Fan Christmas Tree

Materials needed:

• Green, yellow blue construction paper
• Stapler
• Glue stick
• Stickers/tree decorations
• Brown crayon

Instructions:

• Fold the green construction paper into a fan (from 9 inch side)
• Staple one end of the fan together
• Pull the fan out like a tree and staple sides to the blue construction paper
• Draw a brown trunk at the bottom
• Cut out a yellow star to glue on top
• Decorate the tree with stickers, foil stars
• Talk about the symbolism of the Christmas tree as children work. (See customs and traditions for Christmas tree information)

Glitter Snowflakes

Materials needed

• glitter
• glue
• plastic tomato baskets
• watercolor paint brushes
• thread or ribbon
• paper plates, scissors

Instructions:

• Cut the bottom off the basket, cutting the bottom into a snowflake design. Tie thread or ribbon onto snowflake.
• “Paint” both sides of the snowflake with glue.
• Holding the snowflake by the thread or ribbon, sprinkle with glitter while holding it over a paper plate.
• Gently place on clean paper plate to dry.

Joy Prayer Activity

Instructions:

Take a pipe cleaner and twist it around your finger to make a spring. Springs are bouncy and fun, reminding us of the feeling of joy! As children make the spring, invite them to pray that God will grow the fruit of joy in their lives.

As a family, share things that bring you joy. Keep the spring pipe cleaner in a place where you can see it each day to remind you of God’s joy in our lives, families and friendships, and the greatest joy -- the birth of Jesus!

Nativity Story Spoons

Materials Needed:

• 10 wooden spoons
• a copy of the print-out on following page
• coloring pens and pencils
• scissors
• glue or tape

Instructions:

• Print out the story spoons sheet and invite children to color in the character pictures.
• Cut out the pictures and color them.
• Glue or tape each of them to the back of wooden spoon.
• Tell the nativity story using the spoons as props.