ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES date
2.3
the traditions … bring us into proximity … so we can … celebrate the faithfulness of God. Inspire (for parents) My children experience Christmas through the lens of a mix of German and Norwegian roots. We open gifts on Christmas Eve, eat German food, and sing Stile Nacht around the table. These cultural traditions have been passed down from our parents. But we are also making our own holiday traditions for our girls. We are creating a tiny community within the walls of our own home so that someday when they grow up and have their own families, they’ll have something that is just theirs to use as a touchstone.
But these traditions are just tools. There is nothing special about them in particular. They bring us closer to each other and they create community and connectedness in our family that all too often runs in different directions. The traditions our little family community is creating bring us into proximity with one another so we can begin to celebrate the faithfulness of the God who sent us the Savior. by Sarah Markley
At our church Christmas Eve service, their faces lit by the candles, my girls smile and sing with us. We bake a birthday cake for Jesus. We light the birthday candles and sing to Jesus. We drive the nearby neighborhoods in the evenings, to see holiday lighted homes. The girls wear pajamas and fuzzy slippers, while each hugs a small portable mug of lukewarm hot cocoa. We pause at the house on the corner that looks like a circus, and we all strain necks to see the animated snowman and nativity.
Getting Started 2 9:1–2, 6–7; Luke Scripture: Isaiah (Jesus Is Born) t Jesus Wants Us to Mee Main Point: God your family to signed to allow de is ce ur so re This your children d’s Word before have time in Go n is for parents Because God’s pla ren’s faith, attend church. rers of their child rtu nu l ua irit sp e to be th lly, your children you grow spiritua as at th ow kn we lly as well. will grow spiritua
Equip (for parents)
“F
RE
or to MEM Right after Jesus had been born into our us a BER v to u overcrowded, dirty world, angels burst onto ers chi s E the scene praising God for this astonishing he w a son is ld is bo rn, display of His mercy. “Suddenly a great i give Cou ll be ca n , company of the heavenly host appeared … lle n A with the angel, praising God and saying: Eve selor, M d Won nd r d i l g e a ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth of P sting F hty Go rful peace to men … ‘” (Luke 2:13–14). d eace a .” Isa ther, Pr , Though every work of God is for His iah ince 9:6 glory, the angels declared this act as “glory to God in the highest.” Interestingly, one biblical scholar noted this display of God’s glory and mercy was new to the angels. This miraculous act of incarnation showed an attribute of God that had not been and could not have been known in any other way. The angels were clearly astonished by it, and bursting with worship because of it. This act of incarnation showed that God’s affection is centered in our poor race. It proved the whole universe was to learn God’s love for humanity. This crude, maybe distressing birth was glory to God in the highest degree. It was a moment when both heaven and earth joined together in celebration of His glory … and it happened in a world that, for the most part, took no notice. We parents have the amazing opportunity to proclaim the birth of Christ to our children at this time of year. Just as the angels were bursting with praise and excitement as they shared the news of the Messiah’s birth, let’s try to bring this same wonder as we share the news with our little ones.
Support
(for parents & kids) Sometime this week, read through the biblical account of Jesus being born in Luke 2:4–20. At the end of the passage, think of a question that reviews what you just read such as, “What happened when Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem?” or “What did the angels say when they appeared to the shepherds?” Before you begin to read, pray together as a family and thank God for the amazing gift of His Son, Jesus. Just for fun, gather around your Christmas tree to read this passage (if you do not have a tree, try turning the lights down and lighting some candles). Once you have finished reading, explain to your children that it must have been an amazing sight to see so many angels praising God together. Now lead your family in singing the song “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” together. (You may want to “Google” the lyrics or download a recorded copy of this song.) When you are finished, tell your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible, and they will hear it in church this week. Join together in celebrating the amazing birth of Jesus.
© 2010 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.
ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES date
2.3
the traditions … bring us into proximity … so we can … celebrate the faithfulness of God. Inspire (for parents) My children experience Christmas through the lens of a mix of German and Norwegian roots. We open gifts on Christmas Eve, eat German food, and sing Stile Nacht around the table. These cultural traditions have been passed down from our parents. But we are also making our own holiday traditions for our girls. We are creating a tiny community within the walls of our own home so that someday when they grow up and have their own families, they’ll have something that is just theirs to use as a touchstone.
But these traditions are just tools. There is nothing special about them in particular. They bring us closer to each other and they create community and connectedness in our family that all too often runs in different directions. The traditions our little family community is creating bring us into proximity with one another so we can begin to celebrate the faithfulness of the God who sent us the Savior. by Sarah Markley
At our church Christmas Eve service, their faces lit by the candles, my girls smile and sing with us. We bake a birthday cake for Jesus. We light the birthday candles and sing to Jesus. We drive the nearby neighborhoods in the evenings, to see holiday lighted homes. The girls wear pajamas and fuzzy slippers, while each hugs a small portable mug of lukewarm hot cocoa. We pause at the house on the corner that looks like a circus, and we all strain necks to see the animated snowman and nativity.
Getting Started 2 9:1–2, 6–7; Luke Scripture: Isaiah (Jesus Is Born) t Jesus Wants Us to Mee Main Point: God your family to signed to allow de is ce ur so re This your children d’s Word before have time in Go n is for parents Because God’s pla ren’s faith, attend church. rers of their child rtu nu l ua irit sp e to be th lly, your children you grow spiritua as at th ow kn we lly as well. will grow spiritua
Equip (for parents)
“F
RE
or to MEM Right after Jesus had been born into our us a BER v to u overcrowded, dirty world, angels burst onto ers chi s E the scene praising God for this astonishing he w a son is ld is bo rn, display of His mercy. “Suddenly a great i give Cou ll be ca n , company of the heavenly host appeared … lle n A with the angel, praising God and saying: Eve selor, M d Won nd r d i l g e a ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth of P sting F hty Go rful peace to men … ‘” (Luke 2:13–14). d eace a .” Isa ther, Pr , Though every work of God is for His iah ince 9:6 glory, the angels declared this act as “glory to God in the highest.” Interestingly, one biblical scholar noted this display of God’s glory and mercy was new to the angels. This miraculous act of incarnation showed an attribute of God that had not been and could not have been known in any other way. The angels were clearly astonished by it, and bursting with worship because of it. This act of incarnation showed that God’s affection is centered in our poor race. It proved the whole universe was to learn God’s love for humanity. This crude, maybe distressing birth was glory to God in the highest degree. It was a moment when both heaven and earth joined together in celebration of His glory … and it happened in a world that, for the most part, took no notice. We parents have the amazing opportunity to proclaim the birth of Christ to our children at this time of year. Just as the angels were bursting with praise and excitement as they shared the news of the Messiah’s birth, let’s try to bring this same wonder as we share the news with our little ones.
Support
(for parents & kids) Sometime this week, read through the biblical account of Jesus being born in Luke 2:4–20. At the end of the passage, think of a question that reviews what you just read such as, “What happened when Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem?” or “What did the angels say when they appeared to the shepherds?” Before you begin to read, pray together as a family and thank God for the amazing gift of His Son, Jesus. Just for fun, gather around your Christmas tree to read this passage (if you do not have a tree, try turning the lights down and lighting some candles). Once you have finished reading, explain to your children that it must have been an amazing sight to see so many angels praising God together. Now lead your family in singing the song “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” together. (You may want to “Google” the lyrics or download a recorded copy of this song.) When you are finished, tell your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible, and they will hear it in church this week. Join together in celebrating the amazing birth of Jesus.
© 2010 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.