{"id":834,"date":"2021-12-22T09:51:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T16:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?p=834"},"modified":"2022-01-31T15:05:32","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T22:05:32","slug":"our-christmas-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Christmas Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;30&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;30&#8243; row_hide_sm=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_md=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_xs=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1630864580219{background-color: #faf5eb !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container-fluid row_section vc_row_cp_lr_15 vc_row_cp_t_0 vc_row_cp_b_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-15 rdy_vc_row-o-equal-height rdy_vc_row-flex vc_row-6953b2dc23e8d330365903\"   style=' text-align:left; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 vc_column_container_6953b2dc23f6b801694727\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\r\n\t<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_single_image_1 wpb_content_element vc_align_left\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\" target=\"_self\"><div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1458\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ASI-Logo.Horiz_.RGB-150r.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"ASI Logo.Horiz.RGB 150r\" \/><\/div><\/a>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 vc_column_container_6953b2dc2461b661549670 column_vertical_align_bottom\" style=\"text-align:right;z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t  <style>\n\/* Style The Dropdown Button *\/\n.dropbtn2 {\n  background-color: #faf5eb;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 10px 14px 10px 14px;\n  text-align: center;\n  font-size: 12px;\n  border: none;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}\n\n\/* The container <div> - needed to position the dropdown content *\/\n.dropdown {\n  position: relative;\n  display: inline-block;\n}\n\n\/* Dropdown Content (Hidden by Default) *\/\n.dropdown-content {\n  display: none;\n  position: absolute;\n  text-align: left;\n  background-color: #f9f9f9;\n  min-width: 100px;\n  box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n  z-index: 10000;\n}\n\n\/* Links inside the dropdown *\/\n.dropdown-content a {\n  color: black;\n  padding: 12px 16px;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n\/* Change color of dropdown links on hover *\/\n.dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #f1f1f1}\n\n\/* Show the dropdown menu on hover *\/\n.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/div> \n<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/about-us\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">ABOUT US<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/philosophy-of-education\/\">Philosophy<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/history\/\">History<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/faith-commitment\/\">Faith Commitment<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/accreditation\/\">Accreditation<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/staff-and-board\/\">Staff and Board<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\">Employment<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/get-in-touch\/\">Contact Us<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">FAQ<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\" target=\"_blank\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">MEMBERS<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/member-school-benefits\/\">Member School Benefits<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/find-a-member-school\/\">Find a Member School<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\" target=\"_blank\">Member School Login<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">JOBS<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> |\n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/get-in-touch\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">CONTACT US<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/stay-in-touch\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">SIGN UP<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/donate\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:#507F70;\">DONATE<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/ways-to-give\/\">Ways to Give<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/donate\/\">Donate<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_lr=&#8221;60&#8243; custom_padding_t=&#8221;45&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;45&#8243; css_tabs=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1643666730223{background-image: url(https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/About-Us.jpg?id=146) !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Ambleside Schools International Blog&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h6|font_size:45|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff&#8221; font_title_responsive=&#8221;true&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;0&#8243; row_hide_sm=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_md=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_xs=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1630866498823{background-color: #003865 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container row_section hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm hidden-xs vc_row_p_30\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953b2dc24b92396038715\"   style=' text-align:center; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_column_container_6953b2dc24c67719572903\" style=\"text-align:center;z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t  <style>\n\/* Style The Dropdown Button *\/\n.dropbtn {\n  background-color: #003865;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 20px 16px 20px 16px;;\n  text-align: center;\n  font-size: 16px;\n  border: none;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}\n\n\/* The container <div> - needed to position the dropdown content *\/\n.dropdown {\n  position: relative;\n  display: inline-block;\n}\n\n\/* Dropdown Content (Hidden by Default) *\/\n.dropdown-content {\n  display: none;\n  position: absolute;\n  text-align: left;\n  background-color: #f9f9f9;\n  min-width: 200px;\n  box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n  z-index: 10000;\n}\n\n\/* Links inside the dropdown *\/\n.dropdown-content a {\n  color: black;\n  padding: 12px 16px;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n\/* Change color of dropdown links on hover *\/\n.dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #f1f1f1}\n\n\/* Show the dropdown menu on hover *\/\n.