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!

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