One thing I really want to do with my kids is celebrate the Advent season. Beyond just a countdown with the chocolate, because we’ve been doing that since Simon’s first Christmas at 5 months old. A friend recommended the Jesse Tree for advent. Simon is a little young, but he likes the stories and this might also work as a good transition back to bedtime stories instead of bedtime TV in January.
But this month we have been reading stories about the lineage of Christ, and Simon’s understanding is…interesting.
On creation and the fall of man:
Me: Simon, what is sin?
Simon: Sin is a spirit (I think he means Satan) that took all the apples and put everyone in time out.
On Noah (promise/rainbow) and Jacob (ladder):
Me: Simon, what is God’s promise?
Simon: When he climbed the ladder and saw God.
On Jesse and David:
Simon: And David’s daddy told him to the giant. And he took a rock and threw it like this and the giant fell down.
And every story /question session ends with: And now can I have the treat chocolate?
We are getting there.
If you are interested. this is the book we are using: The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas
Hey, that’s a pretty good start! I admit we’ve done a poor job explaining to E that Christmas means anything other than Santa Claus. It’s been mentioned once or twice *cringe*
I LOVE this! He is connecting stories to lessons in life….amazing
Cracking up that he ends each session with the request for chocolate, but all these little bits add up, and one day he’ll connect all the dots and untangle the meaning of the stories.
We do the Jesse tree too! Hard to make it a daily commitment but is really my favorite part of Christmas prep