'Tis the Season to Advent

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." - Deuteronomy 6:6-7

One of my favorite memories about Christmases past is my parents doing Christmas Advent calendars with me and my sisters. It was always exciting to open the little doors or books and discover the truth that it held. When we were little, they were simple pictures that depicted the Christmas story, but as we grew, they became more devotional. It was a great way for us to learn the story surrounding the birth of Christ and have a hands-on experience doing it. Recently, in looking for advent-related material for children’s lessons, I’ve come across some really well put together Advent calendars for families and thought I would share:

“The Wonder of the Greatest Gift” by Ann Voskamp ($27.00) – Interactive book (based on the Jesse tree) that opens to reveal a 13 inch tree, to hang the daily ornaments you will open each day. Devotional book is included as well. I saw this recently at the LifeWay store and it looked really cool.

“An Illustrated Advent for Families” by Illustrated Children’s Ministry ($10.00) – Combines the love of coloring with the advent stories. I would recommend this for older elementary aged children as the illustrations are quite intricate and would be more of a challenge to color. From what I can tell it is a weekly devotional with activities that could be spread out throughout the week.

“Journey to the Manger” by Focus on the Family ($10.00) – Interactive calendar containing puzzles, stickers, and a poster. I’ve not personally seen this, but anything with stickers makes preschoolers and elementary aged children really happy. :):)

“O Holy Night – A Build-It Yourself Nativity Scene & Advent Calendar” by Focus on the Family (FREE) – Each day, along with a devotion, children will receive a new Bible character/object that relates to the Nativity story and by the end of the advent calendar, they will have made a whole nativity scene! More info at: http://focusonthefamily.com/Advent (probably want a colored printer and lots of cardstock paper for this…)

“Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Guide” by FaithGateway (FREE, helps to own a copy of Sally Lloyd Jones’ Jesus Storybook Bible) – This guide has printable pictures/references that relate to stories found in the Jesus Storybook Bible (which is a fantastic book to have for your family) that you could display in any way you choose (suggestions are provided). More info at: http://www.faithgateway.com/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-c…/

“LifeWay Kids Family Advent Guide” by LifeWay (FREE) – A weekly family devotional that also contains daily Scripture readings relating to the Christmas story. There are also hands-on ideas to reinforce the weekly theme as well as life application questions. More info at: http://www.lifeway.com/…/Kids/c/N-1z13zg1Z1z10cb8/Ne-1z141o2

There are also SO many more advent calendars out there – these are just ones that I’ve come across in looking for activities for my lessons and I thought I would share. Whatever you do or choose, just make sure that your kids understand the reason for this season – the gift of our Savior! The Lord commanded us to teach his truths to our children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and so we shall.  

Happy Adventing!

Adventing at 1 1/2 years old!

Right Living in an Unright World

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11

Outside of work, my life revolves around kids. Not my own, obviously, but rather around the kids I teach throughout the week. Whether these children be church kids or inner city kids, one thing is the same about every single one of them – they’re watching me. Ok, that sounded a little creepy, but it’s true. They are watching every part of my attitude, behavior, and body language. I hope that what they see through me is righteousness. It’s sure not what they see in the world, though.

These past days, weeks, and months have been riddled with talk of people living unrighteously. Some have behaved in ways – in their past and in the present – that are unrighteous; hurting, scarring, and letting down those around them. Some have spoken unrighetously – in person or on social media; giving others the impression that this is the way society interacts with one another. Our world has people that have unrighteous thoughts; creating and developing content that tempts people to live sinful lives. It’s a royal mess.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul tells him how crazy the world is and will be; he urges Timothy to make sure that the things that he teaches and the lifestyle he displays is that which is sound in Christ (1 Timothy 6:2-10). Speaking as a mentor to mentee, Paul encourages Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). He’s reminding Timothy that no matter what goes on around him, no matter how unrighteous society becomes, to strive to be a person who constantly and consistently pursues righteous living.

News flash. The stories we hear and see are only going to continue and will probably get worse. That’s what sin does – it infects and festers continually. That’s why people need Jesus and his forgiveness of those sins. Paul for sure knew unrighteousness wasn’t going to let up. The theme of righteous living is all through 1 Timothy and continues even into 2 Timothy. Paul, however, offers hope and a solution for how to help Timothy, and us in the world we find ourselves in; he says:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

Whether it be with kids or anyone we encounter, it should be our ultimate aim that they see righteous living through us and know what it means to live as Christ in a world that shows them the opposite. Like it or not, they’re watching and it’s up to us to determine what they’re seeing. May we strive to live right in this insanely, unright world.