From the Herd: To Buck or Not to Buck?

This spring's kidding season brought two little bucks to our farm which poses the age old question: do we wether or do we buck? Let's take a look at our general rule of thumb, the methods, and the madness.


Intact male goats (bucks or billies) are generally larger, more aggressive, and apt to buck their owners as well as other goats/animals. Aside from that, sexual maturity also brings about habits quite unpleasing- musky smell, urinating on their faces, and hollering like an insane maniac! My personal policy has always been 'none or one'- there is either one breeding male on property or no intact male at all. Male stalls and grazing areas are never entered without some form of protection (a 2'x4') especially if the male is in rut. Keeping intact males has to be a source of conviction and a test of one's grit; they don't make it easy.


Castrated male goats (wethers) must be castrated before they begin male sexual behaviours (musk and rut) which is generally 4-6 months of age. Wethers are smaller, gentler, quite passive 'pets' or stall buddies. If fixed in time, they will not develop the foul smell nor will they perform the nasty tasks that attract the ladies. I generally do not currently house wethers, however, in the past we did keep them with our does for companionship.


There are many goat farms enlist the services of a vet for castration which can be costly yet effective. This is a surgical procedure requiring shots, anesthetic, an overnight stay, and a cut which may or may not have sutchers. I have only used a vet's services once.


Then we have goat farms who take the issue into their own hands. Castrating on the farm is much cheaper, does need to include a tetanus shot, and generally is 'cut free'. Most farmers utilize one of two methods: burdizzo, or banding.

The burdizzo method utilizes a metal implement which crushes the cords and blood vessels leading to the testicles. I have never used this method, nor do I personally know anyone who has.

The elastrator method utilizes a tool which stretches a band which will be placed at the base of the scrotum in order to restrict blood flow to the testicles causing the tissue to die and the scrotum to fall off. This is the method I use since it is quick, cost effective, and overall very effective.

Both methods should be followed by a tetanus shot and need to be done around 4-6 months of age (when the testicles have descended). Knowing the timing comes with experience, so you may want to employ a seasoned farmer for assistance the first few times.


In the end, the decision to castrate or not- which method to use- are up to the person managing the herd. Breeding farms like mine may keep a buck or they may 'rent a buck' from a partnering farm. Those same farms may employ wethers to barn buddy with does who haven't kidded or who are out of season. Hobby farms or small family farms often stick to wethers and does as pets or pasture management (not really breeding or producing).

This year, our herd is under revision as we phase out of the milk goat business and into the meat goat business. Our decision to change fits our current family dynamic and offers a potential to sponsor youth needing projects. Either way, deciding the fate of a male kid's future is a must. It must be made responsibly and efficiently.


for further reading or to take the goat health study please visit:
http://extension.psu.edu/courses/meat-goat/health/castrating-male-kids

Offerings of Spring

 

The splitter-splatter of raindrops continue in intermittent cycles outside my window. Here and there a bird offers a song to break the melody. I managed a short walk around the property during a break in the rain to find signs of life; offerings of spring.

The herbal garden has greened up quite nicely with spots of color from daffodils and hyacinths. There in the foliage I spied a few early rose buds hinting at their presence. Soon this area will be filled with colored petals and the fragrance of citrus blossom.

Behind our house the woods are full of honeysuckle underlay with the white bloom of dew berry. Every time the sun pokes out bees scamper for nectar, pollinating to ensure a bountiful harvest is coming.

Tree buds can be seen if you look hard enough. Yesterday saw the first hints of pollen dust on every flat surface. Allergy season is sure to hit soon.

In these moments of transition inspiration can be found, for God has not forgotten. As sure as He will unfurl the leaves, He surely will unfold His plan for me. Such welcome sights offer me a realization: that every aspect of my life- be it home, office, blog, business- be a place of comfort and welcome; a place where we linger a bit, long to stay a while, and seek to come again.

The gloom of clouds may stay longer than desired, yet out of the rain will unfurl the glorious beauty of inspiration.

