The Best Christmas Gift (12/8-12/10)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His son, Jesus." -John 3:16 Jesus was the very first Christmas gift and He continues to be the very best Christmas gift of all. This week Scruffy can't wait to give his special gift to me, a rice baby Jesus. Keeping with ELP's tradition, each boy and girl also gets to make his or her very own rice baby Jesus to take home and place under the Christmas tree. "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:8-13. After the boys and girls make their rice babies we will rock them while we sing Away in the Manger and Mary Had a Baby. My prayer is that you and your family will bask in the warmth of God's love for you as you go about preparing for the celebration of Jesus's birthday. -Melinda

Good News! (12/1-12/3)

December is here and with its arrival we learn a new Bible verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His son, Jesus." -John 3:16. This week in chapel as I told the nativity story I focused on God choosing Mary and Joseph specifically to raise His son. While individually, they had many good qualities that would make them wonderful parents, together they were loving and patient, faithful to His word, and devoted to each other. You can be sure that your Heavenly Father saw qualities in you that that make you the ideal parent for your child, too and there is no doubt you have been uniquely blessed with characteristics making you the perfect fit for your own family. Isn't it nice to know that nothing is too big for God to handle, yet nothing too small for Him to care about? After our chapel lesson, we all took turns bouncing around the room on Hoppity Hops and played a game matching baby animals with their mommies and daddies. To wrap things up, we sang and danced to Everybody Everywhere and My God. Enjoy the rest of your week as we get nearer to Christmas crunch time! Just do yourself a favor and remember to relax, breathe, and focus on making memories with your kids as you teach them about God's magnificent gift to the world. Melinda