Our devotion is Luke 3:1-6 and 21-23 (Baptism of Jesus). Our hymn is "Now Sing We Now Rejoice". My second grader has a countdown assignment today to help practice math facts--find out how many gifts were given on each of "The 12 Days of Christmas".
When assignments are completed, we'll play "Pass the Parcel".
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas Countdown--7 Days Until Christmas
We will read Psalm 98 (a psalm of rejoicing) and sing Joy to the World. Since the kids and I are a bit under the weather, we're just going to cuddle up with the Read-Aloud Christmas Treasury and call it our countdown activity for the day.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Christmas Countdown--10 Days Until Christmas
Luke 2:1-20 (birth of Christ) is our lesson for today. Philippians 4:4-9 also shows our response to what Christ has done for us. We will sing several Christmas hymns (Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem...) that tell of Jesus' birth.
We continue to read from the Christmas Treasury book. For our countdown activity we'll watch a Christmas special.
We continue to read from the Christmas Treasury book. For our countdown activity we'll watch a Christmas special.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Christmas Countdown--12 Days Until Christmas
The Bible reading was Matthew 1:18-25 (the angel's message to Joseph). It's a perfect time to thank Dad for the person he is in our life. Maybe we can do one of his chores for the day or make him a nice dinner.
We read from the Read Aloud Christmas Treasury illustrated by Marc Brown. We also made some more thank-you cards to send after Christmas.
My basic philosophy on writing thank-you cards is this: If someone shared their gift of time and money to give you a gift, you certainly can make a little time to sincerely thank them for their gift.
It doesn't have to be a long note. Very small children can draw a little picture and the parent can jot the note. Children just a little older can fill in the blanks while you write the rest.
I can't think of any good reason not to share this habit with my children. Yes, as a parent we may have trouble convincing our complaining child why it's important. But teaching them about gratitude is too valuable to avoid simply because "I don't have the time".
Did my child write a letter to Santa? He can take the time to thank "Santa".
Did we make the time to write out birthday invitations? Then we can make the time with them to thank someone for their gift.
We read from the Read Aloud Christmas Treasury illustrated by Marc Brown. We also made some more thank-you cards to send after Christmas.
My basic philosophy on writing thank-you cards is this: If someone shared their gift of time and money to give you a gift, you certainly can make a little time to sincerely thank them for their gift.
It doesn't have to be a long note. Very small children can draw a little picture and the parent can jot the note. Children just a little older can fill in the blanks while you write the rest.
I can't think of any good reason not to share this habit with my children. Yes, as a parent we may have trouble convincing our complaining child why it's important. But teaching them about gratitude is too valuable to avoid simply because "I don't have the time".
Did my child write a letter to Santa? He can take the time to thank "Santa".
Did we make the time to write out birthday invitations? Then we can make the time with them to thank someone for their gift.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Christmas Countdown--13 Days Until Christmas
Our Advent lesson today will be Luke 1:26-38 (annunciation) and Isaiah 7:13-14 (the prophet foretells this event about 700 years earlier). We will be reading from the Family Read-Aloud Christmas Treasury illustrated by Marc Brown. It's one of my favorite Christmas treasuries for its good mix of poetry and classic stories. Our activity for the day is decorating the house and Christmas tree. We always wait until the third Sunday in Advent (the "rejoice" Sunday) to put up our decorations. After waiting "so long" the kids are very excited.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas Countdown--15 Days until Christmas
Our Bible lesson for today was Isaiah 11:1-11a. For Christmas hymns and carols we took requests.
Our book was Tomie dePaola's re-telling of the Mexican "Legend of the Poinsettia". After talking about some of the Mexican Christmas customs, we then tried to make as many words as we could from the letters in the word "poinsettia".
Our other countdown activity for the day was a program at our library with holiday poetry and songs.
Our book was Tomie dePaola's re-telling of the Mexican "Legend of the Poinsettia". After talking about some of the Mexican Christmas customs, we then tried to make as many words as we could from the letters in the word "poinsettia".
Our other countdown activity for the day was a program at our library with holiday poetry and songs.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Countdown--18 Days Until Christmas
On Monday we received our first Christmas card of the season. Today we'll begin a tradition of saying a special prayer for each family as we receive their cards.
The Bible reading is Psalm 24. (What does God do? He acts.) We'll read another of our Christmas Arch Books. Our carol is "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".
For our project we will make a traditional heart-shaped paper basket ornament from Denmark (similar to the simple version on the bottom of this link).
The Bible reading is Psalm 24. (What does God do? He acts.) We'll read another of our Christmas Arch Books. Our carol is "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".
