Thanksgiving is over and we are all starting to get into the mood for Christmas. I don’t know about you, but I LOVE Christmas! I love the lights and the music and the decorations, but most of all I love the anticipation. Some of that is a holdover from when I was a child and I got really excited anticipating all the presents on Christmas morning. Now I still anticipate the fun of Christmas day, but I also enjoy the spiritual side of the expectation as well. “Come, thou long expected Jesus!” Christmas is a big deal because God came to earth in the form of a human baby. The nation of Israel spent a long time anticipating the arrival of their Messiah. The story of Isaiah and the activities below give you a great opportunity to teach your preschoolers the truth of the Christmas story and the real reason to be excited about Christmas time!
HIGHLIGHTS from Sunday…
This week your child learned that God sent prophets—many of them! Prophets were special messengers who told the people what God said. One of these prophets was named Isaiah. As a prophet, it was Isaiah’s job to listen to God then tell the people what God told him to say. God’s message is one of hope and the story of Isaiah focuses on the coming Messiah; the Savior God promised. Isaiah told people over and over again about the Savior God promised. He told them what God said but they would not listen. They did not believe Isaiah...or any of the prophets. They did not believe God at all. Do you? (Isaiah 9, 11, 40, 53, 55 & 60; Psalm 23, 51 & 2 Samuel 7)
Teaching Truths:
- God had a plan to rescue the world from sin.
- God always keeps His promise.
Memory Verse:
"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
Here’s a simple song to help your child (and you) memorize this week’s memory verse!
3 Activities that remind us that God had a plan to rescue the world:
1. Recipe Steps
Find a simple recipe for making cookies or a fun dessert. Have your child help you make the food by following the recipe. As you are making the dessert, talk to your child about how you are obeying the steps in the recipe plan. God always has a plan and we need to listen to and obey his plan. As you are eating your dessert, read the story of Isaiah’s call from Isaiah 6:1-8 and ask these questions.
1. Did Isaiah have to listen and obey?
2. What message was Isaiah sharing?
3. How can we be like Isaiah? What message can we share?
2. Here Comes Jesus
Play and sing this song to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel. Hold your child’s hands and walk in a circle while singing this song:
It’s all around God’s country
That Isaiah talked of Jesus
When Isaiah spoke
They didn’t listen
BUT! Here comes Jesus (jump up, the fall to the ground)
3. Whisper & Shout
Take your little one outside and whisper a short saying in your child’s ear such as "God loves me and you, too." Then, have him yell that saying as loud as he can. Show him how to make his hands into a megaphone to make his voice even louder. Just as Isaiah told people about God, your child can to the same. Continue with other short sayings, such as God has a plan to save us or God keeps his promises.
Pray
Dear God, please help us to have joy as we serve you and obey your Word. Help us to be brave and tell others the good news of your son, Jesus just like Isaiah did so long ago. Amen.
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