Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Calling all Crafty People

I am not crafty -- I know, I'm a teacher of young children so I should be crafty -- but I'm not. Anyway, this year we're taking the holiday season and adding a new twist. We're celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah. I've never done Hanukkah before so I've been researching like crazy. In my teacher mind, I've come up with the "theme" for the holiday -- "Light." I know, not a hard leap. So, in my effort to make sure that we squeeze as much fun into this as possible and not miss out on anything we could have done -- I'm making a lesson plan (for lack of a better word) for the season. I have a theme for each day involving Scripture and Light -- oh, there are so many! Now, I have to come up with a fun activity and/or craft to go with each of my days. For example -- one night will be focused on "God said, Let there be light" and we'll do lots of star/moon/sun stuff (like what?) and decorate the apartment with Christmas lights. Or while reading about how the righteous shine (Matt 13:43) we will gift them with flashlights and then play hide-and-go-seek with them. Are you getting the picture? I think this could be tons of fun, will help to focus the season on Christ, and maybe they'll learn something. I know -- I'm such a teacher! I can't help it.
Anyway -- I'm going to list my themes for each day and if you know of a good craft or activity that would go with each then please let me know!
1 -- Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)
2 -- God said, "Let there be Light" (Gen 1:2)
3 -- Light reminds us of God's presence (Ps 89:15 or PS 27:1 or Ex 13:21)
4 -- We reflect God's Glory (2 Cor 3:18 or Matt 5:16)
5 -- God's Word is Light (Ps 119:105)
6 -- The Rightous Shine (Matt 13:43)
7 -- God's Kingdom of Light (Col 1:12)
8 -- Light reminds us of the World to Come (Rev 21:23)

Also, another idea that I wanted to throw into the mix:
While driving around looking at Christmas lights this year -- I want to give a "Candy Cane" award to houses that particularly bless us. I'm thinking something like a cute note with a candy cane tied to it that we can place on their door. Trouble is -- I can't come up with some cute little poem kind of thing. Any poets out there?

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah,
mickie