Advent 2011: God With Us

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17, NIV

 Tonight we are going make a shadow puppet show.  Remember those salt dough figures that you made?  And, the manger?  Gather those together and let's get started!

Christmas Adventus Day 12:  Today, place your salt dough angel and a flashlight in the advent bag.  Gather together the following materials:  salt dough figures, manger, flashlight for puppet show, flashlight for narrator, Bible, a light colored wall

Begin the night by asking your angels to remove shine a flashlight on the wall.  You can prop it on some pillows so that no one needs to hold it still through the entire "show".  Turn off the lights and hold your salt dough angel in front of the light so that a shadow shines on the wall.  Read James 1:17.

Tell your family that you are going to use your salt dough figurines to create a  shadow puppet show.  One person will be the narrator, or you may rotate the narrator with each section of the story.  The narrator will read a segment of the story aloud.  While the narrator reads, others will use the figures to interpret the story.  For example, if the angel appeared to Mary, you may have a shadow of Mary waiting and when the story says that the angel appeared to Mary, the angel comes into the shadow picture.   Be creative and have fun interpreting the story.

The verses that you will need for your story are located on our Christmas Adventus 2011 page for December 12th.



For our other Advent activities, see "Christmas Adventus 2011: Celebrating Allergy-Free".

Advent 2011: Let Compassion Shine

"Light shines in the darkness for the godly.

They are generous, compassionate, and righteous."

 Psalm 112:4, NLT

I am always amazed at the things my angel teaches me.  It is never in those planned chats but rather those unexpected moments that arise between a parent and a child, in the most odd situations, when I am reminded to look at things anew.

Today, we were blessed to spend the day with friends at a nearby amusement park.  The day went as you would expect, a ride here, a photo op there.... and then, as we road in circles on one of those cars that require peddling, my angel says to me, "Don't worry, mom, you don't need to peddle.  I will do all of the work because you have been sick."  Wow!  What compassion!

This week, I have been sick with the flu that triggers the asthma then settles in the chest and requires oodles of medication just to keep up with daily tasks.  So, obviously, peddling those little car things was not at the top of "things I should today" list.  But, I never told my angel that I should not peddle; I have not stopped doing any of my normal activities this week.  I just keep on trucking and puffing my way through.  But... compassion....  My angel knew, it was clear with each winded breath, that some things take more effort for me than usual.  What observation - to see my need and to have the compassion to help!

Isn't this why God sent Jesus?  His compassion. He saw our pain and our needs.  He knew that no matter how hard we work, we will fail.  Isn't this why we are not alone?  Isn't this why Jesus came to die? His compassion.

God shines His light on us so that we can reflect it into a struggling world.  A reflection of His generosity, compassion and righteousness.  This week, let His light shine!

Christmas Adventus Day 11:  Place a grocery store gift card in today's advent bag.  Follow the script for Christmas Adventus 2011, December 11 to help your angels gain a better understanding of compassion.




For our other Advent activities, see "Christmas Adventus 2011: Celebrating Allergy-Free".

Advent 2011: A Hint of Christmas

"What may be known about God is plain to them, because God made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine qualities--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that mean are without excuse."  Romans 1:19-20, NIV

When we think of Christmas, most of us imagine decorations and trees brightening our rooms. But, can you remember the story about the man who lit a tree with candles after walking in the woods?  Can you remember why he did that?  That man’s name was Martin Luther and he is credited, in 1500 AD, as the first to decorate or light a tree in Christ’s honor.  Slowly other people began to decorate their trees throughout Europe and eventually in the United States. Did you also know that in the early 1800’s, the Puritan’s put a ban on Christmas trees. People were not allowed to put up or decorate Christmas trees because it distracted from the real meaning of Christmas. However, in 1850, a farmer brought trees to New York City for sale.  The farmer sold all of his trees and the first Christmas tree business began. The Christmas tree tradition blossomed over the next 70 years and now we can’t imagine Christmas without a tree.

This month, remember that the decorations and the tree are beautiful gifts from God to remind us that He is real and He loves us. Look around you this holiday, take a moment, and appreciate God glory.

Christmas Adventus 2011 Day 10: For today’s advent, place some fake snow, plastic berries and artificial pine pieces in your day 10 advent bag.  Have your angel’s open the bag and tell you what the items remind them of.  Read today’s introduction before beginning our craft. 

For our other Advent activities, see "Christmas Adventus 2011: Celebrating Allergy-Free".