We started doing this Christmas countdown craft several years ago. Each year that we’ve done the craft, the tree changes as Munchkin’s hands change. This year, Munchkin’s hands were the same size as my hands, so the tree doesn’t have the same shape as in years past. It tends to work best if you have the hands getting progressively smaller as you get toward the top of the tree.
Usually, we add numbered ornaments to the tree as a countdown to Christmas. This year, we decided we wanted to have more of a focus on Christ, so I made 25 ornaments (as usual). The difference is that the ornaments will have names of Jesus on them. Each day, we will learn about a different name for Jesus.
Munchkin picked out the Star of David to use on the top of the tree, and I added Jesus to the center.
We created the ornaments and star in black and white so they could be colored in by hand. I am writing the names of Jesus on the ornaments with a silver sharpie pen.
Our first ornament has the name Messiah on it. Munchkin will be looking up places in the Bible where Messiah is used. She will also look up the meaning of Messiah.
You can use this free names of Jesus unit study if desired. There is also a nice advent unit study available here.
In the evenings, we are reading through Jotham’s Journey: A Storybook for Advent. I still need to put together an Advent wreath, so for the time being, we aren’t lighting candles.
Fabulous idea!!!!
Christmas Tree idea is so cute! I just went & bought Jotham's Journey from Amazon after reading discussion on Blog Frog. I hope my kids like it–I know the four yr. old will, but I think I need to find ways to grab the 13-22 yr. olds, aside from them sitting & listening because they are supporting their sister:) Maybe they'll like the book, too!
Merry Christmas! The name of your site caught my eye on another site and here I am! My father, now deceased, was active Marine for 23 years (1st Marine Div – Guadalcanal). Thank you & God bless you all for your service! Also, love the Keepsake Christmas Tree. May work on that one for next year. I'm going to become a grandmother this Spring!
Warm regards,
Guerrina Waters