Christmas Around the World

I think I've said this before, but I will say it again. This year we are doing a lot to learn about Christmas, not just from the Bible and other books on Christmas, but in Geography we are doing a unit on "Christmas Around the World." For the past 2 weeks (and again this upcoming week) we have been studying different countries and their holiday traditions, as well as learning more about our traditions. It has been very interesting and we have made several pieces of artwork that reflect what we are learning.

I found it very fitting that this morning at IBC Church they did "Christmas Around the World" with singing and scripture readings in different languages (I am not going to list them in case I say something wrong), but it was VERY good for the kids to see. They loved seeing all the flags around the sanctuary and knowing that they have learned something about that country and then seeing and hearing people sing and speak in other languages!! What an amazing experience!

One of the projects we did this week was from Italy. Did you know that the nativity scene. one of the most beloved and enduring symbols of the holiday season originated in Italy? St. Francis of Assisi asked a man named Giovanni Vellita of the village of Greccio to create a manger scene.

Here are the kids attempts to do the nativity scenes, they mixed all the colors in their own pictures, the only thing they had help with was the cutting out of the black pieces and the star for their pictures.

 

 

 

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger." Luke 2:16

We did learn some other things and do more artwork this week, but I have not had the time to transfer the pictures to the computer yet. I might do another post later...we'll see...you'll just have to check back later ;)

Children's Choir...December

On Sunday, December 4, the kids did their final performances for children's choir, at our current church. Kayla sang in both morning services and Elijah sang in the evening, at a performance only for the families of the kids in his group.

I am so proud of both kids, they did a great job! Kayla is nervous every time she gets up to sing with the group, but she does it and she enjoys it!

 Elijah getting ready to sing his first song...

Look, he's actually singing! He knew all the words! So proud of him :)

Elijah and Abby having a quick chat between songs!

Abby:

Playing instruments while singing "Praise Parade."

Elijah and Abby getting ready to say their memory verse, they both knew it but they were so shy...it was really cute!

Elijah relaxing with Nathan after the performance was over:

IBC Church has been such a blessing to us. The kids department is phenomenal, I am very pleased with the experience we have had. The kids have grown spiritually (and physically!) in the 2 1/2 years that we've attended the church. They've enjoyed all the teachers they have had and they have LOVED the children's choir. We will certainly miss it when we leave Singapore.

"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:9B-10