Recently I was introduced to this beautiful book by Emily Freeman called A Christ-Centered Christmas. 

The book invites readers to discover the seven gifts of Christmas and introduces seven traditions that will lead families closer to Christ during the holiday season. Each gift is based on a figure of the nativity set and each tradition is simple and can be combined with things that you are already doing.

Over the next few weeks as Christmas approaches I will be sharing some of the things that we discover and create as I read this book and share it with my family. We will be doing plenty of wintery activities with snowmen and Santas, but I also want to make sure that in our home we also have a Christmas filled with the spirit of Christ and that we honor the miracle of His birth.

I have also created a pinboard on Pinterest that I will be filling with Christ-Centered Christmas ideas, crafts, and projects. If you have ideas, crafts, or resources that I can add, please share them in the comments!

The first gift we will be studying about is Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

She will be the first person we will add to our nativity. 

The first tradition will include studying about Mary and pondering what was in her heart on the night that Christ was born.

We will be making some heart ornaments... which we will share with you next week.

These are two heart projects that have inspired us.

Valentine Ornament via The Creative Place

Yarn Hearts via Family Chic

Have you created any heart-themed ornaments?

PS- Remember to check out our ZipBin playmat Giveaway that is going on this week!!

Have you decided which one you want to win yet?

ZipBin® Fairy Castle

LEGO® CITY FIRE ZipBin® Large Toy Box Playmat

ZipBin® Trucker

Or any of the other ones here on the NeatOh! ZipBin website?