Historically Speaking...
The story of the birth of Jesus is found
in Matthew 1 and 2 as well as Luke 1 and 2.
Christmas, of course, is celebrated all over the world, but the December 25th holiday overlays a non-Christian "day of note" in antiquity. The church leadership in the Middle Ages wanted to downplay the ungodly influences of the secular festivities of idol worship. Various areas of the known world had similar customs and traditions that involved the sun and the winter solstice. People would not give up these annual events, perhaps for fear or habit, therefore, the church leaders decided to replace one for the other. Instead of giving up a "holiday", the new celebration slowly emerged, often incorporating various local traditions and reinterpreting the meanings in order to honor the Christ Child in "Christ-Mass".
*They redefined the day and season.
For more details on this, read the following quote.
*They redefined the day and season.
For more details on this, read the following quote.
"Although most Christians celebrate December 25 as the birthday of Jesus Christ, few in the first two Christian centuries claimed any knowledge of the exact day or year in which he was born. The oldest existing record of a Christmas celebration is found in a Roman almanac that tells of a Christ's Nativity festival led by the church of Rome in 336 A.D. The precise reason why Christmas came to be celebrated on December 25 remains obscure, but most researchers believe that Christmas originated as a Christian substitute for pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.
To early Christians (and to many Christians today), the most important holiday on the Christian calendar was Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, as Christianity began to take hold in the Roman world, in the early fourth century, church leaders had to contend with a popular Roman pagan holiday commemorating the "birthday of the unconquered sun" (natalis solis invicti)--the Roman name for the winter solstice.
Every winter, Romans honored the pagan god Saturn, the god of agriculture, with a festival that began on December 17 and usually ended on or around December 25 with a winter-solstice celebration in honor of the beginning of the new solar cycle. This festival was a time of merrymaking, and families and friends would exchange gifts. At the same time, Mithraism--worship of the ancient Persian god of light--was popular in the Roman army, and the cult held some of its most important rituals on the winter solstice.
After the Roman Emperor Constantine I converted to Christianity in 312 and sanctioned Christianity, church leaders made efforts to appropriate the winter-solstice holidays and thereby achieve a more seamless conversion to Christianity for the emperor's subjects. In rationalizing the celebration of Jesus' birthday in late December, church leaders may have argued that since the world was allegedly created on the spring equinox (late March), so too would Jesus have been conceived by God on that date. The Virgin Mary, pregnant with the son of God, would hence have given birth to Jesus nine months later on the winter solstice.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/christ-is-born
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa7i-YYhc5Q Music to read by - Instrumental Christmas Music |
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The One Who Defines, Dominates
The Gregorian Calendar (aka, the "Christian Calendar") calculates historical dates using the birth of Christ Jesus. Though it might be off from modern calculations by about 3 years, the huge emphasis remains that this "One Solitary Life" serves as the focal point of time. Therefore, he marks the fulcrum of the time line.
Whether you use:
B.C. (before Christ) and
A.D. (Anno Domini - Latin for "in the year of our Lord")
....OR...
B.C.E. (before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era),
Jesus Christ is still center stage.
Whether you use:
B.C. (before Christ) and
A.D. (Anno Domini - Latin for "in the year of our Lord")
....OR...
B.C.E. (before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era),
Jesus Christ is still center stage.
Some Prophesies of the Coming Messiah from the Old Testament
http://www.bible-prophecy.com/chr2.htm#otproph |
Birth Place for Jesus: Stable or Cave? Apparently, the answer may be..."Yes". Watch a 2 min. video http://www.history.com/shows/cities-of-the-underworld/videos/prophecies-bethlehem#prophecies-bethlehem |
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Listen to...
