Advent Activity Day 23 and 24

Advent Activity Day 23- We learned about Jesus, the light of the world and how God announced the birth of Jesus with a bright star. And we learned about the shining angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, who were considered lower class people. For our activity we decorated candles because "Jesus is the LIGHT of the world".

 Advent Activity Day 24 (our final day)- We learned about the wise men who followed a star to find Jesus. For our activity we made a star of David ornament. 
This has been so much fun doing these activities every day leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior. 

For more info on how to do these activities for yourself, find it on pinterest or hubpages.

http://mhortenberry.hubpages.com/hub/AdventActivityKits

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/308707749432199554/

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Advent Activity Day 21 and 22

Advent Activity Day 21- We learned about Nehemiah and Ezra reading God's law to His people and how God's people turned back to Him. They celebrated with a party. Our activity for the day was to have a birthday party for Jesus. I love how the Lord orchestrates things because that is exactly what they did in children's ministry at church today! (God knew this momma needed a break today. His perfect timing at work.) At home we simply hung streamers and blew party horns. His wonderful teachers at church did the games, cupcakes, and other party activities. (We also went to my niece's birthday party today.) So much celebrations!

Advent Activity Day 22- We learned about God choosing a common girl to be the mother of Jesus and how he was born in a stable, rather than in a palace. The activity was to create a nativity scene. We used a magnetic nativity instead, which was way easier on this busy momma.

Advent Activities Day 19 and 20

Advent Activity Day 19- We learned about Daniel and the lions den. Daniel had a big problem (he was thrown into a pit of hungry lions). We did an activity with pepper in a bowl of water. The pepper represented our problems in life. When we stuck our fingers in the bowl, the 'problems' stuck all over our fingers and 'overwhelmed' us. Then we dipped our fingers in dish soap (which represented God's protection) and stuck our fingers back in the bowl. The 'problems' all moved to side of the bowl. They were still there but not bothering us. God's protection helps all of the troubles of life not overwhelm us.

Advent Activity Day 20- We learned about Jonah and how he spent three days in the dark belly of a big fish because he didn't want God to forgive the bad people of Ninevah. And we learned about Jesus also spent three days in a dark tomb. Today we had a lot of fishy fun. We watched Veggie Tales Jonah while eating goldfish crackers and we made a fun fishing game.

Advent Activities Day 17 and 18

Advent Activity Day 17- We learned about Naaman who had leprosy and the little slave girl who softened her heart towards him (forgave him) and told him where he could go to get healed. We learned how God healed his heart and his body (he was also full of pride and arrogance). For our activity we talked about forgiveness and who we might need to forgive and we used effervescent tablets to show how all of the yucky feelings dissolve and go up to God when we forgive.

Advent Activity Day 18- We learned about Isaiah and the prophecies about Jesus coming. We learned how one day God will dry every tear. We learned that when tears dry they leave behind the minerals that are in tears. We used a borax solution that leave behind minerals on pipe cleaners to make these neat looking ornaments. We are definitely doing this activity again.  

little man added some food coloring to his solution

Advent Activities Day 15 and 16

Advent Activity Day 15- We learned about young David defeating Goliath. David knew (REALLY KNEW) that God was going to defeat that giant. For our activity we used stones (just like David used to defeat the giant) to make a cross (just like God used to defeat Satan) ornament.  This one didn't turn out like I expected, though. I used flimsy cardboard (old cereal box) for the cross background and it just isn't holding up.  It looks like we will be doing this again with foam board or a thick cardboard. Live and learn, right?  The natural aquarium gravel (stones) looks so pretty. I will post updated pics when we try this again with stronger board.

Advent Activity Day 16- we learned about a shepherd boy turned king (King David). We learned how David loved God,and even though he made some big mistakes he turned his heart back toward God. We also learned about Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  We had a candy cane (shepherd staff) hunt.  The boys loved it. I will have to let you know when we find the last candy cane, though.  I seriously have no idea where I hid it.

they really didn't see this one for several minutes. it was quite humorous.

Advent Activities Day 13 and 14

Advent Activity Day 13- We learned about Joshua and the battle of Jericho and how God's battle plan was different than anyone expected. We made a horn (since they used horns in the 'battle') and we ate Bugles (get it? horn shaped).  We were also supposed to watch Josh and the Big Wall (Veggie Tales version of the battle of Jericho) but never quite got around to that.  Busy week.

Advent Activity Day 14- We did this one on a playdate at my sister's house. We learned about King Saul and how he had turned away from God, so God chose a new king. Since Saul's heart turned 'cold' toward God we did a 'cold' weather activity.  We had an indoor snowball fight  (cotton balls). We were also going to make snow out of 1 can of shaving cream and 2 boxes of cornstarch but everyone was too busy playing so that will wait for another day.

(By the way, I know that some of these Bible lessons don't seem to point to Christmas, but they all point to Jesus and waiting for him in some way, especially using the Jesus Storybook Bible.)

 

Advent Activities Day 11 and 12

Advent Activity Day 11- We learned about how God protected the Israelites as the left Egypt and crossed the Red Sea and how Moses and Miriam danced and played the tambourine and praised God. We made our own musical instruments and played them to Christmas music to praise God. Then, of course, since these are boys we are talking about, they made up their own little Christmas song. It goes like this.... "Jingle Bells, Declan smells, Carmen laid and egg. The Declan mobile lost its wheel and Weston got away." Hey, could've been worse, right?

 Advent Activity Day 12- Today we learned about the Israelites wondering in the dessert and how God provided for them even though they didn't fully trust Him, and how he provides everything we need, including a perfect savior. We ate 'manna' from heaven (also known as frosted flakes) and watched a Christmas movie. However, the boys are feeling better. So much so, that they were too hyper to focus on the movie so I kicked them out. They are currently outside playing and picking up sticks from the yard (they are young enough to think that is a fun activity.)

Advent Activities Day 9 and 10

Advent Activity Day 9 We had to postpone this activity a day due to illness. Everyone was still sick but they wanted to do it the next day, anyway. We learned about Joseph and how God was with Joseph throughout all the bad stuff that happened to him and even used it for good. And we learned how Joseph forgave his brothers even though they were really mean to him. We decorated sugar cookies to share with someone even if they may have been mean to us. However, since everyone is sick and we don't want to share germs we just decorated our own cookies and ate them ourselves.

Advent Activity Day 10- Today we learned about the Israelite exodus from Egypt and how God passed over the Israelite houses and also about God's perfect lamb. We learned about Passover and tasted matzoh (which no one liked but me). We were also going to watch "The Prince of Egypt" but I was still taking care of all of the sickies all day and forgot.

Advent Activities Day 7 and 8

Advent activity day 7- we learned about how God provided a ram for Abraham and how he provided the perfect gift for us. Our activity was to give a gift to someone. Little man decided to paint a gift for his cousin.

 Advent Activity Day 8-We learned about Leah and Rachel, and how Leah felt unwanted but God loved her and had big plans for her. Then we made a Christmas light card that says "I pray that Jesus brightens up your day" to cheer someone up who is feeling down.