Inspiration: Hope

Winter Food for Thought

Nativity Advent Calendar

 Here is a Nativity advent calendar to help the children count down to Christmas.

You can laminate the calendar and stars to make them sturdier.

 

Nativity Figures

If you want some pictures to go with the Christmas Family Home Evening lesson, here are some that should work.  Put them on the carpet to tell the story, or on sticks, or back them with flannel for a flannel board or arrange them on colored paper as I did here.

Here they are in black and white if you’d like to color them.

December 2013

Christ, the Lord is Born!

FHE Christmas Program

This is a basic scripted program that tells the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew in the New Testament, and includes the use of some of our beloved Christmas carols, as well as a new song, “Shepherd Boy,” by Marie Scott. (The program may be illustrated and made more memorable by assigning your children to dress up and act out the parts of the main characters, or by using pictures or cutouts .)

Christ, the Lord is Born!

by Marie Scott, December 2013

Narrator:

Though He is our Mighty King, the Savior of the world was born in wondrously humble circumstances as a sign of who He was. This is the story of His holy birth, according to the scriptures:

Scripture Reader:

Luke 2: 4-7

            And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

            To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

            And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

            And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Song/s: “ O Little Town of Bethlehem,”  and/or  “Once in Royal David’s City”

Narrator:

To celebrate the Savior’s birth is to celebrate His very existence. He was indeed born on this earth, in the meridian of time, and fulfilled His pivotal mission to save all people from their sins.

Who were the good people God surrounded with His glory and told about the Savior’s birth? They were the humble shepherds going about their nightly work on a hillside. Those shepherds, common to man, were not common to God, who loved and knew each by name. He honored them with a wonderful manifestation.

Scripture Reader:

Luke 2: 8-10

            And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

            And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

            And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

           

Song: “Shepherd Boy” (Optional).

Narrator:             (Skip this piece of narration if you don’t use the above song.)

The angel spoke to the shepherds saying:

Scripture Reader:

Luke 2: 10-14

            For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

            And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

            And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

            Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Song/s:  “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,”  and/or  “Angels We Have Heard on High,”  and/or  “Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains”

Narrator:

The shepherds took action after learning of the wonderful news of the Savior’s birth. They saw the truth for themselves, then spread the joyous word.

Scripture Reader:

Luke 2: 15-17

            And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

            And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

            And when they had see it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Scripture Reader:

Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-11

            Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

            Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

            When they had heard [Herod,] the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

            When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Song:  “With Wondering Awe”

Narrator:

They were joyful because they knew who the Savior was, and that the new star in the sky would lead them to Him. The wise men also had gifts to give the Christ child that would help Mary and Joseph protect Him. To this very day, we carry on the tradition of giving gifts as the wise men did, and as the Savior continues to do.

Scripture Reader:

Matthew 2: 11

            And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Narrator:

As we give simple gifts of kindness, let us remember to Whom our gifts are really given. For as Matthew said, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25: 40)

What joy all creation had, and still has, at the beautiful and humble birth of our Lord on that holy night.

 Song:   “Silent Night”

Copyright 2013 by Marie L. Scott.     Making copies for non-commercial use is permitted.

  Pumpkin Soup

                       by Jay Andrus

Ingredients:

1  Tbs. butter

1  Large onion, chopped

3 Stalks celery and leaves, chopped

2 Large potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 ½ Cups chicken stock (broth)

1 ½ Cups milk

1  15 oz. Can of Pumpkin

1 Cup cooked kidney beans

1 Tbs. sugar

Garlic salt, pepper, and seasoning

salt

Directions:

Prepare vegetables and sauté in

butter in frying pan. Pour stock

in with vegetables and cook until

tender. Add pumpkin and bring to

a boil.. Liquidize the soup, return

to the pan and add the milk, kidney

beans, and sugar. Reheat without

boiling, and season with garlic salt,

pepper and seasoning salt. Garnish

as desired.  Serves 4 - 6      

Turkey Shoot Game

Here's an exciting game for Thanksgiving Day 

that everyone will love!

