Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas Gift Thank You Copywork


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If you have children and your extended family is anything like mine, you were probably the recipient of great generosity over the past couple of weeks.  My children are very young, so they don't understand this generosity, but we are trying to teach them to be thankful for the things that they are given, so I am having my three year old write thank you notes to the people who have him presents.

I know that thank you notes are not always customary for Christmas gifts, but I think this is a great way to help your children remember that people actually thought of them and spent their money on these gifts.  It is also good to get your child in the habit of writing thank you notes so it will be automatic as they get older.  For any age child, it is good penmanship practice and a good opportunity to either teach or practice letter formatting.

I am having my son copy the sentence at the top of the sheet below and then write his name at the bottom.  I will fill in the rest of the page (recipient name at the top and the detail of the note on the middle lines).  If you have a child who is learning to write and a child who can write on their own fairly well, have the older child write the more detailed part on the middle lines.

Do you like using copywork with your children?  I have a site filled with ready-made pages to make your life simpler! 


Thousands of Copywork Pages, Ready-Made for You!

I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with your family and friends!  If you are breaking from school, enjoy these last few days before we all (officially) get back to the books =)


Happy Writing

Monday, December 19, 2011

Advent: Week 3 - Angels

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Memory Verse - Luke 2:10-12

Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
  
 Verses to Read - 

December 19th - Luke 1:26-38
December 20th - Matthew 1:18-25
December 21st - Luke 2:8-15


Ornaments to Use - (download ornaments)

December 19th - Mary and the Angel
December 20th - Joseph and the Angel
December 21st - The Shepherds and the Angels


Song - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"


Activities and Discussion - 

This week, light three candles when you read the Bible passages.   Explain how the angels brought even more light to the world concerning Christ. 

For these days of advent we will focus on acting out the storyline.  Of course you could do crafts like constructing angles or sheep or whatever as well.  Talk to your child(ren) about how the angels were used by God to spread the news of the coming King (Jesus), first to Mary and Joseph, then to the shepherds.  This would be a great time to practice if your child is going to be a part of a nativity program on Christmas.  Act out the scenes and let your child be the character they will be in the program, or say the verses they will be reciting, or sing the song they will be singing.

Merry Christmas!

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Advent: Week 2 - Preparation Day 5

Advent Tree Ornament - "Go Home" Sign
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light two candles while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Luke 2:1-3 & Micah 5:2


In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.    Luke 2:1-3

 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.    Micah 5:2

 Activity - Take a Census




Explain to your child that a census (very simply) means to take a count of something.  Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem because the governor wanted to count how many people were in each family.  Have your child conduct a census!  You can find out how many people live on your street, or how many people are in your family, or whatever makes sense for you and your child!

I had Trevor call his grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles to ask them how many people live in their house.  Then he drew lines on the graph that I made from the person to the number of people in their house.  His lines were a little 'squiggley' (as we like to say =) but he seemed to understand how high they should go.  You could put pictures of your family members instead of writing their names so your child can understand better if they cannot read yet.  Then we counted how many people total were in our family.  I had him practice reading the graph by asking questions like...'Which house has the most people in it?' 'Which houses have three people in it?" "How many houses have two people in it?" (etc.)  I think this was a great way to help a little one understand what was actually going on with Mary and Joseph.


Memory Verse - Luke 2:1&3 (if you have older children you could add verse 2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...And all went to be registered, each to his own town.


Discussion -

Explain to your child how everything in all of history had to be prepared just right for Jesus to com in the world.  If everything wasn't 'just so' then the prophecies wouldn't have been fulfilled.  Guess where Mary and Joseph had to go to be registered?  Yes, Bethlehem! God had to arrange it so that Caesar Augustus would call for this census at just the same time that Mary was due to have her baby in order for the prophecy of Micah 5:2 to be fulfilled...amazing!  All this week we will see the stage being set for the coming King.


Vocab Words - (definitions for preschoolers)

  1. Decree - someone saying something that HAS to be done
  2. Caesar Augustus - he was like the 'king' of the area (giving him the right to give a decree!)
  3. Registered - everyone going and writing their name down (or whatever) to say Yes, I am here!) Caesar Augustus wanted to know how many people there were.

