Advent to Christmas It’s Jesus’ Birthday! * How do you convey the heart of that meaning to a young child? How do you help your child come to know the true meaning of a holiday at the core of our faith? * How will our house look if our celebration is a picture of anticipation and waiting for God’s plan to be completed, a picture of our joy in the salvation he has begun for us? * What visible things will fill our house as we celebrate what God has done through Jesus? Taken from the books, Right from the Start & Treasuring God in our Traditions
What is Advent? The first season of the church year, Advent serves to prepare us for the coming celebration of Christ's birth. The word comes from the Latin, advenire, which means "to come." Advent themes include not only Christ's coming at Bethlehem but also his coming now in Word and Sacrament and his final coming in glory.
The most common symbols of Advent are an Advent Wreath and an Advent calendar. A number of resources for these can be found on the internet and in several books. A list of stores and internet resources are listed at the end of this handout. Activities · Christmas Cake activity Use the attached activity to tell the Christmas story. Start a tradition of doing this on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. · Bethlehem Tree/Jesus Tree A branch with ornaments & items that picture/symbolize Bethlehem/Jesus (for more ideas, see the book: Treasuring God in Our Traditions page 83) · Photo Greeting Cards Put together a special Christmas photo album - display your annual photo greeting cards and preserve memories. · Open one special present on Christmas Eve · Sharing Christmas Sometimes the gift of time is the greatest gift during the holidays. Visit nursing homes, visit an elderly neighbor, help them decorate, etc. · “Memory Ball” ornament
Record memories of the past year
on a glass ball. · Special ornament each year for your child Each year, give your child a Christmas ornament. You could use a different theme for each child or each year give them an ornament reminding you (and them) of what they were interested in, etc. When they leave the house, they will have a set of ornaments for their own trees.
· Nativity Scene Bible Reading Program 1st week: PROPHECY Place the empty manager in a place where you will eventually display the whole nativity scene. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7; Isaiah 52: 13-53:12; Malachi 3:1 2nd week: GABRIEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT TO MARY After the reading, place Mary somewhere, but not at the manger with the angel. Luke 1:26-38 3rd week: JOSEPH IS TOLD OF JESUS’ BIRTH After the reading, place Joseph somewhere, but not at the manger with the angel Matthew 1:18-25 4th week: MARY AND JOSEPH’S JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM Move figures closer to the manger Christmas Day: JESUS IS BORN Add the Christ child to the manager. Read the scripture and then place the shepherds somewhere in the “field”. Have angels near to make announcement. Then move shepherds to the manager scene. Epiphany: add the wise men and read about their journey to Jesus. From The Big Book of Family Fun
· Read a Christmas book or story every night between Thanksgiving and Christmas · Pray for those who send you Christmas cards · Birthday Party for Jesus Complete with invitations, games, gifts, and more! · Three Gifts In the tradition of the wise men give 3 gifts to each child: a “need” such as clothing, a “want” based on their wish list, and a surprise. It helps decrease the “gimmies” and keeps gift-giving simple. It is a great way to help them learn the true difference between a want and a need too. · Dinner Conversation (from Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas) Have a jar that contains enough questions for each day in December. At dinner, pick one question and answer it. Here is a couple to get you started: -- Describe a Christmas tree to a blind person -- What smells do you imagine were in the stable? · Inexpensive Gift Giving Make coupon books for your children with coupons good for: A hug or one game of Monopoly, a dozen donuts, etc. · Put a “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” sticker on checks, restaurant tabs, etc. · Deliver Christmas cookies to the fire department · Keepsake Tablecloth Use an inexpensive tablecloth at your Christmas meal, and pass around a permanent marker so guests can write their names, ages, and a brief message. · Movie Every year, use your video camera to interview family members. Ask questions about what they've experienced the past year, favorite Bible verse, songs, etc. · Epiphany, January 6 Leave Christmas tree up until January 6. Read all the Christmas cards you have received. Chose cards that are the prettiest, funniest, and so on. Play some favorite Christmas music and share any leftover Christmas goodies. Take down the tree together. (Idea from The Big Book of Family Fun) Resources Getting ready for Christmas by Yolanda Browne This resource helps families, with children 4 to 8, count the days until Jesus' birthday. Each day Bible verses and illustrations are combined with a prayer and activity helping young children prepare for the Messiah's birth. It serves to review the Bible story, focus hearts and minds on Christ (prayer), and carry out that focus in an activity. Touch-and-Feel Christmas by Heather Henning Children ages 3 and up touch and fell materials while learning that Jesus came to earth as a baby to bring forgiveness and salvation to a sinful world. Family Celebrations at Christmas by Ann Hibbard This book includes devotions, hymns and activities. The Visit of the Wise Men by Martha Jander Gentle verse and rich illustrations introduce the Magi to help children ages 5 and up discover the importance of the places, people, timing, and circumstances of Jesus’ birth. Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas by Sharon Jaynes Join Sharon as she explores with you, A - Z, ways to celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas. This book includes a pattern for making a fabric nativity. This is an excellent resource with many great activities for families with children of all ages. The 25 Days of Christmas by Greg Johnson This Christmas devotional brings together stories, devotional readings, scripture passages and prayers. This book features contributions from a wide variety of well-known Christian authors including Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Ken Gire, and more. Each day includes scripture readings, sidebar stories, prayers, quotes, and unique facts about Christmas, making this perfect for all parents and kids of all ages. The Very First Christmas by Paul Maier This beautifully book presents fresh insights into the Christmas story from both the scriptural and secular context. The book tells the story of a young boy Christopher, who no longer wants to hear fairytales; he only wants real bedtime stories. So his mother tells the amazing and miraculous story of Jesus' birth. Along the way, Christopher learns the answers to some challenging questions about the Christmas story. And all the answers are right from the Bible. Right from the Start by Shirley K. Morgenthaler Your child's first three years are critical in faith development and lay the foundation for future growth. This book helps you discover how young children learn and the countless ways your interactions teach about God and His love. In addition, it offers new information about brain development and worship and an extensive resource list. A Is for Angel by Debbie Trafton O’Neal The Christmas story, told and retold in many formats, never loses its meaning or magic. Aimed at children ages 4-8, this book weaves the story of Jesus' birth into a rhyming, alphabetical journey. Before and After Christmas: Ideas and Activities for Advent and Epiphany by Debbie Trafton O’Neal Debbie offers a treasury of ideas and activities for celebrating the days before Christmas, and also things to do after the Christmas tree is taken down. Specific activities, including crafts, service projects, and family worship ideas, are included for each day in Advent and through the twelve days of Christmas. In addition, each day offers a Bible passage for reading together. Follow the Star all the Way to Bethlehem by Alan and Linda Parry Fun
activities are included to help children follow the star and find baby
Jesus: Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noël Piper God-treasuring traditions can be ordinary, everyday habits such as telling stories, attending church, and using affectionate nicknames. They may be rare "especially" occasions such as funerals and weddings. And they are also the creative ways we reflect Christ in our holidays. Noel believes that by our traditions we can help the next generation treasure God, and at the same time deepen our love for Him. Year in and year out our traditions can show children that God is our Treasure. With family traditions rooted firmly in the Bible, the next generation absorbs the truth that the treasure we have in God is ancient in wisdom and strength - and fresh as the morning dew. (To order a Noel Advent calendar, visit www.desiringGOD.org ) Christmas Night, Fair and Bright by Julie Stiegemeyer The author tells children ages 4 and up about the sights and sounds of the first Christmas including Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt. Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer Your 4- to 8-year-olds may think they know all about Santa Claus---now introduce them to the real Saint Nicholas! They'll discover a generous pastor from a seaside village whose acts of kindness changed the lives of many people. But they'll also learn that God is even more generous and gave the greatest gift of all---Jesus. The Advent Book by Jack and Kathy Stockman The Advent Book was designed to be a family heirloom and the centerpiece of an annual Christmas worship tradition. The large full-color book with beautiful illustrations features 25 unique doors, each opening to reveal a picture and a segment of the Christmas story. The story is told in simple concise language so that even young children can be included in this Advent tradition. A new door is opened each day from Dec. 1st through Christmas in the manner of an Advent calendar. You can view this and order it at www.adventbook.com . They also have other resources for family traditions and celebrations. Christmas Is . . . for Me! by Christine Tangvald Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year. In this vibrant book, children will love learning about Christmas traditions and how they relate to Jesus. From evergreen wreaths to special ornaments, Tangvald incorporates a spiritual emphasis that will be enjoyed year round. The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Whelchel For each day of Advent, actress and author Lisa Whelchel explains how a specific Christmas tradition originated and its historic symbolism. As you look inside each custom, you'll find Him! Each day has an activity or a craft, plus conversation starters for children. The First Christmas: A Nativity Playbook with 6 Puzzle Pieces by Allia Zobel-Nolan Six sturdy, child-safe cardboard puzzle pieces are stored in a clear plastic case on the front cover of this colorful board book. Young ones can learn about baby Jesus’ birth by reading the simple, rhyming text and placing the missing puzzle pieces in each scene. Where can I buy these items? Advent wreaths, calendars, books, and play nativity sets can be found at: a Family Christian Bookstore (several area locations including Kingstowne) a Lifeway Christian Bookstore – Springfield Check out these sites for resources as well: a www.adventbook.com has directions for making a wreath. Also has several Advent activities. a www.desiringGod.com has an Advent calendar available a www.orientaltrading.com for Advent calendars and other activities a www.fisherprice.com has a child friendly nativity a www.cph.org is home to Concordia Publishing – has several excellent resources
Don’t try to incorporate all of
these suggestions into your Christmas celebration! Creating a new
tradition takes several years. Compiled by Michele Schulteis November 2007
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