Turkey Shoot!

 Here's what you'll need:

-Straws

-Q-tips

-Turkey Targets

What to do:

Print out the turkey targets on card stock at the bottom of this post. (I also laminated mine)

Cut them out and tape the long strips together together  as shown above.

How to play:

Set up the targets along a shelf or a bench.

Pick two people to go first and give each a pile of Q-tips and a straw.

Have them sit or stand 3-6 feet away from the targets depending on age.

 Have each player insert a Q-tip into the unbent end of the straw and aim at the targets.

Someone yell GO, and the shooting begins!

 Shoot until all the turkeys are down, keeping score while you go. 

After everyone has had a turn, have the winners of each round face each other until there is

a grand champion!

Some of variations to the game would be to set a time limit, or have a family free for all shoot.  You can adapt the game to fit your family.

This is a high energy game that is sure to have everyone 

smiling and laughing!

Turkey Roll Game

Here's a fun game for the kids to play on Thanksgiving Day!

What you'll need:

-Cookies (We used Oreo's)

-Bag of Plain M&M's

-Candy Corn

-Candy Eyes

Separate the M&M's into two brown paper bags, three colors in one, three in the other.

Write #1 and #2 on the bags.

Put the Candy Eyes and Candy Corn Beaks in a small bowl and print out the 

Turkey Roll Cards for each player.

Here's how to play:

Each player starts with a cookie on their card and takes a turn rolling the die.  

Look at the roll chart to see what kind of candy it tells you to place on your card.
You must build all five feathers, two eyes one nose and two legs.

Whoever builds their turkey first wins!  Then you can eat it!

Click on the Turkey Roll card and copy it to your computer.

Pumpkin Bread

Here's an easy and delicious treat perfect for the fall.

Pumpkin Bread

 

In one bowl combine:
2 Cups flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp.  Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 tsp. Ground Cloves

In another bowl combine:
3 Eggs
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
3/4 cup Vegetable Oil
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 (15oz.) Pumpkin

Combine both mixtures together and pour into desired pans.   Heat oven to 350 degrees.Muffin Pan - 30min.
Mini Loaf Pans - 35min.
Large Loaf Pan - 55 min.

Check bread by inserting a knife into the center and pull it out.  If the knife comes out clean it's done.  If it comes out sticky continue baking and checking until knife comes out clean.  Let cool for at least an hour before cutting.

Wrap it up with a ribbon and take it to a friend.  They'll love it!

Hand-print Turkey, Thanksgiving Craft for Kids

Here's a fun holiday craft that the children will love!

A hand-print Turkey!

Supplies Needed:
-Paper
-Paints -  Red, Orange, Yellow and brown.  (Washable paint might be best when working with children, but any kind of paint will do.)
-Paint Brushes -  At least four.  One for each color.
-Wiggle Eyes  (Optional)
-Glue
-Markers  - Red and Orange

Instructions:
1- Have paper ready on the table and squeeze all the paint colors onto a paper plate and put a paintbrush with each color.
2- Paint the child's hand generously with each color.  Palm an thumb brown, then red, orange and yellow as seen in the picture above. (Paint quickly as paint my dry quickly.)
3- Turn child's hand over and press firmly onto the paper.  (Instruct the child not to spread fingers to far apart)
4- Lift child's hand from paper and wash hand.  Let the hand-print dry.
5- Once dry, draw a beak and feet with the orange marker and the wattle with the red marker.
6- Glue the wiggle eyes on or draw them with a marker.

Write the child's name and date under the hand-print and find a fun place to display it!

VT Birdhouse Treat Box

Fall Leaf Birdhouse

This charming little birdhouse is one of my favorite projects.  It’s so fun to make, fill with candy, and give to a friend or the ladies you visit teach each month.  I’ve put candy corn, candy pumpkins, or candy kisses inside, but you can use any favorite candy that fits through the door.

