Christmas Countdown Chain

The kids enjoy ripping links off of paper chains to count down the days to anticipated events, such as birthdays, vacations, or dentist appointments. (Elliot has an almost unnatural passion and excitement for going to the dentist. At her last check-up, Dr. Rick said if she could have un-hinged her mouth to open wider, she would have.)

So this evening we made a paper chain to count down the days to Christmas. I found a cute idea online somewhere (and I can't remember where, so unfortunatly I can't cite my source). Each link of the chain describes something about Christmas, and then lists an associated Bible passage to read. I really love bringing more opportunities to teach the kids about the meaning of Christmas. I haven't looked up each of these verses, but tonight's went really well. We were able to have a nice chat about why God sent Jesus to the world.

Christmas is...

1. A TIME OF SHARING - Read John 3:1-21
2. A TIME OF MEMORIES - Read Luke 1:68-79
3. A TIME FOR GREETINGS - Read Luke 1:39-55
4. A TIME FOR CHARITY - Read Matthew 25:31-40
5. A TIME FOR VISITING - Read Romans 15:1-7
6. A TIME OF HOPE - Read John 14:1-6
7. A TIME OF FAITH - Read Isaiah 55:6-11
8. A TIME OF PROMISE - Read Galatians 3:23-4:7
9. A TIME FOR CANDLES - Read John 11-14
10. A TIME FOR MUSIC - Read Psalm 150
11. A TIME FOR BEING IN TOUCH - Read John 15:1-11
12. A TIME OF RUSHING - Read Luke 10:38-42
13. A TIME FOR SINGING - Read Colossians 3:12-17
14. A TIME FOR FAMILY - Read Luke 1:5-80
15. A TIME FOR DECORATIONS - Read Psalm 118:19-29
16. A TIME FOR BAKING - Read John 6:32-40
17. A TIME FOR LOVE - Read 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
18. A TIME OF SOLITUDE - Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
19. A TIME FOR REMEMBERING - Read Isaiah 25:6-9
20. A TIME OF PEACE - Read Matthew 11:25-30
21. A HOLIDAY - Read Hebrews 4:9-16
22. A TIME TO GIVE THANKS - Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
23. A TIME OF BLESSING - Read Ephesians 3:14-21
24. A TIME FOR GIFTS - Read Ephesians 2:4-10
25. GOD WITH US - Read Luke 2:1-20