From Birth to Resurrection

Easter is fast approaching, and my kids are still re-enacting the Christmas story (and singing Christmas carols for that matter). Apparently I did a good job of teaching them about Christ’s birth! Now it is time to move on and talk about Jesus’s life, his ministry, and his resurrection in our homeschool.

Last year we made Resurrection Story Cookies. I think we will do the same thing this year. Although my children did not understand all of the story (being so young still), I think that it is important to start traditions like these early since each year the experience will mean something different to them. Besides, my children will look back on these moments as the memories that mean the most to them.

Photo courtesy of Dan Phiffer

Do You Hear What I Hear? – Bing Crosby!

Who doesn’t love Bing Crosby? This video matches the classic Christmas carol, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, sung by Crosby with images from the night Jesus was born. Your children are sure to love it! Share this video in your homeschool.

A Heavenly Host of Angels

Learn more about the Christmas story with this fun homeschool Advent activity. This is great for preschool children. Older kids will like the video.

Supplies

Coloring Page
Crayons
Scissors
Popsicle Sticks or Straws
Tape
YouTube Video
Bible
Lyrics to “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Angels Pattern

Objectives

~To understand what a “host of heavenly angels” is.
~To visualize the Bible scene with the angels and the shepherds.

Bible Verses

Luke 2:8-20Luke 2:8-20
English: World English Bible - WEB
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. ⁹ Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. ¹¹ For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.” ¹³ Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, On earth peace, good will toward men.” ¹⁵ It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough. ¹⁷ When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

Kids’ Activity

~Sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and watch the video below.

~Read the story of the angels announcing Jesus’ birth to the shepherds.
~Make your own heavenly host with the angel pattern. Cut out the angels and decorate as you like. Secure them to the popsicle sticks or straws to make them into puppets. Re-enact the Bible scene using the puppets.

Family Activity

~Send Christmas cards to announce Christ’s birth.
~Complete the coloring page of the angels with the shepherds.

What is a Manger?

Photo by Todd Huffman

Have you ever really thought about Jesus’ humble beginnings? Open your children’s eyes to the fact that Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger, the food trough for the animals. This Advent season use this creative arts homeschool lesson to help your children learn about where Jesus was born. It is a perfect lesson for a kinesthetic learner!

Supplies

Lyrics to “Away in a Manger”Users
YouTube Video
Old Box
Shredded Paper
Doll
Rags to wrap doll in

Objectives

~To understand that Jesus was born in the most humble of circumstances, in a stable and laid in a manger instead of a crib.

Bible Verses

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7Luke 2:6-7
English: World English Bible - WEB
6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. ⁷ She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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Kids’ Activity

~Sing “Away in a Manger”.
~Discuss how Jesus was born in the stable next to an inn. Explain that a manger holds the animals’ food. It is filled with hay.
~Watch this video of “Away in a Manger” and learn the signs.

Family Activity

~Make a manger prop and put a baby Jesus in it. Use an old box for the manger and make some hay with shredded paper.
~Have the children perform “Away in a Manger” using the signs and the manger prop.

“Mary, A Mother?” Homeschool Advent Activity

Yesterday we finally finished decorating our tree and put our angel on top. I thought it would be appropriate to talk about the Annunciation, the time when the angel, Gabriel, visited Mary to tell her she would be Jesus’ mother. The homeschool activity I chose to do is simple, but the ideas in the discussion are big. Because my children are kinesthetic learners, I have included some movement in the activity. There are also many ideas listed at First-School.

1. What do you know about angels?
2. Fly around like angels for the next couple of minutes.
3. Did you know that an angel visited Mary to tell her about Jesus? This is the story.
   
4. Read the story of the annunciation. As you read, discuss these ideas to discuss and ask these questions: ~Do you remember Mary? When this story happens she is very young like when Mommy and Daddy were waiting to get married. She was waiting to marry Joseph.~Can you imagine seeing an angel? How would you feel if you did see one? Make a frightened face. When an angel talks to a person in the Bible, the angel always tells the person to not be afraid. We read that the people are afraid at first when they see angels. It must be pretty amazing to see an angel!~ Who is Jesus’ mother? Who is His Father?~Mary tells the angel that she will do what God tells her to do. How do you think she felt?
5. Have the children color the story page. Hang the pictures in a prominent place.
6. Memorize this verse this week: For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37Luke 1:37
   English: World English Bible - WEB
   37 For everything spoken by God is possible.”
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This video is a nice compliment to this lesson. The art in the video is beautiful, too.

