Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Nov. 29 Decorate our Christmas tree (tree branch)
Psalm 91:1 The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship
Why do we put a Christmas tree in our house?
We don’t know how this first started, but we know that decorating a tree in our homes in honor of Jesus began in Germany. As the story goes, a teacher named Martin Luther was walking alone through a forest one December night in the 1500’s. As he walked home, the moonlight sparkled off the snow covered tree branches and the twinkling reminded him of the stars over Bethlehem.
Luther had his breath taken away as he was overwhelmed with the awesome beauty of God’s creation.
As the story goes on, Luther chopped down a small tree and set it up in his family’s living room. He wanted to somehow capture that moment in the starlit forest. Suddenly he had an idea – he went through his house and gathered up all the burning candles and placed them on the branches of the tree. Then the tree was sparkling just like the twinkling lights in the forest… just like the stars over the sky in Bethlehem.
The purpose of the Christmas tree was originally meant to glorify Jesus and that is why we have one in our home. Today we will decorate our Christmas tree.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Nov. 30 Make an Advent Wreath (a battery powered votive)
The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. In that wreath, five candles are arranged. During the season of Advent, one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Today we will decorate a tile together and place four battery powered votives on each corner. We will light one candle each week until all 4 are burning. We will place a center candle on the tile on Christmas day. When all the candles are lit, our wait will be over! Christmas will be here!
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 1 shopping for Angel Tree child (pic of a present)
God wants us to do things for others. In fact, in the Bible he tells us to take care of those in need. Today we will go shopping for children whose parents need our help buying them gifts. Remember that we are buying what THESE children want, not what WE want. God likes it when we think of others.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 2 Christmas music (jingle bell necklace – one for each child)
Luke 2: 8-14 (Message) There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
God planned for a long time for Jesus’ birth. When Jesus finally was born it was a time for great joy! The angels were so happy they sang songs! During Advent, music is a special part of how we show our joy and tell about the birth of Jesus. Today we will start listening to Christmas music. We will play everyone’s favorite Christmas song!
REMINDER TO PARENT: You can reinforce this concept throughout the season whenever you listen to Christmas music.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 3 - Manger with straw (piece of pine straw)
Jesus wants us to love one another. And when we do, we will have the desire to help people. We are setting out a manger in our house. It will be empty. But there will be a bucket of straw next to the manger. Every time you do something nice for someone, we will take a piece of straw out of the bucket and put it into the manger. By Christmas eve, our manger should be so filled with straw that it is prepared for the baby Jesus.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Note on making the manger: If you get the treated wood from Lowe’s, it will look a bit rustic. I purchased a 2x2x8 and had Lowe’s cut it into 2 foot pieces (giving me 4 pieces total). These worked as the legs of the manger when they were hammered together in the shape of the letter “X”. You may have to put two nails in the wood to keep the “X” from opening up. I also purchased a 1x2x8 and had Lowe’s cut it into 2 foot pieces (giving me 4 piece total). These were hammered on lengthwise attaching the two “X” pieces together. Two pieces of wood on each side. Then a blanket was laid in the manger and it is ready to be used.
Dec. 4 book The Very Special Visitors (pic of the wise men)
Who were the special visitors that visited Jesus in the stable? What did they follow to find him? Today we are going to read a book to tell us this story. You will hear a lot about presents, trees, Santa, toys, during Christmas. But the real reason of Christmas is the story of Jesus. We celebrate Christmas in December to remind us of Jesus’ birthday.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 5 Fruit Cove Baptist Christmas Celebration (flier about the day)
Today Brewer gets to go to a Christmas Celebration at Fruit Cove Baptist Church. You will get to take your lunch and a toy for children who don’t have toys. While you are there you’ll learn about Jesus’ birthday. Have a fun time learning about how Jesus loves you!
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
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Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 6 Veggie Tales movie, The Toy That Saved Christmas (pic of movie cover)
When we watch TV, the commercials tell us that Christmas is all about getting lots of things. It is easy to start thinking it is all about getting the toys and stuff we want. We are going to watch a movie tonight called, “The Toy that Saved Christmas,” to see that Christmas isn’t about getting – but about giving!
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 7 Dollar Tree Game (pic of board game)
Christmas is a time to spend together with our family. Playing games is a great way to spend time together doing something fun. Today Brewer will be given a game that has small pieces. He needs to play this at the kitchen table so that Maddox doesn’t get the small pieces. Have fun playing this game with Mommy or Daddy. I wonder what kind of games Jesus played with his brothers?
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 8 Drive Around as a family to see Lights (light bulb)John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
Jesus is the Light of the World – lights shine when it is dark and help us to see and find our way. Many people decorate their houses at Christmas with lights making them shine in the dark! Tonight we are going to drive around and look at those lights!