Song - O, Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 
For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Advent: Week 2 - Preparation Day 4

Advent Tree Ornament - Crooked Pathway Made Straight
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light two candles while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Luke 1:67-80

 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he was visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.  And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Activity - Speaking with Emotions

Ask your child what they think it would be like to finally be able to speak after nine months of not speaking.  Trevor thought Zechariah would be sad =)  I think he was confused, thinking how Zechariah felt not being able to talk for so long.  Ask you child to say something in a happy voice (I gave Trevor a simple sentence to repeat) and then something in a sad voice.  Go through a range of emotions.  We did happy, sad, excited, and sleepy.  Ask you child again how they think Zechariah felt and then have them repeat (or read) parts of Zechariah's speech from today's reading in that emotion. Trevor had a good time doing this exercise and I bet your child will too!  


Memory Verse - Luke 2:1&3 (if you have older children you could add verse 2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...And all went to be registered, each to his own town.


Discussion -

Explain to your child how everything in all of history had to be prepared just right for Jesus to com in the world.  If everything wasn't 'just so' then the prophecies wouldn't have been fulfilled.  Guess where Mary and Joseph had to go to be registered?  Yes, Bethlehem! God had to arrange it so that Caesar Augustus would call for this census at just the same time that Mary was due to have her baby in order for the prophecy of Micah 5:2 to be fulfilled...amazing!  All this week we will see the stage being set for the coming King.


Vocab Words - (definitions for preschoolers)

  1. Decree - someone saying something that HAS to be done
  2. Caesar Augustus - he was like the 'king' of the area (giving him the right to give a decree!)
  3. Registered - everyone going and writing their name down (or whatever) to say Yes, I am here!) Caesar Augustus wanted to know how many people there were.

Song - O, Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 
For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas! 

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Advent: Week 2 - Preparation Day 3

Advent Tree Ornament - "His Name is John" Sign
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light two candles while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Luke 1:57-66

Now the time came for Elizabeth go give birth, and she bore a son.  And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.  And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child.  And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John.  And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name."  And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called.  And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John."  And they all wondered.  And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.  And fear came on all their neighbors.  And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?"  For the hand of the Lord was with him.

 Activity - "His name is John."  Copywork

Let your child pretend to be like Zechariah and practice his writing at the same time!  Use the page below to have your child write out "His name is John."  You could even have your child be silent while writing this and as soon as he is done, let him speak...just like Zechariah!

download

Memory Verse - Luke 2:1&3 (if you have older children you could add verse 2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...And all went to be registered, each to his own town.


Discussion -

Explain to your child how everything in all of history had to be prepared just right for Jesus to com in the world.  If everything wasn't 'just so' then the prophecies wouldn't have been fulfilled.  Guess where Mary and Joseph had to go to be registered?  Yes, Bethlehem! God had to arrange it so that Caesar Augustus would call for this census at just the same time that Mary was due to have her baby in order for the prophecy of Micah 5:2 to be fulfilled...amazing!  All this week we will see the stage being set for the coming King.


Vocab Words - (definitions for preschoolers)

  1. Decree - someone saying something that HAS to be done
  2. Caesar Augustus - he was like the 'king' of the area (giving him the right to give a decree!)
  3. Registered - everyone going and writing their name down (or whatever) to say Yes, I am here!) Caesar Augustus wanted to know how many people there were.

Song - O, Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 
For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!      Pin It

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Advent: Week 2 - Preparation Day 2

Advent Tree Ornament - "No Talking" Sign
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light two candles while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading -  Luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah.  And he has a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. 
Now while he was serving as priest before  God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.  And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord.  And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.  And he will turn many of the children if Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before them in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." 
And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."  And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.  And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."  And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple.  And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple.  And he kept making signs to them and remained must.  And when his service was ended, he went to his home. 
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, "Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."

 Activity - Speaking Without Words

Take a scarf (or something similar) and tie it around your child's mouth.  Tell him that he is going to be like Zechariah, who couldn't speak since he did not believe the angel.  See if he can stay silent for one minute...it's harder than it sounds for a child!  Next, tell your child to try to tell you something without talking.  Have them think about how you can communicate without words.  This was great fun for us!  Trevor kept wanting to play off and on all day.

