The Week of Love

Light two purple candles: the candle of Hope, and the candle of Preparation. Light the candle of Joy, the pink candle.                               Light the candle of Love, a purple candle.

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”    John 13:33-34 (NIV)

Take a walk with your children outside Look around you. What do you see that when Jesus walked the earth as a man, He also saw? Stars, moon, trees, birds, babies, mothers, a campfire. What experiences do you share with him? Did he ever have an icy drink?  Did He sit under the shade of a tree? Reflect on the beauty of God’s creation as you ponder these things.

Celebrate Boxing Day  In England, the first weekday after Christmas the servants are given a boxed gift and the day off as a thank-you for their    service throughout the year. Give a thoughtful gift to your mailman, housekeeper, or others who have served you well all year long. Include a personal note of thanks.

Walnut Fortune Ornaments Crack open walnuts, remove meat from inside. On slips of paper, write hopes and prayers; for love, friendship, health, etc. Roll up papers into a scroll, place inside walnut shells. Glue walnuts slightly closed with craft glue.  Glue ribbon to walnut to make a loop,                       and hang on tree.  Allow guests to open one when viewing your tree as a                             welcome gesture.      (Supplies: walnuts, silver or gold spray paint, tiny slips                       of paper, red or green pens, five inch slips of thin ribbon, craft glue, nut                                 crackers, walnuts)

Lord, please watch over our children. Grow their faith in you. Help them to focus on the right things this season despite all the secular activities going on around Christmas. Please put gratitude in their hearts for the gifts they receive. We ask this with faith and trust in you. Amen.

“Though dark be my way, since He is my Guide,
’Tis mine to obey, ’tis His to provide;
Though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail,
The Word He has spoken shall surely prevail.”          John Newton

 

Click here for printable Advent Fun page December 23