“Deck the Tree” with Applesauce Ornaments This Advent

We had some homeschool friends over to do our Advent activity today, making cinnamon applesauce ornaments. They smell so good! The best part of this project is that all of the ingredients are non-toxic, so this is perfect for young children. However, if your children are very young, I recommend having another adult with you to supervise since my friend and I found this activity difficult to do alone. I also advise you to let the children play with the dough before you cut out the ornaments. I set up all of my supplies ahead of time, too. This project is well worth the planning and time that it takes to do, though.

Supplies

Lyrics to “Deck the Halls”
“Tree Ornament – Spicy Apple Sauce” recipe from Craft Bits (Note: I added 1/4 cup more applesauce than this recipe calls for. The dough was too dry otherwise.)
Bible
Your Favorite Christmas Storybook (I used The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry.)

Objectives

~To understand that our Lord is beautiful.
~To make the connection that since God is creative and beautiful, we are and people enjoy being surrounded by beauty.

I wrote the following on the index card inside the Advent calendar.

Bible Verse

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4Psalm 27:4
English: World English Bible - WEB
4 One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after, That I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, To see Yahweh’s beauty, And to inquire in his temple.

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Kids’ Activity

~Sing “Deck the Halls”
~Read your Christmas storybook.
~Read the Bible verse. Explain that this verse tells us that the Lord is beautiful. Since He is beautiful and Christmas is all about Jesus’ birth, we are making our Christmas tree beautiful.
~Make the cinnamon ornaments.

Family Activity

~Decorate your Christmas tree.

“Follow that Star” Advent Activity

Photo by DanieVDM

We completed another successful homeschool Advent activity today. I think that you and your preschool age children will enjoy this one. Please post a comment if you have ideas for older children.

Supplies

Lyrics to “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (We only sang the first verse and the chorus.)
Star craft printable
Black construction paper
Glue sticks
Scissors
Bible

Objectives

~To understand who the Magi were.
~To understand that the Magi followed a star to find baby Jesus.

The following was written on the index card in our Advent calendar.

Bible Verses

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2Matthew 2:1-2
English: World English Bible - WEB
2 ¹ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men The word for “wise men” can also mean teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, or sorcerers. from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ² “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”

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Kids’ Activity

~Sing “We Three Kings of Orient Are”.
~Read the Bible verses. Talk about how the magi were wise men who studied the stars, and they noticed a special star in the sky when Jesus was born. They followed that star to find baby Jesus.
~Make the star craft. Glue the star onto the black construction paper.

Family Activity

~Do some star gazing. If you have one, use a telescope. Talk about constellations.

“Jesus is the Light” Homeschool Advent Activity

Photo by Rio Calle

In our homeschool we had another successful Advent calendar activity today, and I just have to share it with you. I think that your children will enjoy this one just as much as mine did!

Supplies

Bible
Flashlights (one for each child)
Dark room
Lyrics to “Silent Night”

Bible Verse

“I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46John 12:46
English: World English Bible - WEB
46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.

Kids’ Activity

~Sing Silent Night.
~Talk about how you cannot see anything in the dark and that you can use a flashlight, nightlight, lamp, or a candle to see in the dark. Discuss how Jesus tells us that He is the light of the world. If we need help, He can light the way. He is just like the other things we use to light up the darkness. Jesus can show you what you what to do if you ask Him for help.
~In a dark room give each child a flashlight. Play flashlight tag. Walk around with the flashlights reciting the verse as you go. Have one child light a path for everyone else to walk. (The kids love doing this. Enjoy their laughter!)

Family Activity

~Put lights on the Christmas tree. Discuss how the lights represent Jesus. He is our light in the dark.

A Few of My Favorite Christmas Titles

During Advent, my family reads lots of books about the true meaning of Christmas. I think that reading these books helps the kids internalize the”Good News”. Each book also acts as a springboard for discussions about Jesus and the story of His birth. Here are a few of my favorite titles that help establish the foundation of the true meaning of Christmas:

• God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren is one of my favorite books because it explains that Christmas is a gift from God. The book does not ignore the fact that many families keep Santa as part of their Christmas tradition, though. It stays true to the greatness of God and the miracle of Jesus.

• I love the simplicity and the authenticity of The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry. This book is bilingual, English and Spanish. It is easy enough for the youngest of readers to understand.
• The Christmas Story by Patricia A. Pingry is another book that tells about Jesus’ birth in an easy to understand format. The story is accurate as well.
• Another favorite Christmas tale is How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. I love how the Grinch learns that Christmas is not about the gifts. Instead, he finds that Christmas is about family and love.

Painting Jesus

Are you teaching your children the names of Jesus in your homeschool? This video is a great way to expand on that lesson. (HT: Rose)

This video is powerful! I think that many teens would like it and be touched. I know that I was!