Planning A Thanksgiving Garden

     Yesterday, around a large table in a children's library, there sat four creative souls with one purpose in mind: to create a thanksgiving garden. When the teacher approached me with the idea I was pleasantly fascinated by the notion of it (while slightly concerned about the timing). Sensing my hesitation she pressed the question, can we do it?- and me, well.. challenge accepted!
      The desire was for students in a particular grade level to apply their food growing/tasting/get physically active knowledge toward a particular common goal that could be shared with the entire campus. Okay, so that isn't daunting or anything. 1. Get a mass of fourth graders to work together, in soil. 2. Location, location, location- how do we place it in a communal area where all the school can see. 3. What on earth do we plant? 4. Funding. Everything costs something. Thus we found ourselves in the library; pens, paper, and plenty of coffee (one sweet soul thought to bring granola bars!). Address the mess:
        1. The majority of fourth graders at this campus already spent last year working gardens and preparing food with me; fortunately one of their teachers worked with me last year as well. This gives us a foundation to start with.
         2. Location took care of itself when we realized an atrium garden area was available since the class it was build for and maintained by was no more; a central location, seem by everyone who walks two main halls of the school. A little clean up, a little soil amending and we are ready to go.
          3. Funding (yes, I know I am out of order) will be on each team members shoulder. Some donations have already come in for seeds, and some plants. With a common wish list in hand, we can approach prospective supporters for donations not yet received.
          3. What do we plant (the best part for last)? Well, what do we eat at Thanksgiving? Teachers had already mentioned the notion to students who eagerly put some thoughts in: sweet potato, greens, corn, green beans, white potatoes, herbs such as sage and parsley- oh, and, of course, pumpkins!.. they were on a roll. The only concern now is to find the best variety for our zone and get those seeds in the ground!
           So how will this all play out? The mystery is the most amazing part. Seeing the beauty and chaos unfold is the stuff that fuels my madness! Hopefully, students and teachers will connect outside the paper and book zone in an opportunity to truly enjoy each other. Mentors will arise from the shadows and nurturers will shine. Agriculture will draw together with history as children face plant needs, nature's unpredictability, and the science of kitchen magic. I can hardly wait to get my muck boots on and meet in the garden.
            Will it be successful? It already is! Teachers and students have stepped outside the box; administrators have approved and are watching; the wheels are turning and there is no turning back.    

Blessings...

Wishing you and your families the blessings and wonders of our amazing Savior.

Remember Christmas is

Christ

my 

awesome

Savior!

O Holy Night

On the Eve

   On this eve before Christmas pots simmer and bubble while paper meets tape and ribbon and bow. 

The fire is glowing- cold wind finally came here to blow.

Together we snuggle beneath blankets so warm

Waiting for morning to bring Christmas charm.

Enjoy!

One More Candy for the Road

  

http://pinterest.com/pin/217861700693703548/

   A little moment with Pinterest lead me to The Comfort of Cooking where beautiful peanut brittle decorates their page. Salty peanuts paired with sweet sugar brittle reminds me of candy making days with my mother. One year we stirred multiple batches of brittle with my kids, but a little mishap occurred leaving me with several burned fingers. That's why I never use a heavy bottom pot with a handle...I'm just saying.

   While The Comfort of Cooking's recipe is similar, I can't help share my family's own version passed to me and my kids from days on the prairie.

Prairie Peanut Brittle

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup water

1 cup Karo

3 teaspoons butter

2 teaspoons soda

3 cups raw peanuts 

1 teaspoon salt

In a heavy bottom pot, stir together sugar, water and Karo. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to hard crack stage (300 degrees). Add peanuts and cook until golden. Remove from heat before adding butter, salt and soda. Pour mixture onto a buttered baking sheet. Once completely cooked, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

**sometimes I have not been able to find raw peanuts..I have used roasted with great success. If they are salted, simply omit the salt in the recipe. Also, any nut works well: pecan, almond, cashew and pistachio are excellent substitutions.

Now, I am off for a day of sugar and butter..of candies and cups of coffee. Enjoy your weekend!

Grandma's Buttery Toffee

http://pinterest.com/pin/29484572532239372/

   Gazing across the amazing images on Pinterest this afternoon a vision of English Toffee from The Little Red House caught my eye. My mind wondered to holidays past and the memory of kitchens filled with laughter as we gathered over the years to make wonderful buttery toffee.

Grandma's Buttery Toffee

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup white syrup (Karo)

3 Tablespoons water

Combine these ingredients in a heavy bottom sauce pan and cook over medium heat to 300 degrees (hard crack stage). 

Stir in:

1/4 teaspoon baking soda 

Pour the mixture onto a buttered baking sheet and place on top:

4 large chocolate bars

Sprinkle with:

3/4 cup slivered almonds

   Once the candy cools, we break into random pieces and store it in air tight containers between layers of wax paper. You can score the candy making nicely shaped bars or squares, but I have never been that patient:) 

    This toffee recipe has passed through the years and remains a holiday staple at every family gathering, often tucked in jars and shared as a gift under the tree. Tell me some of your favorite holiday treats..I would love to hear about them.