For our project we will make a traditional heart-shaped paper basket ornament from Denmark (similar to the simple version on the bottom of this link).
Christmas Countdown--19 Days Until Christmas
Our Bible reading was Psalm 40 (a prayer for deliverance) and we sang "The People That in Darkness Sat". We read one of the Christmas Arch Books from Concordia Publishing House. I remember having Arch Books from my childhood days and I continue to love them as a parent. There are so many to choose from and they're great for preschoolers even into the middle elementary years.
Our project for the day was to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. The kids found gold coin candies in their shoes and we used Story of the World Volume 2 to review the history behind St. Nicholas.
Our project for the day was to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. The kids found gold coin candies in their shoes and we used Story of the World Volume 2 to review the history behind St. Nicholas.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Countdown--20 Days until Christmas
Today's Bible reading is 1 Samuel 16:1b and 16:5-13. We'll read "B is for Bethlehem" and sing "Once in Royal David's City". Our activity for the day will be family Christmas caroling. For today we'll just gather around the piano. In past years we've enjoyed going with a group to a few local elderly apartments and nursing homes.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Christmas Countdown--21 Days Until Christmas
The Bible story for today is from the book of Ruth. I'll summarize the book and then read 4:13-17 (Ruth as the relative of King David). The carol will be "What Child is This?" We'll relate the "peasant king" and "King of kings" to our Bible reading. The literature selection for the day is a story from a Christmas anthology.
The kids love making graham cracker "gingerbread" houses and it's a yearly tradition. We have plenty of Teddy Grahams and bits of Halloween treats left over to decorate them.
The kids love making graham cracker "gingerbread" houses and it's a yearly tradition. We have plenty of Teddy Grahams and bits of Halloween treats left over to decorate them.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Christmas Countdown--23 Days Until Christmas
As part of today's school, we'll read Genesis 28:10-17 (Jacob's dream). We'll sing angel-related Christmas carols (Angels We Have Heard on High...) and read "The Cat that Climbed the Christmas Tree". To continue the angel theme we'll make some angel ornaments and do an angel-shaped handprint/footprint craft that will make nice thank you cards to use after Christmas.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Christmas Countdown--24 Days until Christmas
Today we'll be making some Christmas goodies as part of our Christmas countdown. I picked a couple of easy treats (chocolate dipped pretzels, Kiss cookies) for which I can get their part ready easily or even beforehand. They can help measure as their attention allows (we'll see).
The Bible reading is from Genesis 15:1-6 (God's promise to Abraham). We'll sing "A Great and Mighty Wonder" with its "...and peace on earth to men" refrain. Our book will be "Cranberry Christmas" by Wende and Harry Devlin. It goes well with our baking theme. If the kids would enjoy the Cranberry Cookie recipe included in the book we'd make those, too. Much of the book's theme revolves around the community skating pond, but unfortunately we don't have one of those to get out and use.
The Bible reading is from Genesis 15:1-6 (God's promise to Abraham). We'll sing "A Great and Mighty Wonder" with its "...and peace on earth to men" refrain. Our book will be "Cranberry Christmas" by Wende and Harry Devlin. It goes well with our baking theme. If the kids would enjoy the Cranberry Cookie recipe included in the book we'd make those, too. Much of the book's theme revolves around the community skating pond, but unfortunately we don't have one of those to get out and use.
Christmas Countdown--25 Days until Christmas
Our story today was "The Story of the Christmas Rose". It went well with the hymn "Behold a Branch is Growing" (same as "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming"). I also took requests. This has become a required portion of the countdown! The Bible reading for today was Genesis 3:1-15 (Fall and Promise).
In "The Story of the Christmas Rose" the main character stops to help or feed several woodland animals. We wanted to echo this sentiment in the yard. Pinecones rolled in peanut butter and seeds work well. I've also seen this done with a hanging container filled with cereal or popcorn and cranberries strung on thread.
We also went to the library today where they had supplies set up to make (large!) 3D paper snowflakes. The project was similar to that seen here, except that the library used full sheets of paper, fancy-edged scissors, and hole punches to make the snowflake fancier. I felt that the project was very do-able even for my 5 year-old (when done together) and the results are quite stunning.
In "The Story of the Christmas Rose" the main character stops to help or feed several woodland animals. We wanted to echo this sentiment in the yard. Pinecones rolled in peanut butter and seeds work well. I've also seen this done with a hanging container filled with cereal or popcorn and cranberries strung on thread.
