I just put together a Creativity Jar. It's a mason jar filled with small craft items: pipe cleaner, clothes pin, fabric squares, ribbon, puff balls, stickers, beads, craft sticks, rubber bands, etc. It is meant to spark kids' imagination and encourage them to be inentive and create art or other things. This one will be part of a Christmas present for an 8 year old girl. Hummingbird designed the label; it might change.
I'm wondering if it's something people would buy something like this and if so how much one would be willing to pay. I would love your input.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra and
Lycea.This popular saint performed many
miracles and helped many people during his life.He saved the people of Myra from famine.He protected sailors at sea.He resurrected three children who were killed
by a butcher for food during a famine. And of course, we all know the story of how he
saved the merchants three daughters from a life of immorality by secretly
giving their father gold for their dowries.
We also all know how the legend of this beloved saint has
evolved into the secular character of Santa Claus.In our home, my daughters do get gifts from
Santa Claus on Christmas morning, but they also receive a visit from St.
Nicholas on his feast day.St. Nicholas leaves them golden dollars, fruit, a small
religious item, and a few trinkets every year.I make sure they remember his generosity every year, too.We read The
Life of Saint Nicholas the Wonder-Worker by Nina Seco and say a special
prayer. Until this year, I've never
done a craft for his feast day, though.This is a craft that will be a bridge between St. Nicholas Day and
Christmas.So, if you don't have time to
get supplies and do it today, you'll have time between now and Christmas.
Of the many symbols associated with St. Nicholas, this one
can also be used for Christmas decorations.The symbol of three golden balls reminds us of the three dowries St.
Nicholas gave to the merchant.This
symbol also makes lovely Christmas tree ornaments that are meaningful to us,
but also blend in with other Christmas decorations.And they're super easy for kids of all ages
to create.
Supplies:
3 smooth foam balls
Toothpick
Scissors or paper cutter
Sponge or Styrofoam board
Gold paint
Paint brush
Thin ribbon
Straight pins
Thumbprint St. Nicholas
icon
Decoupage glue
Embellishments (optional)
Directions (repeat for each ball):
1. Insert a toothpick into a ball.Insert other end in sponge or Styrofoam to
hold it while you paint and while it dries.
2. Paint the ball gold, and let it dry.
3. Attach the St. Nicholas
icon to the ball with decoupage glue.Smooth it out and paint a layer of glue over it. (You can do this for
each ball or just one in the set). Let dry.
4. Fold ribbon over once to make a loop, and attach it to
the top of the ball with a straight pin.
This is a fairly simple wreath to make and there are a few options for setting it up. You'll need six candles or votive holders in white, purple, red, green, blue, and gold (or approximate colors). These can be set into a holder (Ours is a wooden circle with 6 round holes for the votive holders, and 4 little feet. You could also just place votive holders in a circle or use a Styrofoam circle and press pillar candles into it.) Use the template to print leaves and berries with activities for your children or family to do. Pick one (or one per child) each day to build your wreath through Advent.
The readings below are taken from a little booklet we received from our first parish when we became Orthodox. I'm not sure who created, but they get all the credit. I've corrected some typos and oddities here and there, but it is not my original work. It is, however, a great family tool to use for advent, and I'd like to share it with all of you.
First Sunday of Advent
Reader: This
first candle is green to remind us of the faith we have in God that He will
keep His promise to send His Son.
Verse: One
Advent candle now we light
To
show the coming gift of light.
Bring
unto our darkened sight
The
Your holy Light.
Reading: The Prophecy from Isaiah
9:1, 5-6; 40:3-5; 52:7
Prayer:
Gracious God, as the world that sat in darkness looked forward to Your coming,
so we on this First Sunday light a candle to show our anticipation. May
Your coming to our souls rid us of the darkness of sin and pride and light in
us the flame of love and service to others. Amen.
Carol:O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Second Sunday of Advent
Reader: The
second candle is blue to remind us of the hope we have that Christ will come
into our lives to bring joy and peace.
