We bought our tree a few days before Christmas. My husband kept fiddling with it before he was finally happy with the tilt it took. My children put up the ornaments which were mostly from last year's advent devotions and promptly worked on creating more. Soon old baby toys and wooden beads became transformed with yarn and hung with care. We hung pine cones and there were new paper chains and holes punched in various origami animals. And the children made the beaded candy canes that they had learned from our local Montessori school last year.
Near the last week of Christmas, I finally pulled out the ddukbaegi and added advent activities. One of the activities was making a cranberry garland. This was also added to our tree. The children wanted to have presents under the tree like their other friends. I encouraged them to make presents for each other. Soon many household items and books disappeared and there were many wrapped packages under the tree, tied with red yarn; most addressed to mom and dad because Santa might not give presents to adults. Ha!
This Christmas, I saw our children excited for Santa's visit (they were so excited to see a candy cane in their stocking instead of a tangerine this year! I think they loved the candy cane more than their actual gift!) and overflowing with generosity. The oldest made origami for all our neighbors while the other little ones helped me bake cookies to distribute to our neighbors. I saw the joy in their faces as they invited these neighbors to their Christmas program and the hope they had that everyone would know Jesus.
Do they understand the true meaning of Jesus' birth? They know he was born poor so he could understand all kinds of people. They know Jesus is the answer to God's promise long ago. But even I have trouble grasping the love of our Father who sent his one and only Son into this broken and dark world. To think that Almighty God wants to be our friend. He wants an intimate and close relationship with us. And that all he wants is our love. And the best present I can give to my children? To be truly present in the moment that I am with them. Not distracted or annoyed, but listening and understanding with an open heart. To heed the overwhelming calling to be a reflection of His love.
Merry Christmas!
Showing posts with label of faith and devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label of faith and devotion. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Advent
Last week, my busy student husband surprised all of us with an outdoor Christmas lights display in our front lawn. There had been a few snowflakes and even a morning frost, but no real snow to speak of so the outdoor display helped nudge me to remember that the season has arrived. I finally put out our Advent books out and am slowing winding into our preparations.
This fall, we started Genesis. As I started Advent devotions this week, I began with Genesis to discuss the significance of Jesus' birthday, which is that God always keeps his promises. God promised Adam and Eve, Abraham, and many other people that He would send Jesus and He did. God promises He is coming again, and He will!
I am not as organized as other years, and have decided not to do Advent activities and countdown right from December first, but the twelve days before Christmas. Last year, we had a lot of fun with our Advent activities, and I expect to do some of them again. I like idea of planting wheat or grass seeds and then using the sprouts to make a little bundle of hay for Baby Jesus. But instead of planting a seed for each act of love, I was thinking we could plant a seed each time we remembered something to thank God for.
Have a blessed and peaceful Advent!
This fall, we started Genesis. As I started Advent devotions this week, I began with Genesis to discuss the significance of Jesus' birthday, which is that God always keeps his promises. God promised Adam and Eve, Abraham, and many other people that He would send Jesus and He did. God promises He is coming again, and He will!
I am not as organized as other years, and have decided not to do Advent activities and countdown right from December first, but the twelve days before Christmas. Last year, we had a lot of fun with our Advent activities, and I expect to do some of them again. I like idea of planting wheat or grass seeds and then using the sprouts to make a little bundle of hay for Baby Jesus. But instead of planting a seed for each act of love, I was thinking we could plant a seed each time we remembered something to thank God for.
Have a blessed and peaceful Advent!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thankful Tuesday
While looking for salamanders at the seminary's nature center (we saw one last week!), Koko found an adorable peeper. (No salamanders; we think they are ready to dig deeper to hide from the cold.)
Despite our squirrel feeder and purchase of a red light bulb (supposedly, that helps) we haven't had any flying squirrel sightings. But our kind neighbor (bless her heart) promised that she would call us when flying squirrels visited her home. And we're enjoying something new this year: seeing bats in the evening!
I had tooth concerns of my own, and my children had various scrapes that ended up with me calling the dentist and pediatrician, but to my utter relief, everything is okay. I am so grateful for nurses and doctors who reassure worried mamas and friends who laugh at my neurotic tendencies, and of course, to God who protects us even more than we can ever know.
Last year, I had a child who suddenly became fearful of many things. A year has passed and God has restored the child's heart and my own in so many ways, beyond my imagination. Thank you for all your prayers.
I think of my mortality and how limited my time is on earth. I thank God for my children who always ask about heavenly matters and remind me that it's eternity that truly counts. Lord, help me to count my days and live for your glory alone. The following lyrics has been on my mind a lot.
Last year, I had a child who suddenly became fearful of many things. A year has passed and God has restored the child's heart and my own in so many ways, beyond my imagination. Thank you for all your prayers.
I think of my mortality and how limited my time is on earth. I thank God for my children who always ask about heavenly matters and remind me that it's eternity that truly counts. Lord, help me to count my days and live for your glory alone. The following lyrics has been on my mind a lot.
Give me one pure and holy passion.
Give me one magnificent obsession.
Give me one glorious ambition for my life to know and follow hard after you.
You can hear the rest of the song here.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Easter
The children woke up on Easter morning to a basket of musical instruments outside their bedroom door. We made a joyful noise and proclaimed in loud voices, "Jesus has risen!" This weekend was busy with Easter retreats and Easter plays (K was a disciple). The children had fun egg hunts, new books, origami paper, and then the annual egg dyeing with natural dyes.
This time we used onion skins and, red cabbage, and beets, and the onion skin and red cabbage turned out so lovely. I didn't have much success with the beets. Maybe I need to grate them and then squeeze? I always had noticed this strange film on my eggs and now realize that you need to wash the eggs with soap before dyeing to get rid of the film. It makes dyeing so much better.
It's been such a long winter, but Easter is always a reminder of God's forgiveness and the sure hope and joy of the resurrection. I leave you with this video with more info here. (ht: Holy Experience) Just imagine in heaven how we'll be dancing and singing praising together!
Happy Easter! He has risen!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
New Year Verses & a little story
I decided to pick some verses to help me focus on God in the new year.
First, Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."
I need this when I'm about to lose my cool with the children, especially around bedtimes.
Second, Revelations 5:8b
"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
This verse helps me visualize how my prayers are like incense before the Lord.
Also, I have a story to share. When we went to visit family during the holidays, my husband and I realized that my baby carrier was missing. We are not a rich family and that carrier was expensive! I called every place I could think of and made my friends scour their living room many times. I started praying earnestly that God would find that carrier for me.
Over a week past and I knew it was almost impossible, but as I prayed, I begged for him to find it for me telling him that he could do anything. And I told him how I've been feeling a little blue lately and if he would find it I would feel so loved and I really would stop doubting that he truly loves me. And almost immediately, when I called H-Mart for the second time, they said, "You mean the chestnut colored carrier?" I was so shocked and did a happy dance at my house.
I know some people would say it was just a coincidence, but I truly believe that my God did that miracle for me. Even though it was such a shallow prayer, the fact that God loves me personally and is truly listening to me when I cry out to him even about small trivial things made me stop a little. Even though there are billions of people out there and God loves each and every one, he still cares about me individually and listens to my prayers! Even when God feels far away and distant, I am always on God's mind and he is concerned about me. It made me realize how often my prayers are mixed with doubt when He truly wants to answer my prayers. It made me wonder what would happen if I prayed for other people just as earnestly out of desperation as I did when I wanted to find my carrier.
First, Philippians 4:5
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."
I need this when I'm about to lose my cool with the children, especially around bedtimes.
Second, Revelations 5:8b
"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
This verse helps me visualize how my prayers are like incense before the Lord.
Also, I have a story to share. When we went to visit family during the holidays, my husband and I realized that my baby carrier was missing. We are not a rich family and that carrier was expensive! I called every place I could think of and made my friends scour their living room many times. I started praying earnestly that God would find that carrier for me.
Over a week past and I knew it was almost impossible, but as I prayed, I begged for him to find it for me telling him that he could do anything. And I told him how I've been feeling a little blue lately and if he would find it I would feel so loved and I really would stop doubting that he truly loves me. And almost immediately, when I called H-Mart for the second time, they said, "You mean the chestnut colored carrier?" I was so shocked and did a happy dance at my house.
