Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas!

Sorry for the late post this week!
I have been celebrating Christmas with family and Tuesday "snuck up" on me but I wanted to share the following.  I think it is a great way to look at each of the 12 days of Christmas.

One popular theory about the lyrics of  "The 12 Days of Christmas" is that they are a coded reference to Christianity and the song was written to help Christians learn and pass on the tenets of their faith while avoiding persecution. Under that theory, the various gifts break down as follows:

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch," which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

The partridge in the pear tree, of course, represents Jesus Christ.
I am thinking it might be fun to make a Jesse Tree of sorts for the 12 Days of Christmas.

Please join us Friday January 8th to celebrate Epiphany.  The Epiphany service will begin at 6:00 in the Cathedral followed by the burning of the greens in the parking lot. Oysters, chili and kid friendly food will be served. Epiphany falls on our traditional 1st Friday Kid's movie night.  All children are invited to room 222 for our usual supper and movie 6:00-8:00.  Hope to see you then!

How are you entertaining the kiddos today?

Trust me, I remember these days of Christmas holidays.  It's not easy!  Trying to get those last minute items checked off, parties, the sniffles.  I thought this might fill a rainy afternoon with a great object lesson as to why Jesus is the best gift.
Don't forget the Pageant Rehearsal TODAY! 10:00 in the Cathedral, but don't worry if you miss it there is always space for everyone.
Suggested reading: The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

Bible point: Jesus is the best gift ever!
Key verse: Luke 2:1-7
Supplies:

• tall glass
• large clear plastic cups, one for every four kids
• 4 smaller cups per four kids
• honey
• milk
• dish soap
• vegetable oil

Easy Prep

• Pour a little bit of each liquid into four separate cups. You’ll need one set of four cups per four kids.

Mix It Up

• Say: Jesus is the best gift ever. Sometimes other gifts might seem better.
• Ask: What’s a gift someone might think is better than Jesus?
• Say: But Jesus will always come out on top, because Jesus is the best gift ever.

Have kids form groups of four. Distribute supplies to each group. Hold up the vegetable oil and say: Let’s pretend this liquid represents Jesus. Pour it into a clear cup. Have one child in each group pour the vegetable oil into their cup.

• Ask: What do you think will happen if we pour another liquid in the cup?

Have another child in each group choose a second cup to pour into the cup. The vegetable oil will rise to the top. (It may take a few seconds.)
Continue until everyone has poured one of the liquids in the cup. Regardless of the order you pour things in, it will end up in four distinct layers in this order (from top to bottom): vegetable oil, dish soap, milk, honey.

• Ask: What do you think will happen if we combine all of our cups?

Have groups each pour their cups into the tall glass. Within a few seconds, the oil will create its own layer on top. (The other layers may combine a bit, but the oil will remain separate.)
Talk About It

• Ask:
  • Why do you think the vegetable oil always stayed on top?
  • How can other people see that you think Jesus is the top gift?
• Say: Sometimes people make Christmas wish lists, starting with the things they want the most. Those are probably really awesome gifts! But we’ve already gotten the best gift ever—Jesus! Any other gift will sink below him because he’s the best gift ever!

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No matter how they mix the ingredients, the vegetable oil always rises to the top. In the same way, no matter what happens, Jesus always rises to the top! He is above all else! He is the best gift ever!
After the kids have seen this on a small scale in their groups, they get a real big wow at the end when all the groups combine their already mixed ingredients into one big clear container and still, all the vegetable oil rises to the top! This is a great object lesson for kids as they learn to trust Jesus, rely on Him, and truly believe that He is above all else!

1Corinthians13: A Christmas Version

A friend shared this with me years ago and it is always such a good reminder for me right about now in this season of Advent....Enjoy!

 

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?

 

I get tickled every Advent when we light the candles there always seems to be a "breeze" in the room that did not exist before the candles were lit.  The flames begin to dance and often the candles need to be re-lit.  The children just can't stand it!  They can't wait to see the flame extinguished!  I wonder what flame in our lives are being snuffed out too soon? Opportunities to experience a blessing but we get bored or simply give up.  This week's Gospel lesson takes us into the doubts of John the Baptist as he sat imprisoned and he began to question if Jesus truly was the Messiah or was there someone else to come?  He needed his flame fueled and that is just what Jesus does.  He sends the disciples back to John to tell him about those who were lame but now walk; the deaf who now hear; the dead who now live!    

As much as the children love to see the light snuffed out, they also thrill in the smoke which encircles the candle.  We compare this to death of Jesus and to His resurrection.  Although we may not see the bright glow of the flame, we know he encircles us just as the smoke does.  Kindling the Christmas flame in the next generation; laying out the truth of salvation and then to kindle and tend this flame that no "breeze" will ever extinguish that is our Advent calling.  And not just in our children.  Who do you know who might need their flame fanned with a word of encouragement this Advent?  

Dear precious Heavenly Father, may we hear you whisper "Today, my precious child, let there be light" and at night may we hear you say "There was light."