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!