I know some people would say it was just a coincidence, but I truly believe that my God did that miracle for me. Even though it was such a shallow prayer, the fact that God loves me personally and is truly listening to me when I cry out to him even about small trivial things made me stop a little. Even though there are billions of people out there and God loves each and every one, he still cares about me individually and listens to my prayers! Even when God feels far away and distant, I am always on God's mind and he is concerned about me. It made me realize how often my prayers are mixed with doubt when He truly wants to answer my prayers. It made me wonder what would happen if I prayed for other people just as earnestly out of desperation as I did when I wanted to find my carrier.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Rhythm of Grace
I was reading excerpts from Eugene Peterson's Working the Angles (my husband's homework assigned reading) and struck by what he said about the rhythms created by the sabbath:
Though Peterson's book was originally written for pastors, I think his message about the perils of busyness and preoccupation to the external applies to parents. As a mother trying to forge strong rhythms/routines for children, it's so easy to become overwhelmed. I love books and blogs that encourage simplicity, but in real life, I am messy. At any given time, there are many corners in my house that are cluttered. And my heart? It's often fraught with thoughts of inadequacy and wanting to be a better mother and wife but knowing fully that I fall woefully short. I keep on finding that mothering itself is not truly satisfying. Only Jesus is. And it is when I rest in God's grace that I have the strength and inspiration to truly become the mother God wants me to be. From beginning to end, it's grace.
The Hebrew evening/morning sequence conditions us to the rhythms of grace. We go to sleep, and God begins His work. As we sleep he develops his covenant. We wake and are called out to participate in God’s creative covenant. We respond in faith, in work. But always grace is previous. Grace is primary. We wake into a world we didn’t make, into a salvation we didn’t earn. Evening: God begins, without our help, his creative day. Morning: God calls us to enjoy and share and develop the work he initiated. Creation and covenant are sheer grace and there to greet us every morning (68).
Though Peterson's book was originally written for pastors, I think his message about the perils of busyness and preoccupation to the external applies to parents. As a mother trying to forge strong rhythms/routines for children, it's so easy to become overwhelmed. I love books and blogs that encourage simplicity, but in real life, I am messy. At any given time, there are many corners in my house that are cluttered. And my heart? It's often fraught with thoughts of inadequacy and wanting to be a better mother and wife but knowing fully that I fall woefully short. I keep on finding that mothering itself is not truly satisfying. Only Jesus is. And it is when I rest in God's grace that I have the strength and inspiration to truly become the mother God wants me to be. From beginning to end, it's grace.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Rainbow ornaments
Didn't they turn out nice? We made rainbow ornaments a few days ago to go with our Advent devotion (Noah-rainbow). I did tweak it a little to make it more like a rainbow. The kids used turkey basters to put various colors in the muffin tin but only halfway. After freezing, they put another color on top of the color before I made loops with the yarn and froze them so that each ornament had two layers of colors. I guess I could have used to make a cup to freeze all the colors of the rainbow. Maybe next time.
Counting gifts
1. when Eggy says, "Bbo" and gives me an open almost kiss (bbo-bbo means "kiss" in Korean)
2. the excitement the girls have about seeing the first snow and later, the first icicles this winter
3. my husband who takes time during his very busy school semester to play several rounds of soccer in the basement with the kids
4. watching Eggy kick the soccer ball
5. that in a few short weeks, my husband will be done with the fall semester!
6. that I finally figured to put all my bake ware and pans on the top cabinet so my counters are not such a war zone. Ha!
7. the cranberry apple pie that my friend baked and delivered to us yesterday
8. how Eggy pats us on our backs while we hug him exactly how we usually do to him
9. the divine and mysterious healing work of communion
10. friends who will listen to me pour my heart out and remind me of Jesus' love and that I'm not that bad of a mother :)
11. my cousin who will search the Korean internet for the best price of Mizaki's Anne of Green Gables
12. my hairdresser friend who is willing to cut my hair in my house because she knows I hate to drive
13. the fact that I've been driving on the highway for over a month. (I'm bad with directions and have overactive peripheral vision) I can now drive to my girls' ballet class and the farm. Now I need to master the Korean grocery store and the library.
14. my husband who coached me to drive with many maps and instructions.
15. my husband who almost cried when he thought we were in an accident (Instead of going to my friend's house directly, I went on a spontaneous trip to the thrift store and my friend became worried and called my husband frantically)
16. the farm that my children love to visit each week for our milk. Koko told me she wanted to be a farmer when she grows up.
17. the pure love and forgiveness my children give me
18. God's unconditional love--that he loves me even when my house is a mess
19. our parents' good health
20. good recovery for my best friend's mom who had a stroke recently
21. being reminded of Mary's humble sacrifice when she cleaned Jesus' feet with her hair, tears, and nard.
22. God who initiated covenants with Abraham and was later "cut" for our behalf.
23. Hebrews 11:6
24. the willingness and joy the girls had about giving a present to Jesus instead of receiving presents this Christmas
25. all the wonderful Christmas book lists circulating in many blogs!
26. interlibrary loans!
-----
Stopping now, but what fun!
~
2. the excitement the girls have about seeing the first snow and later, the first icicles this winter
3. my husband who takes time during his very busy school semester to play several rounds of soccer in the basement with the kids
4. watching Eggy kick the soccer ball
5. that in a few short weeks, my husband will be done with the fall semester!
6. that I finally figured to put all my bake ware and pans on the top cabinet so my counters are not such a war zone. Ha!
7. the cranberry apple pie that my friend baked and delivered to us yesterday
8. how Eggy pats us on our backs while we hug him exactly how we usually do to him
9. the divine and mysterious healing work of communion
10. friends who will listen to me pour my heart out and remind me of Jesus' love and that I'm not that bad of a mother :)
11. my cousin who will search the Korean internet for the best price of Mizaki's Anne of Green Gables
12. my hairdresser friend who is willing to cut my hair in my house because she knows I hate to drive
13. the fact that I've been driving on the highway for over a month. (I'm bad with directions and have overactive peripheral vision) I can now drive to my girls' ballet class and the farm. Now I need to master the Korean grocery store and the library.
14. my husband who coached me to drive with many maps and instructions.
15. my husband who almost cried when he thought we were in an accident (Instead of going to my friend's house directly, I went on a spontaneous trip to the thrift store and my friend became worried and called my husband frantically)
16. the farm that my children love to visit each week for our milk. Koko told me she wanted to be a farmer when she grows up.
17. the pure love and forgiveness my children give me
18. God's unconditional love--that he loves me even when my house is a mess
19. our parents' good health
20. good recovery for my best friend's mom who had a stroke recently
21. being reminded of Mary's humble sacrifice when she cleaned Jesus' feet with her hair, tears, and nard.
22. God who initiated covenants with Abraham and was later "cut" for our behalf.
23. Hebrews 11:6
24. the willingness and joy the girls had about giving a present to Jesus instead of receiving presents this Christmas
25. all the wonderful Christmas book lists circulating in many blogs!
26. interlibrary loans!
-----
Stopping now, but what fun!
~
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Philippians 4:6,7
We're enjoying listening to this upbeat song by the wonderful Seeds Family Worship to help memorize Philippians 4:6,7. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Advent Devotions 2010 and journal
Sometimes I have to think about why I am doing these advent devotions and activities. Every morning, my children open the tukbagee for their "surprise" activity and we have devotion during breakfast. But we want to prepare our hearts to think of the great significance of Jesus' birth and simply celebrate it with all our being.
Again, these are the devotion resources I am using--Holy Experience's FREE Jesse Tree Advent Devotional and my own from last year here.
Dec 1. Using Jesse Tree Devotional (JTD) November 30 (Genesis 1:25-31)
We also talked about the trinity with 3 in 1
Activity: Draw on blank Christmas cards
Tooth fairy's first visit with The Secret Staircase! First day of snow! The girls saw a rabbit at night.
Dec 2. JTD Dec 1 (Genesis 3:1-21)
Activity: Hide and Seek (Surprise in tukbagee: Surprise later in the day)
Surprise: Parents viewing day in ballet
First day of icicles! Singing practice for World Festival Day at husband's seminary.
Dec 3. JTD Dec 2 (Genesis 6:5-8)
Activity: prepare and freeze ice ornaments in rainbow colors. I don't know when we'll be ready to hang them because it's not that cold...yet. Or maybe play dough in rainbow colors?
