Small Talk for December 14

2’s—5’s Lesson from 9:00 Bible Fellowship

Stats for December Key Question: Why is Jesus special?
Bottom Line: Jesus is God’s Son.
Your child needs to know: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
December Memory Verse: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16, GNT

Read through this activity to reinforce what your child learned today!
Bible Story Reference: Luke 2:1-7
Teachable Moments: Jesus was born not in a palace, but among animals. He was placed in a manger for a bed. Read the Christmas story with your preschooler from a children’s Bible. Use the figures of your Nativity scene (or any small dolls) to act out the Christmas story with your child. The dolls can go from place to place trying to find somewhere to sleep only to be told there is no room. Have the dolls arrive at a group of animals and find a place to rest. Finally, sing “Away in a Manger” with your preschooler and lay the baby Jesus to sleep with the animals.

Great video on Advent

Advent for Preschoolers

From www.christian-parent.com

Setting up an advent wreath in the house is a wonderful way to show your children that Christ holds first place in your house at Christmas.

You can create one at the beginning of December and light a candle each Sunday. You can also do this project on Christmas Eve and light all the candles on Christmas Eve.

To make an advent wreath, carve out four evenly spaced holes around a Styrofoam circle. The circle stands for eternity and reminds us of God's presence and His unending love for each one of us.

You will need five candles. These remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world. You can choose five red candles or five white candles or a meaningful combination of three purple, one pink and one white candle. The color purple signifies Jesus' royalty.

Insert the candles into the holes. The white candle stands in the center of the wreath. Cover the Styrofoam with small sprigs of artificial branches. You can add bows, or ornaments or pinecones.

On the first Sunday of December you light one purple candle. This is the prophecy candle which symbolizes Jesus' first coming.

On the second Sunday of December you light the first candle again and the second purple candle. This is the Bethlehem candle and reminds us to prepare for His birth.

On the third Sunday you light the first and second candle plus the third purple one. It is the Shepherd's candle and reminds us to share the good news of His coming.

Then on the fourth Sunday you light the first three candles and the pink one, which is the Angel candle symbolizing God's love for us all.

On Christmas Eve you light all the candles and the middle white one, the Christ candle.

If you'd rather buy a wreath than make one, you can find them at a Christian bookstore.

Tim Hawkins on Parenting

Tim Hawkins is a Christian comedian who has been to Temple twice. He is funny.

December 7 Small Talk

Babies and Ones Lesson for December: “The First Christmas.”

2’s—5’s Lesson from 9:00 Bible Fellowship

Stats for December Key Question: Why is Jesus special?
Bottom Line: Jesus is God’s Son.
Your child needs to know: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
December Memory Verse: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16, GNT

Read through this activity to reinforce what your child learned today!
Bible Story Reference: Luke 1:26-33
Teachable Moments: God sent an angel to Mary to tell her she was going to have a very special baby. Read the story of the angel coming to Mary from a children’s Bible with your preschooler. Talk to him about how Mary must have felt. Was she scared, nervous, excited? The angel told Mary to name the baby Jesus. Use a variety of writing tools (markers, crayons, paints) to practice writing the name Jesus with your preschooler. Remind your preschooler that Christmas is a celebration of this special baby named Jesus.

Busyness

I have been meaning to post for the last week but have not done it. Laziness or busyness. I don't know which one it is. It is amazing how at the holidays everything gets busier. Each of us are busy but busy is relative. Some people are busier than others and we all handle it different.

Let me encourage in this busy time of the year in three ways:
1. Don't forget about your kids. Usually, we as parents make Christmas about the gifts that we are getting for our kids and for family members. What our kids need the most is us. They need our time.
2. Don't forget about church. Even more important your time with the Lord.
3. Enjoy the time with your family, especially your spouse. Husbands, your wife needs you. Wives, your husband needs you. Take of your spouse. They are the most important person you have. Merry Christmas. That is still politically correct.