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 9 Nativity Magnet Board - found at Hobby Lobby (pic of nativity)
Remember the nativity reminds us of the night in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. We will put the pieces to this magnet game on the magnet board in our playroom so we can play with it as we wait for Christmas.
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 10 Bell ringing at Publix for Salvation Army (coins)
Mary and Joseph did not have a lot of things. When they came to Bethlehem they needed a place to stay and food to eat. Someone was kind enough to give them a place to stay in their barn where the animals were kept so Jesus could be born.
God loves everyone in the world and wants us to love each other too. Advent is a time for us to think about other people – how we can care for others. Today Mommy and Brewer are going to ring a bell and collect money for people who don’t have places to stay or food to eat. We are going to give our time to help people that God loves.
Go get a baggie and put some of your own money in it to take to put in the bucket. This money will help others in time of need.
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 11 Card to a soldier (postage stamp)
We are thankful that God lets us live in America. Soldiers protect us. Today we will send a card to a soldier wishing them a Merry Christmas and telling them that Jesus loves them. We will make the card together and put it in an envelope with a stamp to mail it.
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 12 Kids Christmas party our house (invitation)
Today we are having our friends over for a party to celebrate Christmas. We will play games, make crafts, have a birthday cake for Jesus, and a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus. It will be an exciting time. Remember Christmas is about the excitement of the birth of Jesus.
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
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Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec.13 Walk to Bethlehem at 5:30 - live nativity at church (toy car)
Luke 2:1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
What was it like to travel to Bethlehem so long ago? What would Mary and Joseph have eaten? What sounds would they have heard? What would they have seen?
Tonight we are going to travel – only not on a donkey – in our car! We are going to go to a church that is doing a special re-enactment of the City of Bethlehem.
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec.14 We get 3 gifts b/c Jesus got 3 gifts (3 pieces of candy for each child)Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The wise men brought Jesus three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). You both will be receiving three gifts this year from Santa just like Jesus got three gifts. Today in this bag you will find three pieces of candy for each of you to remind you of the three gifts Jesus received.
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec. 15 Legend of Candy Cane - read book and do meaning (mini candy cane)
Today we will read the book The Legend of the Candy Cane and talk about the candy cane’s shape and colors.
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec. 16 read the book Santa’s Christmas Prayer (ornament of Santa kneeling by Jesus - then hang this ornament on our tree)
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
In the midst of Christmas songs, Santa, lights and parties, it is easy to forget why we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, our friend, Lord and Savior! Today we will read, Santa’s Christmas Prayer, a story where Santa remembers the reason for the season!
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec 17 Nativity Puzzle found at Hobby Lobby (puzzle piece)
Sometimes life doesn’t make sense and we have to make decisions that might feel like we are completing a puzzle. Today we will work on a puzzle of the nativity to remind us that any time we are confused about a choice we should make, we should ask Jesus to help us.
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec 18Shopping for our siblings (photo of brothers)
Brothers are a gift from God. They are very special and on Christmas you will give your brother a gift that is a surprise. Tonight we will all go shopping so Maddox can pick out a Christmas gift for Brewer and Brewer can pick out a Christmas gift for Maddox. (Each child goes shopping with an individual parent.)
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec 19 Make Gingerbread Houses as a family (picture of gingerbread house)
Bethlehem was where Jesus was born. It was a small town and its name means “City of Bread.” No one really knows why it is named that, but maybe at one time the town was famous for its bread.
Over the years, people laughed a lot and did many fun things in Bethlehem. Think about David and his seven brothers, or Jesus and his brothers and sisters. I’m sure they laughed and had lots of fun there in Bethlehem. Today we are going to do something fun – make Gingerbread houses!
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
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Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 20 Help wrap presents (wrapping paper)
The greatest gift we will ever be given is the gift of Jesus. We celebrate his coming on Christmas Day by spending the day with family and opening gifts. Today you will help us wrap some presents that we will put under our tree to open on Christmas day.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 21 Christmas in the Manger board book (pic of book)
We will read this book to remind us of the story of Christmas. We will find out what each of the characters in the story say about the coming of Jesus.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 22 Christmas Cookie Decorating at grandparents' house (cookie cutter)
Tonight we will go to Me-Maw and Paw-Paw’s house to decorate Christmas cookies. This is a tradition that even Mommy and Uncle Day-Day used to do at Christmas time. It is special to make and keep traditions at Christmas time. God loves to see us doing fun things with our family.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 23 What are we thankful for? (Paper Ornament)
At Christmas time we have so much to be thankful for. We are going to list everything we are thankful for and add it to our thanksgiving tree.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 24 Kids Christmas Service at church and drive to see lights (small cross)
Today is the last day of Advent! Our waiting is almost over! This afternoon and tonight we will go to church for a very special Christmas Eve worship service! We will sing and celebrate together with our church the good news that Jesus is born! After the first service is over – we will go out to eat dinner together!
What has been your favorite thing we have done this Advent?
What has been your favorite story?
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
