Baby

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's angel crafts and activities. I'm so excited to continue this series and today we are delving right into the true meaning of this entire season and the letter B.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:6-7 (NIV)

Preschool Activities
Again, we start with a coloring page because it's a great calming activity for my energetic son and it gives me a few minutes to get prepared for the rest of the day. 

Then we read the nativity story from our Storybook Bible and helped Mary take care of baby Jesus. I have three boys, but we've always let them play with dolls. Doll play is a great way to encourage a nurturing side in boys that is often overlooked or outright discouraged. 
Provide white blankets or gauze to wrap the baby and a soft place to lay him down. A laundry basket with a pillow inside makes a great pretend-play manger. For an authentic feel, go outside and talk about how to protect the baby from the elements. 

The perfect manger!  It's a ring or ornamental grasses, cut back for winter.

Family Activities
Pull out those family photo albums and look at everyone's baby pictures. Did the kids get Mom's eyes? Dad's chin?  

Talk about Jesus's family. Do you think Jesus looked like Mary and Joseph? Why or why not?

Talk about what Jesus may have been like as a baby.  Do you think baby Jesus ever cried?  Do you think he made messes?  Do you think he threw temper tantrums?  Why?

Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins.  He experienced all that we experience in this world but he never sinned! 

(These are admittedly hard questions that adults and theologians wrestle with. Posing questions like this to your kids shouldn't be about finding the right answer but about thinking the story through.  You may be amazed at the insightful answers your kids provide.)
 
Like Jesus, we have an earthly family and a Heavenly Father. Say a prayer of thanks together. Take turns thanking God for each member of the family. Thank God for being our Heavenly Father. 

Service Activities
Take a magazine and a cup of tea to a new mom.  While she relaxes, give the baby a bath, clean the house, cook a meal. Spend time reading to or plaing games with older siblings.

Snacks
Make lil' baby smokies. 
Cut crescent rolls into two skinny triangles. 
Wrap each strip around a lil' smoky, tucking one end under so they look like a swaddled baby. 
Bake according to the package directions. 

Songs
What Child is This

Books 
Tiny Baby Jesus
Baby Jesus Touch and Feel Book
One Baby Jesus: A New Twelve Days of Christmas
Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree 
Enjoy an online reading of the Veggie Tales Christmas is Finally Here!