Messiah "The annual production of Messiah, an oratorio by George Frideric Handel, is presented and performed by the Music Department of the Moody Bible Institute. Messiah encompasses both the lyrical art of music and God’s word. Join Moody Bible Institute students and faculty as they unite as one melodious body to celebrate the awesome power of God and the gift of his Son." http://www.moodyradio.org/Specials/2015/11-29-2015-Messiah/ |
The Names of the Coming Messiah
Old Testament Names and Descriptions of the Lord/Messiah,
Holy Bible, King James Version
Holy Bible, King James Version
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The Seed of the woman - Genesis
The Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 49:7, 45:11 The Messiah - Isaiah 42:19 The Strong Arm of the Lord - Isaiah 53:1 A Tender Plant - Isaiah 53:2 A Root out of dry ground - Isaiah 53:2 Word of God - Psalm107:20-147:18 Im man’-u-el - Isaiah 7:14 Wonderful - Isaiah 9:6 Counselor - Isaiah 9:6 The Mighty God - Isaiah9:6 The Everlasting Father -Isaiah 9:6 |
The Plant of renown - Ezekiel 34:29
The Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6 The Redeemer of Israel - Isaiah 49:7, 63:16 Fountain of living waters - Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13 The First and Last - Isaiah 44:6, 48:12 The Lords Servant - Isaiah 42:1, 42:19 The Son of Man - Daniel 7: 13-14 The Living God - I Samuel 17:26, 11 The Ancient of Days - Daniel 7:9, 13, 22 A precious Stone - Isaiah 28:16 Words (eaten) - Jeremiah 15:16 http://www.ambrosiasociety.org/messiah__old_testament.html |
New Testament Names for Christ Immanuel: Matthew 1:23 The Word: John 1:1 The Light of the World: John 8:12 The True Vine: John 15:5 The Lamb of God: John 1:29 The Giver of Living Water: John 4:10 The Good Shepherd: John 10:11 The Bread of Life: John 6:35 The Savior: I John 4:14-15 The King of Kings and Lord of Lords: 1 Timothy 6:35 The Lion from the Tribe of Judah: Revelation 5:5 The Bright Morning Star: Revelation 22:16 |
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For beautiful Christ-honoring ornaments, look at these "Adorenaments". http://everthinehome.com/portfolio/adorenaments/
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What's in a Name? |
Historically parents have often named their children after a famous person, special event, or meaningful desire
(and in some cases, favorite foods).
"Before Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord told Joseph, '[Mary] will give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins'.(Matthew 1:21)
Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means 'the Lord saves'.
In that day and culture, many children would have been named Jesus,
but only one came into this world to die
so that all who receive Him might
live eternally, forgiven and freed from the power of sin."
Our Daily Bread Ministries, Volume 60, numbers 9,10 & 11; Dec. 1, 2015
(and in some cases, favorite foods).
"Before Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord told Joseph, '[Mary] will give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins'.(Matthew 1:21)
Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means 'the Lord saves'.
In that day and culture, many children would have been named Jesus,
but only one came into this world to die
so that all who receive Him might
live eternally, forgiven and freed from the power of sin."
Our Daily Bread Ministries, Volume 60, numbers 9,10 & 11; Dec. 1, 2015
Advent "The Coming"
"The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,”
By the 6th century Roman Christians tied Advent to the coming of Jesus Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world.
It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas.
Advent Today
Today, the Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. (Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.)
Many Christians still view Advent as a season to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus. In the last fifty years, however, it has also come to be thought of as a time of anticipating the Nativity, on Christmas Day."
Advent: Dates, Traditions, and History | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/advent1.html#ixzz3L4iAqQ7k
All parts of the Advent wreath have meaning; the evergreen symbolizes life - eternal life, the circular shape is eternal love - no end and no beginning, and the candles give comfort and light during dark times.
By the sixteenth century, Europeans were making Advent wreaths much as we know them today. An advent wreath traditionally contains four candles-three purple and one rose.
Purple has long been associated with royalty due to the expense of the dye.
One tradition says the 4 candles represent the 4000 years since Creation waiting for the Promised One.
The candles in the Advent wreath can symbolize different things:
Sometimes a fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath.