Being good and silent =)


Memory Verse - Luke 2:1&3 (if you have older children you could add verse 2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

Discussion -

Explain to your child how everything in all of history had to be prepared just right for Jesus to com in the world.  If everything wasn't 'just so' then the prophecies wouldn't have been fulfilled.  Guess where Mary and Joseph had to go to be registered?  Yes, Bethlehem! God had to arrange it so that Caesar Augustus would call for this census at just the same time that Mary was due to have her baby in order for the prophecy of Micah 5:2 to be fulfilled...amazing!  All this week we will see the stage being set for the coming King.


Vocab Words - (definitions for preschoolers)

  1. Decree - someone saying something that HAS to be done
  2. Caesar Augustus - he was like the 'king' of the area (giving him the right to give a decree!)
  3. Registered - everyone going and writing their name down (or whatever) to say Yes, I am here!) Caesar Augustus wanted to know how many people there were.

Song - O, Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 
For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Advent: Week 2 - Preparation Day 1

Advent Tree Ornament - Courtroom Witness
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light two candles while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - John 1:1-9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  There was a man sent from  God, whose name was John.  He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.  He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.  The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Activity - What's a Witness?

For this activity, make it fun by having your child dress up like John the Baptist.  The Bible tells us that he wore camel's hair and a leather belt.  I just put a big fuzzy sweater on the kids and put a belt around their waists.  They got a big kick out of it =)

Explain to your child what a witness it.  I told Trevor that if he saw me sitting on a chair then he witnessed me sitting on the chair.  Explain that a witness has to tell the truth to people.  That is exactly what John the Baptist did, he told the people the truth about the coming Jesus.

In my best booming, official voice I asked Trevor "Who is Jesus?"  He answered "God."  Then I asked "John, the Baptist, where did Jesus come from?" He answered "No, I'm flying John the Baptist!" (He thought it was funny the the sleeves of my sweater were to long on him and he was pretending that they were wings.) Eventually he came up with "earth" and "Bethlehem."  I was fishing for "Heaven" but that's ok =)  Then I had him repeat after me (in his best, booming, man voice) "After me one is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.  I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."


If you'd like, you could also give your child a snack of honey and perhaps raisins or whatever you can think of to represent locusts!




My two little witnesses =)













Memory Verse - Luke 2:1&3 (if you have older children you could add verse 2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

Discussion -

Explain to your child how everything in all of history had to be prepared just right for Jesus to com in the world.  If everything wasn't 'just so' then the prophecies wouldn't have been fulfilled.  Guess where Mary and Joseph had to go to be registered?  Yes, Bethlehem! God had to arrange it so that Caesar Augustus would call for this census at just the same time that Mary was due to have her baby in order for the prophecy of Micah 5:2 to be fulfilled...amazing!  All this week we will see the stage being set for the coming King.


Vocab Words - (definitions for preschoolers)

  1. Decree - someone saying something that HAS to be done
  2. Caesar Augustus - he was like the 'king' of the area (giving him the right to give a decree!)
  3. Registered - everyone going and writing their name down (or whatever) to say Yes, I am here!) Caesar Augustus wanted to know how many people there were.

Song - O, Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

 
For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!    Pin It

Monday, December 12, 2011

Advent: Week 2 - Preparation


Photo Credit


Memory Verse - Luke 2:1&3  (if you have older children you could add verse 2)
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered...And all went to be registered, each to his own town.

Verses to Read -

December 12th - John 1:1-9
December 13th - Luke 1:5-25
December 14th - Luke 1:57-66
December 15th - Luke 1:67-80
December 16th - Luke 2:1-3 & Micah 5:2


Ornaments to Use - (download ornaments)

December 12th - Courtroom witness
December 13th - No talking sign
December 14th - His make is John sign
December 15th - Crooked pathway made straight
December 16th - Go home sign


Song - O, Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above the deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in the dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

(There are more verses if your child is older or more ambitious!)


