December 8, 2015 -- Issue #39

In today's newsletter:

1) Hanukkah to Christmas

2) Advent Week 2: Prepare

3) Christmas Game: Pic-A-Minute

4) Advent: Guilt-free Giving

1) Hanukkah to Christmas  

Has it ever occurred to you that without Hanukkah we wouldn't have Christmas? Hanukkah means dedication, and is also known as the Festival of Lights. This feast commemorates the rededication of the temple in 164 B.C. and recalls the miracle of the holy temple's oil supply lasting eight days, when there was only enough for one day!

The Feast of Dedication is mentioned in the New Testament in John 10:22. Preceding this, Jesus declared that he was the Light of the world (John 8:12 and 9:5). How fitting then for the miracle of Hanukkah and the Advent of the incarnate birth to be celebrated today with the lighting of candles at the same time of year! 

So you may be wondering, what does Hanukkah have to do with Christmas? I'm glad you asked . . . 

Continue reading about Hanukkah to Christmas.

2) Week 2: Light the "Candle of Preparation"
(Light two purple candles.)

How will you prepare your heart for the King this week?

Jesus is coming again; he is making preparations for his children! Does this motivate you to serve him?

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am"
John 14:3.

This week take time during your devotion to look up Bible verses on being prepared (preparing, getting ready). For example:

"In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV).

3) Christmas Game: Pic-A-Minute

You will need a one-minute timer, pencil, paper, Bible, and drawing paper or chalk board. Give children a pencil and paper. 
Teacher reads the Christmas story from a child friendly Bible (Matthew 1:18-3:23; 2:1-20). As you read, have children write down objects from the story such as, baby/child, angels, shepherds, sheep, etc. Teacher collects the lists, which are then used during the game.

Divide players into teams. Teacher whispers to the first player the object to be drawn for that round of play. The player is then given one minute to draw it for his or her team. During that time if the team guesses correctly they score one point. If they guess wrong, the other team(s) may shout out their guess to score a point. The next team takes their turn playing as before. Play as long as time allows.

Get more Christmas Games.

4) Advent: Guilt-free Giving

I love cheeseburgers. They are my favorite food group. People often claim the cheeseburgers at “this place” or “that place” are the best. They are all wrong. The world’s best cheeseburgers are made by my wife with the perfect mixture of ground beef, cheese, spices, and love. (I just drooled thinking about them.) But cheeseburgers do have consequences. My doctor reminded me of that during my annual physical. He saw me, smiled, and using his best bedside manner said, “Hey, you’re getting fat.”

Giving can be like that. Even during Advent season. We know we should, but there are so many other things that seem to “taste” better. And while giving or not giving does not in any way affect our salvation, God’s grace or unconditional love for us, choosing not to give can make us “fat.” 

Read on about Guilt-free Giving. You'll also have the option to comment on our Facebook page

Have you written a children's ministry resource? 
Don't keep it to yourself! SHARE your ideas!


Send to: submissions@sundayschoolnetwork.com 

Join the conversation! Send your comments to: sstn@sundayschoolnetwork.com
When replying to this email, highlight the text that is pertinent to your response, then hit reply. 
Title your message to reflect the content.

Use the link at the bottom of the newsletter to forward it to friends and coworkers.

SEARCH SundaySchoolNetwork.com for ideas:

If you're not already subscribed to our newsletter, sign up on our home page: http://www.SundaySchoolNetwork.com

Copyright 1997 - 2015 / d.b.a. "S. A. Keith of Creative Imaginations Reproducing in any medium, commercial or noncommercial, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. SSTN has contributors from all over the world who share their ideas. If you reprint any of the ideas from SSTN, SundaySchoolNetwork.com or ChristianCrafters.Com in any medium (websites, magazines, newsletters, etc.), you must contact the submitter, and website for reprint permissions. Any materials used must also include the submitter's name and where the ideas were gleaned from. The opinions expressed or advertisements displayed in the SSTN e-Newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by SundaySchoolNetwork.com or any of its affiliates. SSTN reserves the right to edit and or exclude information from the SSTN e-Newsletter.