10 million miles

The six geese represent the six days of Creation.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

Simple ways to teach a little one:

* Watch a short clip of a Canada Goose incubating her eggs

* Talk about the process of a daddy and mommy goose making an egg, which grows into another goose, which will make an egg, which will grow into another goose… Explain that God created this process so that the earth would restore itself. It’s important to take care of animals, mommies, daddies, and babies!

* Read Genesis 1 together and make a “God’s Creation” poster using dried beans for the land, aluminum foil for the stars, fake feathers for the birds, stickers, stamps, and magazine cut-outs.

The five golden rings represent the Pentateuch: the first five books of the Old Testament

(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

Simple ways to teach a little one:

* Here’s where a little bit of useful review comes into play: review the two turtledoves (the OT and NT), then let your child show you once again where the gospels are (hint: find the section of the Bible with lots of red letters since those were the words that Jesus spoke). Then, explain that the first part of the Bible contains five books that teach us about creation, sin, God’s law, and God’s promise to save us through Jesus.

* Make a paper chain from five rings of yellow/gold paper. On each ring, write one of the books of the Pentateuch.

* Using plastic rings, gold thread, or construction paper, let your child wear five rings on her fingers today and recite the Pentateuch often, wiggling each finger as you go.

Together on Christmas Eve

Ryan: takin’ one for the team. Late Christmas Eve, while we were setting up Vivienne’s playroom surprise, a Christmas light broke… into Ryan’s thumb. All was well after a douse of hydrogen peroxide and a pile of gauze.

Good morning! and MERRRY Christmas!

It’s always a little thing - like a candy necklace - that brightens a little one’s eyes. (Despite her apparent fervency, she’s still working her way through this gift!)

Sometimes I choose Vivienne’s gifts based on the dad-enthralling factor… it’s double-the-fun that way.

The new playroom was a hit. Her little chair…

tumbling mat…

and fantastic holiday humor.

At Grandmom and Grandpop’s house on Christmas evening, quietly singing “Away in a Manger” to this sweet holy family…

Another gift with the dad-enthralling factor (okay, so I forced him to pose for this one)

A trunk full of dress-ups! Within minutes, V transformed from a girl with a boa…

into a princess…

into a DOROTHY Princess! (Who knew?)

Mesmerized by a blank journal: ah, she is so my child…

And, the biggest hit of the night: A cardboard box (of course).

Vision Forum’s end-of-the-year mass email is quite challenging and inspiring. When you have a few quiet minutes, check it out.

P.S. You’ll want a journal nearby…

Wow, wow, wow! I just found out that many universities offer free online courses (without credit, of course, but with that old thrill of learning under some passionate wild-haired professor.  Mix that with more wisdom and discernment, and open Scriptures, and nerds like me could have quite a blast.). I’m still checking things out, but I didn’t want to hoard this secret for one moment! U.S. News provided three useful links this week: The Open Coursework Consortium, MIT’s open coursework, and Yale’s open coursework.

The four calling birds represent the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

The original Old English version of this song referred to “colly” birds - not “calling” birds - which are darker birds that usually live in cities and have a beautiful song.

Simple Ways to Teach a Little One:

*After singing “The 12 Days of Christmas” together, explain today’s original wording and talk about how words can get all mixed up over time or through translation (Whisper Down the Lane is a great way to teach this, in part.) Ask, “years and years from now, how might people say our names incorrectly?” (Imaginative wordy preschoolers like my daughter might get a kick out of this one.)

*Look at a red-letter Bible together. Let your child find the section with red-lettering. Explain that these are the words that Jesus spoke when He lived on earth as a human. Because four of Jesus’ friends - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - wrote down some of the things that Jesus said and did, we can read about Him and learn about the kingdom of God. The four books are called, “the gospels,” which means “the good news”. Because Jesus’ friends wrote the good news, Jesus’ words did not get mixed up over time (like the “colly” bird!).

* Cut out four black birds. Punch holes in the top. Tie yarn through the holes. With a white, gold, or silver marker (or white-out), write one of the names on each bird. Make these into a mobile and hang them in a prominent area… or hang them on your Christmas tree

* By the end of the day, help your child to remember the names of Jesus’ four friends who wrote down some of the things He said and did… Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!

Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

(Hab. 2:3)

Three french hens remind us of the theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.

“And now abideth faith, hope charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Simple ways to teach a little one:
* If you have a toddler, you probably have a picture book about chickens somewhere! Pull it out and get in a chicken sort of mood. (My little one even has a chicken costume and a chicken dance…)

* Make eggs for breakfast together (little ones love crackin’ those eggs)

* Divide the day into thirds and talk about one of the virtues at a time:

faith: ask your child to close her eyes; lead her around the house, having her step over things, crouch down, stop suddenly, turn around, etc. Then, squinting, switch roles. Explain that when we have faith in God, we may not see everything clearly, but we can trust Him to protect and love us.

hope: before nap time, explain that afterwards you will be doing something special together, having a special snack, etc. Explain that the child must go to sleep hoping for that special treat. (Be sure to deliver the promise on the other side of nap time!)

charity: plan and do something special for a family member or neighbor. Deliver a loaf of bread before dinner time, decorate the living room for dad’s return from work, set surprises by each family member’s plates. Explain that loving God and people is the best thing we can do with our lives.

At bedtime, review the three virtues and the associated activities. Remind the child that everything else we see and do will break, grow old, or be forgotten, but anytime we have faith in God, hope in His goodness, and extend charity to Him and others, we are doing things that last and last and last forever…

The two turtle doves represent the gift of Scripture: the Old and New Testaments.

“For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 2:11-12).

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119: 105

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

Simple ways to teach a little one: 

* Look at pictures and listen to the song of the turtle dove

* Look at a Bible to find the Old Testament and the New Testament (this might be a special occasion to give your child her first Bible!)

* Make a special red bookmark with two doves on it to separate the two testaments. Explain that Jesus’ coming to earth marks the movement from the first part into the second.

* Sing “Thy Word”, “The B-I-B-L-E”

* Talk about how Scripture is God’s voice, teaching and encouraging us in all things; ask the child if any verses mean a lot to him right now; share some Scripture that is meaningful to you and briefly explain why

Did you know that the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas” can be used as a Christian catechism? I’m hoping to join the tradition and teach it to Vivienne over these 12 days, ending with Epiphany on January 6th. I’m also hoping to post some ideas for teaching and celebrating these 12 days. If you have ways to celebrate these days, by all means, let us know!

The partridge reminds us of God’s perfect gift to us: Jesus, His Son.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” Luke 13: 34

Simple ways to teach a little one:

* view a 30 S clip of a real partridge

* review John 3:16 by writing it out and telling its story with stick figures and/or a nativity set

* sing Steve Green’s musical version of John 3:16 throughout the day

* make a pear tree: teach your child how to select and count pears at the grocery store; creatively arrange them in a “pear tree” and munch through the week!

*make a paper bird by laying two pieces of paper on top of each other; sketch and cut out a simple bird shape; decorate the outsides with pictures or colors that remind the child of Jesus; staple or sew around the edges while leaving enough room to stuff the bird with cotton, fabric, or crumpled paper; staple or sew the bird shut (Don’t worry if you don’t have time to do this today, there are plenty of birds in this song; this project could be used for any of those days!)

* learn the song!

‘Hope you enjoy this little “Charlie Brown” film we made for you last night!