This candle is white (associating the innocence of the baby Jesus) and is lit on Christmas Eve.
The idea behind this family event centers on the lighting of the candle,
scripture reading, discussion, song, prayer, blowing out the candle, a fun refreshment,
and perhaps even a small gift or token for each child that might serve as a reminder of the lesson.
It should be a very pleasant, rather short, easily understood, and memorable time for all.
"The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,”
By the 6th century Roman Christians tied Advent to the coming of Jesus Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world.
It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas.
Advent Today
Today, the Advent season lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. At that time, the new Christian year begins with the twelve-day celebration of Christmastide, which lasts from Christmas Eve until Epiphany on January 6. (Advent begins on the Sunday that falls between November 27th and December 3rd each year.)
Many Christians still view Advent as a season to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus. In the last fifty years, however, it has also come to be thought of as a time of anticipating the Nativity, on Christmas Day."
Advent: Dates, Traditions, and History | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/advent1.html#ixzz3L4iAqQ7k
All parts of the Advent wreath have meaning; the evergreen symbolizes life - eternal life, the circular shape is eternal love - no end and no beginning, and the candles give comfort and light during dark times.
By the sixteenth century, Europeans were making Advent wreaths much as we know them today. An advent wreath traditionally contains four candles-three purple and one rose.
Purple has long been associated with royalty due to the expense of the dye.
One tradition says the 4 candles represent the 4000 years since Creation waiting for the Promised One.
The candles in the Advent wreath can symbolize different things:
- hope, peace, and love with the rose candle as joy
- prophets, angels, and shepherds with the rose candle as Mary
- prophesy, Bethlehem, shepherds, and angles (all can have purple/blue candles)
Sometimes a fifth candle is placed inside the Advent wreath.
This candle is white (associating the innocence of the baby Jesus) and is lit on Christmas Eve.
The idea behind this family event centers on the lighting of the candle,
scripture reading, discussion, song, prayer, blowing out the candle, a fun refreshment,
and perhaps even a small gift or token for each child that might serve as a reminder of the lesson.
It should be a very pleasant, rather short, easily understood, and memorable time for all.
The First Coming (Advent) of Jesus |
The Second Coming (Advent) of Jesus |
"Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
While Israel would have sung the song in expectation of Christ’s first coming, the church now sings the song in commemoration of that first coming and in expectation of the second coming in the future."
Advent: Dates, Traditions, and History | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/advent1.html#ixzz3L4iVtlAS
http://livinghopeomaha.com/special-services/holiday-worship-schedule-at-living-hope/the-meaning-of-the-advent-wreath/
The Wise Men
"The Three Kings, or Magi, are mentioned only in the Gospel of Matthew. Few details are given about these men in the Bible, and most of our ideas about them actually come from tradition or speculation. Scripture does not say how many wise men there were, but it is generally assumed three, since they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Referenced in the Bible: Matthew 2:1-12.
Hometown: Matthew says only that these visitors came from "the east." Scholars have speculated that they came from Persia, Arabia, or even India.
Occupation: The designation "Magi" refers to a Persian religious caste, but when this gospel was written, the term was loosely used for astrologers, seers, and fortunetellers. Matthew does not call them kings; that title was used later, in legends. They may have been royal astronomers, advisers to kings.
Family Tree: Matthew reveals nothing of these visitors' ancestry. Over the centuries, legend has assigned them names: Gaspar, or Casper; Melchior, and Balthazar. Balthazar has a Persian sound. If indeed these men were scholars from Persia, they would have been familiar with Daniel's prophecy about the Messiah or "Anointed One." (Daniel 9:24-27, NIV).
Accomplishments of the 'Three Kings': (They) recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah while he was still a child, and traveled thousands of miles to worship him. They doggedly followed a star which led them to Jesus. By the time they met Jesus, he was in a house and was a child, not an infant, implying they arrived a year or more after his birth. Their gifts symbolize Christ's identity and mission: gold for a king, incense for God, and myrrh, used to anoint the dead. God honored the wise men by warning them in a dream to go home by another route and not to report back to King Herod.
