Listed below is the activity for the day as well as a Christmas book to read and a Bible verse to think about. I am so excited for this time of year! I love all things Christmas and I love knowing that I get to share it with my family.
Enjoy our December Planner- and please, share pictures if you do any activities (even if they aren't the ones listed below) with your family as well!
*Shopping List for the upcoming week: Candy canes, print off Christmas picture
Sunday, December 1st:
Activity: Watch "Arthur Christmas" (if you don't have the movie, it will be on Freeform that day at 11:10am EST)
Book to read: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer "Rudolph Helps Out"
Bible verse: Luke 2:6-7 [The Message]: While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
Monday, December 2nd:
Activity: Play Christmas music and have a dance party!
Book to read: God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Town Bergren
Bible verse: John 1:29 [The Message]: The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! (Discuss why Jesus was born- because one day He would take away the sins of the world)
Tuesday, December 3rd:
Activity: Have a candy cane scavenger hunt around the house
Book to read: The Ninjabread Man by C.J. Leigh
Bible verse: Isaiah 9:6 [The Message]: For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
Wednesday, December 4th:
Activity: Have a Christmas photoshoot
Book to read: Flat Stanley- Stanley's Christmas Adventure by Jeff Brown
Bible verse: Isaiah 7:14 [The Message]: Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She’ll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us).
Thursday, December 5th:
Activity: Do a Christmas coloring page (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini
Bible verse: Matthew 2:1-2 [The Message] After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”
Friday, December 6th:
Activity: It's FRIDAY! Let's do a random act of kindness today!
Book to read: The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll
Bible verse: Matthew 2:3-4 [The Message]: When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
*Shopping List for upcoming week: Print off Christmas song challenge, hot cocoa, construction paper
Saturday, December 7th:
Activity: Go to the Christmas parade in our hometown
Book to read: No Room at the Inn by Jean M. Malone
Bible verse: Matthew 2:5-6 [The Message]: They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly. It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”
Sunday, December 8th:
Activity: Let's wear red and green today!
Book to read: The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie
Bible verse: Matthew 2:7-8 [The Message]: Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”
Monday, December 9th:
Activity: Play "Name that Christmas Song" Game (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro
Bible verse: Matthew 2:9-10 [The Message]: Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
Tuesday, December 10th:
Activity: Watch "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and drink some hot cocoa (If you don't have the movie, it will be on Freeform this evening at 8:20pm
Book to read: I Love Winter by Karen Katz
Bible verse: Matthew 2:11 [The Message]: They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
Wednesday, December 11th:
Activity: Drive around and look at Christmas lights!
Book to read: Read some holiday jokes with 101 Ho-Ho-Holiday Jokes!
Bible verse: Matthew 2:12 [The Message]: In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.
Thursday, December 12th:
Activity: Make construction paper wreaths (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: Frosty the Snowman
Bible verse: Matthew 2:13 [The Message]: After the scholars were gone, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him.”
Friday, December 13th:
Activity: Color "Color By Number" Christmas page (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: Santa's Elves by Sue DiCicco
Bible verse: Matthew 2:19-20 [The Message] Later, when Herod died, God’s angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: “Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead.”
*Shopping list for upcoming week: Things for a care package, gingerbread house, stuff to make Grinch Fudge, construction paper, jingle bells, print off Christmas Scattergories, purchase McDonalds gift cards
Saturday, December 14th:
Activity: It's Saturday!! Let's do a random act of kindness! (We usually do this on Fridays, but we are doing it Saturday this week!)
Book to read: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer "Very Merry Misfits"
Bible verse: Matthew 2:14-15 [The Message]: Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. They lived in Egypt until Herod’s death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: “I called my son out of Egypt.”
Sunday, December 15th:
Activity: Make a gingerbread house
Book to read: Santa's Underwear by Marty Rhodes Figley
Bible verse: Luke 1:26-28 [The Message]: In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her, Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.
Monday, December 16th:
Activity: Watch "The Star" on Netflix and make Grinch fudge! (RECIPE)
Book to read: Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright
Bible Verse: Luke 1:29-33 [The Message]: She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.”
Tuesday, December 17th:
Activity: Make Christmas cards out of construction paper
Book to read: What is Christmas? By Michelle Medlock Adams
Bible verse: Luke 1:35 [The Message]: The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.
Wednesday, December 18th:
Activity: Jingle Bell Toss Game (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Bible verse: Luke 1:36-38 [The Message] nd did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me, just as you say. Then the angel left her.
Thursday, December 19th:
Activity: Play "Christmas Scattergories" together (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: Peppa's Christmas Wish by Scholastic Books
Bible verse: Luke 1:39-45 [The Message] Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly, You’re so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed!And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me? The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears, The babe in my womb, skipped like a lamb for sheer joy. Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!
Friday, December 20th:
Activity: It's Friday! Let's do something nice for someone else!
Book to read: Merry Christmas, Curious George by Margaret and H.A Rey's
Bible verse: Luke 1:46-55 [The Message] And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news, I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened- I’m the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high. It’s exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.
*Shopping list for the upcoming week: stuff to decorate cookies with, stuff to make pretzel hugs, construction paper, cookies for Santa as well.
Saturday, December 21st:
Activity: Have a cookie decorating night!
Book to read: Usborne Wipe Clean Christmas Activities
Bible Verse: Luke 2:1-5 [The Message]: About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
Sunday, December 22nd:
Activity: Make pretzel hugs (PINTEREST LINK)
Book to read: Teeny Tiny Santa by Rachel Watson
Bible verse: Luke 2:6-7 [The Message]: While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
Monday, December 23rd:
Activity: Watch 'Home Alone' 1 and 2 (If you don't own the movie, they're both on Freeform tonight at 4:10 and 6:40) Make construction paper Christmas trees too!
Book to read: Pout Pout Fish Christmas Spirit by Deborah Diesen
Bible verse: Luke 2:8-12 [The Message]: There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
Tuesday, December 24th:
Activity: Christmas Eve with family. Bake cookies for Santa when we get home.
Book to Read: How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
Bible Verse: Luke 2:13-14 [The Message]: At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises. Glory to God in the heavenly heights. Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
Wednesday, December 25th:
Activity: Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, enjoy our tradition: breakfast casserole, and spend time with family while opening gifts.
Book to read:
Bible Verse: Luke 2:15-18: As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
We hope you enjoyed our December activities! We will share our New Years/January activities soon!
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