Do It Yourself Christ-Centered Christmas Ornaments

It's that time of the year! Just a couple more weeks before Christmas, and you can already hear the bells ringing on every store corner, the stores are full of decorations, and millions of different items on display for those who are doing their Christmas shopping.

Decorating for Christmas has always been a challenge for me. I just never quite get why an holiday celebration that's meant to celebrate the birth of The Savior always have little or sometimes, no decorating options that points to the person of that Savior.

Yeah, I know you're thinking, "what about those nativity images you see in front of churches, or in parks, and maybe a few choice homes?" Well, I guess you're right. But, what is that compared to all the display of the rein deers, and the images of Santa and snowman that plague every home, office, and store display. I mean, hardly will you see one in every ten Christmas decorations that points to the one we are suppose to be celebrating.

So it got me thinking, "Where are the scriptural decorations. You know, the ones that's supposed to tell the story, the real story of Christmas?" If you are a believer and follower of Jesus like me you've probably wondered about the same thing.

For years I searched and couldn't find much, sometimes I'll find a nativity ornament, or an angel, or a cross. To me, that just wasn't enough. I wanted something that tells the true story of Christmas. So I decided to make my own. Yes, you heard right. I started to make my own Scriptural, Tell-The-Story-Of-Jesus type Christmas Ornaments.

Using Christmas ribbons and trims, some card stock paper, foam sheets, felts, decorative shimmering strings, and glue, I've been making my own Christmas Ornaments. And I tell you, they are beautiful! They make great gifts, and are a great conversation starter for when you need to tell your neighbors and friends, even visiting family members, about the true meaning of Christmas.

For me, I use the following:

• Christmas Ribbons and Trims
• Card Stock Paper (red, green, blue....)
• Foam Sheets
• Felts
• Decorative Shimmering Strings, and
• Glue

1. The base is either foam sheets or felts. I usually cut these into small rectangular shapes, about 4 inches by 5 inches.
2. The card stock are used for printing out the scriptural texts. For the text, I use a label layout in Microsoft Word Document (Avery US Letter - Option 5164). Once the texts are typed into each label cell (table cell), they are then cut out and glued on to the 3" X 5" felt or foam sheets.
3. The edges of the card stock can be decorated with Christmas Ribbons and Trims. See image below.
4. The Decorative Shimmering Strings is then glued to the back for hanging.

The Blue Christmas Ornament below is made out of self-adhesive foam sheet. Ordinary foam sheets can be used. The ones with glitters are more festive than the plain. These can be bought at any craft store.

The Red Christmas Ornament is made out of felt. Felts can be bought in all the colors imaginable at your fabric or craft stores.

I've been making these ornaments and giving it out every Christmas to my friends and neighbors, and I've received very positive responses. Many have incorporated these ornaments into their Christmas decorating traditions. It's a great way to share your faith as a believer in Jesus.

Recently, I've come across some worthy Christmas ornaments in stores like Hobby Lobby, and some Christian bookstores. Wouldn't it be great to actually have all the stores, offices, and homes decorate in ways that points others to the one and only reason for the season, Jesus Christ.

Wondering where you can find these ornaments? Visit these etsy stores.