Christmastime is a great occasion to teach children about Jesus, and His coming into the world just as He had promised. We often call this time of year "Advent", recognizing not only Christ's first coming, but also His second promised coming.
Many homes include a nativity set in their Christmas decorations, remembering that Jesus was born in a manger in a stable, with shepherds and wise men coming to greet Him (nevermind the fact that the wise men likely came up to two years later, long after Jesus had moved from the manger in the stable).
This blog is created to blend the two concepts of Advent and Nativity, by telling children the Gospel story using recognized symbols and truths. It's a work in progress, and any help you can contribute would greatly help!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Advent Nativity
I bought a nativity set this year, hoping that somehow I could convince my kids (and probably myself) that they can anticipate Christmas morning for the coming of Jesus just as much as for unwrapping their presents. It's a stretch, I know. But after I bought my set (and I got a GREAT deal on it!) I thought I'd figure out how this thing will work.
After all, Jesus doesn't quite come at the END of the Nativity Story, does He? We can't really leave Him out while the Angels sing, the Shepherds come, and the Wise Men follow the star, can we?
But I wonder, can I make the various elements/settings of the nativity set symbolize something else? So here's what I'm working on, and I'd appreciate your help in finetuning it, and adapting it for the minds of a 3.5 year old and a 2 year old (childrens ministry is not my forte vocationally, but I'm learning it parentally!).
After all, Jesus doesn't quite come at the END of the Nativity Story, does He? We can't really leave Him out while the Angels sing, the Shepherds come, and the Wise Men follow the star, can we?
But I wonder, can I make the various elements/settings of the nativity set symbolize something else? So here's what I'm working on, and I'd appreciate your help in finetuning it, and adapting it for the minds of a 3.5 year old and a 2 year old (childrens ministry is not my forte vocationally, but I'm learning it parentally!).
Stable: The World/Creation/The Setting
Angel: Spiritual Reality
Raffia Bales: Sin, the Curse
Mary: The Promise/Salvation
Joseph: Israel
Kings: Justice/Law
Shepherd: King David
Gift on Pillow: Gift – Grace – Unmerited
Pots: Prophets (Elisha and the Widow)
Donkey, Camel: The world - unaware
Manger: Personal Preparation/Reception of Jesus
Lantern: Light of the World coming into the world
Baby Jesus: Jesus
Day 1: Stable, Angel,
Day 2: Raffia Bales, Mary, Joseph
Day 3: Kings, Shepherd
Day 4: Gift, Pots, Animals
Day 5: Manger
Day 6: Lantern
Day 7: Jesus
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