C 9 ROTATION: ADVENT, Get Ready! The Light is Coming

Children learn that Advent is a time of preparing for the Light of the world -- Jesus. It is the church's season of preparing our hearts and minds for the birth of our Lord. The Advent wreath is the focal point of each workshop -- with each workshop emphasizing a different candle that reminds children of Jesus and living in Jesus? way. A "Family Advent Event" kicks off the first Sunday of the rotation with ALL children and their families involved in making Advent wreaths and learning to prepare time at home for Jesus. Families also see "Preparing for the Light of the World" drama with short vignettes of the Christmas story characters reflecting on being prepared. A Storytelling Workshop gets into the heart of the Christmas story and prepares children to share the good news. In the Journey Workshop children follow camel tracks and journey to Bethlehem as the wise men did. They touch and smell the gifts of frankincense and myrrh and are encouraged to give gifts to Jesus through a take home family activity. The Cooking Workshop intends to give love to others as children share cookies they have baked. The Science Workshop focuses on our hope in the Light and that the light of Jesus in our faces can reflect to others.

Includes: Family Advent Event, two mission opportunities, and Spiritual Journal Booklet

Christmas Program Idea: "Checkin' It Twice," from cathysmusic.com

FAMILY ADVENT EVENT WORKSHOP

Activity:Making Family Advent Wreaths and Short Drama Vignettes ? ?Preparing for the Light of the World?

COOKING WORKSHOP

Activity:Making Nutmeg Noel Cookies

JOURNEY WORKSHOP

Activity, Journey to the Prince of Peace

MUSIC WORKSHOP

Activity: Singing and songwriting activities

SCIENCE WORKSHOP

Activity: Light Reflection Experiment

STORY TELLING WORKSHOP

Activity: Primary Children ? Story Involvement with Nativity Story Figures, Intermediate Children ? Story, Bible Search and Christmas Story Booklet