Christian Grandparenting Blog

As grandparents, are we "lavish gift-givers" or "gracious gift-givers"? Doing a heart-check of our motivations precedes general guidelines and practical tips for wise grandparents at Christmas.

Do you love to relax with a cup of hot chocolate or a big bowl of popcorn and watch a family Christmas movie with your grandchildren? If so, have you thought about how movies can serve as conversation starters? Here are five Christmas movies with a brief description, age appropriateness (based on Common Sense Media), follow-up questions, and related Scripture.

Every grandparent wants to see their grandchildren grow up confident, kind, and strong enough to handle whatever life throws their way. The good news is that resilience doesn’t come from having an easy life; it grows through faith, love, and the example of those who’ve walked before them. We grandparents have a vital role to play in planting the seeds of spiritual strength.

Today’s Thanksgiving celebrations are quite different from the first one when Pilgrims harvested a bountiful crop. It’s inevitable that traditions change as families grow and adult children build their own traditions. It may be time to find new ways of sharing our thanks to the Lord for what He has done for us.

God’s presence is a mysterious concept. The Bible teaches us that God is omnipresent. This means God exists beyond the constraints of time and space, always being fully present in very place at all times.

Throughout Scripture, God instructs us to remember Him. This includes recalling His character, provision, protection, gift of salvation, merciful kindness, and immeasurable love. The decorating ideas that I share here are meant to inspire children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors (and anyone else you invite into your home during Thanksgiving) to remember and express gratitude for the blessings they've received.

Our culture is very me-centered and entitled. Our grandchildren are bombarded by advertisements encouraging instant gratification and discontentment. While there is nothing wrong with admitting to having longings or desires, grandparents can contribute to the development of a contented and grateful heart in their grandchildren.

Connecting and reconnecting with grandchildren holds immense significance in the context of Christian disciple making. It allows us to pass on not just family traditions, but also the timeless truths of the Gospel. As grandparents, we possess a unique role in shaping the spiritual foundation of our grandchildren, contributing to their growth in faith and character.