A realization that I've been pondering lately is that I need to be trying harder to build deep relationships with my sisters in Christ who are in my church body. To really know and love them, to encourage and pray with them and for them. We see each other each week at worship and at Bible study but that has not been enough to grow the kind of friendships that my heart desires. I believe that as we strengthen our relationships within the church we'll be more equipped to build relationships with those outside of our church, to minister and serve in our community.
With that in mind, a friend and I decided a few weeks ago to plan a small and simple Christmas party for the kids. Our purpose: to create an avenue for building deeper friendships with a few women from church. We each prayerfully chose one woman with young children from our church whom we would like to know better. The goal of the day was to give the children a fun morning of playing together and making things, while also giving the moms a chance to fellowship in a casual environment.
This morning's Christmas party, held at my home, turned out to be more of a Christmas play date. Two children and a mom couldn't come due to illness, another mother and daughter couldn't make it because of a death in the family. So our guest list quickly dropped from 7 kids and 4 moms to 4 kids and 2 moms. But it was fun, oh was it fun! The kids played inside and outside and inside. We made Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments. The little ones were so occupied with their play that we decided to forgo decorating gingerbread men. And, then as mid-morning turned to late morning the children devoured Christmas tree cupcakes, apple slices, cheese cubes, goldfish crackers, and chocolate-pretzel treats.
When the playing was over and we bid our friends goodbye I smiled because the Lord did bless our time together. Although it wasn't the group I had envisioned it was fruitful; the children made memories and had fun, and I got to know a really special sister a little bit better!
Variations on the Tiny Sugared Christmas Trees:
- Powdered sugar "snow" covered trees. Meredith's idea.
- Colorful ball sprinkles. My dad's idea.
- Homemade red sugar sprinkles. Amy's suggestion.
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