December 18th - What We Learned

This Sunday, December 18th, your 2-5 year old child learned how the angels performed the first Festival of Lights concert for some nondescript shepherds sleeping on a hillside with a flock of sheep (Luke 2:8-18).  After the angels disappeared, the shepherds had a choice:  stay there by the fire in their sleeping bags where it was warm and dozy or go searching in the middle of the night for the newborn King.  And who would take care of their sheep if they searched?  Happily, they chose Jesus rather than sleep, and after they found Him, the Bible says they told everyone about Him.

Some children love to talk to strangers, to the extent that you feel the need to restrain them, while other children don't even want to look at someone they do not know.  If you have a talker, guide them into conversations where they get to share what Christmas is all about, even with a stranger at the grocery store.  After all, that's what the shepherds did.  They were so excited about the Savior's birth that the news just exploded out of them to everyone they met!  If you have a shy child, let him try telling a stuffed animal all about Jesus and Christmas.  It's good practice!

The third week of our Christmas rhyme goes like this:

WEEK 1
The angel came down (make a flying motion)
from God to say (cup hands around mouth like you want to say something)
that Mary will have a baby on Christmas Day. (pretend to rock a baby in your arms)
His name will be Jesus (make a "V" with both arms up and fists closed)
God's only Son. (point a finger and arm straight up)
He will show that God loves everyone! (hug yourself)

WEEK 2
Mary and Joseph traveled far, far away. (walk in place)
When they got to Bethlehem, there was no place to stay (hold hands out and shake head "no").
God gave them a stable filled with cows and sheep. (make a roof over your head with your hands)
Jesus was born, (pretend to hold a baby)
and on hay He did sleep. (fold your hands under your head like you are sleeping)

WEEK 3
The shepherds were watching their sheep at night. (place your hand over your eyes like you're looking for something)
An angel came and caused a great fright! (put your hand to your mouth like you are scared)
"Don't be afraid. (shake your head no)
I have good news!" (give two thumbs up)
Jesus is born (make a V with both arms up and fists closed)
for you and you and you! (point to different people)
The angels sang (pretend to hold a microphone)
and the shepherds ran (run in place)
to see the baby (pretend to hold a baby)
God sent to man! (point both thumbs to your chest)

In Land of Promise, your kindergarten to fifth grade children also heard the Christmas story, and they learned that God was the first and is the best Christmas-gift Giver ever!  (John 3:16-17; Luke 2:1-18)  God is the ultimate example of generosity. We give because God gave to us. His original gift is our motivation for giving freely to others. Bottom Line: God gave the greatest gift when He gave us Jesus.

In one of the busiest times of year it’s important to take time to remember who gave first. We can stop and remember how amazing it is that God sent His Son to show us a new way to live and later make it possible for us to live with Him forever if we just trust Him to forgive us for all of our sins.

Your Land of Promise children got to practice generosity in real life this week by participating in a gift-giving event.  All the children donated presents and selected class representatives to deliver their presents to some sick children at Lutheran Hospital this Sunday.  Ms. Amber and Ms. Dodi drove the children to the hospital with their gifts, and Ms. Dodi took this picture of them in the director's office before they handed the gifts out to individual patients.