Advent Family Activity #3: Snow!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

My children are eagerly awaiting the snow.

It actually snowed one day.  A bit.  And then the rain washed it away.  My son was so sad.  He asked where it went.  I told him on a trip with the rain.

Kids are so cute.

But—as this Season of Advent is upon us—so is the beauty of winter!

Today’s special Advent Family Activity is just a flurry of snow!

No worries—you need not have the real stuff—you’ll make plenty on your own!

Without telling you what materials you may need, instead I’ll simply share all the fun activities that you can go through and decide which ones suit your family best!

To Begin:

Today, we are going to read Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”

This Season is Christmas!  And it is the Season when we remember the gift of Jesus, born as a baby, and given to us as a gift from God—the son of God!

It’s also celebrated during a time of year where everywhere North of the Equator generally relishes the thrill of chilly weather, hot chocolate, and lots of snow!

So, today, as a family, we are going to have a lot of fun making, playing, and eating snow!  And if you’re from a desert like I am (or South of the Equator enjoying your sunnier weather) this will be a lot of “cool” fun for you, too!

Ready…Set…Snow!

Snow Activities (Hands on, messy, and fun!):

Erupting Snow Recipe

Shivery Snow Paint

Snow Clay

Snow Game:

Snowman Dice Game

Snow Food:

Melted Snowman Cookies

And, our personal family favorite, blending ice in the blender, scooping it into a bowl or making it into a snowball, and eating it as if it were real, outside snow!

Hope that you have the most wonderful evening as a family playing in the SNOW!

xo

b

Here are the Advent Activities we’ve already shared.  Next week, I’ll share 3 more.  Hope that you will have a great time as a family, spending time as a family, reading the Bible, talking about Jesus, and playing together!

Advent Activity #1:  The Names of Jesus

The Names of Jesus allows you and your family to talk about why each of you were given your name, if you know the meanings, if you have nicknames, and read the scriptures that share the names of Jesus.  There is a fantastic site that has created the ornaments with the names of Jesus. With a simple print or click or drawing ideas from it, you and your family can then make Christmas ornaments as glittery or non-glittery as you want that share the names of Jesus.  Decorate them together, hang them on your tree, or give them as gifts!  It’s a great start to the Advent Season!

Advent Activity #2:  The Wild Journey

The Wild Journey takes a look at the instructions given by Caesar Augustus—that a Census is to be taken and all must return to the home of the family line.  We discuss journeys, where you or your children were born, and how we travel—then we take a look at what and how Mary and Joseph probably traveled.  There is a fun opportunity to take a family Census of a bunch of fun stuff—as well as crosswords and coloring pages for everyone to enjoy!

Advent Activity #3:  Snow!  (Today’s post!  Read above)

 

Jesus good! Santa bad?

There is a Christmas song and it sings, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

I couldn’t agree MORE!

I love Christmas.  I am like ELF (you know the one I speak of…).  “SANTA!  I know him!”

I love the Christmas trees, Christmas lights, Christmas decorations, I love the Advent calendars, Christmas Eve services, and the constant caroling through the speakers on the radio…

I love the cookies, the cookie exchanges, the neighborly cookie gifts, and the Christmas parties galore!

I love the giving, giving, giving spirits of people all around me.  I love the sparkling eyes of those that receive.

I love the Polar Express and the “trip” to the North Pole.

I love the letters to Santa…

And I LOVE Elf on the Shelf (even though ours are elves from different shelves).

But it’s funny…people are raised and brought up in many, many ways.  Totally okay, folks.  No problem here. The problem I have is when people feel bad for being Santa fans because they love Jesus and they think both cannot exist together.

Totally breaks my heart.

Let me break it down for you…My mom—raised with Santa.  Cool.  My dad and his sisters—raised only with the “Hope that St. Nick would soon be there.”  Noses pressed up against the window, believing in their hearts he would stop by…even though his existence was neither confirmed nor denied by his parents.

Then my mom and dad had kids and BOY did they have fun.  One year, Santa’s reindeer even left a barnyard mess on top of our roof!  We all climbed the ladder to the roof and witnessed that Santa’s reindeer were totally on top of our roof by the “deposits” they made!

Other years, we heard the bells outside…And, other times, Santa even stopped by on Christmas Eve, with his busy schedule and all, to give us a hug and a reminder to be good little girls and boys.

Let’s not forget The Evening News…The News always tracked Santa’s sleigh.  And our eyes would be glued on the map of the world and where Santa was nearing next…

Santa Mouse always left presents in the tree.

And Christmas morning was a magical experience, walking into the room and seeing the twinkling lights, the ornate tree, the stuffed stocking, and the presents with our names spelled out correctly on them!

Our parents never failed to tell us that Santa loved us very much.

Can you tell that I’m a HUGE Santa fan?!  Huge.  I really do give Will Ferrell an ELF-SIZED run for his money.  Hand over those tights and that hat, Ferrell.  Now!

But let me say this…as exciting and magical and lovely as Santa is in our home, our children (more appropriately our daughter since our little man is only 1) have never forgotten or failed to celebrate Christ as the Reason for the Season.

You see…It’s okay, folks, to love Jesus and raise your children to also love Santa.

Because, when it comes down to it, they know—they know that Santa loves them and gives them gifts.

But Jesus loves them and gives them life!

There is a big difference between a Barbie Car and the opportunity to know, talk to, and walk with Jesus.

It’s huge…Not even Santa’s sleigh can compare with that.

And so, we, in our happy and cozy household, love Santa—but we, in our happy and cozy household, serve Jesus.

I saw and understood that even as the tiniest of a mere child…just like our daughter sees and understands that today.

So, Jesus lovers…If you somehow feel “guilt” over the excitement of Santa in your home, stop.  Give yourself a break.

Because, truly, as long as your family loves Jesus, your children will always know…A Barbie car does not compare to Jesus the real Star!

Now, go and enjoy your holiday…in the holiday spirit that you choose.

Santa—a-okay!

No Santa—it’s not the end of the day!

Jesus—all the way!

Merry upcoming Christmas, my friends.  I can’t wait to see and hear all about your holidays!

With a love for Jingle Bells,

Brooke

(aka the next ELF!  Hollywood, give me a call.  I’m ready!)