The Tree of Christmas

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isaiah 11:1

Hey Kids and Parents

Have you seen the EETCHY worm in your classroom? It’s made of colored beads and it helps kids organize their thoughts to tell a story. I want to use an EETCHY worm today to help us tell about a Christmas tree.

• The first bead of the worm is green to remind us what group we are talking about.

Our group is Christmas Tree

• The second bead is blue to ask us what does it do.A Christmas Tree represents the various meanings associated with Christmas.
• The second bead is yellow with an eye on it. This asks us what does it look like.

A Christmas Tree looks like a tree covered with red, gold, blue and white balls, stars, angels, ribbons, and bells.

• The next bead is brown to ask what is it made of. A Christmas tree is made of wood.
• The next bead is pink to ask what are its parts. A Christmas tree has a trunk, branches, and evergreen needles.
• Then there is a white bead to ask where is it? A Christmas tree is placed inside or outside of a home where everyone can see its beauty.
• The last bead is orange and asks what else do you know. By now most of us have a pretty good picture of a Christmas tree in our minds and our answer to the question what else do you know may be, “That’s all.” Or that there are presents under the tree. But that’s not all!

Let’s go back and examine what we said about the tree. 

• The blue said is represents the various meanings associated with Christmas. What meanings?
•  In the yellow we answered red balls
•  Red is the color of blood. 
• Gold balls. The wisemen brought Jesus gold and frankincense and myrrh. 
• Blue balls are the color of royalty. Jesus is King of Kings. 
• White balls are the color of purity. Jesus was without sin. 
• Wisemen followed a star. 
• Angels announced His birth. 
• Ribbons held the breastplate to ephod on the robe of the high priest. 
• Bells were sown around the hem of his robe so all could here him as he preformed his priestly duties. Jesus is our High Priest.
• The tree is made of wood. Christ shed His blood on a cross made of wood. 
• The evergreen needles tell us that Jesus gives us eternal life. 
• The trunk and the branches lead us back to our scripture: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 
• We display our Christmas trees where all can see their beauty. So should Jesus be displayed in our lives that all can see His beauty. 
• We want to come to the tree and receive the gifts. May all the world come to Jesus this Christmas and receive His gift of salvation. 

May there be Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

The last orange bead asks us "What else?" 

What intentional things are you doing to put Christ in your Christmas? 

You don't have to do anything more, only think about the reason you are 

• making cookies
• the places you are decorating
• the reasons for the decorations you are using

Do you need to research why we use a particular item? 

Is there anything that surprises you? 

Please share your Christmas blessings with us.

Blessings,

Gail

A Tree of Thanksgiving

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalms 26:7

Is your tree up? As I left school on Monday, I saw someone had pulled out the decorations. A huge tree with a few sparse balls was already going up in the lobby. Ughhh, yes, I knew there were only a few weeks left until Christmas break and we had Art Night this week, but really? Did we really have to skip Thanksgiving? 

As we entered the building Tuesday morning, a spectacular tree greeted us with fall leaves, pumpkins, and scarecrows. A Tree of Thanksgiving, what a wonderful idea! We delighted in the tree all week as it reminded us to be thankful for all God has given us. It's given us time to teach the children about the Pilgrim's desire to freely worship, their struggles coming to and living in a new land. It reminded us to teach about Squanto, a man God prepared to help the Pilgrims survive. It reminded us of the freedom we have to live and worship because of the sacrifices of others.

I am thankful for so many things this year and I'm thankful for an assistant principal who created our Thanksgiving tree!

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

Did you know Squanto spoke English? How did that happen?

Did you know the support of the main mast of the Mayflower broke in a storm? How did they repair it? 

Let's not rush Christmas. How can you show reminders of your gratitude?

You can make a simple tree of thanksgiving with a few green sticky notes and colored pens.

At each meal, you and your family can write one thing on a sticky note for which you are thankful. 

Place the notes in the shape of a tree on a prominent wall or window. 

Watch the tree grow and take shape this week as you and your family express your  gratitude of all God has given you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Supermoon

photo by pixabay

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

Psalms 148:3

November 13, 2016, the supermoon, not seen this close since 1948 and not to be seen again this close until 2034. Sure there are regular supermoons but not as close as these. But just exactly what is the moon? It has no light of its own, but merely a reflection of the sun. Its light is seen in phases and sometimes not at all. So what does that have to do with us? 

We as Christians are to be a reflection of Jesus Christ. He is the Light that should shine through us. Sometimes we do a better job of letting our lights shine that at others. Sometimes it seems our lights are almost out. Satan has always tried to destroy God's people. Persecution through the ages has put a damper on our lights. Our lax attitudes also dim our lights. 

There is nothing in creation that doesn't have a purpose of praise. Creation is also filled with examples of study for us to know how to be better reflections of our Lord.  

As the supermoon praises God in the heavens, close, very close to us this weekend, may we also purpose to praise Him by drawing up close to Him, purposing to reflect His light in a super way.

Hey Kids:

November is a great month for sky watching. The supermoon this weekend is just a beginning. November is always a great month to view star showers. 

So grab your binoculars, star maps and a warm jacket and head outside for the show. 

How can the things you see in the night skies help you be a better reflection of Jesus? 

Start putting those ideas into practice by leaving us a comment in the section below. 

Blessings,

Gail

Love One Another

 

picture by pixaby

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, 

and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

I Thessalonians 3:12

I was thinking earlier this week, I wished I knew where I could get some persimmons to make jam. 

On Friday, a sweet mom, who speaks no English, brought me a bag of Japanese persimmons. I think she grew them since she had so many. I saw the worried look on her face as she handed me the bag, a look of wondering if I would like her gift. Though, "Thank you" was all she could understand, she saw the excitement on my face. 

Her face changed from worried to a big smile. "You like?" she asked.

"Yes, yes, thank you!" I jabbered about making jam, which I knew she didn't understand, but it was the joy in my voice that made her happy. 

Though we could not speak each other's language, we could show love on our faces and the tones of our voices. 

Our expressions will open and close doors. 

May our smiles open doors of friendship and love this week. 

Hey Kids:

You may have neighbors or kids at school who do not speak your language.

How can you show them love this week?

Here's a few starters.

• Use your hands to invite others to play a game as you say, "Come on!" "Let's play ..."
• Notice something they have done. Then enthusiastically congratulate them. "Yay, you won?" or "That's beautiful!"
• Invite them to share a snack and be willing to try a snack they may want to share.

What other ideas do you have? Please share your ideas and successes in our comment section.

Love,

Gail