Grandma's Prairie Broken Glass

http://pinterest.com/pin/253749760224297842/

   Winter time on the prairie was time without garden harvests or planting and plowing. Those chores out of our routine the door was open for some creative fun; candy making. One particular treat that always tempted my taste buds and fascinated by imagination was one called 'Broken Glass'. Red for cinnamon or green for mint, sugar and water magically came together to form a sheet of tasty treasure.

Grandma's Broken Glass

3 3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

1 tsp cinnamon oil or peppermint oil

red food coloring for cinnamon or green for peppermint

In a heavy bottom pot stir the sugar, corn syrup and water over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to a boil. Using a candy thermometer as a guide, bring the mixture to 310 degrees. Remove from heat before adding colorings and flavorings. Pour into buttered pans (I use a buttered baking sheet). Cool completely before breaking into pieces. Enjoy!

A Few Tips:

..candy can be scored and broken into uniform pieces if done when semi-set (before it cools)

..to prevent sticking, toss with confectioners sugar before storing in airtight containers

...this recipe makes excellent lollipops if a form or free form is used

..candy making is best done in sunny weather with low humidity

**remember, boiling sugar doesn't just burn..it maims..be careful!**

   While it has been years since the days of making this magical candy with my prairie grandmothers, the memories are still so fresh and new. On rare seasons here in the south I have made this recipe with my own children, passing along the wonder and fun of these fun simple memories.

Christmas Memories

 

   Cold prairie winds blow snow into glistening drifts- family is gathering. Over night guests have arrived from near and far in preparation for a day of celebrating. Grandma and I have been busy with the aunts baking and cleaning- decorating and wrapping..it's Christmas on the farm.
   The day is filled with visitors and visiting- treats are nibbled while grown ups share coffee and news. Cousins play in the basement with toys our parents played with when they were little. Anticipation grows as the day wears on.
   Around the farm table everyone sets- everyone in their place. Card tables are set for cousins; just off the side of the big table and right next to the treats! Delicious aromas fill the air: roast turkey and buttery mashed potatoes- my mother's clover leaf dinner rolls, jello salads (Watergate and Pretty Pink) set beside a carrot salad and creamy deviled eggs.
   When the children become antsy the family makes their way to the big living room. Seats are taken around the magnificent tree as beautifully wrapped gifts are passed from person to person. Crinkly bows and twirly ribbon sparkly against bright colored paper. Dolls and games, cars and books- some clothes and perfumes  Pots and pans, sparkly 'what-nots'; gifts are opened and shared together in a carol of laughter and awe.
   There are a few quirky little gifts I look forward to like nothing else: the big red stocking and the cardboard story book. The big red stocking made of red netting is filled with silly little 'this-and- thats' that adults consider nonsense any other time of the year. Bouncy little rubber balls and swirly colored marbles; jacks and jump ropes or bubbles and water pistols...odd little 'store bought' candies like chocolate marshmallow Santas and candy coins. The story book is brightly colored cardboard that opens into a book filled with my favorite little hard candy- Lifesavers. A dozen rolls of every flavor they make will surely last me the whole year (not really, but I always think it will).
   With gifts all done we trickle toward the kitchen for pinches and tastes from the desert table. Grandma's poinsettia printed tablecloth covers card tables festively displaying her magical treats. Cherry mash candies sit next to her traditional Christmas pie. Sheets of 'broken glass' shine in red and green- one is cinnamon and one is mint, while toffee and brittle sit beautiful nearby. My mother's pies sparkle with shimmery sweet crust- one cherry and one apple with lattice tops and perfectly crimped edges. Deciding what to have is the challenge.
   Sitting there in the evening glow of colorful lights and soft evening lamps, my gaze wanders to the wild prairie. My eyes fall to the window where plastic candelabras shine with orange lights greeting cars as they pass by. Outside that window my prairie stretches out far and wide beneath a blanket of shimmering lights. Quiet and still the night glistens with beauty and wonder....so magical is the time when it's Christmas on the farm.

Simple Candies

Candy making is a long standing tradition in my family; one that spans back as far as I can remember. Wonderful memories of grandmothers and aunts gathered in kitchens. Sweet syrupy aromas bubble and swirl. These rich memories are treasures of mine. Memories like these I wanted for my kids..and I could hardly wait to start. 