Strengths of the 'Three Kings': (They) were among the wisest men of their time. Discovering that the Messiah was to be born, they organized an expedition to find him, following a star that led them to Bethlehem. Despite their culture and religion in a foreign land, they accepted Jesus as their Savior."
http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/a/Three-Kings.htm
"The Three Kings, or Magi, are mentioned only in the Gospel of Matthew. Few details are given about these men in the Bible, and most of our ideas about them actually come from tradition or speculation. Scripture does not say how many wise men there were, but it is generally assumed three, since they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Referenced in the Bible: Matthew 2:1-12.
Hometown: Matthew says only that these visitors came from "the east." Scholars have speculated that they came from Persia, Arabia, or even India.
Occupation: The designation "Magi" refers to a Persian religious caste, but when this gospel was written, the term was loosely used for astrologers, seers, and fortunetellers. Matthew does not call them kings; that title was used later, in legends. They may have been royal astronomers, advisers to kings.
Family Tree: Matthew reveals nothing of these visitors' ancestry. Over the centuries, legend has assigned them names: Gaspar, or Casper; Melchior, and Balthazar. Balthazar has a Persian sound. If indeed these men were scholars from Persia, they would have been familiar with Daniel's prophecy about the Messiah or "Anointed One." (Daniel 9:24-27, NIV).
Accomplishments of the 'Three Kings': (They) recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah while he was still a child, and traveled thousands of miles to worship him. They doggedly followed a star which led them to Jesus. By the time they met Jesus, he was in a house and was a child, not an infant, implying they arrived a year or more after his birth. Their gifts symbolize Christ's identity and mission: gold for a king, incense for God, and myrrh, used to anoint the dead. God honored the wise men by warning them in a dream to go home by another route and not to report back to King Herod.
Strengths of the 'Three Kings': (They) were among the wisest men of their time. Discovering that the Messiah was to be born, they organized an expedition to find him, following a star that led them to Bethlehem. Despite their culture and religion in a foreign land, they accepted Jesus as their Savior."
http://christianity.about.com/od/newtestamentpeople/a/Three-Kings.htm
The Star of Bethlehem
Several theories have surfaced through the centuries about the magnificent star that guided the wise men to the Christ Child.
- During the time of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo astronomy took on greater significance within the Catholic Church. Plenty of serious controversy existed during that time, yet Kepler tried to explain a much older theory for the famous star in natural terms. He suggested that Jupiter and Saturn must have come close enough together in their orbits to have composed a brilliant light. Later in life, Kepler had doubts about that idea. Since then, astronomers have doubted that Jupiter and Saturn had ever appeared that close together, or that their combined brightness would have given such a noticeable light, or that during weeks (or even months) of exposure for the necessary time for the magi to travel, their orbits would have stayed overlapping. Surely they would separate and set in the sky like all the other stars.
- Another planetary idea involves Jupiter and Venus overlapping.
- Some believe that a supernova explosion occurred supposedly in the spring of 5BC.
- The Jehovah's Witness group believes it was composed of a vast multitude of angels.
- Or, for many skeptics, they believe the Star of Bethlehem is only a myth.
- HOWEVER, since Jehovah created all things and has worked miracles at His pleasure, it could have been a special once-in-all-of-history star to announce the greatest birthday of all time.
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For more details and a marvelous explanation of "Star" possibilities, go to:
https://answersingenesis.org/holidays/christmas/the-star-of-bethlehem/ |
The Star of Bethlehem
A Supernatural Sign in the Heavens? From Answers in Genesis |
Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus
From Rome, the Christ's Nativity celebration spread to other Christian churches to the west and east, and soon most Christians were celebrating Christ's birth on December 25. To the Roman celebration was later added other winter-solstice rituals observed by various pagan groups, such as the lighting of the Yule log and decorations with evergreens by Germanic tribes. The word Christmas entered the English language originally as Christes maesse, meaning "Christ's mass" or "festival of Christ" in Old English. A popular medieval feast was that of St. Nicholas of Myra, a saint said to visit children with gifts and admonitions just before Christmas. This story evolved into the modern practice of leaving gifts for children said to be brought by "Santa Claus," a derivative of the Dutch name for St. Nicholas--Sinterklaas."