It was fun making rainbow ornaments. I also showed the children some of the online catalogs from this post I almost cried as the children agreed that they didn't need any toys and wanted to give presents to Jesus by giving to those who really needed it. I received one of the catalogs and even my husband was moved. We also had a great time worshiping together with others from different countries at husband's seminary. It was an eyeopener for the children.
Dec 4. JTD Dec 3.(Genesis 12:1-7)
Activity: Blindfolded faith walk and hanging the rainbow ornaments.
Dec. 5. JTD Dec 4.(Genesis 4: 21-27)
Activity: Father Abraham song which never fails to tickle their funny bones!
Dec 6. JTD Dec 6.(Genesis 28: 10-22)
Activity: Crystal ladder
I thought making this in a shape of a ladder was a great extension, but I hope my children don't think there are any actual crystal ladders! Though who knows? Maybe in heaven.
Dec 7. JTD Dec 7 (Genesis 37: 31-33; 50:15-20)
Activity: felting wool ball or felt a small robe ornament
We actually just pretended to wear a bathrobe!
Dec 8. JTD Dec 8. The Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:1-22)
Activity: Put nail polish on the girls' ten fingers!
The girls loved this but were a little disappointed that their pink glittery nail polish was more clear than pink. Go figure!
Dec 9. JTD Dec 10. Rahab and the red cord. (Joshua 2:1-21)
Activity: Using a playsilks, pretend to be in the water and take turns being rescued by the rope.
I was nervous talking bout Rahab, but I just said she had a bad job and no further questions asked. They LOVED role-playing Rahab and the spies!
Dec 10. Read the parable of the lost sheep and explain how God is always looking for us and loves us so much.
Activity: Read Little Baa and excerpts of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Another game of hide and seek? The kids love playing this and I know they'll love that it's parent-initiated.
Dec 11. Isaiah 9:1,2 The Great Light
I am going to talk about how Jesus is the great light who shows us where to go. I am also going to share how darkness is associated with sadness and how light here also refers to hope.
Activity: At night turn off the lights and then turn on a flashlight or light a candle. Perhaps shadow tag?
Song: "This Little Light of mine.
Skipped. I decided no advent activities for Sundays!
Dec 12.
Isaiah 9: 3 Rejoice Before You
Isaiah compares the joy of Jesus' birth to the joy of a successful harvest and war. I imagine both are celebrated by a party. I am thinking I will talk about how we were so excited that our garden produced so many tomatoes and cucumbers and how were so happy every morning when we saw another ripe fruit. For older kids, you could discuss the joy of doing well on an exam, etc.
Activity: Do a "happy dance" celebrating Jesus' birth. Jump up and down like David praising God after a battle.
Song: "Joy to the World"
Skipped.
Dec 13. Isaiah 9: 4 Shattered the Yoke
Koko is really into prisons and policemen these days so she will be able to understand how the Israel suffered in captivity. I will talk about how Jesus frees us from prison and burdens because he forgive us.
Activity: Have the children carry something heavy (to them) and keep on adding objects until they complain. Then take all the "burdens" away and explain that's how sin is heavy and how God takes it away. Also, for additional fun, use a wooden chopstick (the take out variety) and put on two books. Explain how this is similar to a yoke and then break the chopstick for a visual aid.
Skipped
Dec 14. Isaiah 11:1,2 JTD November 29.The shoot
Activity: Cutting the Christmas tree
Skipped
Dec 15.
Luke 1: 41-43 A Special Baby
I am going to talk about how John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin and how when Mary, Jesus' mom visited Elizabeth, Baby John leaped in her womb because he knew Baby Jesus was special!
Activity: I know my girls will love putting a doll under their shirts and having it jump a bit!
Dec 16.
Matthew 1: 24 Joseph's Obedience
I am going to talk about how Joseph obeyed God's commandment right away and how hard it is for my children and me to obey God.
Activity: Show a hammer, explaining how Joseph was a carpenter and how carpenters use hammers to do their job and then play with the hammering activity set we have. Last year, I set up the Montessori activity with craft foam and golf tees but I really didn't like how the foam crumbled everywhere. This year, I hope to do these tin ornaments that requires hammering and nailing.
Dec 17.
Luke 2:1-5 An Uncomfortable Ride
When Koko and Cheeky were very young, they both hated car trips. They cried and cried. This also seems to be the case with the new baby. So using this as an example, I am going to explain how it must have been very uncomfortable for Mary to be traveling with her big belly and how it was a beautiful sacrifice. (When the kids get older, I'll talk about how it was a huge sacrifice to have a baby as a virgin!)
Dec 18.
Luke 2: 8-10 Good news versus bad news
Find an example of good and bad news. I am going to talk about losing our dog Buku which was bad news to us and how when we found him, that was good news and relate that to Jesus who is good news for all people.
Activity: My kids are young so we are going to look at a hand mirror and make happy and sad faces and then draw on their easels happy and sad faces.
Dec 19.
The Long Awaited Savior
Discuss "waiting." For my kids, I will talk about how long it felt for us to wait for my baby to be born and how often the kids told my baby via my belly to "come out!" Explain how many people from long time ago waited for Jesus to be born and how exciting it must have been that he finally arrived.
Activity: Make something that you need to wait for. I'm thinking of a cake, jello, or bread with yeast that you need to wait to rise several times, or maybe even that homemade butter.
Song: O Come, O Come, Immanuel
Dec 20.
Matthew 1: 21,22 The Lord Saves
Without going too deeply on Mary's virgin birth, I am going to mention how an angel visited Joseph and told him to name the baby Jesus and explain how Jesus is a Greek form of Joshua which means "the Lord Saves." And then I am going to talk about how the reason the Jesus came as a baby was to die on the cross to save us from our sins.
Talking about salvation is an ongoing conversation we have in our house. One tract that I recently shared with Koko is One Way. I do have to admit that I don't agree with all of Chick Publication's tracts, but this one is a great way to explain salvation to children and adults!
Activity: Read the tract and if I have energy, find branches outside and use some twine to make a homemade cross ornament. I was inspired by this snowflake ornament. Cute, aye? Or, you could just make a body cross. Have a child lie down with his hands on his sides vertically and the other child on top horizontally. This only works if you have one very lightweight child. Otherwise, you could be the vertical pillar and have two kids on each side as the horizontal line.
Dec 21.
Luke 2:14 Peace
Discuss when their hearts can be not peaceful (anger, anxiety, etc.) Explain how the definition of peace is salvation and how when Jesus saves you from your sins, you can experience true peace.
Activity: Explain how the dove is a symbol for peace. You can color, paint, or glue white tissue paper on this dove coloring page. I would print it on blue construction paper so there's contrast.
Song: "Peace like a River"and "My Peace I Give Unto You"
Dec. 22
Luke 2:12 A sign
Explain how a baby wrapped in cloths will be a sign to the disciples so that they would know who Jesus was. Discuss Jesus' humble birth. Compare his manger to a cradle, crib, etc.
Activity: Swaddle dolls with receiving blankets. Or for boys who might not like to swaddle dolls, wrapping with toilet paper some stuffed animal or action figure.
Song: Away in the Manger
Dec 23.
Matthew 1:23 God with Us
My kids know how the baby will cry when he's not near his mama and as they also value being with me, they understand the importance of being connected and together. So today, we will talk about how Isaiah from long ago said that someday God would send a baby and call him "Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." We will talk about what it means that God is with us mainly how God chose to become human so he could be our friend and died for us so we could be with him forever in heaven. And perhaps, about the Holy Spirit who is currently with us.
Activity: Paper doll chain of two to symbolize Jesus and us. Or just hold hands and say how Jesus always with us in our hearts.
Song: "Immanuel" by Michael Card and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
Dec 24. Angelic Messengers
Ask kids to imagine a bunch of angels telling everyone the good news of Jesus' birth.
Activity: Paint hands and imprint two hands in a "v" to look like angels' wings and cover the whole big sheet of paper. I would use black paper because it was night and the white paint will come out better. Older kids can draw angel faces as well as bodies.
Song: Hark the Herald
.
Dec 25.
Rushing to see the good news
Discuss how the shepherds rushed to see Jesus.
Activity: Grab a mop or whatever make-believe staff you can make, and have a race from one room to another "rushing" to see Jesus. End with Jesus' birthday cake celebration.
----
As always, I hope this can be helpful for someone with younger children. Wishing you a blessed and not-so-stressed joyous Advent.
