Day #17 Ephesians 4:32   Is your family characterized by kindness? Are they characterized by kindness when they are feeling stretched, stressed, or overwhelmed? Kindness needs to be an every day activity in our homes and we must work to make that our reality. I don’t know about you, but on the days that things…

Day #16 I Thessalonians 5:18 What’s the difference between the character quality of gratitude and the character quality of thankfulness? Is there a difference? In our home, gratitude seems to show itself when we notice the “things” we have been given. Thankfulness is the attitude we have toward the people who have served, benefitted, or…

  Day #15 Proverbs 19:17 Although generosity is a character quality that should be exhibited every day of the year, perhaps no season makes being generous easier than the Christmas season. Everywhere you go there are opportunities to generously serve and encourage others. Is your family a generous family? If so, Christmas should be a…

Day #14 Romans 12:10 Without respect for others, the holidays would be mayhem. What do I mean? The character quality of respect shows up in many arenas each day. We should respect people’s titles. We should respect people’s stuff. We should respect people’s time. We must respect ourselves. Without respect, everyone looks out for themselves…

Day #13 Philippians 4:5 Today’s character quality, gentleness, greatly runs the risk of being discarded during the busy holiday season. Over-filled schedules, late night celebrations, and routines run amok can turn our gentle responses into growling commands. For some people, gentleness just seems to be second nature. Their first response in any and every situation…

Day #12 Titus 2:11-12 Does Christmas bring out the buyer in you? I know it does for me! Most of the year I’m what my husband calls a “Strategic Strike Shopper”. I get in, get what I need, and get out of there! But there’s just something about Christmas and the chance to fill stockings…

Day #11   Proverbs 12:22   Nothing can cause more strife and discord in a family than dishonesty! Unfortunately, the Christmas season provides more than ample opportunities to stretch, hide, and flat out distort the truth. Whether it’s stealing candy from the candy dish, sneaking into closets to preview gifts, or actually peeling open already…

  Day #10 James 5:7-8 I don’t know about you, but I hate waiting!! Christmas is an especially trying time for me as I wait restlessly to distribute gifts. In fact, sometimes I’ve given everyone their gifts weeks before Christmas, and then, I’ve been forced to go buy more gifts. I definitely lack one essential…

  Day #9 Deuteronomy 6:17 Are the holidays stressful? Do you feel like you’re the only one working to get everything done? Today’s character quality, diligence, will ensure that the whole family learns to work together until everything is completed and no one feels overworked! The dictionary defines diligence as careful and persistent work or…

  Day #8 Psalm 68:26 Gratitude is perhaps the most important character quality we should exhibit every day of the year. Without grateful hearts, we will spend our days anxious, unfulfilled, and always wanting more. Does your family struggle with discontent during the holidays? It’s almost impossible to be content with what we have when…