The J.O.Y. Patrol

Merry Christmas! The Christmas play is over, so I'm able to blog again! Here's a picture of Connor as Joseph and his friend, Lindsay, as Mary. Amongst the busyness we've tried to keep our Advent traditions going, most with success. One of the advent activities that our family enjoys is being the "J.O.Y. Patrol". Romans 12:10 says, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." and John 13:35 says, " By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you lone one another."

The "J.O.Y. Patrol" stands for Jesus, Others, Yourself. Using this my children ( and myself) can remember what our priorities should be. God should always be placed first in our lives, then we should think of others needs and only after that our own. We've had fun making badges and door hangers with J.O.Y. on them as a helpful reminder. The kids enjoy having a secret name for doing the right thing.

There are many things you can do during the Christmas season as the J.O.Y. patrol. We bake cookies for our neighbors, give coins to the Salvation Army, make shoebox presents and generally just keep aware of opportunites to give. We don't do big things but hopefully things that show love to others.

Categories: parenting, advent