"Welcome To Our World"

Listen to "Welcome to Our World" sung by Chris Rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking:eyes, tears, heart
How we need to hear from God: ears
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled: hungry, souls
Word now breaking Heaven's silence: ear
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us: fingers
Tender brow prepared for thorn: brow
Tiny heart whose blood will save us: heart, blood
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You: skin
Breathe our air and walk our sod: breath
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

Experiences of Living:

Tears

Sound

Hunger

Healing

Pain

Blood

Feeling

Breath

Interactive Body Parts:

Eyes

Ears

Heart

Soul

Fingers

Brow

Skin

And with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, WELCOME HIM into your life:

photo credits:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tears&qpvt=tears&FORM=IGRE#view=detail&id=E131F12E5DA50B36F765614FB5DE4416B3E423A6&selectedIndex=0

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sound&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=sound&sc=8-5&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=866EC2EF5E68F16D4CE600E230305F4C8F8FD01F&selectedIndex=9

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=big+bowl+of+food&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=big+bowl+of+food&sc=8-12&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=C6F277391CAE8CF802A59A8AFF93B7BA6B42A1AD&selectedIndex=7

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=healing&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=healing&sc=8-5&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=29D176CFC7B8795415F3284D7ECBE3103C7AC062&selectedIndex=38

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=jesus+crown+of+thorns&qs=IM&form=QBIR&pq=jesus+crown+of+th&sc=8-17&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=2C40145D86E6CDD2E9F92CDBBBD9BCC76169CB94&selectedIndex=0

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=jesus+blood&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=jesus+blood&sc=8-10&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=2AFEBE5FC8EA318D6BC4C7CCE538479F349450FA&selectedIndex=69

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=feel&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=feel&sc=8-2&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=4767B989C6B913697167EEA548C88619F496ECD6&selectedIndex=3

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=breath&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=breath&sc=8-6&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=EA2E5F45F90A8EC076A253BD0BFBC71CBCB99DAC&selectedIndex=4

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Cute+Eyes&Form=IRTRRL#view=detail&id=2D1F1BE51844CB96AC5DC9FF633484D556478AD4&selectedIndex=13

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=ears&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=ears&sc=8-4&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=FA523F5CBAEC9A1A30171DB4C2ABD7AD9D2956D3&selectedIndex=3

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=raggedy+ann+heart&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=raggedy+ann+heart&sc=3-17&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=D034C17E9B049D52DBA84825CAE6289D3E10F804&selectedIndex=87

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=praying+with+kids&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=praying+with+kids&sc=1-16&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=D095CF2761B485F8C44F1FF990B4D9A8D2C644FF&selectedIndex=6

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=jesus+hands+healing&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=jesus+hands+healing&sc=0-15&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=875405CEB8B7C786F5450E9DE4F1B86D9BA02FB5&selectedIndex=5

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kissing+baby+jesus&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=kissing+baby+jesus&sc=1-18&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=73D97E3AE9B35DC4F677D2456D827D7B727C32BC&selectedIndex=47

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=skin+on+kids&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=skin+on+kids&sc=8-8&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=010669E6738F98F493A43104CEAF2F456E367F4D&selectedIndex=1

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=kids+feet+walking&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=kids+feet+walking&sc=0-12&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=6B86FFF7E5787306BE2A7C42AB4D54BC449C6CCA&selectedIndex=0

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=christmas+welcome+mat+and+door&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=christmas+welcome+mat+and+door&sc=0-21&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=CB9D8D365F1010A326E4FED7E3B9627BA4AFA6F6&selectedIndex=59

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=baby+jesus+and+children&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=baby+jesus+and+children&sc=5-23&sp=-1&sk=#view=detail&id=5E295517487EC3A7BA82F1CF9A5809AEBCF6D1F5&selectedIndex=187

Nativity Night

Here are two night time lullaby-ish Christmas carols: "Silent Night" & "O Little Town of Bethlehem" sung by Nat King Cole.

Focus on words of calm, peace, & stillness.

Talk about the color blue which represents mellow & quiet.

Hear are some blue tinted nativity pictures:

There are some beautiful examples and illustrations of night time and its happenings in Night's Nice by Barbara & Ed Emberley:

Luke 2:14 talks about Jesus coming as being peace on earth and good will towards people.

