Easter! Is there more than candy and egg hunts? Bob Lepine breaks it down in his book “Twelve Things You Probably Didn’t Know about Easter,” revealing the real deal behind this holiday. Let’s dive in to find out what makes Easter more than just a day of celebration.
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Connect with Bob Lepine and catch more of their thoughts at https://www.truthforlife.org, and on Instagram and Facebook.
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Resurrection Eggs for Kids: Make Easter memorable! Enjoy a fun egg hunt tradition with storybook, symbols, stickers, and Jesus Film Project videos.
Intrigued by today’s episode? Think deeper about Easter.
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Do you have trouble organizing your life? Your family calendar? Well, help is on the way! Ron Deal speaks with James and Ginger Dellaripa about challenges of blended family management including schedules, co-parenting, custody, and more. Listen to gain valuable insights in getting your life organized.

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What are your Christmas traditions? Trimming the tree? Baking and decorating cookies? Cooking special dishes reserved for the holiday season? If you’re a parent, surely it includes a family gift exchange.

Growing up, those were all traditions we followed, and when I got married and had kids of my own, it was a no-brainer to bring those same traditions into my newly established family.

However, six years and four kids into my parenting journey, I found myself dreading what was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Shopping for gifts was taking up all my time post-Thanksgiving, on top of church Christmas play rehearsals, recitals, and countless Christmas gatherings. I was at my wit’s end. I had come to associate the holiday season with utter chaos and overwhelming fatigue.

One December night, frazzled, I asked my husband, Moses, a rhetorical question: “What if we stopped giving Christmas gifts to the kids?”

To my surprise, he didn’t immediately shut down my idea. I guess it wasn’t a rhetorical question after all. By the time the next Christmas rolled around, we had made our decision: gift exchanges would be no more in the Sanchez household. The harder task would be getting our extended family on board. 

Rethinking the Christmas gift exchange

To paint a picture for you, as a first-generation Filipino-American, Christmas is a main event to say the least. There’s an old joke that Filipinos only celebrate Christmas during the months that end in “ber.” If you’ve ever visited the Philippines anytime after September 1, you would see that’s no exaggeration. Not to mention, I have four sisters close in age, and I’m the only one with kids. The tita (aunt) temptation to spoil your nieces and nephews is real, and my parents could hardly help but overindulge their only grandkids.

I’ll never forget the dread I felt as I sent a text to our extended family, politely asking them to skip the gift exchange. I was careful to avoid questioning their motives. Instead, I explained we would reserve birthdays as a time to shower our kids with presents. 

The Christmas season would be our opportunity as a family to emphasize other values: 

1. We want to create memories as a family. In other words, we want to emphasize experiences over things.

My family and I live in New York City, and are fortunate enough to have access to plenty of festive Christmas activities. One experience we’ve experienced together is visiting the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal. Another memory we’ve experienced as a family for the past several years has been staying at a friend’s cabin in the Poconos over the days leading up to Christmas and spending quality time there eating junk food, watching our favorite holiday movies, and playing board games. 

2. We want our kids to prioritize serving others.

We’ve given out bags of coffee to strangers we pass by on the street, or gift cards to the workers at the bodegas we frequent (small grocery stores common in NYC; if you know, you know), or baked cookies for our neighbors in our apartment building. 

In the animated short film A Charlie Brown Christmas, the wise sage Charlie Brown bemoans the fact that materialism has upstaged the celebration of Christ’s birth and a spirit of generosity has been nearly forgotten during the holiday season. I couldn’t agree more.

Several questions sparked our decision to redefine Christmas traditions for our family:

• Could there be an alternative to the self-centered, materialistic, American cultural celebration of Christmas?
• We have the responsibility as parents to shape the values of a generation that will outlive us, how will we steward this well?

Replacing the gift exchange with new holiday traditions

We are now six years into our holiday tradition, and as expected, we have tweaked it a bit (although the same values steer any changes we make). We still don’t do traditional gift exchanges, but we do a “Secret Santa” in which each kid is randomly assigned a sibling to shop for at Five Below. 

