Esquivel Family Christmas Traditions

Tradition #1
About six years ago I had a friend share a wonderful idea with me about Christmas presents and I'd like to pass it on. She shared with me that for Christmas each year her and her husband would give their children three gifts each. I was very attentive because this friend has four kids like us and they have two boys as well as two girls, you guessed it, just like us;). As many of you may know when you have girls you tend to find more stuff for them then you do boys. So what happens is as you purchase more items for your girls it turns into just needing to find more stuff for the boys to make it even. This was stressful, and not to mention totally getting away and losing sight of the what and the why of Christmas. Well this friend helped put Jesus back into my gift giving.
So long story short;)...here goes!
Based on the wise men that visited Jesus bearing three fine gifts to offer Jesus in order to worship Him, we as parents purchase three gifts for each child to help their hearts and our hearts be focused on worshipping Jesus and the message of Christmas.

1st gift is based on Gold. The gift of gold was often reserved for royalty. The importance of the gift was that it represented the fact that Jesus was royal. This represents a fun gift. Buy something that's just that, fun! Games, toys, video game, movie, scooter, bike, etc.

2nd gift is based on Frankincense. When frankincense is burned it gives off a sweet smelling white smoke. The smoke rising from the altar of incense represented the prayers of the people rising to God in heaven. The only use of frankincense for the Jews was at the altar and it was reserved for the worship of God. This represents a spiritual gift. Buy something that will help your child grow in this way. A new bible, a devotion, an instrument, a journal, Phil Wickham concert tickets;), etc.

3rd gift is based on Myrrh. Myrrh was placed on the cloths used to wrap bodies for burial to help prevent the smell of decay following death. The Magi presented this gift to Jesus as a representation that He would one day die. The gift convey's the fact that Jesus was born to die. This represents a practical gift. Buy something that is useful. Shoes, clothes, pj's, cologne or perfume, etc.

So you buy one gift for each category and on Christmas morning each child, after opening their gift, says which category they think it is. I love this because when they're younger they really have to think about it and they have fun guessing. Before Christmas discuss with your children the new way to give gifts to prepare them and get them thinking. Explain the meanings of the gifts to help them understand. If your children are used to opening gift after gift this may be a big adjustment but believe me you will wish you started this sooner because of the fruit that will come out of it.

Tradition #2
Start Christmas morning off by reading the account of Jesus' birth in Luke 2 as a family before opening gifts.
Tradition #3
Alphabetize your Christmas cards you receive when it's time to clean them up and keep them in a basket or put them in a scrapbook. Each week throughout the year pray for the families. Assign each person in your family one of the families to pray for. This is a great way to teach your kids to pray for others at an early age! Keep them out in the open or you'll forget, trust me on that;).
Tradition #4
Plan a baking day with someone special baking goodies to give to others. My girls bake all day with Grandma Chasey (my mom). We all make tamales with Lita ( Francel's mom).

Start something new this year that will help your family focus in on JESUS!

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

18

Today we're celebrating our 18th anniversary. God has been so good to us. We are so blessed by His grace and mercy that has carried us through many seasons of our life together. We are amazed at the capacity of love that continues to grow between us as a married couple because of the love demonstrated first on the cross.

We are also thankful for our family and church family. So many couples and their families have poured into us, ministered to us and have loved on us through most of our married lives up unto this very day and we are so grateful to God for each of you.

This morning we went to the Sugar Shack in San Clemente for breakfast and our waitress talked with us the whole time;). We loved it. It was like sitting at a friends house for breakfast. She asked, "What is your secret, because you guys must have a secret." We said, "Yes we do have a secret, it's JESUS."

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
Psalm 23:6a

San Clemente Beach after breakfast and camping in Julian County last weekend. Family picture compliments of Wendy Mukai Photography;)

Hillsong... You Are More

I have been so encouraged by this song. The line that got me was...I will see this season through...I will fix my eyes on You. Wow! Ever feel like pushing pause, rewind or fast forward in the midst of a difficult season? I do! The Lord has reminded me this week that when He said," Let's get in the boat and go to the other side" that we will actually make it to the other side, we will reach the shore, that is a promise. In the middle of the storm it's hard to imagine still water and the feeling of safety. They seem like distant memories and you find yourself pleading for the firmness of the ground that you can physically touch and see. Hmmm...then where's the faith? We know that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We also know that without faith it is impossible to please Him. I love the father that tells and asks the Lord,"Lord I believe but help me with my unbelief". Whatever your season is right now let Him see you through it, you will get to the other side.
Prayer... Lord help me to have the faith to see this season through and fix my eyes on You...to have faith that pleases You in every way.
Enjoy the song! I can't wait to hear it now in worship at church!
Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I love God's Word!!!

Start of Something New

So I've been kicking the idea around for awhile now about starting a blog,a friend the other night encouraged me to do it, so here goes. I hope you guys will be a part of it however you'd like. Maybe just by checking in once and awhile or maybe help post somethings. I love how people will have a theme for each day of the week, any ideas anyone? I'm just going to see what comes of this and hopefully have fun with it. Hope to hear from you soon.