Activities - 

December 12th -
  • Have your child pretend to be John the Baptist.  Put a leather belt around him and a sweater (for the coat of camel's hair).
  • Ask your child questions about Jesus and have him be a 'witness' of what he knows.  Some of the things John the Baptist witnessed about were: Who is Jesus? (God' Son) and Why did Jesus come? (to take away the sins of the world).
  • You could have your child repeat (or read) the words of John the Baptist "After me one is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.  I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
  • Give your child a snack of honey and raisins (to represent locusts)

December 13th -
  • Tie a scarf around your child's mouth. (Not in any way to hurt them!  Just as a reminder to them to not talk.)
  • See how long they can be quiet (try 1 minute =)
  • Have the child try to communicate something to you without talking (wanting a snack or wanting to play with a certain toy, for example)

December 14 -
  • "His name is John." copywork

December 15 -
  • Help your child imagine what it would be like to finally be able to speak after 9 months of not talking.
  • Have your child practice a range of emotions (excited/bored, happy/sad, thankful/ungrateful, for example)
  • Have your child repeat (or read) parts of Zechariah's speech (from today's reading) how you think he might have said them (excited, thankful, etc.)

December 16th -
  • Explain to your child what a census is.
  • Conduct a small census of your own!  If you know your neighbors, you could knock on a few doors and ask how many people live in their house.  You could call a few family members and ask them.  Do whatever makes the most sense for your situation.
  • Have your child chart or graph (or just practice counting!) his findings.

Check back throughout the week to see more details on how we did each activity.  To see the entire list of verses we are using and breakdown of the weeks, click here.  Also, I'd love to know if you are doing this along with us!  Let me know if you have any questions or if you have any other ideas for celebrating Advent.

Merry Christmas!   Pin It

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy Day 7

Advent Tree Ornament - Megaphone
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Malach3:1 & Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 & Mark 1:1-11

Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.  And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.      Malachi 3

 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for for all her sins.  A voice cries: 'In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.' ....... Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God!'  Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.    Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, 'Behold, I will send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,''  John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins......  Mark 1:1-4

Activity - Making Straight the Path

For this lesson, the kids pretended to be John the Baptist and 'make straight the path' for Jesus.  Isaiah talks about the valleys being lifted up and the mountains being made low, so I created a simple obstacle course down our hallway.  I had the kids try to go through it and asked if it was easy or hard to do.  Then I had Trevor pretend to be John the Baptist and clear the way for Jesus.  He got to pull all the stuff out of hallway.  Then I had him go through the hallway again, but of course this time there was nothing left in the hallway, so it was very easy!  Explain to your kids the symbolism of this as much as they can understand depending on their age.


Ready to start!


Climbing through the course!
Working hard clearing the way!

 You could do other fun things with this, like dress your child up like John the Baptist according to the description in Mark 1.  Have them do the obstacle course and clear the way dressed up!  If you have more than one child (old enough to speak well and understand reasonable instructions =) you could have one child stand at the end of the obstacle course and have the other child be the messenger. Whisper something to the 'messenger' and have him go through the course to tell the other child the message.  I did this with Trevor (not going through the obstacle course though) to show him what a messenger was since he didn't know.


Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.


Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!       Pin It

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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy Day 6

Advent Tree Ornament - Cross
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Isaiah 53

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Activity - Coloring the Cross & Copywork

I had Trevor color the cross on the page below while I read the passage today.  This is a long section to read, so I knew that it would be good to have him do something while I read.  I specifically instructed him to try to color nicely in the lines and to fill up the whole cross (those of you with girls who love to color don't have to instruct on these kinds of things, but those of you with boys whose inclination is to scribble for 5 seconds and be done will know what I'm talking about =)  I think it worked our well because all throughout the reading he would ask what different words meant (like sorrow, despised, crushed, etc.) so I knew that he was listening.

This passage is essentially about Jesus bearing our sins.  In our home we talk a lot about how Jesus died and rose from the grave, so this lended itself nicely to a deeper discussion about that (as deep as a 3yo can go =)  This really is a fabulous passage of scripture!  Take the time to read it through with your children and let them ask questions.  "Mom, what does it mean that he was not beautiful?"  "What does it mean that he carried our sorrows?"  "What do you mean that we are like sheep?"