The contrast of Jesus being the bright light on that dark night is found in these lyrics from our two songs above:
 
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright 

Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight


Picture credits: 

https://www.google.com/search?q=children%27s+books+on+night+time&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bXa0UoLRM8ai2AW1sYDADw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=night%27s+nice&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=928bqrhqvSfoiM%3A%3BCGplwNKl9rVIuM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fbreadandbuttons.typepad.com%252F.a%252F6a01347fcbdbc5970c0154368e61a7970c-800wi%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fbreadandbuttons.typepad.com%252Fblog%252F2011%252F11%252Fa-book-on-tuesday-11.html%3B800%3B531

https://www.google.com/search?q=children%27s+books+on+night+time&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bXa0UoLRM8ai2AW1sYDADw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=night%27s+nice&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=9YWu0i-lPoRLdM%3A%3BbxeSKVr37LtKcM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimg2.imagesbn.com%252Fp%252F9780316066235_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Fnights-nice-ed-emberley%252F1009327199%3B260%3B385

https://www.google.com/search?q=silent+night&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=m3i0UoLTIcLr2QWMuIBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Fg9s_8fITh3yJM%3A%3BxeNzbTxohOcPAM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fsamismom22.files.wordpress.com%252F2011%252F12%252Fjesus-birth.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fsamismom22.wordpress.com%252F2011%252F12%252F21%252Fsilent-night%252F%3B1024%3B768

https://www.google.com/search?q=silent+night&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=m3i0UoLTIcLr2QWMuIBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=6xwtktrtzUvQKM%3A%3BWyO5WEXmquAMfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F_WPOGncEsOP0%252FSyJAx4HF9dI%252FAAAAAAAAAnQ%252FyfjWbDVV5KE%252Fs200%252Fsilent-night-taru-sterling.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmothernosbest.blogspot.com%252F2009_12_01_archive.html%3B155%3B200

https://www.google.com/search?q=silent+night&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=m3i0UoLTIcLr2QWMuIBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=o+little+town+of+bethlehem&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vcO9appK9_ZsFM%3A%3B9_6pCozGY2ewVM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hdwallpapersinn.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2013%252F11%252FO-Little-Town-of-Bethlehem-colour-blog.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.hdwallpapersinn.com%252Flittle-town-of-bethlehem.html%3B700%3B381

https://www.google.com/search?q=silent+night&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=m3i0UoLTIcLr2QWMuIBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=o+little+town+of+bethlehem&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=mhpKtGAjclHD3M%3A%3B76_oLFHvjVraNM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmycatbirdseat.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2011%252F12%252FLoyd-Fannins-Bethlehem-Nativity.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmycatbirdseat.com%252F2011%252F12%252Fhappy-christmas-o-prisoners-of-the-little-town-of-bethlehem%252F%3B1450%3B1005

 

I Am The Lord's Servant

 God is always loving us, always good, and always asks us to believe in Him and let Him do the impossible!
 

When the angel told Mary she would have a baby, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true.” (Luke 1:38, The Living Bible)

In Luke 1:46-55, Mary praises God excitedly!

Focus on these phrases (these are from The Living Bible):

took notice of his lowly servant
exalted the lowly
satisfied the hungry hearts

Then read Matthew 5:1-12 (I love The Message Version):

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
 
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. 

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Find illustrated beatitude cards and coloring sheets here

picture credit:http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=the+annunciation&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=D3F30433FF33BED4E08CF0569C47A76926ACB551&selectedIndex=19

Joy to the World!! Joy to Life!!

Listen to Nat King Cole sing "Joy to the World"

Watch the ending of It's A Wonderful Life

Joy to the World!
The Lord is come!
Let Earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room.
And Heaven & nature sing!
And Heaven & nature sing!
And Heaven & nature sing!