We all know that cooking with small children has to be simple and easy; complicated candies just wouldn't do. As a step to bigger things, we started candy making with our little ones with two very simple candies: White Chocolate Peppermint Bark and Peanut Clusters.

   For the White Chocolate Peppermint Bark, we start with a large bag of peppermints- unwrapped and placed in a resealable bag. Using wooden spoons and rolling pins the mints are pounded and swacked to a nice chunky to fine consistency. While the kids crush the mints, I would melt a package of white melting chocolate in a double broiler. All hands gather around as the mints swirl and stir into the chocolate before being poured into a wax paper lined baking sheet or dropped by spoonfuls onto a wax paper surface.

   As soon as the dishes are washed it is time for a little milk chocolate treat. Melting some chocolate melting chocolates in a double broiler we then stir in salty peanuts for a wonderful treat. Dropped onto a wax paper lined usrgace, they hardly set before kids start sneaking a taste.

   Though our kids really outgrew these simple recipes, the taste for their sweet salty minty goodness. In the fair of toffees and brittles our first shared candies still find a home. In fact, this year they have been shared and passed on to new friends and younger families.

 

Make Contact

   The cold chill of the Christmas season draws us near to one another. We gather around tables and near fireplaces..loved ones all around. Despite the long list of things to be done and the hectic holiday traffic, our family sets our mind with stern determination to make contact.
    Not the contact by email or an online chat, but a face to face or phone to phone contact. Contact with the home bound, the assisted care residents..contact with family far away or a long lost friend. Lonely people are every where waiting for a friendly visit or phone call.
     As I join my parents at a local hospital for my father's heart cath, I am reminded of one Christmas contact. My friend and I had children close in age..and both had children in the hospital for days on end. Home from that now, our hearts went out to families stuck in those rooms during Christmas. We bundled our kids and hit the store filling bags with toys, games, and books...delivering them to the very floor of the hospital our own kids had been in just weeks before.
    Only a few years later, that friend and one of her daughters died in a car accident. Of the many fond memories I have of her and her family, our day of 'making contact' is one of my favorites. We not only made contact with families, but made contact with each other..a connectino that will last eternity.
      

Season's Serving: Angel Tree

Image from Angel Tree program

 

    

   Ministering in the prison system opened our eyes to things we otherwise may not have seen. While convicted criminals pay their debt to the society they have wronged, their families pay a heavy price..their children in particular. Suffering unnoticed are innocent victims of the choices made without them. 

   The Angel Tree program connects incarcerated families with their children through Christmas gifts given by donation. Children's wishes are placed on ornaments that decorate the Angel Tree often  set up at various churches or businesses; ours is at the YMCA. 

   Each year that one of our family members has worked for the YMCA we have chosen an ornament and filled the needs of a child or set of children...offering not only a gift, but the ministry of hope to their family.  For more information about the Angel Tree program, please visit their web sight here. 

Season's Serving: Filling the Need

   Holidays are times of gathering and feasting; of fireplaces and fuzzy blankets...but not for everyone. In our own backyard people are hungry, homeless, and cold..facing the season without their basic needs being met. As we prepare to share our blessings with one another, we also focus our feet on sharing our blessings with others.
   Food pantries are everywhere; our county, our churches, and often in local charity kitchens. Our family has gathered extra supplies for many avenues of pantry ministries. From our own local church, to the home reaching out to inmates' families food donations are always in need..in season or out. Grocery chains offer the convenience of purchasing a prepackaged bag of groceries for our county food bank...and crisis centers send mailers in our mailbox daily.
   In our shopping cart this month, those extra sale blessings..the two for fives or buy one get one's.. will be set aside and shared with those who need a little extra assistance. We never know when we ourselves may be on the receiving end of one of these special blessings.

Season's Serving: Give a Gift

 

In the day in and day out of things there often comes unique opportunities to share the love of Christ in ways that maybe only we can appreciate. My children have grown up in an agriculture rich, 4H environment that gave them a clear understanding of our relationship to our food. A desire to share that understanding and that gift came to light in the form of a goat. 

A year of county fair goat projects brought us to the World Vision  program. Here was an opportunity to send families in need the gift of sustainable living; a goat, some poultry or even the gift of water any where in the world. 