Next, I had Trevor read the sentence at the bottom of the page, "Jesus was born to die." Obviously this is a very simplistic take on Jesus' life, but I wanted to tie in the 'why' of all this advent hoopla.  If Jesus would have been born, but never died (and rose again), then we would have nothing to celebrate!  Make sure that you touch on that at some point this Christmas season.  I was impressed with how well Trevor read the sentence.  He needed coaching, but his confidence in trying to sound out longer words is growing and his ability to read some words without sounding out each phonogram is increasing as well.  Then he copied the sentence.  He gets a few letter backwards sometimes, but in general he is doing well with this too.  I miss our usual copywork and am excited to get back to it after Christmas!

download

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.


Merry Christmas!      Pin It

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy Day 5

Advent Tree Ornament - Map of Judea
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Micah 5:2 & Matthew 2:5-6

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler for me, one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.         Micah 5:2

They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, ar by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"         Matthew 2:5-6

 Activity - Maps

As you read today's Bible reading, have your child(ren) color a map of Judea.  Have them listen for the word Bethlehem in the reading and try to find it on the map (or just show the younger ones =)  This would be a great time to review or introduce maps to your children.  For beginners, point out which areas are land and which are water.  Show them how the words next to the dots are cities, etc.  Talk about how Bethlehem is a city.  Ask your child what city you live in.  Get out a map/globe, or we pulled up a map online.  I wanted to use the map online because Trevor doesn't have a clue what it means when we say that we live in the United States of America (or our city, or our state, etc.) and I thought it would be neat to show him the 'zoom' feature.  Daddy took over this part of the lesson.  He started by putting in our address and clicking on 'satellite' so that it would actually look like our house.  He tried to explain that looking at a map is like what you would see if you were in an airplane way up high, looking down.  Then he zoomed back one to see a few main roads that Trevor is familiar with.  Then they zoomed back again and again, talking about what they were seeing each time, until they got to the whole world and Daddy pointed out Israel.  Then they zoomed in on Israel a little at a time until the picture on the screen looked pretty much like the picture of our coloring page map.  I'm sure that Trevor still doesn't understand that the earth is round or how long a thousand miles is, but I think it was a nice introduction to maps =)

 
click to print

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.


Merry Christmas!          Pin It

I'm linked up at:
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy Day 4

Advent Tree Ornament -Street Sign
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading -  Isaiah 7:13-14 & Matthew 1:22-23

And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.             Isaiah 7:13-14

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel"             Matthew 1:22-23

Activity - Signs

Show your child a variety of signs and have them try to identify them. Ask them what a sign is used for.  Essentially a sign is there to tell you something.  It can tell you something to do, or something not to do.  Where to go, or where not to go.  What something is, or what is coming up.  Explain to your child(ren) that Isaiah said God would give the Israelites a sign, not like a board alongside the road, but their sign would be a person, a girl giving birth to a son and calling him Immanuel.

download

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23 (notice this is the same as our Bible Reading for today)

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

I hope you are all enjoying your advent season so far!  Honestly we are having some attitude issues around here (I'm probably as much at fault as the child =) which make pretty much everything a challenge, but because of that I am all the more thankful to have this keeping me grounded in the Bible and what is most important.

Merry Christmas!        Pin It

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy Day 3

Advent Tree Ornament - Light Bulb
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading - Isaiah 9:1-7 & Matthew 4:13-16
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.  For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.  For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.  The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.        Isaiah 9:1-7

And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned."       Matthew 4:13-16

Discussion -
  • Do you think that these people lived with no lights on everywhere (physical darkness)?
    • No, darkness here is talking about not knowing the truth and not living in a way that is pleasing to God.
  • When the people see a great light, do you think that a big light bulb is going to come and shine for them?
    • No, the great light they are talking about here is Jesus!  He would come and show the people right from wrong.  We can not know anything apart from the "light" of Christ (they will get this better after the activity).
  • Was Isaiah written before or after the birth of Jesus?  How about Matthew?
    • Explain how the Old Testament was written before Jesus, so when it talks about something that will happen regarding Christ it is a prophecy (something that hasn't happened yet, but will!)  Explain how the New Testament was written about Jesus life and the events after he died (and rose again!)

