Why the Ornament Exchange?

Each year moms from our local area get together for an ornament exchange.  Here are some of the results…

They’re beautiful, and so creative.  When I met with these moms initially, there was some worry and hesitation.  Many of them said, “I’m not creative.  I’m not really an artist.  I don’t know what I am going to do.”  I was right there with them.  We moms walked out of the meeting in humility, and dependence upon God to provide an idea.

When we came together again, I asked each of the moms to share their heart behind the ornament.  What made you think of this idea?  What did God teach you through His stories from the Bible?  Each one shared with confidence, story after story of how God had led them to the idea of the ornament.

One shared how a dying rose bush provided wood for the stump of the Jesse Tree.  Another kept hearing and humming a praise song in her head about how God made the stars and knows them by name.  God provided her the idea of stars.  One member shared how her entire family (24) came for Thanksgiving, and all helped her make the ornaments!

Another honestly said she didn’t like her story (Offering of Isaac).  God showed her through the struggle that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than our thoughts.  She learned although some of God’s ways are hard to accept, He has a plan and a purpose that extends our understanding.

We all realized a consistent theme at the end.  God is faithful.  He helped each of us create something beyond what we thought we could do. 

“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.  The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:13-16).”

I never thought I would consider making a Christmas ornament as a step of faith, but it most certainly has become one!   Each year as we participate in our ornament exchanges, myself and many other women come away not only with a precious set of ornaments for Christmas but some growth and greater trust having gone through the process.

Each time we hang a Jesse Tree ornament on the tree–I think of the face and precious story of the mom who made it.

God is faithful in ALL things!  Can’t wait to hear how He proved Himself trustworthy to you this season!

Would you like to have this experience too?  Gather a group of your friends, make some ornaments, buy our ebook, and see the faithfulness of God at work in your group!

Here’s HOW.