Sorry, no show notes here. Just Tom and his kids talking about what it was like to grow up a Russell, and the Christmas/family traditions that shaped them.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Favorite Christmas Story Characters and Favorite Christmas Movie

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8

Favorite Characters in Christmas story

Heather - I love the shepherds—to think that they were out in a field at night and a host of angels appeared above them—they had to be shaking in their sandals!! And then how they responded is so inspiring—if only we all could go running towards Jesus with their enthusiasm!! 😊

Alyx - As someone with an adopted Father, I have always been very fond of Joseph, especially in the story of Jesus’ birth. We aren’t told a ton about him aside from the main deal that he had faith, married Mary instead of allowing her to be shamed, and raised Jesus as his own. I like to imagine him a lot like my very faithful and selfless father who married my mother and raised me as his own. My biological father was in my life when I was a child and my dad always took a back seat, gave my bio dad every privilege and never once complained. But my dad was the one who showed up to every concert, soccer game, bought my favorite ice cream when I cried over a boy and later adopted me as an adult.

I always say he is the clearest picture of Christ’s sacrificial love that I could ever ask for and its easy for me to understand how God loves us more because of him! I see his love for me in Christ and in Joseph so that’s why Joseph is my favorite!

Amanda - I love the Shepherds in the Christmas story. They were not high status; they were just regular people like us. God chose them to be the first to hear the news. They represent just pure joy and excitement. It's also cool that Shepherds are used as a symbol throughout the entire bible. They forecasted what was to come.

Suzannah – the donkey (A woman after Scott’s heart)

Kayti – Mary

My Erin – Mary

Alysha – Mary

Amy - I think the shepherds because they would've never imagined they would be included in such an event.

Favorite Christmas Movie

Eloise at Christmastime. Shocking that an eccentric, nosey little girl obsessed with pink always finds her way to the top of my lists lol.

White Christmas x 2

It’s a Wonderful Life

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

The Santa Claus

Miracle on 34th Street - the original

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: What Christmas Means for Vulnerable Children, from an article by Helen Richardson, Focus on the Family.

What Christmas Means for Vulnerable Children - Focus on the Family

Psalm 103:8 – “The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”

Ways to make Christmas special for vulnerable children

• Be intentional and proactive. This includes putting time and energy into it.
• Gifts purchased or made with the vulnerable child in mind has an incredible impact
• Being proactive and intentional includes connecting with ministries that are providing Christmas for vulnerable children
• The extra little bit of time and effort put in makes a huge difference in helping the child feel loved, as well.
• Meaningful gifts like a child’s Bible or a magazine, put out by a ministry that speaks to children like Brio
• Ask them what would be a special Christmas present?
• Facilitate them providing a Christmas for someone who is less often than they are
• Give them as much ownership of what happens enduring Christmas as possible

Help displaced, vulnerable children feel more comfortable in a new environment

• Help them see Jesus was also displaced Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.
• It’s hard to remember that Jesus was a baby and a child as well as a teenager😊😂

Be intentional and proactive about their bedroom

• The vulnerable child will feel more empowered when the child gets to fix up their room the way he or she wants it for Christmas

Tom’s Thoughts

There is a theme throughout Helen’s article on acceptance and approval. Make sure they receive presents that are given with them in mind, it be even more special.

We were designed to be accepted and improved by God

There are core values that we have that can only truly be filled by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us Jeremiah 31:3: The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying; “I have loved you with an everlasting, love; You with my unfailing kindness!”

Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.