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/christ-is-born
The Christmas Tree
The evergreen tree is an obvious choice for a symbol of life in the midst of winter. Romans used branches to decorate their homes during the new year ans well as ancient inhabitants of northern Europe, who often planed them in boxes within their houses during the long winter months.
By the early Middle Ages, missionaries preaching to Germanic and Slavic peoples were taking a lenient approach to established cultural practices in that area, such as evergreen trees. These missionaries believed that the God's presence as a man on earth declared his lordship over all natural symbols, even if they had been used in pagan rituals. "Not only individual human beings, but cultures, symbols, and traditions could be converted." The pagan practices were not tolerated, but the meanings of the symbols can alter to serve a higher purpose.
Since God created all plants, should they not have use in glorifying Him?
Martin Luther has often received credit for the first official Christmas tree.
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml
We also have Germany to mostly thank for the Christmas tree. The concept of decorating a pine for Christmas originated in Germany in the early 18th century, but was not widely popular until the 1870-1871 war, when the army placed Christmas trees in barracks and military hospitals. http://www.travelcarpediem.net/2012/11/christmas-in-germany-frohe-weihnachten.html
However, Queen Victoria of England married Prince Albert of Germany (Saxony), where the use of decorated evergreens in the home at Christmas was common.
Thus, Victoria and Albert's Christmas at Windsor Castle using a decorated tree inside for their family was widely publicized resulting in a cultural influence that spread throughout England, Europe, and then coming to America.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thepastinthepresent/storybehind/whychristmastrees.html
By the early Middle Ages, missionaries preaching to Germanic and Slavic peoples were taking a lenient approach to established cultural practices in that area, such as evergreen trees. These missionaries believed that the God's presence as a man on earth declared his lordship over all natural symbols, even if they had been used in pagan rituals. "Not only individual human beings, but cultures, symbols, and traditions could be converted." The pagan practices were not tolerated, but the meanings of the symbols can alter to serve a higher purpose.
Since God created all plants, should they not have use in glorifying Him?
Martin Luther has often received credit for the first official Christmas tree.
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/trees.shtml
We also have Germany to mostly thank for the Christmas tree. The concept of decorating a pine for Christmas originated in Germany in the early 18th century, but was not widely popular until the 1870-1871 war, when the army placed Christmas trees in barracks and military hospitals. http://www.travelcarpediem.net/2012/11/christmas-in-germany-frohe-weihnachten.html
However, Queen Victoria of England married Prince Albert of Germany (Saxony), where the use of decorated evergreens in the home at Christmas was common.
Thus, Victoria and Albert's Christmas at Windsor Castle using a decorated tree inside for their family was widely publicized resulting in a cultural influence that spread throughout England, Europe, and then coming to America.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/thepastinthepresent/storybehind/whychristmastrees.html
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History Channel's video of the history of Christmas trees:
http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-treescreationtoday.org/the-wise-men-and-the-star/
(Please view this without children first. Briefly, a Middle Age painting of Adam & Eve appears.)
Andrea Bocelli sings O Tannebaum in German, English, and Italian.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX8jGOWVK4I&list=RDHX8jGOWVK4I#t=71
The Holly and the Ivy
Like the evergreen trees, holly and ivy have been used as Christmas decorations in England since the 1400s.
