Children - Dec. 17

Christmas would hardly be Christmas without little children. They are so much of the magic of the season. The Savior also loved the children. In both the Americas and in Israel, He called the little ones to him. His was an example of patience, love, and tenderness as he played with and blessed the little ones.

This morning we read:

Luke 18:15-17

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little ^achildren to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

3 Nephi 17: 21, 23-34

21 And he took their little children, one by one, and ^bblessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.

23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.

24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and ^aencircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

Today's challenge: Spend some quality time with little ones today! Enjoy them and don't worry about the activity. If you do not have children, seek them out. Friends will share.

Other ideas for today/activities we have done in the past:

*Make paper snowflakes and decorate the windows &/or tree.

*Have a snowball fight. If you don't live near snow - make your own. Buy some white knee hi nylons (.33 cents) and put 1 c. flour in the stocking. Tie it off and cut it. You can make 4 "snowballs" from one pair of knee hi's. Wear old clothes on a dry day and have a wonderful "snowball" fight in the back yard. This activity is awesome! I have done it many times and we love it. We have done it for scouts, reunions, co-ops summer fun, and winter snowball fights. *Note - one necessary rule - limit the number of "snowballs" any one person can hold at one time. :)

*Make scented ornaments. Mix 1 c. regular applesauce, 1 1/2 c. ground cinnamon, & 1/3 c. glue. Mix together and form a dough ball. Chill for at least 30 mins. to stiffen. Sprinkle more cinnamon on the counter and roll out to 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out Christmas shapes/ornaments. Use a drinking straw to make a hole for the ribbon. Let the ornaments dry completely before threading with ribbon & hanging on the tree. This activity will make your house smell incredible for the whole Christmas season!

*Make Crystal Snowflakes - directions here. I have done these with my 3rd graders for two years in a row. So much fun! I learned the hard way this year - take them out of the water the next day or within 36 hours. My class had to do ours twice this year because we left them in the water and the crystals re-dissolved into the water.

*Read all the Christmas picture books you can find at the library or at home.

Our song was "I Think When I Read That Sweet Story"

The songs sound better imho, when you click on "music & words" on the left. I love this song. So sweet.

Lastly, we read the ABC's of Christmas. We read a slightly different version, but I like this one better.

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, telling of Jesus that first Christmas night. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host." Luke

B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2

C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, there in the stable where He laid His head. "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger." Luke 2:7

D is for David and his ancient throne promised forever to Jesus alone. "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David." Luke 1:32

E is for East, where shone the bright star which Magi on camels followed afar. "Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews" Matthew 2:1-2

F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told. "And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

G is for God, who from heaven above sent down to mankind the Son of His love. "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

H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream. "The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt ... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13

I is for Immanuel, "God with us," for Christ brought man back to the Father's house. "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

J is for Joseph so noble and just, obeying God's word with absolute trust. "Then Joseph being raised form sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife." Matthew 1:24

K is for King. A true king He would be, coming in power and authority. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, they King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation." Zechariah 9:9

L is for the Love that He brought down to earth; that night in the stable in lowly birth. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." I John 4:9

M is for Mary, His mother so brave, counting God faithful and mighty to save. "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38

N is for Night, when the Savior was born for nations of earth and people forlorn. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8

O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal: present, future and past. "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13

P is for Prophets, when living on earth foretold His redemption and blessed birth. "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel." Numbers 24:17

Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard hastened to act on that heavenly word. "And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16

R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin is banished forever when Jesus comes in. "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth." Luke 1:14

S is for Savior. To be this He came; the angel of God assigned Him His name. "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

T is for Tidings related to all, telling of Him who was born in a stall. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2:10

U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given to show us the way and take us to heaven. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page. "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23

W is for Wonderful, His works and His words, the King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given ... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!