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


Activity - Cave of Darkness

  • Make a cave (tent) with your child by putting a large blanket over some chairs.
  • Send your child into the cave to tell you if an light is coming in.  Try to block any beams of light.
  • Once the cave is dark, place a few items inside and ask your child if they know what you put in their (you might have to have them close their eyes while you are sliding the item in, since you will be letting light in while you are doing so.)
  • Next, give your child a flashlight and see if they can identify the items.  Of course they will be able to now that they have light!
  • Talk to your child(ren) about how that it what it is like without Jesus.  Without Jesus it is like we are living in darkness, unable to really see and understand things, but when we know Jesus he enables us to see and understand what is good and bad and how we should live.

For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

FREE Baby Lamb's Book of Art offer from How Great Thou ART

In our curriculum this year we have been using Baby Lamb's Book of Art from How Great Thou Art.  This book is designed for 3-5 year-olds and my 3 year old son just loves it.  With over 100 pages of lessons, there is something new and different to do each day.  If you have older children, How Great Thou Art has many options for great Art curriculum (ages 3-10, ages 8 & up, and ages 12 & up).   
If you have an older child and a preschooler, How Great Thou Art has just the deal for you right now!  With three of their most popular art books, right now you get a FREE Baby Lamb's Book of Art.  You can purchase either I Can Do All Things, God and the History of Art, or Feed My Sheep and Baby Lamb's Book of Art is yours FREE!

I love the resources from How Great Thou ART because they actually teach children the principles of how to draw and they do it in an engaging, fun way.  If you want to learn more, you can also check out their facebook page and see clips from come of their DVD teaching sets.  Here is one of the clips they have up right now...



So head over and check them out if you are in the market for a new art book or still need a Christmas gift for a lucky child!

Happy Drawing!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Advent: Week1 - Prophecy Day 2

Advent Tree Ornament - Stump
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Bible Reading -  Isaiah 11:1-2 & Jeremiah 23:5-6

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.   Isaiah 11:1-2

 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reigh as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in land.  In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely.  And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'    Jeremiah 23:5-6

Activity with Discussion - The Stump of Jesse
  • Draw a picture of a tree on a piece of paper.
    • Explain how the tree represents Jesse (totally above my 3yo, but if your children are older you could talk more about lineage and how a tree often represents family).
    • Talk about how a big tree like this is alive and growing and fruitful.
  • Have your child rip off the top part of the tree, leaving just the stump.
    •  Ask your child if he thinks that a stump like this would grow branches and leaves and fruit (my little guy said 'yes!' woops =)
    • If your child is older you can talk more about lineage and what it would mean for a family line to be cut off.
  • On a second piece of paper, draw just a stump, but unlike your previous ripped off stump, have a long branch coming up from it.
    • Talk about how no one would expect a big strong branch like this to grow from a stump, and it would definitely not yield fruit!
    • Point back to the Bible reading that said this fruit (Jesus) would reign as king and have the Spirit of the Lord upon him.
  • Have your child put fruit on the branch that is coming up out of the stump.
    • I printed out apples for my kids to glue on, but you could have your child draw fruit on or whatever creative idea you can come up with!

Talking about a good healthy tree.

Ripped off stump.

Gluing on our apples.

View of our two pages in case you want to do something similar.

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.

Merry Christmas!       Pin It

I'm linked up at:

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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy Day 1

Our Thanksgiving Tree turned Advent Tree! Notice our first ornament on it.

Advent Tree Ornament - Bible
  • Click here to download my ornaments to print out yourself.
  • If you have an advent wreath, light one candle while your do your Bible reading (we read it in the morning without the candle and then light the candle when we read it again at night with daddy.)

Our simple gathering of Advent candles.  I know they're supposed to be certain colors, but I just used what I had =)


Bible Reading - 2 Peter 1:19-21
And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Discussion -
  • What is the prophetic word?  
    • Explain how the Old Testament was written before Jesus was born and it looks forward to Christ.
  • What did they need to pay attention to?
    • The prophetic word (the Old Testament)
  • Who wrote the Bible
    • Man physically wrote the Bible.
  •  Did the men write whatever they wanted to write?
    • No, they wrote what the Holy Spirit guided them to write.

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.

Vocab Words -
  1. Prophet: a person who speaks for God (in this case, prophesying the coming of Christ.)
  2. Immanuel (Emmanuel): God with us, referring to Jesus.
  3. Bear: to bring forth or give birth
    • I wasn't going to stress this part, but Trevor asked, so we talked about it =)
    • We recounted how a baby grows in the mommy's belly and then comes out.  The 'coming out' is the bearing! 