We also went to the library today where they had supplies set up to make (large!) 3D paper snowflakes. The project was similar to that seen here, except that the library used full sheets of paper, fancy-edged scissors, and hole punches to make the snowflake fancier. I felt that the project was very do-able even for my 5 year-old (when done together) and the results are quite stunning.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Christmas Countdown--Bonus
I'd heard about people who have a winter snow picnic and I'd been wishing for some perfect packing snow during our countdown days. Today we got several inches of it! We made a little snow table with little snow chairs and had hot chocolate and cookies. It was one of the highlights of my week so far. (But next time I think I'll take something waterproof to sit on!)
Christmas Countdown-26 Days until Christmas
Today's book was "Christmas in the Big Woods" a "My First Little House Book". We talked a little bit about the simple traditions of yesteryear holidays. We pointed out similarities and differences between ourselves and Laura's family: the presents Laura got and the things she did for fun. In the book Ma makes pancake people for Christmas and we made pancake people for our lunch as well.
The Bible verses today were from Genesis 2:4-25--the creation of man and woman. "Of the Father's Love Begotten" is a Christmas hymn that fit well with the text. The children also had a chance to request a Christmas song.
For a messy project we made string Christmas snowballs. I thought they could remind us of the creation story since they're shaped like the globe. Note: The balls dried beautifully and I'd like to do the project again sometime BUT I would definitely add the glitter BEFORE popping the balloon. We followed the directions and popped the balloon, then painted the balls again with glue, then added glitter. The balls started to change shape (being wet from the second round of glue) and one of them even completely flattened and had to be redone.
I also made logic puzzles for the kids with holiday words. I think this type of puzzle is called chain letters. The letters must be linked in the correct order, and you may not cross over any other letters. Both the 5 year old and 7 year olds like these. Here is an example with the answer "candle". The puzzles can be made with 10 letter-words as well, adding a line of four circles under the line of three. The six-letter words I used to make their puzzles: Joseph, angels, lights, advent, candle, wreath, sleigh, and manger. My seven year-old realized that in his puzzle "manger" could also be "german". Leave it to him to find something new.
The Bible verses today were from Genesis 2:4-25--the creation of man and woman. "Of the Father's Love Begotten" is a Christmas hymn that fit well with the text. The children also had a chance to request a Christmas song.
For a messy project we made string Christmas snowballs. I thought they could remind us of the creation story since they're shaped like the globe. Note: The balls dried beautifully and I'd like to do the project again sometime BUT I would definitely add the glitter BEFORE popping the balloon. We followed the directions and popped the balloon, then painted the balls again with glue, then added glitter. The balls started to change shape (being wet from the second round of glue) and one of them even completely flattened and had to be redone.
I also made logic puzzles for the kids with holiday words. I think this type of puzzle is called chain letters. The letters must be linked in the correct order, and you may not cross over any other letters. Both the 5 year old and 7 year olds like these. Here is an example with the answer "candle". The puzzles can be made with 10 letter-words as well, adding a line of four circles under the line of three. The six-letter words I used to make their puzzles: Joseph, angels, lights, advent, candle, wreath, sleigh, and manger. My seven year-old realized that in his puzzle "manger" could also be "german". Leave it to him to find something new.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Christmas Countdown--Advent Bible Readings
I've been doing a lot of thinking about how to count down the days until Christmas. I've made a list of crafts and things to do as well as learning activities in the subject areas. I'll share these a bit later (still tweaking).
For today I'll share our list of Bible readings that we'll be using from Sunday, November 28 (the first Sunday in Advent) until Christmas Day (28 readings total). I hope these can be useful to you in your regular family devotion times.
In a nutshell, the readings begin with the beginning. They trace God's continued promises to His people over thousands of years until the fulfillment of these with the birth of Christ. The last readings tell about Jesus' work on earth and culminate with readings from Holy Week and Easter.
John 1:1-5 (Christ, the Word, and the beginning)
Genesis 2:4-25 (the creation of Adam and Eve)
Genesis 3:1-15 (the Fall and the Promise)
Genesis 15:1-6 (God's promise to Abraham)
Genesis 28:10-17 (Jacob's dream and God's promise)
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (God's prophets speak God's Word)
Ruth 4:13-17 (after summarizing Ruth 1-4, use these verses show the continued line of Christ)
1 Samuel 16:1B and 16:5-13 (David anointed)
Psalm 40 (prayer for God's deliverance from sin)
Psalm 24 (What does God do? He acts.)
Isaiah 40:1-5 and 40:9-11 (Comfort and God our Shepherd)
Isaiah 9:2 and 9:6-7 with Isaiah 60:1-3 (People in darkness and For unto us...)