Throughout the centuries pots of holly and ivy served as decorations inside homes of Christians and non-Christians. During the dreary winter for they exemplified cheerfulness that all was not dead, since they stayed green throughout the cold months. European Holly has long traditionally had a strong association with Christmas. Henry VIII wrote a love song, "Green groweth the holly" (which alludes to holly and ivy resisting winter blasts and not changing their green hue) "So I am and ever hath been Unto my lady true". http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/hollyandivy.shtml |
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Listen to a beautiful performance of the carol in traditional English style, "The Holly and the Ivy".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57l6dSbVppM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57l6dSbVppM
Twelve Days of Christmas
This song was apparently written in England in the late 1500s. Though many have applied biblical meanings to each day's object and number, there is no proof that these lyrics were anything other than a playful folk song. Others attached meanings much later.
The 12 Days of Christmas refer to the twelve day period that starts with Christmas day and ends on Epiphany (6th January).
Listen to the carol with pictures for children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYHFYyZN8iQ
Gateways to Better Education has published unique materials that open the eyes of educators regarding what the law actually says they can do in the classroom to commemorate religious holidays. The information is packaged in non-threatening holiday cards for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter."
http://www.gtbe.org/holidayrestoration/
A Few Sense-able Ideas
Go to Pinterest site "Holidays With Honor" for more ideas.
See-able
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The Jesus Movie
1979 Full - Jesus of Nazareth,the Son of God The first 3 minutes show the Nativity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9gaH2SU1bo Nativity Preview of
"The Bible", a Miniseries by Mark Burnett 7 minutes long preview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0R6b8lKjfw&list=PLQBsrYoLQw8k_ISvLVCR3 Qok3v04olZ2D "Charlie Brown's Christmas" features the Biblical message of the holiday when Linus recites Luke 2: 8-14.
This classic references the material and spiritual side of the holiday. 
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The Nativity Story (2006) Official Trailer - Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac Christmas Movie This movie has a couple of more intense scenes, though not graphic, that parents may want to view first, for example, when Herod sends soldiers to kill the baby boys in Bethlehem near the opening of the movie and the birthing scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiSfup00uZY Preview of the Animated Bible, "The King Is Born" Nest Learning Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTPyvs7AZCE http://www.nestlearning.com/movies-and-dvds_c2400.aspx
From Crosswalk.com
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Life Of Jesus Christ New Full Movie 2013 The first 16 minutes reveals the Nativity story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvUcf5c1RUw Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas -
Put Christ Back in Christmas "In 'Saving Christmas,' Cameron plans to tackle some of the most controversial and disputed issues surrounding the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birthday...." http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/27/hollywood-actor-says-his-new-movie-will-hammer-political-correctness-and-rile-atheist-activists/ |
Glo Bible - "In His Shoes Documentary", Chapter 2, "BIRTH"
8 minutes of a visit to Bethlehem discussing the birth of Jesus
with Troy E. Schmidt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEoXWUX4gl8
8 minutes of a visit to Bethlehem discussing the birth of Jesus
with Troy E. Schmidt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEoXWUX4gl8
Hear-able
Back to Bethlehem - Parts 1, 2, & 3 Album: AIO - 10: Other Times, Other Places Episode: 135 Lesson/Theme: The birth of Jesus Christ. Bible Verse: Matthew 1:18-2:1; Luke 2:1-20 Description: Connie and Eugene discover that the first Nativity wasn't how they imagined it at all. http://www.whitsend.org/en/albums/10-other-times-other-places/135-back-to-bethlehem-1-of-3.aspx And an ADVENT CALENDAR http://www.whitsend.org/FeaturesView/2013-advent-calendar.aspx Pictures used by permission from Focus on the Family. |
A Time for Christmas Album: AIO - 19: Passport To Adventure Episode: 253 Lesson/Theme: The history of the Christmas holiday. Bible Verse: Luke 2 Description: Whit takes middle-schooler Courtney Vincent on an Imagination Station tour of Christmases past. http://www.whitsend.org/en/albums/19-passport-to-adventure/253-a-time-for-christmas.aspx |