Again, these are the devotion resources I am using--Holy Experience's FREE Jesse Tree Advent Devotional and my own from last year here.
Dec 1. Using Jesse Tree Devotional (JTD) November 30 (Genesis 1:25-31)
We also talked about the trinity with 3 in 1
Activity: Draw on blank Christmas cards
Tooth fairy's first visit with The Secret Staircase! First day of snow! The girls saw a rabbit at night.
Dec 2. JTD Dec 1 (Genesis 3:1-21)
Activity: Hide and Seek (Surprise in tukbagee: Surprise later in the day)
Surprise: Parents viewing day in ballet
First day of icicles! Singing practice for World Festival Day at husband's seminary.
Dec 3. JTD Dec 2 (Genesis 6:5-8)
Activity: prepare and freeze ice ornaments in rainbow colors. I don't know when we'll be ready to hang them because it's not that cold...yet. Or maybe play dough in rainbow colors?
It was fun making rainbow ornaments. I also showed the children some of the online catalogs from this post I almost cried as the children agreed that they didn't need any toys and wanted to give presents to Jesus by giving to those who really needed it. I received one of the catalogs and even my husband was moved. We also had a great time worshiping together with others from different countries at husband's seminary. It was an eyeopener for the children.
Dec 4. JTD Dec 3.(Genesis 12:1-7)
Activity: Blindfolded faith walk and hanging the rainbow ornaments.
Dec. 5. JTD Dec 4.(Genesis 4: 21-27)
Activity: Father Abraham song which never fails to tickle their funny bones!
Dec 6. JTD Dec 6.(Genesis 28: 10-22)
Activity: Crystal ladder
I thought making this in a shape of a ladder was a great extension, but I hope my children don't think there are any actual crystal ladders! Though who knows? Maybe in heaven.
Dec 7. JTD Dec 7 (Genesis 37: 31-33; 50:15-20)
Activity: felting wool ball or felt a small robe ornament
We actually just pretended to wear a bathrobe!
Dec 8. JTD Dec 8. The Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:1-22)
Activity: Put nail polish on the girls' ten fingers!
The girls loved this but were a little disappointed that their pink glittery nail polish was more clear than pink. Go figure!
Dec 9. JTD Dec 10. Rahab and the red cord. (Joshua 2:1-21)
Activity: Using a playsilks, pretend to be in the water and take turns being rescued by the rope.
I was nervous talking bout Rahab, but I just said she had a bad job and no further questions asked. They LOVED role-playing Rahab and the spies!
Dec 10. Read the parable of the lost sheep and explain how God is always looking for us and loves us so much.
Activity: Read Little Baa and excerpts of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Another game of hide and seek? The kids love playing this and I know they'll love that it's parent-initiated.
Dec 11. Isaiah 9:1,2 The Great Light
I am going to talk about how Jesus is the great light who shows us where to go. I am also going to share how darkness is associated with sadness and how light here also refers to hope.
Activity: At night turn off the lights and then turn on a flashlight or light a candle. Perhaps shadow tag?
Song: "This Little Light of mine.
Skipped. I decided no advent activities for Sundays!
Dec 12.
Isaiah 9: 3 Rejoice Before You
Isaiah compares the joy of Jesus' birth to the joy of a successful harvest and war. I imagine both are celebrated by a party. I am thinking I will talk about how we were so excited that our garden produced so many tomatoes and cucumbers and how were so happy every morning when we saw another ripe fruit. For older kids, you could discuss the joy of doing well on an exam, etc.
Activity: Do a "happy dance" celebrating Jesus' birth. Jump up and down like David praising God after a battle.
Song: "Joy to the World"
Skipped.
Dec 13. Isaiah 9: 4 Shattered the Yoke
Koko is really into prisons and policemen these days so she will be able to understand how the Israel suffered in captivity. I will talk about how Jesus frees us from prison and burdens because he forgive us.
Activity: Have the children carry something heavy (to them) and keep on adding objects until they complain. Then take all the "burdens" away and explain that's how sin is heavy and how God takes it away. Also, for additional fun, use a wooden chopstick (the take out variety) and put on two books. Explain how this is similar to a yoke and then break the chopstick for a visual aid.
Skipped
Dec 14. Isaiah 11:1,2 JTD November 29.The shoot
Activity: Cutting the Christmas tree
Skipped
Dec 15.
Luke 1: 41-43 A Special Baby
I am going to talk about how John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin and how when Mary, Jesus' mom visited Elizabeth, Baby John leaped in her womb because he knew Baby Jesus was special!
Activity: I know my girls will love putting a doll under their shirts and having it jump a bit!
Dec 16.
Matthew 1: 24 Joseph's Obedience
I am going to talk about how Joseph obeyed God's commandment right away and how hard it is for my children and me to obey God.
Activity: Show a hammer, explaining how Joseph was a carpenter and how carpenters use hammers to do their job and then play with the hammering activity set we have. Last year, I set up the Montessori activity with craft foam and golf tees but I really didn't like how the foam crumbled everywhere. This year, I hope to do these tin ornaments that requires hammering and nailing.
Dec 17.
Luke 2:1-5 An Uncomfortable Ride
When Koko and Cheeky were very young, they both hated car trips. They cried and cried. This also seems to be the case with the new baby. So using this as an example, I am going to explain how it must have been very uncomfortable for Mary to be traveling with her big belly and how it was a beautiful sacrifice. (When the kids get older, I'll talk about how it was a huge sacrifice to have a baby as a virgin!)
Dec 18.
Luke 2: 8-10 Good news versus bad news
Find an example of good and bad news. I am going to talk about losing our dog Buku which was bad news to us and how when we found him, that was good news and relate that to Jesus who is good news for all people.
Activity: My kids are young so we are going to look at a hand mirror and make happy and sad faces and then draw on their easels happy and sad faces.
Dec 19.
The Long Awaited Savior
Discuss "waiting." For my kids, I will talk about how long it felt for us to wait for my baby to be born and how often the kids told my baby via my belly to "come out!" Explain how many people from long time ago waited for Jesus to be born and how exciting it must have been that he finally arrived.
Activity: Make something that you need to wait for. I'm thinking of a cake, jello, or bread with yeast that you need to wait to rise several times, or maybe even that homemade butter.
Song: O Come, O Come, Immanuel
Dec 20.
Matthew 1: 21,22 The Lord Saves
Without going too deeply on Mary's virgin birth, I am going to mention how an angel visited Joseph and told him to name the baby Jesus and explain how Jesus is a Greek form of Joshua which means "the Lord Saves." And then I am going to talk about how the reason the Jesus came as a baby was to die on the cross to save us from our sins.
Talking about salvation is an ongoing conversation we have in our house. One tract that I recently shared with Koko is One Way. I do have to admit that I don't agree with all of Chick Publication's tracts, but this one is a great way to explain salvation to children and adults!
Activity: Read the tract and if I have energy, find branches outside and use some twine to make a homemade cross ornament. I was inspired by this snowflake ornament. Cute, aye? Or, you could just make a body cross. Have a child lie down with his hands on his sides vertically and the other child on top horizontally. This only works if you have one very lightweight child. Otherwise, you could be the vertical pillar and have two kids on each side as the horizontal line.
Dec 21.
Luke 2:14 Peace
Discuss when their hearts can be not peaceful (anger, anxiety, etc.) Explain how the definition of peace is salvation and how when Jesus saves you from your sins, you can experience true peace.
Activity: Explain how the dove is a symbol for peace. You can color, paint, or glue white tissue paper on this dove coloring page. I would print it on blue construction paper so there's contrast.
Song: "Peace like a River"and "My Peace I Give Unto You"
Dec. 22
Luke 2:12 A sign
Explain how a baby wrapped in cloths will be a sign to the disciples so that they would know who Jesus was. Discuss Jesus' humble birth. Compare his manger to a cradle, crib, etc.
Activity: Swaddle dolls with receiving blankets. Or for boys who might not like to swaddle dolls, wrapping with toilet paper some stuffed animal or action figure.
Song: Away in the Manger
Dec 23.
Matthew 1:23 God with Us
My kids know how the baby will cry when he's not near his mama and as they also value being with me, they understand the importance of being connected and together. So today, we will talk about how Isaiah from long ago said that someday God would send a baby and call him "Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." We will talk about what it means that God is with us mainly how God chose to become human so he could be our friend and died for us so we could be with him forever in heaven. And perhaps, about the Holy Spirit who is currently with us.
