Bible
This year we are using the Scripture readings from Focus on the Family for Advent. There are also some ideas for Christmas activities and traditions on this website.
Advent: A coming; the coming of our Saviour.
From the Latin, adventus, from advenio, of ad and venio, to come.
I made this patchwork 'calendar' a few years ago to use for Advent. We start reading on the 1st December and count down the days until Christmas. This doesn't actually line up with the Advent Scripture readings above but it is easy to adjust them. The readings are only a few verses so we do about 3 or 4 of the readings after dinner in the evening and each person takes a turn at opening a bag and getting their treat.
Picture Study
Fra Angelico The Annunciation
Handicraft
Salt Dough Decorations
Dough craft books can usually be found in the library. I picked up one second hand, Dough Crafts by Isolde Kiskalt, and it is amazing what can be done with a bit of dough and some 'tools.' A garlic press makes great fur or hair; toothpicks, knives, forks, sieves and cookie cutters are other useful bits and pieces.
Salt Dough Recipe
2 cups wheat flour
1 cup salt
3/4 cup water
Mix together. The dough is best to be a little drier if used by children. Add water or flour to get a consistency you'd like to work with.
Clear varnish applied after the dough is completely dry will make it more durable.
Nativity Scenes
There's a long story behind our lovely knitted nativity set but I'll just say a big thank you to two dear friends, Lydia and Pam!
Free nativity scene to assemble here.
Here's one made out of craft sticks.Very cute and a good project for younger kids.
Composer Study - Handel's Messiah
Hymn Study
Literature & Poetry
Patty was raised in an orphanage but longed to be part of a family. At the age of 13 she went to live with a family, and although they were kind and provided for her, her role was that of a servant. This is a short story with large illustrations on every page and would appeal more to girls under about 10 years of age.
We've enjoyed reading books that weren't actually Christmas books per se but included accounts of Christmas. The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder have some lovely Christmas accounts. It's refreshing to look back at the simple Christmas celebrations in these books and the thought that had to go into making presents with little resources.
The first couple of chapters of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is set around Christmas. An online version is here.
I read Gene Edwards book, The Birth, a number of years ago so it's not fresh in my mind but I did enjoy it at the time. I'm putting it here because my good friend, Joy, reads it every year at Christmas.
I've been reading sections of John Milton's poem aloud during the past week.
On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity
This is the month, and this the happy morn
Wherein the Son of Heav’n’s eternal King,
Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy sages once did sing,
That he our deadly forfeit should release,
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
This is the month, and this the happy morn
Wherein the Son of Heav’n’s eternal King,
Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy sages once did sing,
That he our deadly forfeit should release,
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
John Milton, 1629. See full poem.
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