Our latest Countdown to Christmas activities...
Day 7 - God had promised that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of Jesus.
(Micah 5:2 - But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old from ancient days.)
The kids painted, with water colors, a picture of Bethlehem. We also listened to and sang the song O Little Town of Bethlehem. We like the Sarah MacLachlan version. =)
Day 8 - Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem to be registered.
(Luke 2:3-5 - And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.)
For this day's craft, they each made a donkey to represent Mary's & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. The idea to use colored (or in our case, painted) clothespins for the donkey's legs came from some website, though I can't remember which one. It's cute, easy, and the donkeys stand up so they can actually be played with.
Day 9 - Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in a stable.
(Luke 2: 6-7 - And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.)
Of course, we had to make a "Baby-Jesus-in-the-Manger" craft. So, here it is.
I came across this idea here. She was right, we had all the materials on hand, except for the raffia (I have red raffia, but that doesn't work so well for hay, for obvious reasons). And, I have to admit, any activity that calls for the use of toilet paper rolls is a win with me.
The kids' recent crafts have worked themselves into playtime with the nativity set.
I recently came across this story, and it's a really sweet reminder of Whose birth it is we celebrate at Christmas time.
Day 9 - Mary gave birth to baby Jesus in a stable.
(Luke 2: 6-7 - And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.)
Of course, we had to make a "Baby-Jesus-in-the-Manger" craft. So, here it is.
I came across this idea here. She was right, we had all the materials on hand, except for the raffia (I have red raffia, but that doesn't work so well for hay, for obvious reasons). And, I have to admit, any activity that calls for the use of toilet paper rolls is a win with me.
The kids' recent crafts have worked themselves into playtime with the nativity set.
I recently came across this story, and it's a really sweet reminder of Whose birth it is we celebrate at Christmas time.