Activity: Paper doll chain of two to symbolize Jesus and us. Or just hold hands and say how Jesus always with us in our hearts.
Song: "Immanuel" by Michael Card and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
Dec 24. Angelic Messengers
Ask kids to imagine a bunch of angels telling everyone the good news of Jesus' birth.
Activity: Paint hands and imprint two hands in a "v" to look like angels' wings and cover the whole big sheet of paper. I would use black paper because it was night and the white paint will come out better. Older kids can draw angel faces as well as bodies.
Song: Hark the Herald
.
Dec 25.
Rushing to see the good news
Discuss how the shepherds rushed to see Jesus.
Activity: Grab a mop or whatever make-believe staff you can make, and have a race from one room to another "rushing" to see Jesus. End with Jesus' birthday cake celebration.
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As always, I hope this can be helpful for someone with younger children. Wishing you a blessed and not-so-stressed joyous Advent.
Advent activities
It's Advent week already? Really? I'm late as usual and going to start from December 1. Koko told me she can't wait until we start the activities everyday. I silently groaned, but decided that I can make it work for our family. This year, I'll do a few devotions from Ann's FREE Jesse Tree devotional and as well as my own unfinished devotions from last year. But this year, I am going to try to have most of the activities connect somehow to the devotions.
Roughly, my list of activities will be the following but not in any particular order. I think some of them will go well with particular devotions.:
1. Cut Christmas tree (Please God, help my husband overcome his aversion to the tree.) Goes with Ann's November 29 (Isaiah 9:1-2)
2. Make Christmas cards for neighbors
3. Visit sick neighbor who had a stroke and sing songs
4. Go ice skating or on a horse drawn sleigh ride
5. Go to children's Christmas program (Koko is going to be Mary!)
6. Make tin ornaments via muses of megret (it will go with Day ten's devotion!)
7. Put on nail polish together with the girls. (It will be a first time for the girls. It was hard for me to find affordable non-toxic nail polish.) This can go with Ann's Dec 8.
8. Deliver cards to neighbors.
9. Make a crystal ladder ornament to go with Ann's December 6
10. Make a new batch of play dough
11.Read The Tale of Three Trees
12.Felt a wool ball. This would go well with a devotion on Jesus being our good shepherd that I plan to write.
13. Make outdoor ice ornaments with rainbow colors to go with Ann's December 2.
14. Make an outdoor birdseed ornaments and read Night Tree
15. Watch a movie
16.eat a peppermint candy cane or maybe even hot cocoa with a candy cane as a stirrer (to go with my shepherd devotion on day 6)
17.Make a snowman
18. Write what we're thankful for and make paper chains out of them
19. Read Christmas in Noisy Village
20. Read The Little Donkey
21. Watch Nutcracker either on DVD or live
22. Hide and Seek with both parents (Goes well with Ann's December 1)
23. Go to the outdoor market.
24. Decide on a gift for Jesus and read Red Boots.
25. Make Jesus a birthday cake
Roughly, my list of activities will be the following but not in any particular order. I think some of them will go well with particular devotions.:
1. Cut Christmas tree (Please God, help my husband overcome his aversion to the tree.) Goes with Ann's November 29 (Isaiah 9:1-2)
2. Make Christmas cards for neighbors
3. Visit sick neighbor who had a stroke and sing songs
4. Go ice skating or on a horse drawn sleigh ride
5. Go to children's Christmas program (Koko is going to be Mary!)
6. Make tin ornaments via muses of megret (it will go with Day ten's devotion!)
7. Put on nail polish together with the girls. (It will be a first time for the girls. It was hard for me to find affordable non-toxic nail polish.) This can go with Ann's Dec 8.
8. Deliver cards to neighbors.
9. Make a crystal ladder ornament to go with Ann's December 6
10. Make a new batch of play dough
11.Read The Tale of Three Trees
12.Felt a wool ball. This would go well with a devotion on Jesus being our good shepherd that I plan to write.
13. Make outdoor ice ornaments with rainbow colors to go with Ann's December 2.
14. Make an outdoor birdseed ornaments and read Night Tree
15. Watch a movie
16.eat a peppermint candy cane or maybe even hot cocoa with a candy cane as a stirrer (to go with my shepherd devotion on day 6)
17.Make a snowman
18. Write what we're thankful for and make paper chains out of them
19. Read Christmas in Noisy Village
20. Read The Little Donkey
21. Watch Nutcracker either on DVD or live
22. Hide and Seek with both parents (Goes well with Ann's December 1)
23. Go to the outdoor market.
24. Decide on a gift for Jesus and read Red Boots.
25. Make Jesus a birthday cake
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Love notes
I admit I am a little clueless on how to handle Koko's tantrums. But I have been playing more power games like the ones described by Playful Parenting and Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves. One activity is "Open the Door." Basically, my daughter goes inside a room and closes the door and I have to beg her to open the door. I use this scenario to my advantage. I beg in Korean to practice our language skills and yes, I slip love notes under the door. Some Montessorians seem to believe that children usually have a sensitive period to one particular area at a time. It might be that Koko's having a sensitive period to writing. She's spontaneously writes out words and copies my notes. While knocking on the door, I couldn't help but think of Jesus who is knocking on the doors of our hearts through the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. I played this game a few times last week and though it can be very time consuming and draining, I think it's worth it. Koko and I are more connected and she's more peaceful.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Small sacrifices
"It is the right of little children to have individual love all day long and have more than the tag ends of affection. But this situation will not change until the family is seen as an institution so precious that men and women will sacrifice something, even in excitement and personal expression, in order to maintain it."
--Elton Trueblood (quoted in Sacred Parenting)
I always wanted to be a mama ever since I was a wee girl. I just didn't know how difficult or trying it would be.
We have a new crawler in the house. My husband is busy working and going to school with minimal sleep, and I am often alone parenting three little children. During the day, the older two come in and out the house bringing small offerings of flowers to the kitchen. My days are punctuated with many shouts of, "Mom, you need to see this!" and constant requests for food because my children are blessed with my fast metabolism and are always always hungry. Then there's the daily ration of sibling squabbling and tantrums. Last week, I think Koko had a tantrum every other day. And I fluctuated from being responsive and validating to screaming and wanting to pull out all my hair. Except my little baby already does that (pull hair, not scream).
This morning, Koko started fighting with Cheeky about wanting to be the first person served for breakfast. I've been reading a lot of Naomi Aldort in my attempt to respond better to her tantrums, and I realized that I was scared of her strong emotions and was giving her a false sense of reality by always catering to her demands to be served first. And so today, I tried to validate her need to be first, but explain that it couldn't always be so. Afterward, I asked her to come to the bedroom and prayerfully, I read her the passage about the disciples who were arguing about being the greatest in heaven. She didn't quite get it. Did the disciples argue about wanting to go to heaven first? But for the first time, she seemed to grasp that God blesses us when we give up wanting to be first.
We had a full day and night finally arrived. After all day of serving my children, sometimes I just want my own time. But one ongoing struggle is Koko and Cheeky's need to sleep next to me literally, one on each side. When I ask what to do with the baby, they sometimes suggest for him to sleep on top of me. Thankfully, the baby is lightweight, but sometimes even 15 pounds can feel suffocating and then more compromises are made.
When it comes down to it, parenting is made of daily moment-to-moment small sacrifices and the relinquishment of individual rights, of wanting to be first. I am not much different from Koko who wanted to be served first for breakfast But I am an adult and a mother who needs to put aside some of my own desires to serve children who truly deserve individual love all day long.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
red & yellow
Koko loves to dress up her animals.
"Knitting" with chopsticks. It's amazing how a salvaged piece of red yarn can become treasure.Also, have a look at Kyrie's naturally dyed red eggs. You can find her instructions here. And while you're there, check out her lovely children's book list. How I love book lists!
Kae na ri or forsythia. Elizabeth Mitchell has "Pom nat tur ri," a Korean song that pays tribute to forsythia on her You are My Little Bird album. The lyrics are here.
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The ultimate red and yellow: Jesus' sacrifice and glorious resurrection.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Fantasy and Reality
Koko's interpretative map of North America and Asia. The blue parts are the Great Lakes.Maria Montessori seemed to believe that children should be first rooted in reality before being exposed to too much fantasy not because she was necessarily against fantasy itself, but she saw the danger of fantasy being an escape from reality, something that she saw in the slum children she worked with.
