and solace. By DOING THE faith, Joseph and Mary found WILL OF GOD refuge and strength in knowing WHEN OTHER and doing the will of God when RESOURCES other resources were absent. WERE ABSENT. Let’s not overlook the painful childbirth with no epidural or Demerol IV to take the edge off the agony of contractions. Mary relied upon God’s strength and power in her time of physical need, and He sustained her physically to birth the Savior of the world. Joseph 41

Joseph, like most husbands, didn’t plan on or dream of being a step-parent. There are emotional and relational challenges that accompany the unique role of step-parenting. Foremost is the issue that another person (a biological parent), takes the lead in parenting decisions that affect your family. Joseph was a man of faith who accepted the role given to him and succeeded by trusting God for provisions beyond his natural abilities. The struggle is still real today. As you and your spouse plan for Christmas celebrations this year, let the examples from Mary and Joseph’s life give hope for your marriage during this busy season. God’s presence and Spirit provided Mary and Joseph with power to live victoriously outside of their comfort zones and still will today if you follow in faith. by Guy Grimes Guy is the founder and president of The Relationship Warehouse in Costa Mesa, CA. He is a counselor, professor, and public speaker. His newly released book, Relationship Matters, is available everywhere books are sold. Website Therelationshipwarehouse.com Facebook Relationship Matters Foundations for Lasting and Healthy Relationships Twitter @GuyGrimes OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE | homefrontmag.com

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the tradition of the candy cane tree be invited to take a candy cane from the tree.

Commercialism was obscuring the true meaning of Christmas. Superstores, stocked with every imaginable toy, encouraged our three sons to be self-indulgent and self-absorbed.

For four weeks, we denied ourselves television. We spent evenings beside the fire reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, baking cookies for our neighbors, working on Angel Tree projects, creating ornaments, singing carols, and laughing hysterically about the structural defects of our homemade gingerbread house. We slowed life to a gentle pace, reclaiming family time during the most chaotic month of the year.

My husband and I decided to battle commercialism’s claim on Christmas by adopting an Advent tradition from my mother-in-law and adapting it to suit the needs of our family. Advent is a period of time for self-examination and denial, intended to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. It starts the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve.

Three days before Christmas, we replaced the candy cane tree with a real Christmas tree. Its lush branches, lit by strands of brightly colored lights and decorated with ornaments, embodied the condition of our hearts with Christ: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4).

We began by daring to be different. As our neighbors pulled into their driveways with majestic, green conifers strapped to the roofs of their cars, our sons combed the woods for a dead tree measuring three feet in height.

That was thirty years ago. Our sons are now married with children and traditions of their own. Recently, my husband and I talked about exchanging the candy cane tradition for something different. Writing this article, however, breathed new life into what has become an old family observance.

The boys took great pride in finding a tree stripped of its leaves. With great ceremony, they paraded it into the garage where we placed it in a wooden base and spray-painted it white. We discussed the tree’s symbolism as the paint dried. Whitewashed, the tree signified the condition of our hearts without Christ: “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean” (Matthew 23:27).

Our grandchildren—ages three, one, and six months—are old enough to walk with Papa in the woods, select a dead tree, and hang candy canes from its branches. Maybe we’ll even adapt it by hanging Scripture memory verses along with the candy canes this year. The candy cane tradition will continue to battle commercialism’s claim on Christmas and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

We reminded our children of the sacrifices surrounding the events of the first Christmas: God denied His deity to bring salvation to the world. Mary denied her dreams and reputation to birth the Messiah on a stable floor. We adopted a spiritual discipline with these sacrifices in mind—we retired our only television to a bedroom closet.

by Sherry Schuman Sherry retired, closing the door to her math class, and stepped into the world of writing. She is a freelance writer and photographer. Her first novel, The Christmas Bracelet, is an “ashes to beauty” holiday tale. Sherry is a charter member of Legacy Coalition: Grandparenting That Matters. She and her husband of 33 years treasure spending time with their children and grandchildren.

The boys placed the dead tree on the vacated television-stand in the family room, draped a cloth around its base, and hung candy canes from the dead limbs. We talked about hospitality, deciding that anyone visiting our home before Christmas would 43

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Parents and kids worshipping together at the Only Jesus launch party in Austin, Texas

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onlyjes.us. Churches can use these videos in their kids program on Sundays, and parents can use them for a fun time of worship at home. Many families have shared with us how much fun they have had together, worshipping Jesus, imitating the dance moves they see on the screen. One family shared a picture of their kids enjoying the worship videos along with five other kids from their block, none of whom are followers of Christ or church attendees!

Uniting parents and kids on the same page when it comes to worshipping through song has often been a struggle. But my passion for children’s ministry is to see what happens at church carry over into the home, and what happens at home carry over into the church. Most worship music written for kids misses the mark, because it’s written with kids as its primary focus. While the content of the songs is good, the song style can make parents want to hit the “eject” button as soon as they drop the kids off. Our ministry team originally tried to solve that problem by choosing songs written for adults and playing them in our Sunday programs for kids. While we did see some families benefit from this approach, it was hard to find songs written for adults that were also a good fit for children. Many times we found a song with a chorus that worked for kids, but the verses just didn’t make the cut. “Oh, how He loves us!” is great for kids to sing, but the lyrics of the verse—“When heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss”—are much more difficult.