As our 4H project changed focus over the years, so did our choice of gift; one year a goat, one year some poultry, and so on. It has been a blessing to see my children's enthusiasm at the arrival of their gift catalog. Gathering around the table, we plot and plan the amount to spend and the gifts we can make; joy abounds no matter their age. 

Amazingly enough, this led us to year round sponsorship of children needing basic necessities, including education. We have been blessed to sponsor a child that out grew the program..and to take on a new one, just starting out. 

In a nation that has so much, I am proud and humbled to open the eyes and hearts of our family to the desperate needs of others.

Season's Serving: Assisting the Assisted

   When my children were grade school age, a conversation crossed our table...what would be under Christ's Christmas tree? Such a question sparked new conversation year after year. The easy answer is He wants our heart. Yet, the question rises how do we give it to Him? As a family committed to putting our faith to our feet we have worked in some wonderful opportunities over the years for giving Him our hearts for Christmas.
   My husband is a pastor..and has been a pastor to the assisted living residents off and on for many years. One particular season, he was serving in a 'ward of the state' facility. This facility was heartbreaking and in great need. Spending Sunday after Sunday with the staff and residents, our hearts ran deep with compassion for the situation they faced. That year, we put our faith and love in action by hosting a drive for 'necessities'.     
   I never realized many facilities depend on donations or family members to provide incontinence care needs (Depends) for their residents. In a state run facility, supplies often run short leaving a desperate need. Every shopping trip we made, a box or two of 'necessities' were purchased. On an off day (a day during the week when we were not expected to be there) we made a discrete trip by to deliver our offering.
   Now, we also hand delivered cards and little gifts to the residents and hosted a Christmas singing for them..but the secret joy in our hearts was knowing a private need was being met..and that our young children shared in an offering of compassion. Year after year, even though we are no longer hosting services in this facility, our hearts are always blessed by the secret service of assisting the assisted.

Fun Finds: Christmas Traditions

   Traditions run deep in many families..and new traditions come as families grow and change. Today was take a stroll through the web to look at the wonderful family traditions from all corners of the blog-o-sphere.

 

Over at The Texas Darlings there are gingerbread houses and family hayrides. My children grew up with both of these wonderful traditions and share those memories often. They may have slanted walls or droopy eaves, but a gingerbread house made together is a wonderful decor for a holiday table!

 

Next we land at Cracker Barrel where their Pinterest board shows popcorn garlands. I find this quite a challenge to do, but loved doing it year after year. Who knew you could laugh..and cry..so hard?

 

Around-about we land at Blooming Mommy where a family focused Advent calendar grew and bloomed over the years. We also used various methods of Advent during the course of our parenting journey..our favorite involved lighting candles. The possibilities are only limited by our imaginations.

  

Finally we land at Love to Know for some wonderful information on sharing Christmas celebrations from around the world. Doesn't a "12 Days of Christmas" learning plan sound wonderful? 

   As we prepare for the joyous celebration to come, may we not forget the reason for our gathering. Remembering the birth of our Savior is the most precious tradition; one that can last a lifetime and beyond. Join me next week as we look at serving and sharing Him during the holidays.

Trimming Our Prairie Tree

 

   Many years have passed since my days of Christmas on the prairie, but the memories are so strong and dear to me. The sparkle of lights and old fashioned ice cycles..tinsel and trimmings on a fresh prairie tree..family coming in..all the makings of a prairie gathering. 

   Outside the sunlight sparkles on fresh fallen snow- no wild and free prairie roaming right now; there's a tree to trim. Grandma pulled boxes and boxes of ornaments from the basement bedroom..they sit waiting to be hung. Chores come first here on the prairie farm, but once they are finished it's time to trim the tree.
   Bubble lights bubble next to the flower petal lights that twinkle from their strands. Out of the boxes come shiny balls of all colors; I love the way the lights make mysterious reflections on them! Felt flexible elves sit here and there as glossy Santas, stockings and ovals make their appearance. Wooden toys hang here and there amidst swirls of tinsel..the tree takes on such a magical wonder as piece by piece these items are hung.
   Disheartened at finding the end of the ornaments- boxes are all empty; only the tissue paper remains....one more thing is lacking. Grandma pulls a package from the back room...icicles! Isn't it amazing how they look like one sheet of shiny paper until you touch them and they come apart? String by string we fling them here and there- careful to keep them away from the light bulbs. The final touch is next...the little angel.
   With light bulbs for hands and golden hair, the little tree angel glows brightly from her perch atop the tree. I love to daydream about her..make up little stories about her life and her work watching over little prairie girls like me. She is my favorite part of the tree; soft and sweet, so beautiful and bright.
   We step back and admire our work; Grandma adjusts a few things here and there being sure it looks 'just right' from the big picture window it sits in front of. I think it's amazing standing there in all it's might...tall and majestic; filled with wonder and excitement. The trimming of the tree brings us one step closer to Christmas and the gathering together of family on the farm.