For this reason, I did make it a point to not expose Koko to too much fantasy when she was younger. (I am not sure if that's absolutely necessary in the grand scheme of things, but this was the route I initially chose. Now that I have more children, all my younger children are exposed to everything earlier.) Also, since the Bible is so important to our lives and because we regard the word of God as truth, I didn't want them to get too confused. However, I have always carried an appreciation for fantasy and fairies and even now enjoy children's fantasy novels (Was I the only one annoyed to discover at the end of Brisingr, the supposed finale, that the author had extended his final book in the Eragon series to one more novel?). I've concluded that tooth fairies, Santa Claus, and such can be part of the magic of childhood. And fantasy, when used prudently, can help children visualize the spiritual world in the positive sense.
However, my children, when they play and draw often discuss continents, role-play Bible stories, and play house. I sometimes wondered if I deprived them of fantasy. When we did Santa Claus for the first real time this year, Koko had so many questions. How exactly did this present phenomenon work? Did we buy presents for Santa to give us? Was he real or fake? And how would Santa come down if there was an actual fire in the fireplace? I was dismayed when a few days she discovered receipts inside the rolling backpacks Santa had bought them. (I had forgotten that my friend who had purchased them for me had left them there.) Jubilantly, she exclaimed, "Santa shops!" and that was the end of that. Whew!
Fantasy and reality--I want a little of both. The natural world is wondrous in itself, but making a fairy house can be fun, too. These days I've been reading more children's books that are beloved in the Waldorf community. Tonight, we read The Story of the Root Children which shows pictures of little root children painting beetles and bees so that they can be adorned for spring. Koko immediately said, "We don't paint insects for real." But then after a pause, she said thoughtfully, "Though in heaven, I think bees and mosquitoes won't bite." And Cheeky whose current favorites include Jesus is Coming Back and Runaway Bunny suddenly exclaimed, "I want to fly like that bunny and talk to animals in heaven." (This same child, during the Christmas season was slightly traumatized by the idea of Santa Claus flying in a sleigh with reindeer and insisted that she would only ride Santa's sleigh if mommy, daddy, Koko, and Eggy were with her.)
So, now while my children know all about King Winter, Jack Frost, and Mrs. Thaw, they always like to remind me that God is the one who makes it snow. And to me, that's truly magical.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Happy Links
There's the tragedy in Haiti and then the news that my newlywed friend's husband just got laid off plus urgent and very expensive dental work that insurance will not cover for yours truly...still joy is around the corner, and so a few happy links:
:: The Big Squirrel and the Rhinoceros is going to be reissued soon!
::A newish homeschooling blog I'm enjoying
::A Korean website that lets you print out children's Korean songs!
::ALA Youth Awards Announcement (Newbery and Caldecott)
::A beautiful and inspiring baking blog (I love how she introduces herself! This is the confidence I want my children to have when they're older.)
:: A new worship favorite in the house
:: The privilege to pray and help even a little with the crisis in Haiti
:: And an amusing video of a old Korean hymn. I don't have an inkling who this hilarious man is.
:: The Big Squirrel and the Rhinoceros is going to be reissued soon!
::A newish homeschooling blog I'm enjoying
::A Korean website that lets you print out children's Korean songs!
::ALA Youth Awards Announcement (Newbery and Caldecott)
::A beautiful and inspiring baking blog (I love how she introduces herself! This is the confidence I want my children to have when they're older.)
:: A new worship favorite in the house
:: The privilege to pray and help even a little with the crisis in Haiti
:: And an amusing video of a old Korean hymn. I don't have an inkling who this hilarious man is.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Advent Devotions (Dec 15-21)
Day 15 Isaiah 9:6 Mighty God
I am going to talk about how Jesus is mighty God for only He could take away the huge burden of sin and defeat the evil one.
Activity: I am going to pantomime carrying a boulder of heavy sin and throwing it in the garbage.
Day 16 Isaiah 9:6 Everlasting Father
Koko has been asking a lot about the kingdom of God so this might be a golden time to mention how Jesus never dies but lives forever and when we believe in him we can live forever too.
Activity: ?
Day 17 Isaiah 9:6 Prince of Peace
Jesus is the Prince of peace because he restores our relationship with God. He's the bridge that makes it possible for us to meet God.
Activity: Make a bridge with blocks.
Day 18 Isaiah 9:7 The Forever King
Talk about how Jesus temporarily gave up his throne when he became a baby, but that he is back in heaven as our forever king whose reign never end.
Activity: Make a construction crown and say how Jesus is our forever king and if we believe in him, we are also princes and princesses who will live with him forever and ever.
Day 19 Luke 1: 41-43 A Special Baby
I am going to talk about how John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin and how when Mary, Jesus' mom visited Elizabeth, Baby John leaped in her womb because he knew Baby Jesus was special!
Activity: I know my girls will love putting a doll under their shirts and having it jump a bit!
Day 20 Luke 2:1-5 An Uncomfortable Ride
When Koko and Cheeky were very young, they both hated car trips. They cried and cried. This also seems to be the case with the new baby. So using this as an example, I am going to explain how it must have been very uncomfortable for Mary to be traveling with her big belly and how it was a beautiful sacrifice. (When the kids get older, I'll talk about how it was a huge sacrifice to have a baby as a virgin!)
Activity: Pretend to be Mary and ride a "donkey" (our couch) and say, "Ow!" a few times.
Day 21 Luke 2: 6, 7 A Humble Birth
When it was time for Baby Jesus to be born, there was no room in the inn so he was born most humbly in a manger. We will talk about how a manger is a feeding trough for animals and how Jesus gave up all his riches in heaven to become a poor baby. I am going to ask them to think about how it would feel to have to give away all their toys! Imagine Jesus feeling wet and dirty for the first time and how he could have been born in a palace! Truly Jesus became poor so we could be rich.
Activity: ?
Song: "Away in the Manger"
Earlier devotions here and here.
I am going to talk about how Jesus is mighty God for only He could take away the huge burden of sin and defeat the evil one.
Activity: I am going to pantomime carrying a boulder of heavy sin and throwing it in the garbage.
Day 16 Isaiah 9:6 Everlasting Father
Koko has been asking a lot about the kingdom of God so this might be a golden time to mention how Jesus never dies but lives forever and when we believe in him we can live forever too.
Activity: ?
Day 17 Isaiah 9:6 Prince of Peace
Jesus is the Prince of peace because he restores our relationship with God. He's the bridge that makes it possible for us to meet God.
Activity: Make a bridge with blocks.
Day 18 Isaiah 9:7 The Forever King
Talk about how Jesus temporarily gave up his throne when he became a baby, but that he is back in heaven as our forever king whose reign never end.
Activity: Make a construction crown and say how Jesus is our forever king and if we believe in him, we are also princes and princesses who will live with him forever and ever.
Day 19 Luke 1: 41-43 A Special Baby
I am going to talk about how John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin and how when Mary, Jesus' mom visited Elizabeth, Baby John leaped in her womb because he knew Baby Jesus was special!
Activity: I know my girls will love putting a doll under their shirts and having it jump a bit!
Day 20 Luke 2:1-5 An Uncomfortable Ride
When Koko and Cheeky were very young, they both hated car trips. They cried and cried. This also seems to be the case with the new baby. So using this as an example, I am going to explain how it must have been very uncomfortable for Mary to be traveling with her big belly and how it was a beautiful sacrifice. (When the kids get older, I'll talk about how it was a huge sacrifice to have a baby as a virgin!)
Activity: Pretend to be Mary and ride a "donkey" (our couch) and say, "Ow!" a few times.
Day 21 Luke 2: 6, 7 A Humble Birth
When it was time for Baby Jesus to be born, there was no room in the inn so he was born most humbly in a manger. We will talk about how a manger is a feeding trough for animals and how Jesus gave up all his riches in heaven to become a poor baby. I am going to ask them to think about how it would feel to have to give away all their toys! Imagine Jesus feeling wet and dirty for the first time and how he could have been born in a palace! Truly Jesus became poor so we could be rich.
Activity: ?
Song: "Away in the Manger"
Earlier devotions here and here.
