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Blog

I'm sharing my knowledge and experience to you through my blog. I hope you find it useful and interesting

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All Blog Posts

Beth Runkle
Dec 20th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

Make a Birthday Cake for Jesus that has real meaning

A Birthday cake for Jesus is a powerful and creative way to keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Each step of the cake has a clear meaning that points to the Gospel, from the red and green layers to the yellow frosting and the central candle that represents Jesus. Kids love the visual and hands on experience, and it naturally opens the door for sharing the story of Jesus with other families. Hosting a Birthday party for Jesus becomes both a fun tradition and an easy way to introduce the Gospel to children and parents who may not know Him.
Make a Birthday Cake for Jesus that has real meaning
Beth Runkle
Dec 20th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

6 Ideas for a Kid-Friendly Christmas Morning

Christmas morning can stay Christ centered by beginning with Scripture, a hymn, and prayer before opening any gifts. Families can open presents one at a time to build patience and help kids celebrate each other. You can also shift the focus from things to experiences by gifting events or outings. Use simple activities to teach kids about budgets and gratitude, like pretend spending with play money or writing thank you notes. Let children enjoy their gifts at their own pace and take breaks to play. Ending the season with a night of thanks, special dessert, and a thank you note to Jesus adds meaning to the celebration.
6 Ideas for a Kid-Friendly Christmas Morning
Beth Runkle
Dec 4th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

10 Ways to Share Jesus with your kids, neighbors, and friends

Hosting a Birthday Party for Jesus is a fun and meaningful way to help kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas. You can invite other families and include activities like acting out the Christmas story, Advent ball hunts, crafts, games that point to the Gospel, and giving gifts to bless others in need. Singing, watching a Christmas video, and enjoying foods from Bible times make the celebration even more special. Ending with a Birthday cake for Jesus ties everything together and creates a memory kids will remember for years.
10 Ways to Share Jesus with your kids, neighbors, and friends
Beth Runkle
Nov 27th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

How do you deal with Elf-on-the-Shelf?

Instead of using Elf on the shelf, you can create a daily Advent tradition that keeps the focus on Jesus. Kits like The Shepherd’s Treasure or The Christmas Star from Afar give you simple ways to set up faith centered scenes each day. You can also use your own nativity pieces by hiding a star, moving Mary and Joseph toward the manger, or letting the Wise Men travel after Christmas to celebrate Epiphany. These routines build excitement while pointing kids back to Jesus all season long.
How do you deal with Elf-on-the-Shelf?
Beth Runkle
Nov 19th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

Consider Building a Jesse Tree

A Jesse tree is a beautiful Advent tradition that helps families trace God’s promises through the Old Testament and see how they point to Jesus. Each day you hang an ornament that represents a story of God’s faithfulness and read the matching Scripture. You can print ornaments, make your own, or even host an ornament exchange to collect a full set. Many families display the Jesse tree in a visible spot to spark conversations about Jesus. This simple daily practice gives kids a strong foundation in Scripture and keeps the whole month centered on Christ.
Consider Building a Jesse Tree
Beth Runkle
Nov 15th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

What is Advent anyway?

Advent is a season of reflection and anticipation that points to both the birth of Jesus and His promised return. It has been part of church history since the fourth century and grew from a time of prayer and preparation for baptism into a season that helps believers refocus on Christ. Many families celebrate Advent with an evergreen wreath and four candles that symbolize hope, faith, joy, and peace as they prepare their hearts for Christmas.
What is Advent anyway?
Beth Runkle
Nov 12th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

Daily Family Advent Devotions during Advent

Building nightly Advent devotions is one of the best ways to keep December centered on Jesus. Even starting with five focused times during the season can help families build a rhythm that often continues all year. Daily Scripture reading, prayer, worship, and simple carols help kids see that Jesus is the priority. Many great Advent guides and free online resources make it easy for families of all ages to join in. This tradition becomes a powerful way to pass on genuine faith and create Christ centered memories.
Daily Family Advent Devotions during Advent
Beth Runkle
Nov 7th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

Christmas Countdown Books

A Christmas Countdown Book Box is a fun and meaningful Advent tradition for kids of all ages. Each day a new book about the true meaning of Christmas is placed in a decorated box under the tree, and the kids take turns opening it for a special reading time. Families can include picture books, nativity stories, legends, and chapter books for older children. This tradition creates cozy memories, builds excitement for Advent, and keeps the focus on Jesus through daily storytelling.
Christmas Countdown Books
Beth Runkle
Nov 6th, 2019
1
min read
Christmas

Why am I passionate about celebrating Jesus at Christmas?

Growing up, Christmas was mostly about Santa and gifts, but becoming a follower of Jesus brought a desire to shift the focus to His birth. Choosing to center the entire month on Christ created life changing impact and deep joy that gifts could never match. With commercialism pulling Christmas away from its true meaning, the call is to boldly reclaim the season and make every part of it point to Jesus. Advent becomes the first step in helping kids, neighbors, and friends experience real joy in Christ rather than temporary satisfaction from stuff.
Why am I passionate about celebrating Jesus at Christmas?