Last year, inspired by some of the bucket lists I saw online, I made a bucket list for fall. My kids enjoyed that bucket list so much that they asked for a Christmas bucket list also.
A simple list with some important reminders. A festive list with a few fun ideas. A place to write down the names, the dates, and the places. A bit of inspiration to slow down in the rush of the season . . . to make sweet memories . . . to mark the moments.
I've updated the Christmas Bucket List for 2012. If you'd like to download and print a copy, click here.
If you're not familiar with the Jesse Tree Readings for Advent, (mentioned in the bucket list, above) the stories from Scripture that trace the lineage of Jesus, the root of Jesse, you can find a beautiful rendering of these stories over at Ann Voskamp's place, A Holy Experience. Ann has made the Jesse Tree Journey devotional available for free, with the full Bible text for each reading included and beautiful, full-color as well as black & white illustrations to cut out and use as you mark the days of Advent. This is my favorite way to count the days of Advent! Click here to find Ann's Jesse Tree Journey devotional.
And as we mark the moments in preparation for Christmas, I'm continuing to count His endless gifts and grace . . .
#1579 kids and husband hanging lights on the house
#1580 Christmas music playing while we work
#1581 white lights and a red bow on the reindeer out front
#1582 a festive wreath on the door
#1583 nutcrackers on the mantle
#1584 red plaid bows on the candlesticks
#1585 coming home to the house all lit in Christmas lights
#1586 small town Saturday night
#1587 bar-b-que for dinner
#1588 live band playing country music
#1589 French toast for breakfast
#1590 Jupiter blazing next to the full moon in the night sky
#1591 cranberry orange tea with honey
#1592 homemade apple bread
#1593 10 little fingers & 10 little toes...new little one in the family
#1594 impromptu dinner with Gram, Grandad & Granny
#1595 troubleshooting...figuring it out
#1596 leafy greens with feta, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds
#1597 listening to the Lifeway Women cd
#1598 skimming through books at the Christian bookstore
#1599 morning fog hanging low in the field
#1600 getting the squirrel out the door
#1601 the laughter that followed the frantic frenzy of a squirrel in the house
#1602 boy-child jumping up and down, so excited to find ice cream in the freezer
And give thanks for everything
to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:20, NLT