We’ve been consistent for the past three years to get away to the Poconos, sometimes at our friends’ cabin and sometimes at a Christian camp site. We now have a hot cocoa bar and watch our favorite Christmas movies while chomping on homemade popcorn. One year, my sisters joined us and the plastic wrap game tradition was born, in which small toys and candies are wrapped tightly within a ball of plastic wrap and players take turns unwrapping, keeping any prize that falls out during their turn. For the past five years, we’ve visited Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, known for their lavish Christmas lights displays, and the kids look forward to buying overpriced ice cream from trucks that line each block of the neighborhood. 

I know some of you may be reading this and thinking: “Grinch–ahem. I mean, Marilette, that all sounds noble, but my kids would hate me.” Or maybe, “What would my parents think if I deprived them of the chance to spoil their grandkids?” 

To which I would just offer a couple paradigm shifts that would apply whether or not you decide to buy presents.  

• What if we valued experiences and quality time over more “stuff”? In lieu of toys, you can offer a trip to the ice cream shop, a movie, concert or sporting event, or maybe consider a gift that keeps on giving like a year-long membership to a museum or botanical gardens.
• What if we valued buying educational toys or enhancing a current talent or interest? Instead of buying the latest flashy toy that your kid will lose interest in within a couple of days, what if you bought your musically-inclined child a new keyboard or guitar? Do you have a budding artist in your midst? Try buying them a new art kit, easel, or even art lessons for the year. 

Choose what’s right for your family

I recently asked my family members if they remember their initial reaction to that infamous text. To my surprise, my sisters recall not minding at all. One of them, whose love language is quality time, was excited for the opportunity to redirect her funding toward things she could experience alongside the kids. Two were relieved to at least have the opportunity to spoil the kids on their birthdays with no limits. One of them was excited at the prospect to be innovative and create new traditions. 

My mom recalls her and my dad’s disappointment in not being able to see the excitement on the kids’ faces while opening presents during Christmas. I concede that there are different dynamics at play between being a grandparent versus a parent. All that to say, I have a newfound respect for my parents who respected our boundaries, despite not wholeheartedly agreeing with our family’s decision. 

My intention in sharing our nontraditional family tradition is not to be closed-minded and pushy about all families needing to follow in our footsteps. I simply want to encourage parents not to mindlessly follow the traditions thrust upon us by society at large. Instead, let’s realize the freedom we have to create our own family traditions and values. 

As parents, we get to choose what is best for our family in each season. We have every right to switch up the status quo, and must remind ourselves often that there is always room to tweak and pivot from the “normal” as time goes on. I hope hearing a snippet of my family’s story can be a reminder to others of the freedom we have available to us in Christ in our parenting journey and beyond.

Adapted from “Why I’m Rethinking Gift Exchanges This Christmas,” originally published on Marilette Sanchez.com. Used with permission. Copyright © 2023 by Marilette Sanchez. All rights reserved.

Marilette Sanchez is a New Yorker passionate about finding the connections between God, relationships, and pop culture. She is wife to Moses, a homeschooling mom to five young children, and a full-time missionary with FamilyLife. She believes there is more to the Christian life than hypocrisy and more to pop culture than shallow art. College sweethearts and NYC natives, she and her husband, Moses, are FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember® speakers known for their transparency and their ability to inject their love of hip hop and pop culture into their discussions of love, sex and marriage. She has recently co-founded an online apparel company to raise awareness for mental health issues in the church and communities of color. Follow her parenting and homeschooling journey on Instagram at @bigcitybigfamily and her musings on womanhood and pop culture at marilettesanchez.com. 

Do you struggle to spend intentional time with your family? We get it. As the holiday season kicks into high gear, we realize time together does not always equal quality time. So before Christmas shopping, holiday programs, and grandma’s sweet potato casserole dominate your calendar, we pulled together our favorite seasonal to-dos in this fall bucket list.  

This list was created with you in mind (well, us too) to help your family create more memories and spend time together over the next few weeks. Simple ideas to help you reach your community and each other as the air turns crisp and leaves display their brightest hues (or, depending on where you live, you just pretend).  

Happy fall!

Family fall bucket list 

1. Create a thankful jar.

Each day, have each member of the family think about something they’re grateful for. At the end of the month, look back and see all the blessings God provided.