Advent Devotions (Day 8-14)
Last week's devotions focused on Luke's account. This week's passages are from Matthew and Isaiah. Again, a lot of these ideas were inspired and taken from Melanie's great Advent devotions. Please check hers out! If you have any ideas on activities to go with these passages, please write a comment!
Day 8: Matthew 1: 21,22 The Lord Saves
Without going too deeply on Mary's virgin birth, I am going to mention how an angel visited Joseph and told him to name the baby Jesus and explain how Jesus is a Greek form of Joshua which means "the Lord Saves." And then I am going to talk about how the reason the Jesus came as a baby was to die on the cross to save us from our sins.
Talking about salvation is an ongoing conversation we have in our house. One tract that I recently shared with Koko is One Way. I do have to admit that I don't agree with all of Chick Publication's tracts, but this one is a great way to explain salvation to children and adults!
Activity: Read the tract and if I have energy, find branches outside and use some twine to make a homemade cross ornament. I was inspired by this snowflake ornament. Cute, aye? Or, you could just make a body cross. Have a child lie down with his hands on his sides vertically and the other child on top horizontally. This only works if you have one very lightweight child. Otherwise, you could be the vertical pillar and have two kids on each side as the horizontal line.
We also made homemade Christmas cards. What a humbling experience!
Day 9: Matthew 1:23 God with Us
My kids know how the baby will cry when he's not near his mama and as they also value being with me, they understand the importance of being connected and together. So today, we will talk about how Isaiah from long ago said that someday God would send a baby and call him "Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." We will talk about what it means that God is with us mainly how God chose to become human so he could be our friend and died for us so we could be with him forever in heaven.
Activity: Paper doll chain of two to symbolize Jesus and us. Or just hold hands and say how Jesus always with us in our hearts. Sometimes I am too tired from doing an advent celebratory activity and devotion activity, so I am trying to make these very, very simple and uncrafty!
Song: "Immanuel" by Michael Card and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
We felted a fleece ball for the baby.
Day 10: Matthew 1: 24 Joseph's Obedience
I am going to talk about how Joseph obeyed God's commandment right away and how hard it is for my children and me to obey God.
Activity: Show a hammer, explaining how Joseph was a carpenter and how carpenters use hammers to do their job and then play with the hammering activity set we have and if I have time, to set up the Montessori activity with craft foam and golf tees!
We did the hammering activity, but I've since decided that craft foam is less than desirable.
Day 11: Isaiah 9:1,2 The Great Light
I am going to talk about how Jesus is the great light who shows us where to go. I am also going to share how darkness is associated with sadness and how light here also refers to hope.
Activity: At night turn off the lights and then turn on a flashlight or light a candle.
Song: "Light of the World' and "This Little Light of mine."
Made popcorn. We were all amazed that we could do this on the stove!
Day 12: Isaiah 9: 3 Rejoice Before You
Isaiah compares the joy of Jesus' birth to the joy of a successful harvest and war. I imagine both are celebrated by a party. I am thinking I will talk about how we were so excited that our garden produced so many tomatoes and cucumbers and how were so happy every morning when we saw another ripe fruit. For older kids, you could discuss the joy of doing well on an exam, etc.
Activity: Do a "happy dance" celebrating Jesus' birth. Jump up and down like David praising God after a battle.
Song: "Joy to the World"
Never got to this. We went to an outdoor market.
Day 13: Isaiah 9: 4 Shattered the Yoke
Koko is really into prisons and policemen these days so she will be able to understand how the Israel suffered in captivity. I will talk about how Jesus frees us from prison and burdens because he forgive us.
Activity: Have the children carry something heavy (to them) and keep on adding objects until they complain. Then take all the "burdens" away and explain that's how sin is heavy and how God takes it away. Also, for additional fun, use a wooden chopstick (the take out variety) and put on two books. Explain how this is similar to a yoke and then break the chopstick for a visual aid.
Never got to this. For the Advent activity, I wrote, "Look for book" and they had to search for the I-Spy Christmas book. We polished all our wooden things, including our new cutting boards!
Day 14: Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful Counselor
I am going to talk about how Jesus came to this world so he could be our wonderful counselor. He wants to talk to us and be our guide and it is important it is to listen to his quiet voice in our hearts. This would be a good time to discuss how hiding God's word by memorizing it can be a way that God talks to us because when we are tempted or discouraged, God can use a verse to encourage us.
Activity: Blindfold one child and using your voice guide him or her around the room on a relatively easy path ie. around a chair.
Kids loved this activity! We wrote a letter to Paskali
Day 8: Matthew 1: 21,22 The Lord Saves
Without going too deeply on Mary's virgin birth, I am going to mention how an angel visited Joseph and told him to name the baby Jesus and explain how Jesus is a Greek form of Joshua which means "the Lord Saves." And then I am going to talk about how the reason the Jesus came as a baby was to die on the cross to save us from our sins.
Talking about salvation is an ongoing conversation we have in our house. One tract that I recently shared with Koko is One Way. I do have to admit that I don't agree with all of Chick Publication's tracts, but this one is a great way to explain salvation to children and adults!
Activity: Read the tract and if I have energy, find branches outside and use some twine to make a homemade cross ornament. I was inspired by this snowflake ornament. Cute, aye? Or, you could just make a body cross. Have a child lie down with his hands on his sides vertically and the other child on top horizontally. This only works if you have one very lightweight child. Otherwise, you could be the vertical pillar and have two kids on each side as the horizontal line.
We also made homemade Christmas cards. What a humbling experience!
Day 9: Matthew 1:23 God with Us
My kids know how the baby will cry when he's not near his mama and as they also value being with me, they understand the importance of being connected and together. So today, we will talk about how Isaiah from long ago said that someday God would send a baby and call him "Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." We will talk about what it means that God is with us mainly how God chose to become human so he could be our friend and died for us so we could be with him forever in heaven.
Activity: Paper doll chain of two to symbolize Jesus and us. Or just hold hands and say how Jesus always with us in our hearts. Sometimes I am too tired from doing an advent celebratory activity and devotion activity, so I am trying to make these very, very simple and uncrafty!
Song: "Immanuel" by Michael Card and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
We felted a fleece ball for the baby.
Day 10: Matthew 1: 24 Joseph's Obedience
I am going to talk about how Joseph obeyed God's commandment right away and how hard it is for my children and me to obey God.
Activity: Show a hammer, explaining how Joseph was a carpenter and how carpenters use hammers to do their job and then play with the hammering activity set we have and if I have time, to set up the Montessori activity with craft foam and golf tees!
We did the hammering activity, but I've since decided that craft foam is less than desirable.
Day 11: Isaiah 9:1,2 The Great Light
I am going to talk about how Jesus is the great light who shows us where to go. I am also going to share how darkness is associated with sadness and how light here also refers to hope.
Activity: At night turn off the lights and then turn on a flashlight or light a candle.
Song: "Light of the World' and "This Little Light of mine."
Made popcorn. We were all amazed that we could do this on the stove!
Day 12: Isaiah 9: 3 Rejoice Before You
Isaiah compares the joy of Jesus' birth to the joy of a successful harvest and war. I imagine both are celebrated by a party. I am thinking I will talk about how we were so excited that our garden produced so many tomatoes and cucumbers and how were so happy every morning when we saw another ripe fruit. For older kids, you could discuss the joy of doing well on an exam, etc.
Activity: Do a "happy dance" celebrating Jesus' birth. Jump up and down like David praising God after a battle.
Song: "Joy to the World"
Never got to this. We went to an outdoor market.
Day 13: Isaiah 9: 4 Shattered the Yoke
Koko is really into prisons and policemen these days so she will be able to understand how the Israel suffered in captivity. I will talk about how Jesus frees us from prison and burdens because he forgive us.
Activity: Have the children carry something heavy (to them) and keep on adding objects until they complain. Then take all the "burdens" away and explain that's how sin is heavy and how God takes it away. Also, for additional fun, use a wooden chopstick (the take out variety) and put on two books. Explain how this is similar to a yoke and then break the chopstick for a visual aid.
Never got to this. For the Advent activity, I wrote, "Look for book" and they had to search for the I-Spy Christmas book. We polished all our wooden things, including our new cutting boards!
