If you think about it, letters play an important role in our holiday festivities! This is the postal service's busiest time of year- sending not just packages of toys and gifts- but also TONS of cards, with their handwritten notes and holiday greetings. Some families even do a family letter, updating everyone on all of their excitement from the previous year. And of course, who can forget the most important letter of all for kids everywhere--- the letters to Santa!
All of these letters are fun, but today I want to introduce you to a different kind of letter that will help remind children of the true reason we celebrate Christmas, Christmas Love Letters from God:
Written for children ages four to eight, Christmas Love Letters from God cleverly combines both prose and poetry as the story of Jesus’ birth unfolds. The book includes seven stories, beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy and ending with the visit of the wise men. Following each story, the child will find his or her own letter from God, folded into a small envelope attached to the page. Each letter begins with a space in which to write the child’s name, so each one can be specially addressed to the child.
Written as if God is speaking, each personalized message gives the young reader a sense of wonder as they discover anew the Christmas holiday and the birth of Jesus. A very special Bible verse, entitled God’s Perfect Promise, also accompanies each story and letter as God’s personal words of love, promise, and hope.
When I was a kid, I remember loving books that had a little something extra to them. Things to feel, pop ups, lift the flaps. My kids are no different! There is just something about flipping up something as simple as a letter that makes reading even more fun! This book provides that. With each Christmas bible story that we read, a love letter from God is included. Kids can lift and read these letters written in a manner as though they are from God with messages of love taken from each story. Even more fun? You can write in your child's name for an even more personal experience. These stories are the traditional holiday stories we all know and love, but in a more interactive package that brings the stories to a level that they can relate to.
I loved this interactive format so much that I decided to bring it to life with a fun craft:
DIY Letter To God Felt Envelope
(Note: The craft part of this project is really more for parents to make for their children, though it IS an easy sewing project for beginning sewers that your old child may enjoy.)
Felt (Large White + Small Square of Red or Green)
Embroidery Floss (Red or Green)
Needle (& Pins, optional)
Marker
Scissors
Button
Felt Letters (optional)
Start by getting your white felt ready. You will want a large rectangle--- large enough to create the envelope with flap. (The size you use really is completely up to you, depending on how large you want your envelope.)
When you have it cut to the correct size, start assembling your envelope. Fold up a portion of the felt to create your envelope opening. Fold down the other half for your flap. Cut flap into a triangle shape. Use a marker to mark where you'll be folding/sewing.
Now, before sewing, it's a good idea to add your decor first. You can do this after the envelope is done as well, however, I learned from experience that this can be a little trickier. First up, add your 'stamp'. Cut a small square of felt and sew into the upper right corner (leaving room to finish your sewing and taking note of where your folds will be).
If you are hand embroidering, embroider 'God' into the center of your letter. As you can see, it doesn't have to be perfect, but if you prefer a cleaner look and aren't skilled in this area, you can also find felt letters at your local craft stores.
Now, fold your envelope back up. Pin if needed.
Start sewing. I sugges starting at one of the upper corners of the envelope opening so you can sew it in one go around. I used a very simple whipstitch for a fun decorative look. This is perhaps one of the easiest stitches to learn so it's perfect even for a non-sewer or a little one just beginning. (Search YouTube for a quick how to.) Continue to sew all the way around the envelope, even the folded part. When you finish the body of the envelope, keep going on the flap to give it a fun decorative edge. Tie and trim when you finish.
To close your envelope, sew on a button and cut a small buttonhole. Alternately, you can use velcro and glue on to make it a little easier.
Now that the envelope is complete, have your child write a letter to God. It can be anything- a prayer request, a thank you...whatever they like! Fold it up to fit inside the envelope.
This craft is perhaps a little more difficult that previous kids crafts I've shared, but still simple and truly a great way to bring this already wonderful book to life!! Want to get your own copy? You can find out more and purchase at the links below:
Glenys Nellist
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