2. Make caramel apples. 

Cover your favorite apple with caramel and decorate with your favorite toppings. Or for an easier treat, slice apples (or buy ‘em pre-sliced … we won’t judge), slide each onto a mini-skewer, and dip in caramel. 

3. Visit a pumpkin patch. 

Pick out a pumpkin for each family member or pick one to decorate together. Grab our “Gospel in a Pumpkin” for a fun activity, games, and even some stencils to use!

4. Rake a neighbor’s leaves.

Find a neighbor that would be blessed to have the leaves raked out of their yard, and show your kids that even the smallest of hands can pitch in to make a big difference.

5. Volunteer at a food bank/soup kitchen/homeless shelter. 

Before those hands start writing out Christmas lists, remind them it’s better to give than receive. The lessons they’ll learn will last far longer than the latest gaming system. 

6. Take packaged treats to a neighbor. 

Take treats to a neighbor with a fun note just to brighten their day. Have the kids decorate sugar cookies in the shape of leaves, throw together a fun snack mix, or show off your best pumpkin recipe. Pie, anyone? 

7. Try a new soup recipe as a family. 

On a cold day, a great bowl of soup can feel like a warm hug (maybe gazpacho for you warm weather folks). Find that recipe you have been wanting to try and make it together. Kids can help measure, dice veggies, or take turns stirring. 

8. Take a nature walk. 

This time of year can be so beautiful! Take a few minutes to enjoy nature and God’s creation! Prepare a scavenger hunt for kids to find things like acorns, heart-shaped rocks, or animal tracks along the way. 

9. Make a pine-cone bird feeder. 

Help feed the birds with a simple pine cone, peanut butter, and bird seed. Watching them eat can bring hours of joy!

10. Jump in a pile of leaves.

Release your inner child! Make a big pile of leaves then jump in them as a family. 

11. Decorate placemats for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Have your children make placemats for each person joining you. See if they can personalize them based on what they know of each person. 

12. Make blessing bags for homeless people.

Pack gallon-sized zip-top bags with toiletries, snack-size treats, warm globes, bottled water, or other useful items to hand out when you see a homeless person and help spread a little cheer.

13. Take blankets and hot cocoa outdoors to star gaze.

There is something about a cool, crisp night and looking at stars that is so peaceful. Take a few minutes out of your day to enjoy God’s creation with the family! 

14. Visit a corn maze. 

If your area offers one, gather the kids and see how fast you can make it out of the maze. Warning: A lot of places offer scarier versions at night. 

15. Have a fall-favorites party. 

Invite a few of your favorite people over, and ask each family to bring their favorite fall treat: hot apple cider (with red hots, of course), their slightly famous chili, pumpkin bread, whatever says “fall” to them.

The holidays can be a stressful time juggling visitations, planning family activities, and managing all the feelings in the Christmas season. Emotions in blended families are often magnified during Christmas. Gayla Grace and Ron Deal offer practical ways to be sensitive and promote positivity so your holiday can be a truly joyous time.
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Sitting across from my widowed friend, I watched dread come over her face at the mention of Mother’s Day. In the years since her husband’s death, a day that should be something to look forward to has become one more holiday that spotlights her loneliness. I can relate.  

The bitterness of my first Mother’s Day without my husband was sweetened by friends and family. Bouquets of flowers arrived on my porch and a friend teamed up with my son to surprise me with gifts and treats. I got together with another single mom, and we enjoyed a walk at a botanical garden followed by ice cream with our sons. But that day also held bad attitudes, complaints, and a general lack of gratitude from my son. Unlike in years past, when my husband would ensure that my day was full of encouragement and appreciation, I was now dealing with a crabby child alone. I missed him, but I also missed having someone in my corner.

By my second Mother’s Day as a single mom, my support from others had dropped off steeply. I had to figure out how to celebrate on my own.  

Although my heart wasn’t in it, I planned a celebration. My son needed someone to model for him that motherhood is worth celebrating so he will grow up to be a man who celebrates the mothers in his life. We made the best of the day, but what I longed for most was a break. 