When Jesus was born, the angels proclaimed:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". (Luke 2:14, KJV)

When Jesus grew up, He said this to us:
"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. ~ Jesus (John 10:10, The Message)

Here's a craft to make with the kiddos:

picture credit: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=joy+to+the+world+craft+for+kids&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=joy+to+the+worldcraft+for+kids&sc=0-21&sp=-1&sk=&id=3C87A393E8B1F3832ADB967252E7A98F994774C9&selectedIndex=2#view=detail&id=3C87A393E8B1F3832ADB967252E7A98F994774C9&selectedIndex=0

The Light of the World: A Kindness Elves Project

One year when I was a kid, I decorated the house with lots of candles, wrote verses about The Light of the World on folded index cards decorated with candle stickers, and sat one next to each candle. A kindness elf project could be to buy a candle for a neighbor, put in a wrapping tissue paper filled basket (Dollar Tree usually has the supplies for $1 each), and decorate an index card with "Light" stickers & one of these verses:


“I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in.” ~Jesus (from John 8:12, The Message)

"You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world." ~Jesus (from Matthew 5:14, The Message)

"Everything was created through him [Jesus]; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out." (from John 1:3-5, The Message)

"The City [Heaven] doesn’t need sun or moon for light. God’s Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp!" (from Revelation 21:23, The Message)

"I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark." ~Jesus (from John 12:46, The Message)

picture credit: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=the+light+of+the+world&FORM=HDRSC2&id=EDC574BFE9BF35143A9A20A2DD80A76A1550F4A3&selectedIndex=65#view=detail&id=EDC574BFE9BF35143A9A20A2DD80A76A1550F4A3&selectedIndex=0

Jesus' Peace

 

A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse’s stump,
    from his roots a budding Branch.
The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him

..His words will bring everyone to awed attention.
    A mere breath from his lips will topple the wicked.
Each morning he’ll pull on sturdy work clothes and boots,
    and build righteousness and faithfulness in the land.

The wolf will romp with the lamb,
    the leopard sleep with the kid.
Calf and lion will eat from the same trough,
    and a little child will tend them.
Cow and bear will graze the same pasture,
    their calves and cubs grow up together,
    and the lion eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child will crawl over rattlesnake dens,
    the toddler stick his hand down the hole of a serpent.
Neither animal nor human will hurt or kill
    on my holy mountain.
The whole earth will be brimming with knowing God-Alive,
    a living knowledge of God ocean-deep, ocean-wide... (from Isaiah 11:1-9, The Message) 

Explain the Annunciation to your children: that God put a baby into Mary's tummy through a miracle. It was impossible, except that God can make something happen that is not even possible in our minds and bodies.

This is where Jesus becoming a baby began. Like a little green plant springing from a chopped down tree.

Jesus kingdom of peace started at His birth, but will not be perfect until he comes again, down to Earth from Heaven to rescue His kids for good! At that time, all people and animals will be kind to each other and fear will be gone!!

Today, we can continue building Jesus' peace through being true to him and to each other, through kindness and love..


Picture Credit:

https://www.google.com/search?q=green+shoot&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pJ6jUuOnFqrj2wXa8IDgCQ&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=green+shoot+from+jesse%27s+stump&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=fVUjBC5K1BalDM%3A%3BEukYjsoq19YWmM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.colourbox.com%252Fpreview%252F2064532-450586-the-young-green-sapling-growing-out-of-charred-stumps.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cindyfinley.com%252F2013%252F12%252Fgod-promised-shoot-would-come-forth.html%3B319%3B480

https://www.google.com/search?q=green+shoot&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pJ6jUuOnFqrj2wXa8IDgCQ&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=rod+from+the+stem+of+jesse&spell=1&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=RHk2z2ebKpA-vM%3A%3BzP0x3v7J9sf0LM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.keyway.ca%252Fjpg%252Flambleo.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.keyway.ca%252Fhtm2012%252F20121214.htm%3B450%3B355

https://www.google.com/search?q=green+shoot&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=pJ6jUuOnFqrj2wXa8IDgCQ&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=637#q=the+annunciation&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=G_nCvho1nk1cPM%3A%3ByQJHFY6iAIcBMM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252Fa%252Fac%252FHenry_Ossawa_Tanner_-_The_Annunciation.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcommons.wikimedia.org%252Fwiki%252FFile%253AHenry_Ossawa_Tanner_-_The_Annunciation.jpg%3B1024%3B807