Advent (Dec. 3, Day 7)...

Symbol: The Manger Scene

Bible verse: Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a

son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in

the inn.

Discuss: Talk about how supposably St. Francis of Assisi had such a great desire to have been present at the birth of Christ, that he recreated the scene. Also talk about why you think Jesus was born in a stable.

Our activities: Put out the nativity set.

Other possible activities:

• Make your own nativity scene.
• Visit a living nativity or put on your own for family and friends
• Read the story of Jesus' birth
• Read the Follow the Star devotional.

Resources:
Blessed Christmas study Day 17

Advent 2011 (Day 6, Dec. 2nd)...

Symbol: Angels
Bible Verse: Hebrews 13:1-2
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a
son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in
the inn.
Discuss: The angels were the first to announce the birth of the Christ child; how might we be used to be the first to introduce Christ to someone.


Our activities: Put up an angel as a reminder to share Jesus with others. Also go to see the Christmas parade downtown.

Other possible activities:

• Do any of the crafts located on Day 18 of the Blessed Christmas Study.
• Read Follow the Star devotional.

Advent 2011 (Day 5, Dec. 1st)...

Symbol: Wreath

Bible verse: John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life."

Discuss: God's eternal love and faithfulness. Also discuss how with God there is no beginning or end.

Our activities: Put up our wreaths.

Homeschool activities: Learn the geometry of circles





Other possible activities:

• If you have a preschooler use the circle to teach shapes, the numeral zero. Plus practice writing the "o"
  letter and learn it's sounds.You can also go on a "O" scavenger hunt.
• Make pretzel wreaths from the Blessed Christmas Study Day 9.
• Print off one of the many online coloring pages of a wreath.
• Get discarded limbs from Christmas lots and make wreathes for someone who needs a little extra love.
• Make a popcorn wreath.
• Make any of these cute wreath crafts.
• Read Follow the Star devotional.
• If your just getting started here is some countdown ideas from an older post of mine.

Advent 2011 (Day 4, Nov. 30th)...

Symbol: Chi Rho cross (X-mas)

Bible Verse: (Luke 1:30-33) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Discuss: Why would people want to take Christ out of Christmas? How can our family be sure
to keep Christ in all the celebrations?

Our actvities: Learn about the Chi Rho cross. Make and decorate a Chi Rho cross for the mantle or Christmas tree.

Homeschool activities: Learn to write/say the Greek alphabet and learn about how people in Greece celebrate Christmas here and here.

Resources:
Blessed Christmas Study Day 13
Follow the Star devotional

Advent 2011 (Day 3, Nov.29th)...

Symbol: Shepard's staff

Bible Verse: Psalm 23:1-5
1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he
leads me beside quiet waters, 3he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Discuss: Jesus as shepard and the symbolism behind the candy cane.


Our activities: Decorate the tree with candy canes and give out candy canes to people you meet today to share the love of Christ.

Homeschool activities: Learn about shepards.

Other possible activities:

• Make peppermint stick marshmallows.

Recipe and picture courtesy of Gordon Gossip blog.

• Make reindeer candy canes.
• Give out candy canes with the story of the candy cane attached.
• Draw and cut out your own candy canes to color.
• Make peppermint stick cocoa
• Make candy cane crafts.
• Study the role of a shepard and how it relates to all of us.
• Read Following the Star devotional.

Resources:
Blessed Christmas study Day 12.

Blog News: Check out the latest additions to the advent activities page.

Advent 2011 (Day 2, Nov. 28th)....

Symbol: Christmas tree

Bible verse:
II Peter 3:17-18 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!

Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Discuss: How do we "grow" as Jesus did?

Our activities: Today were decorating the Christmas tree and learning the song "O' Christmas Tree".


Homeschool Activities: Learn about the different types of trees and the history of the Christmas Tree.

Other activities:

• Decorate a living tree outside with edibles for animals.

Special Thanks to Bargain Hoot for this great craft and photo.

• Decorate a mini Christmas tree and give to a homebound person or to a shelter.
• Watch A Charlie Brown Christmas.
• Make Christmas tree cookies.
• Visit a Christmas tree farm.

Resources:
Blessed Christmas Study Day 7

Advent 2011 (Day 1)...

Symbol: The Advent Wreath

Bible Verse: Luke 2:19 "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Do: the daily reading from A Blessed Christmas Study (Day 1) including "Twas the first day of advent". Plus the daily discussion...Discuss the need for a quieter, slower season to think about the truths of God’s
word. Decide – as a family – how you can slow down, focus on Christ, and not get
overwhelmed with the “hustle and bustle” of the season.

Our activities:
Were making an advent wreath using the pic below for inspiration.

Special thanks to Homestead Revival for the inspiration.

Other possible activities:

• Make a countdown chain or other cool way to countdown til Christmas.
• Draw a wreath and candles, then cut them out and color for your very own Advent wreath.
• Read a post from my past.







Only the beginning...

Christmas is at hand once again and already I feel the expectancy building up inside me. What was once broken will be healed, what was once lost will be found and there is a great future on the horizon. A great future that's beginning started at the birth of Christ.

I have now looked in the eyes of poverty...wide-eyed youth without a home of their own, a nation (theirs and our own) waiting for revival and I can say that in spite of what Ive seen these past few months we have great hope. Because of a babe in a manger who brought very good news.

So renew your commitment this advent season. Commit to making the kingdom known throughout your local community and throughout the whole world. Commit to instilling in the hearts of your children a love for people and not things. Commit to making a room available in your heart and lives to the newborn babe/ full grown King. Afterall he is the reason for the season, but he came for a reason other than a season of celebration. He came to bring a Kingdom where all people would know peace, love and hope. He came to inspire in us a great love for all the nations which is lived out in action.

Blessings,
Nicole

• Blog News..Keep an eye out in the days ahead for changes to the blog and new activities.
• Advent... Celebrate advent with daily activities that focus on Christ. Like Ann Voskamp's "A Jesus Advent Celebration" or "A Blessed Christmas Study" which has homeschooling activities added to it. Visit Following the Star for a daily devotional that will walk you through this season.