Taste-able and Smell-able
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For a wonderful festive scent that permeates your home, collect as many of the items listed as possible. After putting all the items in a pot, fill with water leaving about an inch from the top. Put it on the stove and set to simmer. Within minutes a sweet charming scent will satisfy family and guests! http://www.firsthomelovelife.com/2013/11/make-home-smell-like-christmas.html 
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Do-able
A WWII Christmas –
Teaching about Christmas Past to Reduce Christmas “Presents” http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/a-wwii-christmas-teaching-about-christmas-past-to-reduce-christmas-presents-free-printables/ Picture from:http://womenshistory.about.com/od/worldwariiposterart/ig/World-War-II---Victory-Home/Lots-to-Eat.htm 
Make your own advent calendar with some
great ideas from these sites: http://www.marthastewart.com/857740/handmade-advent-calendars/@center/1009041/christmas-crafts-projects http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Christmas-craft-ideas-advent-calendars http://www.hgtv.com/search/advent- |
BibleGateway has numerous
devotionals and reading plans to choose from that come directly to your email or Facebook. https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/ 
Elf on a Shelf, Shepherd's Hunt, Where's the Cow Now?, or Snoopy & Woodstock Find a Tree If you like the idea of the popular "Elf on a Shelf" activity, but want to do something that's not Santa related, consider utilizing some of the same concepts by using a Snoopy and/or Woodstock (they already have a Christmas special to watch), or a cow, or other manger-type animal. A Chick-fil-A cow is $4.99 http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Cows/Merchandise 
This cow (or sheep) could have wandered from his master's Bethlehem stable and is looking for a way back.
Or... several small "lost animals" that belong in the special Bethlehem stable (perhaps, one a day) could appear in your home in fun and unusual places. So your child could build up the animal population that will attend the special birthday. Your child (as a good shepherd) can bring each one to the stable placed in the home, which will soon be the temporary dwelling for Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. 
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Or....
CenturyNovelty.com/detail_146-830__149__Reindeer-Bendables.html
This site has lots of adorable "bendables" to choose from,
or plush gingerbread people, reindeer, owls, etc,
which make for fun characters to play "hide and seek" around the house:
Gingerbread boys and girls
Polar Bears
Snowmen
Happy Christmas Trees
Penguins
even Farm Animals
CenturyNovelty.com/detail_146-830__149__Reindeer-Bendables.html
This site has lots of adorable "bendables" to choose from,
or plush gingerbread people, reindeer, owls, etc,
which make for fun characters to play "hide and seek" around the house:
Gingerbread boys and girls
Polar Bears
Snowmen
Happy Christmas Trees
Penguins
even Farm Animals
What about volunteering with a Food Bank or The Christian Service Center? |
Charity: Food Bank
Bread of Life Fellowship is located in Ocoee, FL and runs a food drive for about a month before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter from the Publix grocery stores in the area. Shoppers can buy a variety of meals, pre-selected and priced. Those meal combinations, plus day-old bakery goods and paper goods are packaged for distribution to families in need the night before the holiday. This group welcomes all who can volunteer their time to pack on the evenings before and distribution the day of each holiday. Great activity to do as a family or group! http://www.breadoflifefellowship.com/ |
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" Anything that refreshes you |
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Photo Credits:
http://tete-beyondthegardengate.blogspot.com/2010/12/wise-men-still-seek-him.html
http://valerietarico.com/2012/12/11/twelve-christmas-traditions-even-a-black-hearted-grinch-of-an-atheist-can-celebrate/christmas-holly-ivy-wreath-2/
http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/music-note-transparent-background
http://www.cfarestaurant.com/markham/home
http://vicvapor.com/
http://bigbackground.com/
http://hdimge.com
http://www.happyholidays2014.com
http://www.reallyfreeclipart.com
http://www.mrwallpaper.com
http://www.pptbackgroundstemplates.com
http://freeholidaywallpapers.blogspot.com
http://commons.wikimedia.org
http://www.freeallimages.com/st-nicholas-santa-claus/
https://clipartix.com/candle-clip-art-image-23726/
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