Isaiah 11:1-11a (Root from Jesse to redeem for the second time)
Luke 1:5-25 (John the Baptist's birth foretold) and John 1:19-28 (John's later message)
Luke 1:26-38 (the annunciation) and Isaiah 7:13-14 foretells this about 700 years earlier
Matthew 1:18-25 (angel's message to Joseph)
Luke 1:39-56 (Mary visits Elizabeth)
Luke 2:1-20 (Jesus' birth) with Philippians 4:4-9 (what we now do)
Luke 2:21-40 (Jesus' presentation at temple)
Matthew 2:1-23 (Magi visit, Mary, Joseph, Jesus escape to Egypt, return)
Psalm 98 (joyous psalm good for use with Joy to the World)
2 Corinthians 8:9 (Christ, who was rich, became poor. Good for use with various Christmas hymns)
Luke 3:1-6 and 21-23a (Jesus baptized by John)
Luke 4:1-13 (Jesus tempted by the devil)
Luke 19:28-38 and Luke 22:1-6 (Palm Sunday)
Luke 22:7-23 and Matthew 26:36-50 (Last Supper and arrest)
Matthew 27:11-26 and John 19:16-20, 28-30 (Jesus before Pilate, crucifixion, death)
Luke 23:50 through 24:1-8 (burial and resurrection)
Note: To start making this list I consulted an online advent calendar. Then I modified and added readings taking into account some of our church's readings for the upcoming weeks. Finally, I added a few days of readings from Holy Week and Easter. After all, the reason Christ came at Christmas was for our salvation through His death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter. God's blessings on your Christmas Countdowns!
For today I'll share our list of Bible readings that we'll be using from Sunday, November 28 (the first Sunday in Advent) until Christmas Day (28 readings total). I hope these can be useful to you in your regular family devotion times.
In a nutshell, the readings begin with the beginning. They trace God's continued promises to His people over thousands of years until the fulfillment of these with the birth of Christ. The last readings tell about Jesus' work on earth and culminate with readings from Holy Week and Easter.
John 1:1-5 (Christ, the Word, and the beginning)
Genesis 2:4-25 (the creation of Adam and Eve)
Genesis 3:1-15 (the Fall and the Promise)
Genesis 15:1-6 (God's promise to Abraham)
Genesis 28:10-17 (Jacob's dream and God's promise)
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (God's prophets speak God's Word)
Ruth 4:13-17 (after summarizing Ruth 1-4, use these verses show the continued line of Christ)
1 Samuel 16:1B and 16:5-13 (David anointed)
Psalm 40 (prayer for God's deliverance from sin)
Psalm 24 (What does God do? He acts.)
Isaiah 40:1-5 and 40:9-11 (Comfort and God our Shepherd)
Isaiah 9:2 and 9:6-7 with Isaiah 60:1-3 (People in darkness and For unto us...)
Isaiah 11:1-11a (Root from Jesse to redeem for the second time)
Luke 1:5-25 (John the Baptist's birth foretold) and John 1:19-28 (John's later message)
Luke 1:26-38 (the annunciation) and Isaiah 7:13-14 foretells this about 700 years earlier
Matthew 1:18-25 (angel's message to Joseph)
Luke 1:39-56 (Mary visits Elizabeth)
Luke 2:1-20 (Jesus' birth) with Philippians 4:4-9 (what we now do)
Luke 2:21-40 (Jesus' presentation at temple)
Matthew 2:1-23 (Magi visit, Mary, Joseph, Jesus escape to Egypt, return)
Psalm 98 (joyous psalm good for use with Joy to the World)
2 Corinthians 8:9 (Christ, who was rich, became poor. Good for use with various Christmas hymns)
Luke 3:1-6 and 21-23a (Jesus baptized by John)
Luke 4:1-13 (Jesus tempted by the devil)
Luke 19:28-38 and Luke 22:1-6 (Palm Sunday)
Luke 22:7-23 and Matthew 26:36-50 (Last Supper and arrest)
Matthew 27:11-26 and John 19:16-20, 28-30 (Jesus before Pilate, crucifixion, death)
Luke 23:50 through 24:1-8 (burial and resurrection)
Note: To start making this list I consulted an online advent calendar. Then I modified and added readings taking into account some of our church's readings for the upcoming weeks. Finally, I added a few days of readings from Holy Week and Easter. After all, the reason Christ came at Christmas was for our salvation through His death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter. God's blessings on your Christmas Countdowns!
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