The Story In The Carols Day 8

Today the angels were found in the Sylvanian house living room holding a picture of Bethlehem once again.

Bethlehem was the city of King David's family.  Jesus was descended from that family line and therefore was descended from earthly royalty as well as being the Son of God.

Christmas Bead Story

Star Bead - A very bright star appeared in the sky.

 Cedar opened the book today.

Here is my trusty creative girl making a nativity out of cookies!

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 7

Our angels were holding a picture of a little town in a desert.

O, Little Town of Bethlehem is our carol.  I was interested to learn, a few years ago, that Bethlehem means "house of bread".  Jesus is referred to as the "bread of life" and he was born in a town whose name is "house of bread".  God sure loves to have every finest detail in there!

Christmas Bead Story

2 Green Beads - The shepherds go to see Jesus.

Today's book was opened by Blossom.  Cedar chose the counting book.

The girls are in a little Christmas play being put on by our local home educators group.  I snapped these at their practice.

Butterfly and her friend singing a duet.

Dancing Angels

Finale

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 6

Today the angels hid in the tree with a picture of a manger.

Today's carol is Away In A Manger.  We talked about our response to Jesus as sung in the 3rd verse.  Christmas is a time to reflect on our response to the birth of Jesus and all that it means.

Christmas Bead Story

White Bead - An angel appears to shepherds keeping watch in the field and tells them Jesus has been born.

 Today's book, Follow The Star, was opened by Crystal, and Blossom chose Frosty to read.

Our snack today was White Chocolate Popcorn with Christmas sprinkles.

FINALLY DECORATING THE TREE!

Slightly blurry, much fun.

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 5

Just a short post for Day 5, a day late.  This is due to the fact that to add to one broken down vehicle, vehicle #2 broke down on our way home from collecting our Christmas tree.  Then to discover that vehicle #3 we hoped to use until we could fix the work van had a blown out tire!  Not such fun today.

However, before that sad wee note, we did do our little activities.

Today the angels were holding a picture of Mary and Joseph watching over the manger.

The carol was Silent Night.  I talked to the children about how night feels, and what "the dawn of redeeming grace" means.  Redeeming Grace is actually what Christmas is about.

Christmas Bead Story

Purple flat bead - Baby Jesus, the new king, is born. Purple represents royalty.

Arrow opened todays book, Silent Night.  I am always a bit amazed when these things match up without my planning!  Crystal chose the book, The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

 Here are the boys carrying the tree to the van.

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 4

 Today the angels were holding a picture of a donkey.  

I think this carol reminds us that the journey to Bethlehem wasn't an easy one...and then there was being pregnant, due to give birth.  

Cedar opened today's book, Room for a Little One.  It is one of my favourite about the animals in the stable, one of whom is Tired Donkey. :)

Arrow was only happy to be in the photo like this today.  Good thing Cedar is usually compliant for his mummy!

Christmas Bead Story

Square Bead - Whey they arrive in Bethlehem there was no room in the inn so they slept in a stable.

Our Christmas themed cupcakes today.

The movie for today.

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 3

Even the animals get some decorations!  Butterfly thinks of all the little details.

The lady bunnies with their babies

Mr Benjamin Bunny

Lilac and Cupcake Guineapig were much to shy to come out and pose.

Kelly loves to eat her lemon balm wreath.

Cedar and Arrow

 Today the angels were hiding in a pot plant.  You can't see it very well but there is a cross faintly in the sky on the left of the picture of Mary holding Jesus.

 The carol today is Mary Did You Know?  Questions that reflect for us on why Jesus was born at all.  This version on You Tube is wonderful - Pentatonix - Mary Did You Know?.

Today's book was opened by Blossom.  Cedar chose the unwrapped book.

Christmas Bead Story.

Brown Bead - Mary and Joseph rode a donkey to Bethlehem to be taxed.

 Movie for today, 2 actually.  

Our Christmas themed snack today.

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 2

This is the book I have used for the last 15 years to gather ideas and form our own family traditions for Christmas.  It is full of ideas, devotionals, tips to survive the busyness, thoughts, and Christmas songs. 

Today the children found our Angels, Grace and Promise, in the linen cupboard holding a picture likeness of Mary.

The carol for today is Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song) by Amy Grant.  

I really love the way Amy Grant and Chris Eaton have captured Mary's possible thoughts in this beautiful song.  Mary pondered things (Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.).  She was so humble and trusting.  I think this song gives us a glimpse into the mind of a new mum-to-be who was carrying such a precious little load.  To listen to the song, which you should just once at least, click on this link  *Breath of Heaven*.

Crystal opened a book today and Blossom chose an unwrapped book.

Here we are listening to the girls read their chosen books.

Christmas Bead Story. Today we added the blue bead.

Blue Bead - The angel tells Mary she is going to have a baby boy and to name him Jesus

Today's movie was a Veggie Tales DVD. 

~Lorna