Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Nov. 27 shopping for Angel Tree child (small wrapped presents)
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.
Nov. 28 Get out our 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.
Last year we made an advent wreath out of a tile and battery candles. Today we will put it out for us to see the whole advent season. 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.
Nov. 29 Christmas music (jingle bell - 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.
Nov. 30 Name of God Wreath (name of boys using Wordle.net)
In the bag today is a printing of your name and words that describe you. There are lots of words that describe God. We are going to get out our name of God wreath and use it throughout the next few weeks to learn the names of God. Mommy has names like Jennifer, Mommy, daughter, sister, and friend. God had lots of names too. This wreath will help remind us of some of the names of God.
Add first star on the wreath: GOD
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 1 Nativity Advent Calendar (Lego stickers)
The countdown to Christmas is exciting. We are excited because we get a visit from Santa. We get gifts. Family comes over to visit with us for the day. But what our main excitement should be about is the birth of Christ. God loves us so much that he sent his only son to the world as a baby. Christmas is the celebration of this baby’s birthday. Do you know this baby’s name?
Starting today, we will use our Lego advent calendars to help us count down the days to Christmas.
Brewer and Mommy will learn about Mary through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 2 - Family Night watching Prep and Landing (ornament from Hallmark)
God wants us to spend time together with our family.. Today we are going to pop some popcorn and watch one of our favorite Christmas movies, Prep & Landing.
Verse of the week: John 3:16a For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Dec. 3 Candy Cane Pull at Sweet Pete’s (candy canes that you put in water)
Today we are going with our friends to the candy store called Sweet Pete’s. We will be learning about the candy cane and making our own! Be listening to what they teach us about the candy cane’s shape and color.
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. 4 Random Acts of Kindness (Christmas gum roll)
You boys think it is a special thing when we buy you this kind of gum. How does it make you feel when you get something special or something special is done for you? Jesus wants us to treat others the way we’d want to be treated. Today, we are going to go out as a family and do ACTS OF KINDNESS for people to make them feel special. Some people call this doing: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. What are some things we could do?
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 5 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.
When a baby is born, their mommy and daddy pick out their name. But an angel told Mary what to name her son. When the angel visited Mary, he said: You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. -Luke 1:31
Name of God Day: Jesus
Brewer and Mommy will learn about Joseph through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 6 book Mortimer's Christmas Manger (ornament of mouse)
Today we will read about book about a mouse named Mortimer. He was taking Jesus’ bed. The Bible tells us that Jesus is our King. Let’s read about how Mortimer found out Jesus was coming.
Your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation. - Zechariah 9:9
Name of God Day: King
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 7 - Drive Around as a family to see Lights (reindeer light up noses)
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! This reindeer light up nose can remind us of these lights. Tonight we are going to drive around and look at those lights!
Name of God Day: Light of the World
Verse of the week: Luke 6:31 - Do to others what you would have them do to you.
Dec. 8 - 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 we 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. 9 - 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. 10 – Kids Christmas party (invitation)
Friends are special. We hope you think of the members in our family as friends. Remember Jesus is your friend too. That’s another name for God: Friend. 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.
Name of God day: Friend
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. 11 - Game night (angry birds bracelets)
Everyone has a part in making the family happy. Everyone in our family will be happier if each person does his or her part.
Wives follow the lead of your husbands. That’s what the Lord wants. Husbands, love your wives. Don’t be mean to them. Children, obey your parents in everything. That pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:18-20
Christmas is a time to spend together with our family. Today we will play game and spend time together as a family.
Name of God Day: Lord
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec. 12 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.
Brewer and Mommy will learn about The Birth of Jesus through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec. 13 - movie, Why Do We Call It 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 today called, “The Toy that Saved Christmas,” to see that Christmas isn’t about getting – but about giving!
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec. 14 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.
The Bible says: The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. -Isaiah 7:14
Name of God Day: Immanuel
We will make our own nativities out of some felt craft pieces. Let’s see if you can remember the characters from the story.
Brewer and Mommy will learn about The Shepherds through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec 15 Shopping 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. 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!
Name of God Day: Savior
Verse of the week: John 13:34a As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Dec 17 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!
In John 6:35 Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”Bread of Life is another name of God. Let’s add it to our wreath.
Name of God Day: Bread of Life
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. 18 - It’s coming (picture of question marks)
“It’s coming.” “It’s coming.” “Soon, real soon.” “What’s coming?”
Years ago the people of Israel waited for the Messiah, a King who would save them. You’ve been waiting too. The people of Israel waited for hundreds of years. After hundreds of years, the King was coming! A King who would bring hope, joy, peace, light, and love the world. At Christmastime, we celebrate the coming of this King. His name is Jesus.
Our excitement is like a bottle of soda. The excitement flows and bubbles over. We are going outside to watch this bottle of soda. This is like our excitement coming out to tell others the good news of Jesus!!
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 19 - Wikki Stick Jesus (picture of yarn Jesus)
Today is the first day of Christmas break and we are going to use Wikki Sticks to try to make baby Jesus.
Brewer and Mommy will learn about The Temple through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 20 Handprint (bouncy balls)
What do we use to throw and bounce these balls? (pause) Yes, our hands!
You are special to God because He made you. Your handprint is one of the special things about you. Today we are going to make your handprint out of a handprint kit. This way we can remember what the size of your hand was when Maddox was 3 and Brewer was 6.
Psalm 139:13-14 -For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Note: Use handprint kit from Hobby Lobby.
Brewer and Mommy will learn about The Wise Men through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 21 Christmas Cookie Decorating at grandparents' house (icing tubes)
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. 22 Celebration at our new church (party blower/noise maker)
Tonight we will go to our new church for a Christmas celebration. There will be a church service for Mommy & Daddy, and you’ll go to your Sunday school class. Then there will be a hay ride, hot coco, Christmas cookies, & giant inflatables. This will be a fun celebration of Jesus’ birthday!
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 23 How did they travel (toy car & donkey)
What was it like to travel long ago? Did they have cars? How did Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem?
Luke 2: 4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Brewer and Mommy will learn about Herod through our Stick Figuring lesson.
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
Dec. 24 Announcing Jesus (birth announcement or baby picture)
Today is the last day of Advent! Our waiting is almost over! When you were born, we wanted to tell everyone of your arrival. Today we will go to church for a very special Christmas Eve worship service! We will sing and celebrate together about the birth of Jesus! After the first service is over – we will go out to eat dinner together!
Verse of the week: Psalm 13:5 - I trust in your unfailing love.
