Our Christmas Plan

This is our plan for the Christmas season, for Christmas day and following up through Epiphany:

Christmas

Music:            Messiah Part I, No. 13-17

Joy to the World

Art:                  The Adoration of the Shepherds, Rembrandt

The Nativity, Durer

Symbol:         Nativity

Crafts:             Make garlands for birds

Make Light of the World mural

Write thank you notes

December 25

Scripture:        Luke 2:1-7

Crafts:             Cut out shapes such as stars or candles from construction paper, two copies for each shape, and cut various holes in both copies.  Glue tissue paper over the holes on one shape, then fit the other shape on top and glue both together to make “stained glass”.  This reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the World who has now come.

December 26

Scripture:        Luke 2: 8-20

Read or sing “Good King Wenceslaus” since this is St. Stephen’s Day.

December 27

Scripture:        Luke 2:21-40

December 28

Scripture:        Matthew 2:1-18

Epiphany (January 9 this year)

Bake fancy cake with beans or large nuts inside to represent the gifts of the wise men.  (Include enough beans or nuts for each child to find one.)

Gifts to Give to Children

Here are some ideas for Christmas gifts for kids, from things I'm giving or thinking of giving this year.

For a primary school or older girl, a set:

• Just the Right Words, a book of sentiments to write in cards
• Blank notecards
• Perhaps some fancy pens

Or alternatively, these books by Laura Ingalls Wilder:

• Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder - Volume One: On Wisdom and Virtues
• Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder - Volume Two: On Life As a Pioneer Woman
• Writings to Young Women on Laura Ingalls Wilder - Volume Three: As Told By Her Family, Friends, and Neighbors

For an older preschool or elementary child, another set:

• The Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the Air  (I cannot vouch for this particular edition because mine is an old, old copy, but looking at it on Amazon it appears that this should be a decent reproduction.  Old copies can be found on Alibris, but make sure you get the first book in the series and not the second, which has a title which begins just like the first.)
• Melissa & Doug World Map 33 pcs Floor Puzzle

For a little boy, a couple of set options:

• The Little Fire Engine (Lois Lenski Books)
•  Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies All About Working (This set has a fire engine.)

• Policeman Small (Lois Lenski Books)
• Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies All About Racing (This set has a police car.) 

For an elementary-age boy, a couple of set options:

• The Book of Cowboys
• Playmobil Western Cowboy

• Book of Indians
• Playmobil Indian Chief

Other random items:

• Crayola 16 Ct Washable Watercolors
• Ravensburger Rivers, Roads & Rails 
• Mille Bornes Card Game