The Christmas TREASURE Hunt

Every year I want to make a meaningful impact on my kiddo's - I want them to embrace the love behind Christmas in a deeper way.  I want them to know that CHRIST is what Christmas reflects - not a wish list for Santa.  Yes, we do go see Santa - it is a fun family outing but we never label any gifts as being from Santa nor do we encourage a whole lot of hope or interest in Santa.  My husband and I have fond memories of the innocent fun of it all and thus - we want to share that with our kids too.  I know many disagree. 

So - back to my point.  This year we purchased a gift for the kids that is a little large and will live in the basement.  It would not be 'under' the tree and I kept wondering how I would manage to draw them to the gift without saying, 'OH, I think something is missing," or such.  Then it hit me - a treasure hunt.  But what would I do to make it fun?  Hmmmm....  It was then I had a HUGE light bulb moment - I realized what a FUN and truly memorable way to focus all of the gifts back to Christ - the treasure hunt could be the final gift and the redirect for their hearts.

So here is a glimpse at our TREASURE hunt to come (My kids are 8 and 6 - these clues will be a fun and age appropriate challenge for them. I look forward to seeing how this tradition will grow in the depth of clues and fun over the years to come. I plan to use this for a group or individual gift every year.):

We will begin with a package addressed to both of my big kids.  They will open the gift and find a heart with LOVE written across it - the clue will read: "John 3:16, 'For God so loved the world that He GAVE His one and only Son...'  All of the gifts you receive are a reminder of God's best gift of all - His love.  He loved us SO much that He sent us His Son.  For clue #2 find the baby doll wearing the next clue.

Clue #2 The baby - 1John 3:16 "We know what real love is because Christ GAVE up His life for us." Thank you Jesus for giving us your sacrifice on the cross.  You chose to die for me!  To find clue #3 find the green wreath.

Clue #3 The wreath on the front door - The wreath is a circle to remind us of God's FOREVER love for us.  There is no beginning and no end.  The green reminds us of eternal life.  For clue #4 go find the lamp near the star.

Clue #4 The lamp - The lamp reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the world and we too are the light of the world.  Every minute of every day we choose to let our light shine or not.  The light that the shepherds saw shining over baby Jesus was a BRIGHT light in the surrounding darkness.  We too shine brightly when we choose to let Jesus shine through us.  The light showed the shepherds where to go - Jesus does this for us today and we can share that light with those around us.  For clue #5 find a fruit-full place.

Clue #5 The fruit - 'If I stay in Jesus, I will have much fruit.' Our fruitful place is through the gifts of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law."  If we follow the example that Jesus gave us - if we say, 'Yes!' to Father God and if we say, 'No!' to our enemy - we too will bear much fruit.  Fruit takes time to grow and it is hard work - but it is good when the fruit arrives!   The more fruit we see in our life the more blessed our days will be.  Gifts from God are always a blessing - and now you are ready to find your hidden treasure.  Go back to school.  (Our gift will be in our school room.) 

I hope you enjoy this beautiful and God-given idea I happened upon.  Do feel free to 'borrow' this - if you are so inclined.  I know that I am so excited, wondering how this will grow with our family.  I LOVE that it will ground them from all of the excitement and redirect the focus.  I will not be reading them a story for the millionth time, although I will continue to read stories to them, but they will likely keep this memory much longer than any story I have read to them.  I have been desperate for a window to pour truth into and I found one.  I look forward to seeing the fruit these truths will bear.  Blessings and Merry Christmas - from the MorningSong family!!  :)