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