Here it is in black and white in case you want to color your own birdhouse. Follow instructions as found on the colored roof copy.

Inspiration: Speak up!

Cornucopia Craft for Kids

Cornucopia Craft

Here is another project ideal for kids of all ages. It’s a cornucopia, with food to cut out and paste in place, as shown. 

 And here it is in black and white, if you choose to color it yourself.

Inspiration: Gratitude Attitude

Thanksgiving Placemat Set for Children

Placemat Set

This is a complete set, including the placemat, the crayon holder with “I’m Thankful For” card, and the silverware holder.

Follow instructions as found on the silverware holder, then place crayons and "I'm Thankful For" card inside.

FHE Thanksgiving

HiddenTreasures of Gratitude

by Marie Scott

In our Family Home Evening offering this month we focus on:

"Finding things to be grateful for amidst the confusion and chaos of difficult times."

Being able to find the good, during times of difficulty, requires effort in pulling away from the pain of a moment, to search for deeper meaning hidden in the trial. It isn’t always easy to do, but if you can make the “Pollyanna effort,” it will bring you immediate peace and comfort through the spirit of the Lord, and open your eyes to less obvious blessings.

Look for the stars that shine in the darkest nights, and you will surely find them.

2 Corinthians: 8-9

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,

but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

2 Corintians: 6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined

in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the

face of Jesus Christ.

Why are we not destroyed? Because our faith in God can sustain us in times of trial. His light may be found in the darkest pit by those who love and seek Him. From Joseph Smith’s dark prison came some of the most comforting scripture we have in times of trial. (Sections 121 and 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants)

Here is what the Lord said to Joseph in his adversity:

D&C 121: 7

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Some lessons can be gleaned from the counsel found in the scriptures given to Brother Joseph during those hard times.

1.      Friends Can Lighten Our Burdens

First, it is pointed out to Joseph that he still has friends who stand by him. (D&C 121: 9)

Oftentimes in our shared trials, we draw closer to those with whom we share the trial, which can be a sacred and very tender mercy. Even in individual trials, we may be able to seek, find, and be comforted by our friends and family. Friends and family can be a great blessing.

2.      Recording Our Troubles Can Be Helpful

Second, Joseph Smith, during that time of bitter adversity, set the persecuted Saints busy collecting and recording the accounts of their sufferings to be published to all the world. (D&C 123) He gave the suffering something positive on which to concentrate regarding their sufferings.

From this we can either take stock of the importance of doing something to help ourselves during times of trial, or of the importance of keeping a journal of our lives that includes our sufferings.

In both the case of sharing our burdens with our friends, and in recording our trials, we are actually unloading some of our pain, and we are receiving feedback or insights as we strive to make sense of our difficulties. Recording life’s events is both therapeutic and enlightening.

Family Activity:  Treasure Hunt for Hidden Blessings

For Thanksgiving this year, rather than rattling off your obvious blessings, maybe your family members could choose a period of difficulty, or a time of trial, and write down the blessings or hidden treasures they have found buried in the experience.

This will not only help you count your blessings, but it will help you think about where less obvious blessings are found, and perhaps help start family members on a new habit of looking for the tender mercies in their trials.

(Use the turkey blessing list for this activity, given earlier this month.) 

Inspiration: Want to be happier ?

Thanksgiving List of Blessings

I’m Thankful For . . .

Here is a festive page that you can copy, paste, and use at the Thanksgiving table. It is a fancy turkey with spaces to list the things you’re thankful for. You can copy the black and white  version, or the colored version, as you wish.   

             

Thanksgiving Turkey Nut Cup/Place Card

Turkey Nut Cup and Place Card

This fun turkey doubles as both a nut/candy cup and a place card. Every member of the family will be delighted to have their names written on their own special treat.

Follow instructions as found on the pattern sheet.

Here it is in black and white if you or a child would rather color the project.

Follow instructions as found on the colored copy above.