Yes, it's the 3rd of December! In case you despair that you still haven't set up any Advent activities for the children, it's not too late.
We have been off to a sure but slow start as well with Truth in the Tinsel. Some tips:
1. I have decided to do the craft the next day after the Bible reading and discussion, as it's too much to handle at bedtime and I would prefer if the kids learned the lesson before doing the craft as a follow up.
2. Use an easy-to-understand version of the Bible. I recommend either The Message or The New International Revised Version (suitable for 9 or 10 year olds).
3. Make a big deal of getting the advent number down and guessing the clue! I make them open their elephant ears really wide and shout out the clue if they hear it while Daddy is reading.
A "stained-glass" ornament meant to be a "sun-catcher". |
The Bible verse for these two days has been from the beautiful passage in Isaiah 9:2-7.
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
the gift of a son—for us!
He’ll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He’ll rule from the historic David throne
over that promised kingdom.
He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing
and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this.
What a beautiful passage! On the first day, we talked about Jesus being the One who brings a people living in darkness out into His wonderful light. We turned the light off and then on again in the room and talked about how light shows us the way and helps us to see.
Yesterday, we talked about the names of Jesus - Wonderful Counsellor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We took turns coming up with more of God's names. Our 4-year-old said that God is "Good" and that He is our "Heavenly Father".
Excited about our journey to Christ's cradle in the weeks ahead! Here are pictures of our craft from the first day, about Jesus being the Light of the World.
To make your "sun-catcher", use coloured strips of tissue paper and paste it behind the template provided. |
You can use a variety of colours to create a beautiful effect. |
To read more about Truth In The Tinsel, check out our previous blog post here.
To read about our preparations for the activity, read our blog post here.
It's not too late to start your advent activities! Click on the link below to purchase the e-book Truth In The Tinsel for only USD7.99. You can use it again and again (as I plan to), so it is a good investment, I feel :)
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