This week we learned that Jesus had some special visitors called wisemen. They followed a star to find Jesus. When they found him, they gave Him gifts and worshipped Him. Jesus was a very special baby.

To help us remember our story, we played a game following a star around our room, made star crowns, and ate cheesy star cut outs.

The kids did a great job learning this month’s memory verse. Be sure to try it out at home: “God has given a Son to us.” Is. 9:6

Parents, before you pack away the Christmas decorations, use the baby Jesus to play a special game. First cut out a star from paper and let your child color it yellow. Then play a game of hide n seek. Hide the baby Jesus somewhere, and tape the star to the wall right above him. Remind your child that the wisemen followed the star to find the baby. Tell your child, “if you can find the star, you’ll find baby Jesus nearby.”

This morning we learned that the angels announced Jesus’ birth to some shepherds who were watching their sheep out in the fields. So many people came to celebrate Jesus’ birth! To help us remember our story, we played a game where we looked for our sheep (cottonballs) in the dark using flashlights. We also made sheep puppets and made sheep cookies.

Our kids really know our question and answer well, so be sure to ask it at home too! How do we know God loves us? God gave us Jesus! This Christmas help your child focus on this important gift. To keep their focus on Jesus, play this game. On Christmas Eve morning, remove baby Jesus from your nativity set. Let your child discover the missing Jesus for themself, or point it out. On Christmas Eve, read the Christmas story from a children’s Bible. When you read the part about Jesus’ birth, put Jesus back into the scene.

Be sure to practice our memory verse too! “God (point up) has given (hands extended in front of body, palms up) a Son to us.” (fold arms together like you are holding a baby, and pretend to rock it.) Isaiah 9:6 (hold hands like a pretend book)

The families met up at the church, received some instructions (and rules) then headed out to gather photos of their families doing the things on their Scavenger Hunt List. Here’s just a few things from the list: giving a poinsettia to a stranger, reading a bedtime story in someone else’s bed, putting a star on top of a Christmas tree, in front of a house with lots of Christmas lights, and posing as a Christmas display inside a store window.

After collecting 10 photos from the list, families returned to the church to turn in their photos (all worth different points) and have some yummy Christmas treats. Then we had a short devotion and announced the winners! Here’s some photos of the crazy families that won the top 3 spots!

This week we continued learning about the Christmas story. We learned that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. When they got there they couldn’t find a place to spend the night because no one had room for them. Guess where they slept? That’s right! They slept in a barn. When Jesus was born, Mary laid him in a manger.Jesus must have really loved us to give up heaven for a manger. How do we know God loves us? God gave us Jesus!

To help us remember this great story, we played a game with barn animals, made a cool jingle bell bracelet, and had a birthday party for Jesus!

Parents, this is a great time of year to make Jesus a priority in your home. During the Christmas season, kids can become very “me” focused. Help them remember that Christmas is all about Jesus by doing a few simple things. This week, set aside time to show love for someone else. Make up a plate of cookies and let your child deliver it to a neighbor or take it to someone who serves our community. Letting your childexperience the joyof giving will help them to know giving is better then getting.

Help your child with their memory verse this month: “God (point up) has given (hold hands out with palms up) a Son to us.” (cradle your arms, and rock them like you have a baby). Isaiah 9:6

Arrive at 6:00, and we’ll give your list of items, some rules and then we’ll send you on your way. You’ll want to bring your digital camera to take photos of your find. Give me a call if you don’t have a camera and we’ll try to get you one to borrow. After the hunt, we’ll meet back at the church in CH1for some Christmas treats and to give away some prizes. We’ll also check out some of the fun photos!

It’s a great opportunity to spend some quality family time amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season!

For more info, click here!

Sunday morning we kicked off our month of Christmas learning about the angel’s visit to Mary. When the angel told Mary that she would have a special baby, Mary praised God. We will be celebrating Jesus’ birth this month by answering the question: How do we know God loves us? God gave us Jesus!

To help us remember this great story, we made angel wing ornaments, ate angel cookies and played a game announcing Jesus’ birth!

Parents, this is a great time of year to make Jesus a priority in your home. During the Christmas season, kids can become very “me” focused. Help them remember that Christmas is all about Jesus by doing a few simple things. Begin bysetting out a nativity set and talk about it with your child every day. There are lots of child-friendly nativity sets available that kids can play with. . Fisher Price has a great one. Letting your child play with and explore all the people who celebrated Jesus’ birth a long time ago, will help them celebrate Him now.

Help your child with their memory verse this month: “God (point up) has given (hold hands out with palms up) a Son to us.” (cradle your arms, and rock them like you have a baby). Isaiah 9:6

The Christmas season can be so crazy. It can seem like a mad dash from Black Friday to the finish line on Christmas day!

Our family fun night is a great opportunity to leave the stress of the holiday season behind and just enjoy being with your family! We’ll go on a Christmas-inspired scavenger hunt, eat delicious Christmas treats, and give away lots of prizes!!! This is fun for your whole family….for free!

On Friday night, December 11th, arrive by 6:00 p.m.and bring your camera!

So set aside some time now to be together as a family, having stress-free FUN! We guarantee you’ll be so glad you did! To help us plan, RSVP to the church office by December 10th at 793-2800 or click here!

This morning we finished the story of Jesus’ birth by learning about the wisemen who brought gifts to Jesus. To help us remember this story we played a fun game with flashlights and talked about the star that the wisemen followed.

We also played a fun game with gold coins because the wisemen brough gold, incense, and myrrh.

Memory Verse: “God (point up) loved (cross hands over heart) the world (make a world by circling hands) so much that he gave (extend arms in front) his only Son” (make a cradle with arms for a baby). John 3:16 (hold hands like a book

Parents: Now that Christmas is over, as you pack up the nativity set, review all the parts of the story with your child. Ask them what their favorite part of the story was. Remind your child that God loves them so much that He sent His only Son to earth as a baby! Say a prayer and thank God for giving us Jesus.

Today we continued the Christmas story by talking about the angels message to the shepherds who were watching their sheep in the fields. The shepherds were so excited that they ran to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus! We were all excited today too! It was obvious from all the energy that Christmas is almost here.

Today we made sheep masks and dressed up like angels with halos and horns! We also had a special shepherd trail mix (marshmallow sheep and pretzel stick staffs) and played a few fun games.

Memory Verse: “God (point up) loved (cross hands over heart) the world (make a world by circling hands) so much that he gave (extend arms in front) his only Son” (make a cradle with arms for a baby). John 3:16 (hold hands like a book)

Parents: To help children keep their focus on Jesus, make Christmas Eve or Christmas extra festive by putting out a birthday cake (or cupcake) for Jesus. Light a candle, sing happy birthday to Jesus and let the kids blow out the birthday candle.

If you are a guest joining us on Christmas Eve, we invite you to check in at our Children’s Guest Center near the chapel. One of our greeters would be happy to help you find your way!