Advent Wrap Up

Our Advent family fun continued throughout the month of December.

We learned about the Shepherds and how they went to see Jesus.
We made little sheep out of our hand prints and colored sheets.

Daddy and the boys making their sheep crafts

We also talked about the Wise men and that they brought Jesus' gifts.
We did do a coloring sheet to go with this lesson, but some how that sheet turned into a drawing of one of Charlie's famous "city scapes"
.

When our cousins were here for our Christmas dinner (a few days early) we colored our Jesus pictures.

Brandon colored this one for me.

It is easy to get lost in all the hub bub of the holiday season. It is so easy to allow making commercial magic for our children become the priority on Christmas morning. I confess, I LOVE everything about the Christmas season. I love shopping for gifts for the ones that I love, arranging presents under the tree, baking cookies, twinkling lights, Christmas music, decorating the house with fir trees and sparkling glass balls, and the visit to see Santa is high on the list. And even though we will always put cookies out for the jolly ole elf, we have also made greater strides to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas.

I feel so blessed that our family decided to take even a few short moments during this past month to talk about, read and create all around learning about our Lord and Savior. It was a great experience and something I hope that we will continue to do throughout the year.

Preparing for Christmas: Angel Gabriel and Mary

This year we started a new family tradition that I hope will last for years to come.

Each week, or every few days as it turned out, we came together as a family and worked on a project based on the happenings around the birth of Christ.

In Part l we focused on the Angel coming to speak with Mary. We read Luke 1:26-38
"Greetings, most favored one and do not be afraid. God has chosen you out of all women. Very soon you will have a baby. You must call him Jesus."

We sat down and colored a sheet and talked about why the angel came to Mary.Our coloring sheets

Then we made an angel craft.

Daddy and the boys making their angels

It was nice to be together as a family, talking about Jesus, and having fun. It was also nice to see the boys working with their Daddy. Since we primarily do most of our school and projects during the day, Daddy misses out on a lot of those moments. It was a really special moment for all of us.

Preparing for Christmas

wreath made by Charlie last Christmas 08

We have taken the month of December off of "school" to prepare for Christmas. Charlie is at a great age and I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to really teach the kids about what Christmas is all about. Sure we love the jolly ole elf, and enthusiastically await his arrival, but that is not what Christmas is really about. Jesus is the reason for the season!

Everyday we have an Advent activity planned. Some days it is as simple as decorating a Christmas tree or drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies. Other days it may be preparing our Good Samaritan boxes with toys and candy for little boys in third world countries or taking food to the food pantry at church. Playdates with friends to exchange gifts or making presents for family far away. Thanks to my dear friend Sharon for the inspiration!

Each week we will come together as a family and do a specific project preparing for the birth of our Christ. This will give us the opportunity to learn about Jesus together as a family and have fun doing it. Such a simple idea really, but one I picked up from Carissa

For me there is an excitement in the air when Christmas approaches. The lights, the food, the presents. The biggest present is Jesus! May we always remember the true meaning of Christmas. And may we plant on our children's hearts the importance of this lovely holiday.

Merry Christmas Everyone!