Hello and Happy Christmas!
Advent 2020 is well and truly underway! How is yours going so far?
Christmas Day can be overwhelming for children; all that waiting for the BIG DAY when everything happens at once! This year I've been seeking to build small gems of anticipation into everyday of Advent by celebrating Jesus' presence with us right now. I'm aiming to be in the moment with my child and to use his wonder and focus as a starting place for encounter, chat, play and discovery.
A twinkling light, a frosty leaf, a twiggy tree silhouetted against the winter sky, a kneeling wise man, a tiny baby in a manger... Hoping that I can see the Christ child with fresh eyes, with child-like eyes, with renewed joy, wonder and awe.
Jesus called a little one to his side and said to them, “Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable, and learn about heaven’s kingdom realm with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, you will never be able to enter in." Matthew 18:2-3 (The Passion Translation)
As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I pray you'll feel inspired to be in the moment with the child in your life and be drawn into childlike wonder yourself.
Read on for Christmas themed Adventure Time and Encounter Fun play ideas, a couple delightful books of the month and blog musings.
Praying you have a Jesus-filled festive season!
Sarah
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A Christmas Adventure Time!
Use your imagination to meet up with Jesus!
Choose a relaxed time of the day. Get comfy, invite Holy Spirit to be with you and be expectant!
Say slowly, with lots of pauses, keep it shorter for a younger child:
Thank you Holy Spirit that you are always with us... Help us meet with Jesus now... We are excited!
Imagine you are one of the Wise Men...
You are gazing into the sky and suddenly you see a bright, new star!
Wow! What does it look like? It's the star of wonder, a message from God to you to find Jesus...
You are going on a treasure hunt to look for Him...
How do you travel? What do you see, hear, feel along the way... Who is with you?
Where do you find Jesus? Have a look around?
Can you see the star? What else can you see?
What is Jesus doing? What is He saying, or showing you or giving to you?
What do you want to do or say to Jesus?
Spend time with Him... look... listen... feel...
Give yourselves time to be with Jesus and share what you saw, heard or sensed.
Encourage your child and validate and celebrate all responses.
Jot down in an Adventure Book or special journal.
Thank Jesus for being with you!
Hit reply to send me any testimonies! I'd absolutely love to hear them!
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December's Books of the Month!
Here are two wonderful, newly published books by best-selling authors to add to your Advent Collection! Find out more here!
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Encounter Fun: multi-sensory ways to explore faith!
Harness children's natural curiosity, wonder, imagination and play
Bring God into the everyday and learn together
Slow down, be present and have fun!
FIND OUT MORE HERE!
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Create a Christmas play tray that you can keep adding to and changing.
Use a variety of sensory items such as pine cones, shells, safe baubles, tinsel, old Christmas cards, cotton wool...
Play and explore together sharing how different things look, sound or feel.
Cut out card stars and hide them in the tray. Let's be the wise men looking for the star to find Jesus...
Add in any nativity characters you may have to play out parts of the story and wonder with your child about the events, feelings, sights and sounds...
Let your child choose new things to add in.
Celebrate Jesus coming to be with you as you explore and wonder!
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Some Christmas Play Tray ideas!
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