A Quirky Tradition

  

   Years ago I was invited to a woman's house to do some quilting. In her kitchen a tiny door was tucked under the cabinets; almost too discreet to see. When asked the purpose of the door she replied it was just for fun. There in sparked a silly and quirky tradition.

    This sweet little mouse ornament has been making her crafty appearance around the farmhouse since the first year we moved in. Only seen when holiday festivities are underway..she might be found under the piano or perched in a window sill. Each of us takes turns with joy and laughter placing her here and there. Great fun and imagination shine through her silly antics. Watch in corners and in the branches of the tree because you never know just where she might be.

   Today I found her tucked among the decorations just waiting to appear in our home. A smile crossed my face at the memory of many fun adventures we have had with her..oh the stories made up and shared over such a simple and quirky thing.

Dreaming of Home

   It may be December, but our southern home has been unseasonably warm and disturbingly muggy. Hopes of 'white Christmases' and evenings by the fire seem lost in the gunk. Standing in the laundry, sweat dripping down my neck, a sense of longing filled me..a longing for home. Days of prairie Christmases are long gone, but they are never truly far away when my heart starts dreaming of home.
   Thanksgiving festivities have come and gone; the prairie falls silent. Morning dawns with magical surprise as snow flurries flutter across the prairie softly blanketing barren fields. Frosty windows transform into perfect canvases for creative little fingers. Grandma reminds me..those windows do not clean themselves. Nothing dampens the anticipation swelling with in me--Christmas is coming!
    Shopping plans are made- a long car ride to the next town is torture for an anxious farm girl. Visions of winter wonderland scenery play outside the car window as the long ride brings us across the farmland. Once at the store beautiful greenery and bright colored decorations spark my deep desire for this beautiful season. I can't wait to get back to the farmhouse and start 'making ready.'
   Day falls as we travel back home; unloading the car in the chill reminds me evening chores will be dreadfully cold. Snow crunches under my boots as I trek down the drive toward the big old barn. Warm noses nuzzle me as feed is cast. I slip off my gloves to let rough tongues gently swipe my fingers. No one likes chopping frozen water troughs..not even me! Yet, the victory of breaking through the glossy sheet of hard ice is sweet as the cows crowd around for a drink. Those soft warm bodies radiate such heat I can't resist the urge to snuggle one.
   Trudging back toward the farmhouse frost glistens from the old red water pump- I remember stories of my mom sticking her tongue on it- a giggle slips from deep within me and breaks the silent scene. There I stand  for just a moment, to take in the view before me: soft snow sparkles in the dusky light, prairie wind lends its sorrowful moan, the rustle of a nearby tree.
   Closing my eyes I tilt my head toward the setting prairie sun. A deep breath fills my lungs with cold crisp air sending a shiver over my whole body. My prairie is changing bringing anticipation of new things- a longing. Joy and wonder abound in my heart... I am here in the midst of a magical change.

Teaching the Nativity

 

   Every aspect of the holiday season is an opportunity to teach a child, and every family has their own unique ways to share the love of Christ with their children. A favorite teaching tradition in our little home is the setting of the nativity. Week by week the scene unfolds bringing to life the story of a Savior piece by piece. Starting with the family Bible open to Luke 2, the angel comes to Mary to tell of her great calling; next week Joseph will have his dream. On and on we go week by week- each piece of the Nativity is set out- added to the scene- as we come to its place in the story.
   The story marvelously unfolds as we gather together until on Christmas morning each family member chooses a piece of the Nativity to hold. My husband takes the family Bible and reads the story of Christ's birth as one by one we place our piece in the stable...ending with him placing the Babe in the manger. Precious hymns are sung...O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Silent Night, Away in the Manger..until we end with Happy Birthday Jesus.
   Our tradition has been shared year by year with family, friends, and Sunday school classes. Children love the interaction and anticipation of placing each piece in the scene as truth is shared in this moment of togetherness. Today I am grateful for the amazing creativity that brought this precious memory to our family.