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/div> \n<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"container-fluid row_section vc_row_cp_t_0 vc_row_cp_b_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953b2dc24dff470153054\"   style=' text-align:center; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b2dc24ecf010840127\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/member-schools\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Member Schools<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/find-a-member-school\/\">Find a Member School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/the-ambleside-difference\/\">The Ambleside Difference<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/curriculum\/\">Curriculum<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\">Employment<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b2dc2500e922356820\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/why-start-a-school\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\" ><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Starting a School<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/how-we-help\/\">How We Help<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/why-start-a-school\/\">Why Start a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/founding-a-school\/\">Founding a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/converting-a-school\/\">Converting a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/how-to-get-started\/\">How to Get Started<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b2dc25128259164673\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/training\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Education & Training<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/three-day-internship\/\">Three-Day Internship<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/summer-institute\/\">Summer Institute<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b2dc25226696315674\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschooling\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Homeschooling<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/mentor-program\/\">Mentor Program<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschooling-costs\/\">Program Costs<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-curriculum-and-resources\/\">Curriculum & Resources<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-application\/\">Application<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-renewal-form\/\/\">Membership Renewal<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b2dc252d0931796117\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Resources<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\">Library<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/charlotte-mason\/\">Charlotte M. Mason<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\">Articles & Magazine<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/the-ambleside-difference\/\">Video Series<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\">Member Resources<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;45&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;45&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image source=&#8221;featured_image&#8221; img_size=&#8221;300&#215;300&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;15&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Browse more Ambleside Schools International <strong>Resources<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container row_section vc_row_cp_lr_15 vc_row_cp_t_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953b2dc256d5761087812\"   style=' text-align:left; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_column_container_6953b2dc25771962647259\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b2dc25882613121897\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\">Resource Library<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_2\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b2dc25a24508368404\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/charlotte-mason\/\">Charlotte M. Mason<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_3\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b2dc25b53766164144\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\">Articles<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_4\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b2dc25c63139093062\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amblesideschools.com\/main\/educator-support\" target=\"_blank\">Members<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\"><span style=\"color: #003865;\">&gt; Return to Blog Posts<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Our Christmas Stories&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23020202&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;15&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Our hearts are a work in progress, always being\u00a0formed by\u00a0the way\u00a0we\u00a0individually\u00a0and corporately\u00a0give\u00a0attention.\u00a0Christmas gifts are good and lovely things, worthy of\u00a0our\u00a0attention. If\u00a0we\u00a0share joyful appreciation for gifts given, our hearts grow in joy.\u00a0But if\u00a0we\u00a0are consumed with the gifts\u00a0and fail to appreciate the givers, our hearts grow in selfishness. Likewise,\u00a0Christmas\u00a0meals\u00a0are good and lovely,\u00a0worthy of our attention. If\u00a0while sharing a Christmas meal,\u00a0we\u00a0express\u00a0interest in and appreciation for\u00a0the food and\u00a0one another,\u00a0our hearts grow in joy. If\u00a0around the table,\u00a0preoccupied with self,\u00a0we\u00a0fail\u00a0to\u00a0demonstrate care\u00a0and\u00a0genuine appreciation,\u00a0our hearts grow\u00a0sick.\u00a0When joyfully given and gratefully received,\u00a0Christmas gifts\u00a0and shared meals\u00a0are good\u00a0and lovely,\u00a0composing a\u00a0beautiful\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0personal\u00a0Christmas\u00a0stories.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">We are always\u00a0telling a\u00a0story, sometimes intentionally, more often unconsciously.\u00a0Every personal interaction\u00a0is part of a\u00a0shared\u00a0narrative and, thus,\u00a0has something of\u00a0the\u00a0story to it.\u00a0All Christmas day, we will be telling each other a story. What will that story be?\u00a0Most of us\u00a0retell\u00a0the story we were told\u00a0as children,\u00a0though\u00a0modified by\u00a0spousal and\u00a0cultural expectations.\u00a0What was good about our childhood Christmas\u00a0story? What\u00a0is good about\u00a0our\u00a0current\u00a0expectations for Christmas?