Preparing for the Coming of the King...

Sadie's prayer last week...
"God thank you for our beds. Thank you for my family. Thank you for our church. And most of all, thank you for Santa Clause. Amen."

When your child begins praying at night thanking God for Santa Clause and not Jesus, it's a good time to refocus the reason for this beautiful season! We began an ABC advent on December 1st, but it's never too late to start now and count down the days to the coming of our King!

I found the ABC advent idea online, but have rewritten it and added scriptures to fit our family's needs. Thought I would post it for those of you who are interested...

Eric made this awesome advent candle holder for our kitchen table!!! I love it... someone from our small group said that it looks like a menorah on steroids. Couldn't help but laugh....


Anyway...
Before we start Advent at night Sadie and Cole have to pick up their toys. Sadie will quickly pick up her toys to do Advent! I LOVE THAT! There's something about children and the idea that we are going to light candles for them to blow out that is incredibly exciting. After toys are picked up, we turn off the lights and light a new candle and the previous candles that have already been lit. As we light the candles, we review what we have learned so far and what each candle stands for. I am amazed at what Sadie is remembering and how well she is telling the story of Christmas herself. Last night we tried something new and sang Silent Night before we blew out the candles. Short and simple, but teaching the truth of this season.

Here's what we are learning as we worship together and scriptures to go with each letter:
A- Angel came to visit Mary (Luke 1:26-31)
B- Baby Jesus (Luke 1:31)
C- City of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:6)
D- Donkey (The Bible does not state exactly how Mary got to Bethlehem, just that she went with Joseph - Luke 2:1-5. It is possible that they used a donkey as a mode of transportation. Good opportunity to talk about the distance they traveled and the possibilities of how they might have gotten there.)
E- Everlasting - Share about God's power and relate it to the season. (Psalm 90:2)
F- Family - As your family we want to teach you about the truth of Jesus. (Deut. 6:5-9)
G- Gift (John 3:16)
H- Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35-37)
I- Inn (Luke 2:7)
J- Joy ( Luke 1:39-45)
K- King (John 18:37)
L- Lamb (John 1:29)
M- Multitude of Angels (Luke 2:13)
N- Name of Jesus (Matthew 1:23 & Phil. 2:9)
O- Obey - Mary and Joseph obeyed Jesus (Matthew 1:24-25)
P- Perfect - Jesus is without flaw.
Q- Quiet time (Psalm 46:10)
R- Rejoice (Luke 1:14)
S- Sins - Jesus was born to save us from our sins. (Matthew 1:21)
T- Twinkling Star (Matthew 2:2)
U- Unto Us a Child is Born (Luke 2:11)
V and W - Visit from Worshiping Wise Men (Matthew 2:7-12)
X - is for Christ (2 Peter 3:18)
Y- Jesus will be a blessing to YOU! (Ephesians 1:3-14)
Z- ZZZZZ - We can rest in knowing that Jesus is Alive! (Psalm 91:1)

Happy Adventing and Merry Christmas!