Gibee at Kisses of Sunshine is hosting a Homemade With Love Holiday Gift Idea Exchange today. If there is a gift that you could make for the holidays, make up a sample, post a picture and instructions, then link to Gibee’s.

This is an idea I have used for our “Secret Sister” program at church, but it could be used for anyone. The idea is to personalize the Word of God, to remind ourselves that it really does apply to us.

This is for a friend named Cheryl (who doesn’t have a computer so hopefully won’t hear about this yet). I look for Scriptures that apply to what I know of her needs, usually promises, and insert her name; for example,

For God so loved Cheryl, that he gave his only begotten Son, that is she believeth in him she should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

or

Fear thou not, Cheryl; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

It’s at this point, though, that I want to urge great caution. The Word of God is not just inspirational: it is the very Word of God, and we want to handle it carefully. Be careful not to distort it and not to use a verse that was spoken to a specific person for a specific time and purpose and is not generally applicable, and not to wrench a verse from its context so it misconstrues the meaning. It is best to keep to verses or promises that would apply to anyone and can simply have a name added just as a way to help the person remember that it is for them as well.

I print out a page of these verses with a font that is a little fancy but not so much so that it is hard to read. This one is Kayleigh.

Then I cut the individual verses into strips. I’ve done it before with just a paper cutter, but decorative scissors can be used.

Then I wrap the individual verses around a pencil with the beginning of the verse on the outside (so that when she unwraps it she sees the first of the verse first rather than the end). It won’t stay this tightly wound, but that’s okay.

When all the verses have been wound like that, put them into something decorative. I like using metal tins — I like that it is decorative in itself and has a lid to keep things contained and dust out. But you could use a basket or pretty box as well.

Before I gave this, of course, I’d have it full.

You could put a ribbon with a gift tag around the top, if you’d like, or a note explaining to her what is inside..

You could use a Christmas tin or box, of course, but that will only come out at Christmas. Something that goes with her decor can be kept out year round.

You could also do the same thing with a small scrapbook and the verses cut in shapes to fit the page rather than in strips and decorative scrapbooking paper behind it. You would likely use fewer verses that way, but you could use verses on a certain theme — verses to encourage a new mother as a baby gift, verses promising God’s help and strength for a rough time, etc.

Be sure to check out Gibbe’s post on her blog, Kisses of Sunshine, and all the ideas included on Mr. Linky.

Also, other carnivals going on this week are Christmas Shopping Carnival at Don’t Try This at Home and the month of sewing and craft tutorials (some absolutely darling stuff!) at Sew, Mama, Sew. There is also a week of Thanksgiving poems, decorating ideas, etc. at There’s No Place Like Home.