Verse: Now,
the Advent lights are two,
And
our vows we shall renew,
As
pilgrims over field and stone,
To
seek the Christ and find our home.
Reading: The Promise from St. Luke
1:5-31
Prayer: Come,
Lord, into our tired, sinful world. Put a smile on our lips and joy in
our hearts. Take away our sadness for
our hope is in You. Amen.
Carol: Joy to the World
Third Sunday of Advent
Reader: The
third candle is gold to express love. As we light this candle, let us recall
the words of St. John
when he said that, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,
come into our lives to bring joy and peace."
Verse: Now,
three Advent candles burn
To
comfort aching hearts that yearn
Beneath
the sky or in a cell
That
Christ will come with them to dwell.
Reading: The
announcement to the Virgin Mary St. Luke 1:26-38
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to remember Your great Gift to all people at the Holy
Nativity -- Your Blessed Son Jesus. May His love enter our hearts now and
always and flow out from us to all. Amen. Carol:O Come, All Ye Faithful
Fourth
Sunday of Advent
Reader: The
fourth candle is white reminding us of God's desire to give us peace. It is not
the kind of peace that people try to make because that peace sometimes fails. Rather,
it is the peace that comes from Jesus who is called the Prince of Peace. Verse: Four
candles before us burn,
And
we come to Him, the Prince of Peace.
We
ask in prayer for hearts to turn,
So
love may grow and war may cease. Reading: Psalm 4; Philippians
4:6-7 Prayer: O
Christ, You are our Peace. You broke down the wall that separated us from God.
Now, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Teach us also to be
peacemakers in our world. Amen. Carol:Silent Night
Fifth Sunday of Advent
Reader: The
fifth candle is purple reminding us of our need to repent before we can meet
the coming Christ. "Repent, for the kingdom of God
is at hand." Verse: Five
candles we now light
As
we struggle in this fight.
Let
us now turn our heart
That love may enter and
sin depart.
Reading: Preparing the Way: Mark
1:1-8, 14-15
Prayer: Lord,
help us to make straight the way for You to come to us when we celebrate Your
Holy Nativity. Grant us Your grace that we may be rid of our selfish
pride and our many sins. Grant us tears of repentance so that we may be
restored in our communion with You. Amen.
Carol: O Holy Night
Sixth Sunday of Advent
Reader: The
sixth candle is red reminding us that Christ, who came to Bethlehem and who will come again at the end
of the age, comes to us now in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. He was
born in Bethlehem
so that we might ask Him to come and be born in our hearts.
Verse: Six
candles now we light
Reminding
us of Christ,
Who
came as a babe
Us all to save.
Reading: The Coming of the Word:
John 1:1-18, 6:52-58
Prayer: Lord, help us to welcome You into our hearts and
lives when we celebrate Your Holy Nativity. Grant us Your grace that we may
also find you in our encounters with our fellow man. And grant that one
day we may be fully in communion with You in the age to come. Amen.
Carols:O Little
Town of Bethlehem
and Away in a Manger
On Christmas light a white candle in the center of your wreath and pray
the following prayer From the Festal Menaion; hymns
from the Third Hour and Matins.)
Before
Thy, birth, O Lord, the angelic hosts looked with trembling on this mystery and
were struck with wonder: for Thou who hast adorned the vault of heaven with
stars hast been well pleased to be born as a babe; and Thou who holdest all the
ends of the earth in the hollow of Thy hand art laid in a manger of dumb
beasts. For by such a dispensation has Thy compassion been made known, O
Christ, and Thy great mercy: glory to Thee.
Today Christ is born of the Virgin in Bethlehem. Today He who
knows no beginning now begins to be, and the Word is made flesh. The powers of
heaven greatly rejoice, and the earth with mankind makes glad. The Magi offer
gifts, the shepherds proclaim the marvel, and we cry aloud without ceasing:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among men.
Carols
Second Sunday:
Third Sunday:
Fifth Sunday (This one is actually just one that I thought was "cool." I love Weezer, and I had no idea they made a Christmas album...until last night. This isn't my favorite version of the carol, but I do like it.):
