Session 33: Winter Lights

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

See the blazing Yule before us… — Hymn 235, “Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly,” in Singing the Living Tradition The theme of this session is candlelight for winter holidays. Candlelight is a part of many holidays in the wintertime, bringing magic and warmth. The children will make a candle…
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: Candle Centerpieces 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Hand-rolled Beeswax Candles 15…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Consider lighting a candle for this reflection. What winter holidays do you celebrate? How are they connected to candlelight? The winter solstice is the basis for many traditions….
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 a free play activity relating to holiday candles 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 variety of holiday candle holders, such as an Advent candleholder (4 candles), Swedish…
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: Winter Lights by Anna Grossnickle Hines, 2005. Poems and quilts illustrate the moon and the aurora borealis, the holiday lights of Santa Lucia, Hanukkah, Christmas,…
Activity 5: Candle Centerpieces
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Six-inch candles, one for each child Modeling clay, a fist-sized amount for each child Evergreen boughs, cut in 3- to 5-inch lengths, and gardening shears Tiny pine cones, a handful for each child Gold or silver decorations Trays, one for every 3…
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Prepare to add “I’m a Little Candle” and “Jack, Be Nimble,” described below, in honor of candles and candlelight. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the…
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelopes, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and make a copy for each child….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leaders: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?
Alternate Activity 1: Hand-rolled Beeswax Candles
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Sheets of natural beeswax, 8 inches wide by 16.5 inches long 15 ply, 1/8-inch diameter, no wire, flat braid wicking, and scissors Scissors Optional: Red ribbon, cut in 12-inch lengths, one piece to decorate each candle Optional: A hair dryer (to wa…
Taking It Home: Winter Lights
From Chalice Children

See the blazing Yule before us… — Hymn 235, “Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly,” in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION… we explored candlelight. Candlelight is shared in many wintertime holidays, bringing a feeling of magic and warmth. The children made a candle centerpiece to…
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

A http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/12/1220_021220_solstice.ht… Geographic article describes how the winter solstice has been celebrated since ancient times. “Winter solstice and the shaman within; It is we ourselves who must don the shaman’s mask,” is an article by Patricia Montley in…

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Session 33: Winter Lights

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