Straw in the Manger

by Candace Joy
from Virtuous Daughters, December 2007~Volume 7, Number 9

As a family, we have some traditions that we incorporate into our Christmas celebration of Christ’s birth. I will mention a few that we do and then explain one in detail.

We read the story of Jesus’ birth, verses that prophecy about Him, and that tell how he fulfilled prophecies, as well as special stories. We do a project called “Straw in the Manger.” We enjoy listening to the godly music of the season, including carols and Handel’s “Messiah.” Also, each of us gives a special gift to one family member.
 
“Straw in the Manger” is the tradition that I would like to further explain. We got this idea from a story that we read in a Chicken Soup book. Here are directions so that your family can do it too.
 
Materials needed are: index cards, pencil, straw, and a manger (container to hold the straw).

1. 1. Write the name of each family member on an index card. Shuffle the cards, face down.
2. 2. Everyone draws a card from the stack, reads the name to himself, and places the card in an new stack. (If you pick your own name, draw a new card, and then shuffle your name back into the stack.)
3. 3.  During the next week, do special things in secret for the person whose name you drew. No one is supposed to know who is blessing them. Be creative!
4. 4. Each time you do something special for the person whose name you drew, put a straw in the “manger.” Do this in secret.
5. 5. Draw a new name each week and proceed as above, beginning on step 3.

The idea of this project is to fill the manger as full as you can before Christmas.
  
Some ideas of special things to do for your family members are: pray especially for them, lay out their pajamas, dust their dresser.

• For Dad--straighten his workbench, rake the leaves or another outdoor project, arrange his shoes
• For Mom--entertain your siblings so she can rest, help with dinner, tidy up the house
• For siblings--make their bed, help with their chore, clean their room, read them a story.
  

I hope that this project will promote selflessness and draw you closer to your family this Christmas.

​“even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”—Matthew 20:28