Caring for single moms 

The day in, day out responsibilities of single moms are exhausting. Making dinner, caring for sick kids, reviewing homework, grocery shopping, doing taxes, making or scheduling home repairs, balancing budgets, planning for the future, and juggling all the other things that are barely manageable when shared by two become the responsibility of one. One day, children may mature to a point of understanding the sacrifices moms make. But for those with young kids, that day is not today.

For widows like me, there is an initial outpouring of support that fades with time. But single moms by any other means may find themselves without any outpouring of support, even during the first year. Far too often, Mother’s Day becomes one more day for a mom to handle alone.

This should not be happening in the family of God. Scripture urges us to care for widows. First Timothy 5:3-4 (NLT) says, “Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.” 

How often do we skip over this verse or forget God calls us to care for the women in our midst? God’s word is clear: This responsibility belongs to the body of Christ. We who value the role of mothers should be the first to care for and celebrate the ones who are raising their children alone.  

Mother’s Day ideas for the single mom

This Mother’s Day, what if you committed to putting this verse into action? What if you brainstormed Mother’s Day ideas, not just for your own mother, but for a mother who may otherwise be overlooked? The celebration doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Every gesture, no matter how small, will be treasured.  

Here are six Mother’s Day ideas to inspire you:

1. Help her kids celebrate her.

Young kids love to give their moms special gifts and cards but can’t do it alone. Arrange a time to take her children shopping for little surprise gifts. Give each kid $5 and let them show their appreciation by picking out something meaningful to them. Or invite her kids over and provide the supplies they need to make a handmade gift or card.

2. Acknowledge her daily sacrifices.

Single moms long to be appreciated and need encouragement to press on. Simply acknowledging her sacrifices is a meaningful gift. Send a card or text message letting her know that you are proud of her for being faithful to the difficult, lonely, and often thankless task of raising kids alone. 

If you are a pastor who is encouraging moms on Mother’s Day, don’t forget to give a special mention to those who are parenting alone.

3. Take something off her to-do list.

Single moms take care of every detail for their family every day. Mother’s Day is a great opportunity to give her a break from this ongoing responsibility.  

4. Give the gift of rest.

Single moms rarely get a break. Watch her kids or pay a sitter for a couple hours the week before Mother’s Day (or on the day itself!) so she can enjoy some respite. Team up with friends or a church small group to give her the gift of a massage and arrange childcare. Or invite her kids for a sleepover and let her get a much-needed full night’s sleep.

5. Get her in family pictures.

Moms are usually behind the camera, but this is even more so for single moms. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to surprise her with a family photo session with a local photographer. Many have deals around Mother’s Day, and she will treasure pictures of herself with the kids she loves so much.

6. Send a simple gift to show you care.

If you don’t live close by, or are unable to devote time to caring for her, a simple gift speaks volumes. A bouquet of flowers, favorite coffee roast, calming candle, delicious chocolates, or encouraging devotional are easy to send and fun to receive.  Little surprises can brighten her day and help her feel special and cared for as a person. Not just a mom.

However you choose to show care to single moms this Mother’s Day, your gesture of support and encouragement will be significant. You will be showing the love of Jesus to someone who desperately needs it. Let’s love the single moms in our midst with words and actions this Mother’s Day, remembering that “religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).  

Copyright © 2023 by Elise Boros. All rights reserved.

Elise Boros lives outside of Washington, D.C. and spends her days raising her son and investing in the lives of college students through the campus ministry of Cru.  As a young widow, she is passionate about helping other people walk with God through grief and sorrow in an authentic way.  Elise blogs monthly as part of the content team for Songs in the Night, a widow discipleship ministry.  You can read about her and her husband’s journey through and beyond heart transplant at Waiting For True Life or follow along as she tells their story on instagram @waitingfortruelife.

What’s Jesus’ resurrection have to do with your life right here, right now? Acclaimed apologist Dr. Jeremiah Johnston makes his case: Resurrection changes everything. He sets out to show why Jesus’ victory over death is central to your faith and how we view suffering and death. Johnston examine the latest archaeological and textual findings and presenting tangible, fresh reasons to believe Jesus really rose from the dead.

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Learn more about Jeremiah on his website.
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