\u00a0What\u00a0is less than the best? For the children\u2019s sake, what would we\u00a0have different? Bringing up children well, even on Christmas,\u00a0especially on Christmas,\u00a0requires a measure of reflection and intentionality.\u00a0To what\u00a0should\u00a0we give attention?\u00a0Is that attention joyful or anxious?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">No Christmas\u00a0is complete without\u00a0giving attention to\u00a0the\u00a0definitive\u00a0Christmas story. After the\u00a0dishes are\u00a0washed and put away,\u00a0after the\u00a0gifts\u00a0are put\u00a0aside, and before the youngest is off to bed:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Gather as a family.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Let each\u00a0tell of things\u00a0for which she\/he is\u00a0feeling\u00a0grateful.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Let father or mother read the Christmas story.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Together retell the story.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Together, consider:\u00a0What\u00a0is wonderful\u00a0about the Christian story? What is important about the Christmas story?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pray\u00a0with gratitude for\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0Christmas and for today\u2019s Christmas.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">THE\u00a0CHRISTMAS STORY\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Luke\u00a02:1-20 (NRSV)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary,\u00a0\u2026who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, \u201cDo not be afraid; for see\u2014I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and\u00a0lying in a manger.\u201d And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cGlory to God in the highest heaven,\u00a0and on earth peace among those whom he favors!\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, \u201cLet us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.\u201d\u00a0So,\u00a0they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned,\u00a0glorifying,\u00a0and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bringing up children well, even on Christmas, especially on Christmas, requires a measure of reflection and intentionality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bill-st-cyr"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Our Christmas Stories - Ambleside International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Our Christmas Stories - Ambleside International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Bringing up children well, even on Christmas, especially on Christmas, requires a measure of reflection and intentionality.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ambleside International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-12-22T16:51:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-01-31T22:05:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"341\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"294\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jordan Carmichael\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jordan Carmichael\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/\",\"name\":\"Our Christmas Stories - Ambleside International\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-12-22T16:51:02+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-01-31T22:05:32+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/bb417d32f085e4e9608d5a9d861da18b\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg\",\"width\":341,\"height\":294,\"caption\":\"Family Enjoying Christmas Dinner --- Image by \u00a9 Ariel Skelley\/CORBIS\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Our Christmas Stories\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\",\"name\":\"Ambleside International\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/bb417d32f085e4e9608d5a9d861da18b\",\"name\":\"Jordan Carmichael\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d65b0421cb6d774f497ebbaec871f242a55ecf1b57945221bd299cd0dda7820a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d65b0421cb6d774f497ebbaec871f242a55ecf1b57945221bd299cd0dda7820a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jordan Carmichael\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/author\/jordan-carmichael\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Our Christmas Stories - Ambleside International","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Our Christmas Stories - Ambleside International","og_description":"Bringing up children well, even on Christmas, especially on Christmas, requires a measure of reflection and intentionality.","og_url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/","og_site_name":"Ambleside International","article_published_time":"2021-12-22T16:51:02+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-01-31T22:05:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":341,"height":294,"url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jordan Carmichael","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jordan Carmichael","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/","name":"Our Christmas Stories - Ambleside International","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg","datePublished":"2021-12-22T16:51:02+00:00","dateModified":"2022-01-31T22:05:32+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/bb417d32f085e4e9608d5a9d861da18b"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg","width":341,"height":294,"caption":"Family Enjoying Christmas Dinner --- Image by \u00a9 Ariel Skelley\/CORBIS"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/our-christmas-stories\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Our Christmas Stories"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/","name":"Ambleside International","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/bb417d32f085e4e9608d5a9d861da18b","name":"Jordan Carmichael","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d65b0421cb6d774f497ebbaec871f242a55ecf1b57945221bd299cd0dda7820a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d65b0421cb6d774f497ebbaec871f242a55ecf1b57945221bd299cd0dda7820a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jordan Carmichael"},"url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/author\/jordan-carmichael\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Christmas-Blog-Post.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=834"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/835"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=834"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=834"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}