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December 8, 2015 -- Issue
#39
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In today's newsletter:
1) Hanukkah to Christmas
2) Advent Week 2: Prepare
3) Christmas Game: Pic-A-Minute
4) Advent: Guilt-free Giving
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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
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