Song - Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.


Explaining the song to a 3 year old:

Come Jesus and save Israel! They are sad and lonely, waiting for Jesus.  Be happy, Israel!  Jesus will come to you!


Activity - Finding the Light in the Darkness

  • Go into a room, close the door, turn off any large lights/lamps, and shut the windows.
  • Have your child(ren) see what lights they can see in the darkenss.
    • Trevor spotted the light coming in at the very top of the window, his nightlight, his alarm clock, the tiny light on the baby monitor, the light coming in from the bottom of the door, and the light coming in from the heater grate.
  • Talk about how easy it is to see these light sources in the dark and how it's easy to pay attention to them.
    • Relate this to the Bible reading from today 'to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.'
    •  Teach them that we need to pay attention to the Bible (read it, listen to it, obey it, etc.) as much as we pay attention to a light shining in the darkness.
  • If you want to bring early science into it you can do Sid the Science Kid's Light Scavenger Hunt
    • Talk about where light comes from (the sun, electricity, batteries, etc.)

 For printable advent ornaments and the list of verses for the whole month, click here.  For all of this weeks activities, click here.


Merry Christmas!      Pin It

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Monday, November 28, 2011

Advent: Week 1 - Prophecy


Photo Credit

Memory Verse - Matthew 1:22-23 
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.'

Verses to Read – 

·         December 1st - 2 Peter 1:19-21
·         December 2nd - Isaiah 11:1-2 & Jeremiah 23:5-6
·         December 5th - Isaiah 9:1-7 & Matthew 4:13-16
·         December 6th - Isaiah 7:13-14 & Matthew 1:22-23
·         December 7th - Micah 5:2 & Matthew 2:5-6
·         December 8th - Isaiah 53
·         December 9th - Malachi 3:1 & Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 & Mark 1:1-11

      
     Ornaments to Use - (download ornaments)
           
      December 1st - Bible
      December 2nd - Stump
      December 5th - Lightbulb
      December 6th - Sign
      December 7th - Map of Israel
      December 8th - Cross
      December 9th - Megaphone


Song – Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

(If your child can handle more, there are at least six more verses!  Or also consider memorizing Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.)

Activities -

·         December 1st
  • Sid the Science Kid 'Light Scavenger Hunt'  When the lights are low, is it easy to pay attention to the different light sources?  Explain how we should pay attention to the Bible like we would do a light in a dark room.  Explain how people a long time ago had to pay attention to their 'Bibles' if they wanted to know what to look for when Jesus came.
·         December 2nd
  • Make a tree out of paper (or anything else if you are creative. =) 'Cut' it down to the stump.  Talk about if the tree will grow back into a big fruitful tree.  Then have a branch grow up from it and have the child glue 'fruit' onto it.  Explain (to your child's ability) how Jesus came from David/Jesse's line and was like a shoot that came up out of a stump.
·         December 5th
  • Sid the Science Kid 'Cave of Darkness'  In the dark 'cave' can you see anything? Do you know where anything is or about anything?  What if you have a flashlight? Jesus makes us be able to ‘see’ things clearly and know how to do things. Explain how Jesus is a light in the darkness.
·         December 6th
  • Look at different signs.  What do they tell you?  The people were able to look forward to great hope by looking and waiting for the sign.
·         December 7th
  • Color map of Israel.  Point out Bethlehem.  Find Israel on a map.
  December 8th -
  • Color a cross while listening to the reading.   Explain in Isaiah 53 how Jesus was sent so that he could die for us.
·         December 9th
  • Set up an obstacle course for your children.  Then have child push away the obstacles and go through the course again and see how much easier it is.  Your children could even shout "Make ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight!" While they are clearing away the obstacles.  Explain that this is why John the Baptist was sent.

Check back throughout the week to see more details on how we did each activity.  To see the entire list of verses we are using and breakdown of the weeks, click here.  Also, I'd love to know if you are doing this along with us!  Let me know if you have any questions or if you have any other ideas for celebrating Advent.

Merry Christmas!       Pin It

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