Day 14: Isaiah 9:6 Wonderful Counselor
I am going to talk about how Jesus came to this world so he could be our wonderful counselor. He wants to talk to us and be our guide and it is important it is to listen to his quiet voice in our hearts. This would be a good time to discuss how hiding God's word by memorizing it can be a way that God talks to us because when we are tempted or discouraged, God can use a verse to encourage us.
Activity: Blindfold one child and using your voice guide him or her around the room on a relatively easy path ie. around a chair.
Kids loved this activity! We wrote a letter to Paskali
Monday, November 30, 2009
Advent Devotions (Week 1)
Melanie's 24 devotions based on the Christmas carol, "Hark the herald" has inspired me to use her devotions as a springboard to write my own personalized version for my kids (geared for 2-4 year olds).
Day 1. Luke 2: 8-10
Good news versus bad news
Find an example of good and bad news. I am going to talk about losing our dog Buku which was bad news to us and how when we found him, that was good news and relate that to Jesus who is good news for all people.
Activity: My kids are young so we are going to look at a hand mirror and make happy and sad faces and then draw on their easels happy and sad faces.
Day 2: Luke 2:11
We cut our first Christmas tree!
The Long Awaited Savior
Discuss "waiting." For my kids, I will talk about how long it felt for us to wait for my baby to be born and how often the kids told my baby via my belly to "come out!" Explain how many people from long time ago waited for Jesus to be born and how exciting it must have been that he finally arrived.
Activity: Make something that you need to wait for. I'm thinking of a cake, jello, or bread with yeast that you need to wait to rise several times, or maybe even that homemade butter.
Song: O Come, O Come, Immanuel
We made butter!
Day 3. Luke 2:12
A sign
Explain how a baby wrapped in cloths will be a sign to the disciples so that they would know who Jesus was. Discuss Jesus' humble birth. Compare his manger to a cradle, crib, etc.
Activity: Swaddle dolls with receiving blankets. Or for boys who might not like to swaddle dolls, wrapping with toilet paper some stuffed animal or action figure.
Song: Away in the Manger
We made jello.
Day4. Luke 2:13
Angelic Messengers
Ask kids to imagine a bunch of angels telling everyone the good news of Jesus' birth.
Activity: Paint hands and imprint two hands in a "v" to look like angels' wings and cover the whole big sheet of paper. I would use black paper because it was night and the white paint will come out better. Older kids can draw angel faces as well as bodies.
Song: Hark the Herald
First day of snow! And it was a lot. We went sledding on our backyard "hill" and also bought lights for the tree and house.
Day5. Luke 2:14
Peace
Discuss when their hearts can be not peaceful (anger, anxiety, etc.) Explain how the definition of peace is salvation and how when Jesus saves you from your sins, you can experience true peace.
Activity: Explain how the dove is a symbol for peace. Color, paint, or glue white tissue paper on this dove coloring page. I would print it on blue construction paper so there's contrast.
Song: "Peace like a River"and "My Peace I Give Unto You"
Day 6. Luke 2: 15, 16
Rushing to see the good news
Discuss how the shepherds rushed to see Jesus.
Activity: Grab a mop or whatever make-believe staff you can make, and have a race from one room to another "rushing" to see Jesus.
We didn't do an advent activity yesterday, so we made it up by doing two today: making a snowman and Mexican hot cocoa with almond milk.
Day7. Luke 2:17-20
Spreading the news
Talk about how the shepherds shared the news and praised God.
Activity: This might be a good time to make some homemade Christmas cards sharing the good news to other people.
Song: Go, Tell it on the Mountain!
Day 1. Luke 2: 8-10
Good news versus bad news
Find an example of good and bad news. I am going to talk about losing our dog Buku which was bad news to us and how when we found him, that was good news and relate that to Jesus who is good news for all people.
Activity: My kids are young so we are going to look at a hand mirror and make happy and sad faces and then draw on their easels happy and sad faces.
Day 2: Luke 2:11
We cut our first Christmas tree!
The Long Awaited Savior
Discuss "waiting." For my kids, I will talk about how long it felt for us to wait for my baby to be born and how often the kids told my baby via my belly to "come out!" Explain how many people from long time ago waited for Jesus to be born and how exciting it must have been that he finally arrived.
Activity: Make something that you need to wait for. I'm thinking of a cake, jello, or bread with yeast that you need to wait to rise several times, or maybe even that homemade butter.
Song: O Come, O Come, Immanuel
We made butter!
Day 3. Luke 2:12
A sign
Explain how a baby wrapped in cloths will be a sign to the disciples so that they would know who Jesus was. Discuss Jesus' humble birth. Compare his manger to a cradle, crib, etc.
Activity: Swaddle dolls with receiving blankets. Or for boys who might not like to swaddle dolls, wrapping with toilet paper some stuffed animal or action figure.
Song: Away in the Manger
We made jello.
Day4. Luke 2:13
Angelic Messengers
Ask kids to imagine a bunch of angels telling everyone the good news of Jesus' birth.
Activity: Paint hands and imprint two hands in a "v" to look like angels' wings and cover the whole big sheet of paper. I would use black paper because it was night and the white paint will come out better. Older kids can draw angel faces as well as bodies.
Song: Hark the Herald
First day of snow! And it was a lot. We went sledding on our backyard "hill" and also bought lights for the tree and house.
Day5. Luke 2:14
Peace
Discuss when their hearts can be not peaceful (anger, anxiety, etc.) Explain how the definition of peace is salvation and how when Jesus saves you from your sins, you can experience true peace.
Activity: Explain how the dove is a symbol for peace. Color, paint, or glue white tissue paper on this dove coloring page. I would print it on blue construction paper so there's contrast.
Song: "Peace like a River"and "My Peace I Give Unto You"
Day 6. Luke 2: 15, 16
Rushing to see the good news
Discuss how the shepherds rushed to see Jesus.
Activity: Grab a mop or whatever make-believe staff you can make, and have a race from one room to another "rushing" to see Jesus.
We didn't do an advent activity yesterday, so we made it up by doing two today: making a snowman and Mexican hot cocoa with almond milk.
Day7. Luke 2:17-20
Spreading the news
Talk about how the shepherds shared the news and praised God.
Activity: This might be a good time to make some homemade Christmas cards sharing the good news to other people.
Song: Go, Tell it on the Mountain!
Advent Celebratory Activities
To celebrate Jesus' birth, we will be having 25 celebratory activities, one for each day until and on Christmas. This is NOT a Korean tradition, but my receptacle of choice to put the little piece of paper with that day's activity will be a Tukbaegee (A Korean earthenware pot).
Here's the tukbaegee. I am going with having one receptacle versus 24 different ones because then I am not committed to any activity. I plan to just pick one the night before that's most convenient. But it has occurred to me that parents who have 24 ones don't have to have all the activities in there at once. And, of course, paper can be shifted. Instructions on how to make the number cards below*1. Cut the Christmas tree
2. Felt a wool ball
3. Make butter out of cream
4. Make salt dough ornaments
5. Decorate Christmas cards
6. Bake Christmas cookies
7. Make paper chains
8. Go caroling in a nursing home
9. Build a snowman
10. Drink Mexican hot cocoa
11. Make homemade popcorn
12. Make jello
13. Design our Christmas stockings
14. Wrap presents
15. Make smores in the fireplace
16. Assemble a gingerbread house at the library
17. "Flying" on mom's feet
18. Go sledding
19. Cut paper snowflakes
20. Reindeer Roll and Color
21. Go on a night walk
22. Write letter/card to our Compassion child
23. Continue on our clay nativity scene from last year
24. Attend Christmas service
25. Bake a cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus
I got a lot of my ideas from Muses of Megret, Uncommon Grace, and Shannon's Sharings. As you can see, I picked very simple activities that wouldn't stress me out.
* The kids and I experimented with a traditional Waldorf art activity--wet on wet painting. But since we didn't have 140 pound paper, we used 80 pound, and instead of soaking it beforehand, I had the kids mist their paper with their water spray bottles, wipe off the excess water, and paint with water colors (tubed kind). After Koko's dried, I asked her if I could use them for our advent number garland. Then my husband graciously cut them and wrote the numbers with fancy handwriting. If you don't want your paper to mat, you should use the original instructions on wet-on-wet painting, especially the part to soak the paper in water for at least 15 minutes, but I think the colors are more vibrant versus pastel if you try it my way. Since I was too lazy to actually make a garland, I just stuck the cards on top and bottom of our nature shelf and plan to put away one card after each activity.
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