Embracing the Spirit of Christmas with an Interactive Countdown

As Americans deck their halls for the holiday season, one mother from Dallas is striving to keep the focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Lillian Ritchie has developed an activity called “Finding Jesus,” which serves as an interactive countdown to Christmas that highlights the Nativity story.

The kit includes a stuffed Jesus toy and 24 puzzle pieces, along with Scripture passages, to educate families about the birth of Christ.

Ritchie shared that the inspiration for “Finding Jesus” emerged during a Bible study group. “We discussed how challenging it can be to remain centered on the essence of the season amid all the holiday hustle,” she noted.

During that same session, a woman described her child repeatedly picking up and dropping a figurine of the baby Jesus from a porcelain nativity set. Ritchie recalled, “She would ask, ‘Where’s Jesus?’ and we all realized, isn’t that precisely what we should be focusing on—finding Jesus instead of getting lost in everything else?”

She felt compelled to help children seek out Jesus over the distractions that often fill the Advent season.

Last year, Ritchie launched a stuffed Jesus toy, and her initial run of 10,000 sold out rapidly.

“I aimed for something simple and approachable, not intimidating,” she explained.

Ritchie articulated her desire for the kit to convey the narrative surrounding the birth of Jesus, emphasizing that it consists solely of Scripture with no added commentary. “It’s about the Word of God, a means to stay focused on the season’s true significance,” she said.

Many people across the nation have noted a revival in faith following the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. This event has led some non-believers to pick up the Bible for the first time in years.

During a Thanksgiving event, former President Trump commented on this shift, stating, “More people are praying. The church is returning… Religion is coming back to America.”

Ritchie observed a growing desire among individuals to renew their faith. “I think people are searching for that sensation of God’s presence within them,” she added.

She hopes the “Finding Jesus” kits will guide families and children in building a deeper relationship with God. “Jesus comes to us in our everyday lives, toys included,” Ritchie remarked.