For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given… (Isa. 9:6)

If you or I were aliens (just indulge me on this) arriving on earth for the first time during the Christmas season, what would we learn about this earth holiday called Christmas from the songs played on the radio or television airways? Would we only hear about Santa, toys, shopping and such, or would we be able to pick up on the message of a coming Savior?

While I’m pretty sure aliens don’t exist, our grandchildren do. And so do the noisy Christmas messages in their young ears. What sings louder in their hearing—the songs of Santa and gifts, or songs of our Savior’s coming? I think we know the answer to that.

Parents and grandparents are challenged with finding effective ways to filter out all the messages that distract from the real meaning of Christmas, and impress upon these young minds the glorious truth about the story of the greatest gift ever given to mankind.

That is why I am excited to share this blog from my friend, Mike Young, founder of Noble Warriors and the Let’s Build a Manger project he created. While this project is designed specifically for dads and granddads to engage with their children, single grandmothers can do it as well. Even better, why not make it a multi-generational project for the entire family?

I’ve said enough. I’ll let Mike tell you more about this great family tool.

Let’s Build a Manger!

By Mike Young, Noble Warriors

Many of us who claim the name of Christ lament that the tinkle of silver bells and twinkle of bright lights are so noisy and distracting that we miss the simplicity of the Christ-child whom we celebrate. It’s nearly impossible to keep from being swept into this current of American culture. The world’s view of Christmas is attractive and flashy. The biblical account of an out-of-wedlock birth to a poor couple in Bethlehem apparently needs some marketing help from a man in a red suit. NOT!

So, how do we get back to the very simple message of Salvation that comes through the One in the manger? How do we focus on the awe and obedience of the lowly shepherds? How do we turn our attention back to The Bread of Life from The City of Bread? Clearly, there are numerous ways to do that, but I want to point you to one specific resource. Dad’s Tools for Spiritual Leadership: Let’s Build a Manger!

Created out of a father’s desire to keep Christ in front of Christmas for his family, Let’s Build a Manger sets the stage for great family fun as Dad leads the kids in building a small manger. The building process could take from 10 minutes to nearly an hour. Time really doesn’t matter. What’s important is dad’s or granddad’s focused attention and engagement with the kids.

The real adventure, however, starts after the manger is finished. That’s because Dad (or Grandpa) is equipped to lead the family through six activities to focus everyone on the great gift of salvation that God gave us through His son.

• Road Trip – What was it like to travel 80 miles in Jesus’ time?
• City of Bread – The Bread of Life came from The City of Bread
• Searching for Jesus – Remember the awe and obedience of the shepherds
• Birth of a Family – Jesus Heavenly Father gave him an earthly family
• The Word Cones to Life – So, how does the story go?
• From Christmas to the Cross – Looking beyond the manger to cross and empty tomb

This year, help your family (and/or someone else’s family) press ‘pause’ a few times to put Christ back at the front of Christmas. Learn more about Dad’s Tools for Spiritual Leadership: Let’s Build a Manger at www.dadstools.org. Order your kit today while’s there is still time.

If you do the Build-A-Mange project this year, share with me your story about that experience in your family. [Click here to send me an email] Be sure to also share this amazing tool with others you know.

I am so delighted to introduce you to a few special friends who are part of the newly formed Legacy Coalition: Grandparenting That Matters. Valerie Bell, author, speaker, former chairperson with MOPS; Lynda Freeman, Senior Writer for the Legacy Coalition and the ‘grandma’ of Grandma’s Cookie Jar; Cathy Jacobs, founder and President of Pass the Legacy. Each of these amazing people will be featured each week in addition to my blog or as guest bloggers for your benefit and blessing. Here’s the first installment:

Valerie Bell: A Christmas Legacy

Lynda Freeman: (2 blogs) Top 5 Reasons for Focusing Our Grandchildren on (1) GIVING; (2) RECEIVING at Christmas