To further engage the minds of our kids, our curriculum team put together a family worship guide, also available for free online. It contains two family devotionals for each song, helping kids and parents dive deeper into the biblical truth in each song, and calling them to act on that truth. We hope the lyrics of these songs and the content of the family worship guide capture the minds of our kids. We hope the truth set to song stirs the hearts of our children. And we hope the dance videos and the “call to action” in each devotional inspire actions of worship in our kids. Above all, we pray that these resources lead our kids and parents, together, to worship Jesus, and follow the command of Jesus: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind" (Luke 10:27).

So, our worship team and our kids team came together to flip this approach. What if we could create an album written for kids that parents and adults would enjoy too? We discovered a lot of benefits to writing music in this way. First, all members of a family benefit from songs written with rich theological truth in language kids can understand. Kids can more easily remember truth about God when the words are set to music, and the adults listening along are encouraged to recall the “basics” of their beliefs. These songs also give families a common language for talking about their faith.

by John Murchison John is the Executive Director of Children’s Ministry at The Austin Stone. John writes regularly on the Verge Network Family Channel: vergenetwork.org/category/family Twitter @johnmurk

The sound of the music also needed to appeal to the entire family. I am amazed at the talent of our songwriters and programmers, because they crafted a pop/synth sound that my daughters want to listen to all the time, and I also heard our pastor listening to in his office last week with no kids around. The team created a really fun, upbeat album with songs that get stuck in your head (in a good way).

AVAILABLE ON • iTunes • Google Play • Amazon.com VISIT ONLYJES.US

One of our prayers is that this album gives parents the ability to have a “win” in their worship times at home. To that end, we created Just Dance style videos that are available for free on the album website, 45

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ENVIRONMENTS The order of the 10 Environments listed coincides with the monthly distribution of this resource.

“God has entrusted me with the things and people He created around me.”

“Asks the question, ‘What needs to be done?’”

Serving This posture of the heart asks the question, “What needs to be done?” It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ-followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away!

Responsibility This environment captures the ability to take ownership for one’s life, gifts, and resources before God. A child must be challenged to take responsibility for his or her brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for those who are spiritually lost. Our hope is that the Holy Spirit will use this environment to allow each child to understand that God has entrusted His world to us.

“God fills me with His love so I can give it away.”

“God has a big story, and I can be a part of it!”

“God transforms me when I step out in faith.”

Out of the Comfort Zone As children and students are challenged to step out of their comfort zone from an early age, they learn to experience a dependence on the Holy Spirit to equip and strengthen them beyond their natural abilities and desires. We believe this environment will cultivate a generation that, instead of seeking comfort, seeks a radical life of faith in Christ.

Love&Respect Without love, our faith becomes futile. This environment recognizes that children need an environment of love and respect in order to be free to both receive and give God’s grace. Innate to this environment is the value that children are respected because they embody the image of God. We must speak to them, not at them, and we must commit to an environment where love and acceptance are never withheld due to one’s behavior.

Storytelling The power of The Big God Story impacts our lives by giving us an accurate and awe-inspiring perspective into how God has been moving throughout history. It is the story of redemption, salvation, and hope and tells how I have been grafted into it by grace. It further compels us to see how God is using every person’s life and is creating a unique story that deserves to be told for God’s glory.

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“I belong to God,

“God knows me, and I can know Him.”

and He loves me!”

Knowing Nothing could be more important than knowing and being known by God. We live in a world that denies absolute truth, and yet God’s Word offers just that. As we create an environment that upholds and displays God’s truth, we give children a foundation based on knowing God, knowing His Word, and a relationship with Him through Christ. God is holy, mighty, and awesome, and yet He has chosen to make Himself known to us!

“When I get off track, God offers me a path of healing.”

“I see Christ in others, and they can see Him in me.”

“God’s family cares for each other and worships God together.”

Course Correction This environment flows out of Hebrews 12:11–13 and is the direct opposite of punishment. Instead, biblical discipline for a child encompasses a season of pain, the building up in love, and a vision of a corrected path for the individual with the purpose of healing at its core.

Identity This environment highlights who we are in Christ. According to Ephesians 1, we have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, sealed, and given an inheritance in Christ … all of which we did nothing to earn. This conviction allows children to stand firm against the destructive counter-identities the world will offer.

Faith Community God designed us to live in community and to experience Him in ways that can only happen in proximity to one another. The faith community serves to create an environment to equip and disciple parents, to celebrate God’s faithfulness, and to bring a richness of worship through tradition and rituals, which offer children an identity. Our love for each other reflects the love we have received from God.

IT IS OUR PRAYER THAT HOMES AND CHURCHES WOULD CREATE THESE ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN TO LIVE IN SO THEIR FAITH WILL GROW IN A COMMUNITY OF CONSISTENCY, COMMON LANGUAGE, AND PRACTICE. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THESE ENVIRONMENTS CAN IGNITE A TRANSFORMING FAITH IN YOUR FAMILY, WE SUGGEST YOU READ:

Modeling Biblical content needs a practical living expression in order for it to be spiritually impacting. This environment serves as a hands-on example of what it means for children to put their faith into action. Modeling puts flesh on faith and reminds us that others are watching to see if we live what we believe.

SPIRITUAL PARENTING: An Awakening for Today’s Families

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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A NEW KIDS WORSHIP ALBUM

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V I S I T O N LYJ E S . U S