Session 32: How Many Days Until Christmas?

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

Each night a child is born is a holy night: a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshipping. — “For So the Children Come,” Hymn 1061 in Singing the Journey Regardless of our personal theologies, the Christmas season is a very visible part of the North American culture. This…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1. Free Play 15 Activity 2. Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: How Many Days? Paper Chain 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How exhausted do you become at this season? How joyous? How do you find your center? Is it in the simple message of the birth of a baby? Is it spending time with family playing games or sharing some hot cocoa?…
Opening
From Chalice Children

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.
Activity 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Supplies for play that relate to Christmas, i.e. crèche figures Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the…
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.
Activity 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr A crèche with figurines, or a picture of a crèche Preparation for Activity Post the…
Activity 4: Story
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Christmas Makes Me Think by Tony Medina, 2008….
Activity 5: How Many Days? Paper Chain
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Construction paper (red and green), cut into strips Tape dispensers A marker Bin for paper recycling Optional: Bells or ribbons, one for each paper chain Optional: Christmas music, and music player Preparation for Activity Calculate how many strips…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Bells for children to ring Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs….
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Paper chains (Activity 5) Optional: Envelopes, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy for each child. Bring the “lit” preschool…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?
Taking It Home: How Many Days Until Christmas?
From Chalice Children

Each night a child is born is a holy night: a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshipping. — “For So the Children Come,” Hymn 1061 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY’S SESSION… we heard the story of Jesus’ birth and talked about what happens at Christmas. The children made a…
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0688109616/ref=nosim/getrichslo-… the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season is a guide to creating a joyful, stress-free holiday season….

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 32: How Many Days Until Christmas?

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