December 13 * Songs

Worship Jesus

And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord, and my heart is happy because God is my Savior.”

Luke 1:46, 47

I love to sing, Christmas carols are no exception!

Here is a short history of Christmas Carols. I love when God's people take something meant for evil and turn it for the glory of God.

Both of these sites have a long list of songs and you can click on the ones you want to hear, they are not all carols.

Listen to Christmas carols online.

This site has the lyrics while you listen to the music, but no words being sung.

As you listen talk about who is telling the story, and the message of the carol.

Write your own carol about why Christmas and Jesus coming as a baby is special to your family.

This site shares the stories behind a few carols including the Christian symbols represented in the The 12 Days of Christmas.

What is your favorite way to worship Jesus?

Still need a copy of Christmas is About Jesus? I almost always ship the same day. 

Do you have your ornaments? Would you like coloring pages? Order online today!

Follow this link to preview Christmas is About Jesus. 

December 12 * Bells

Jesus is Coming Again!

 
“You saw Jesus taken away from you into heaven. He will come back in the same way you saw him go.”Acts 1:11b

Bells, I love the music of bells. So I have links to a few videos, then some craft ideas, and finally a simple way to explain salvation to your children.

The Christmas Song by a handbell choir.

Handbell choir playing Carol of the Bells I like this one because the camera is on the table so you get a different view of how the bells are played.

Handbell solo by an 8th grader. Very impressive!

I would encourage checking in your area to see if there will be a handbell concert to attend this season.

Call your local Salvation Army and schedule a time to ring the bell. We do this every year with friends. The kids greeting shoppers with "Merry Christmas" brings in more donations. This link can help you find a local contact or show you how to set up a kettle online.

Make a bell.

These bell bracelets would be great to use in worship. Make a joyful noise :).

Discuss with your children how to be ready for Jesus to come again. Sometimes we complicate things and I am too often guilty of talking too much to my children. This link has a simple guide to salvation, easy as A-B-C.

Prophecies of Jesus listed with probability of happening by chance at Reasons to Believe.

Still need a copy of Christmas is About Jesus? I almost always ship the same day. 

Do you have your ornaments? Would you like coloring pages? Order online today!
Follow this link to preview Christmas is About Jesus.

December 11 * Doves

Jesus is the Prince of Peace

A Child will be born to us. God will give a son to

us. He will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Peace, how elusive. Part of the reason I believe is because we misunderstand what peace is. We want peace to mean all is well and we have no trouble. 

Peace is the knowledge that all is well in the midst of trouble.

Peace, according to the Strong's Concordance means: well; peaceably; welfare; prosperity; safe; health; peaceable; completeness; soundness; quiet; tranquillity; contentment; friendship, and peace with God, especially in covenant relationship.

That's where our peace comes from the Prince. Prince, according to the original Greek (from the Strong's Concordance): Prince; captain; chief; ruler; governor; keeper; principal; general; lord; leader; official; commander; head; overseer; Ruler of rulers. When Jesus is indeed OUR Prince, we can be at peace. The world around us quakes and rages, but we have peace. This peace will draw the lost to their Savior.

Activity Ideas

Talk with your children about things that try to steal your peace, your faith really. If you are worried about how the bills will be paid you are not having faith in God's promise to provide your every need (Phil 4:19). After identifying some things that threaten our peace find God's promises to hold your faith and your peace.

This Sunday School lesson may be helpful in explaining the concept of how Jesus brings peace to your children.

This is a dove ornament. It's done in felt, but I think you could easily do card stock.

This ornament uses the hand for a pattern. Scroll down to "Project C". The instructions aren't real clear but the pictures show well what needs to be done.

Still need a copy of Christmas is About Jesus? I almost always ship the same day. 

Do you have your ornaments? Would you like coloring pages? Order online today!

Follow this link to preview Christmas is About Jesus.

December 10 * Cookies

Jesus is the Bread of Life

Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. He who comes to me will never be hungry. He who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:35

Ask your children what foods are special to them at Christmas.

Make cookies together. This can be as easy as slicing pre-made dough or as elaborate as your heart desires.

We get together with two other families every year to make gingerbread houses.

In case you're not baking here are a couple gingerbread cookies to color and decorate.

Sandpaper Gingerbread Man Ornament

Blank Gingerbread Man Pattern either for the ornament or to color

Gingerbread Girl to color

Gingerbread Boy to color

Talk about ways to "feed" on God's Word. We don't just look at food, we have to eat it. We can't just have God's Word around, or even just listen to it. We must do something to process it in such a way that we are changed by it.

Still need a copy of Christmas is About Jesus? I almost always ship the same day. 

Do you have your ornaments? Would you like coloring pages? Order online today!

Follow this link to preview Christmas is About Jesus.

December 9 * Fruit

Jesus is the Vine

If you have a plant in your house, or live where they are still "alive" outside. cut off a leave or stalk and have your children observe it over the next few days.

Discuss what it means to be "connected" to Jesus. Use example of real relationships your children have. They are "connected" to me in the sense that I am communicating thoughts to them through my writing, but unless we talk or write there is no more connection.

Make a fruit salad.

Here's a coloring page that has nine different fruits all labeled.

Here are a few videos teaching the fruit of the Spirit.

A cute little girl recites all nine in this clip.

This one is a song by Gary Strickland.

This one was kind of odd, but I thought had really good clues for remembering the fruit.

Still need a copy of Christmas is About Jesus? I almost always ship the same day. 

Do you have your ornaments? Would you like coloring pages? Order online today!

Follow this link to preview Christmas is About Jesus. 

The Johns Family: The Pine Tree Parable Review and GIVEAWAY

I first met The John's Family last year when she gave away my book :)

This one looks like one I would love to add to my collection!

The Johns Family: The Pine Tree Parable Review and GIVEAWAY: Looking for a wonderful book for children of all ages that teaches them the true spirit of Christmas....giving, thinking of others, selfless...

December 8 * Christmas Lights

Jesus is the Light

Later Jesus talked to the people again. He said,
“I am the Light of the world. The person who
follows me will never live in darkness. He will
have the light that gives life.”

John 8:12

In Alaska we have lots of darkness this time of year. Lights make such a difference. Talk with your children about the difference a light makes. Arm each one with a flashlight and turn out all the lights. Then turn on one flashlight. Ask your children what difference the the light makes. Just one light brings comfort, we can see so we fell safer to move.

Do a search online or check with your local paper about where you can go see Christmas light displays. I know there's one near where I live with thousands of lights and they are set to music you can listen to on your car radio as you drive past! Going out to look at Christmas lights is one of my children's favorite Christmas activities.

As you drive you can talk about how far you can see even the smallest of light. 

Talk about the difference Jesus has made in your life.

Still need a copy of Christmas is About Jesus? I almost always ship the same day. 

Do you have your ornaments? Would you like coloring pages? Order online today!

Follow this link to preview Christmas is About Jesus.