"Shepherd on the Search" Tells the True Story of Christmas

How can parents get their kids to think about the true meaning of the season?  Josh and Lindsey Helms have two kids of their own, Jacob and Everley, and came up with a fun, family activity that helps keep the focus of Christmas on Christ.  

“Christmas – it’s very, very noisy,” says Lindsey. “Our kids attention is pulled in so many different directions with everything they see on TV, parties and events taking away the noise and opportunity for distractions, we think that Shepherd on the Search is a way to do that.”

Her husband Josh adds, “We don’t believe you have to choose between faith and fun, we believe you can do both.  Sometime after Thanksgiving, in the advent season, the shepherd comes to your house.   We have a party when he shows up to welcome him back to the house, which the kids love. You read the book with your kids, you can read it the first time, we read it multiple times, and then the next morning, the shepherd begins his journey.   Then every day that they wake up, until Christmas Day, he’s moved to a new place along his journey.”  

“We didn’t want this to become something that overwhelmed families,” says Lindsey. “Some days it’s just the activity of finding him, maybe one day the shepherd leaves a note telling your kids to go visit a nursing home or the local animal shelter.  It teaches them that it’s not only a season about receiving things, but a season of giving your time and kindness to others.”

The Helms hope that Shepherd on the Search will become a special part of many families’ Christmas traditions.

Lindsey says, “It gives us an opportunity and really a responsibility to make sure that Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus and help our kids remember the real reason for the season.”  

Josh says, “We’d love to see your pictures, love to see stuff you’re doing with your kids.   So please share that with us – #ShepherdOnTheSearch on social media, and then visit shepherdonthesearch.com for a lot of amazing ideas for how to use the shepherd every day until he finds Baby Jesus on Christmas Day.”

Their daughter, Everley, adds,  “Yeah, and finding the Baby Jesus at Christmas!”

“That’s what we want them to do,” Josh says. “Wake up every morning and look for Jesus.”