Advent Idea Box: Day 23

Advent Verses

Isaiah 35:5-6 & Matthew 9:35 discuss miracles He would/did perform.

Jesse Tree

Luke 1:13

But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Today's ornament can represent John the Baptist or Zechariah and Elizabeth. Since Zechariah wrote John's name on a tablet, a picture of a pad and pencil could be appropriate. Traditionally this ornament is of a couple representing Zechariah and Elizabeth. A grasshopper might also work to represent John and the locusts.

I just discovered an awesome blog entry for Jesse Tree ornaments you'll want to check out for next year - http://beentherelearnedthat.blogspot.com/2009/12/jesse-tree-ornament-exchange-part-2.html

To Explore
Angels
Angels join the Christmas story in the beginning of Luke when an angel tells Zechariah he will have a baby named John. Next, the angel Gabriel brings a message to Mary that she will bear God's Son, Jesus. Matthew tells us that an angel visited Joseph to tell him to take Mary as his wife. Later, a host of angels appear to shepherds outside Bethlehem to announce the birth of Christ. And again, an angel appeared to Joseph telling him to flee with his family to Egypt.

These messenger warriors are often portrayed in Christmas decorations as cute and cuddly, but since several biblical accounts of angels visiting start with a reassurance to not be afraid, they are probably a bit more impressive than we see on stockings and tree toppers.

ChristianAnswers.net has an excellent summary and description of angels in the bible.

The word angel is mentioned 283 times in the King James translation of the bible!

Christmas Around the World

Poland!

The Polish American Center shares excellent background information for traditional Polish Christmas Customs.

Poland has beautiful Christmas traditions, but also still incorporates quite a bit of superstition. The Polish Center offers some interesting reading on the topic.

Christmas celebrations begin on Christmas Eve, or Wigilia and they end on February 2nd, Candlemas Day.

More on Polish Christmas customs.

To say Merry Christmas in Polish, say Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!

Hands On

Create an angel craft -

Paper Plate Angel

Beautiful Paper doily Angels

Paper Clip Clamp Angel

Pasta Angel

Popsicle Stick Angel

Beaded Angel

Hershey Kiss Angel

Online Coloring Page

Handprint Angel

Printable Angel (Country Style, downloadable Image)

Snowflake Angel

Elegant Angel Silhouette

More ideas

Felt Angel

Make a traditional Polish Star Ornament:

Make Kolacky (my kids LOVE this tradition!) You can also try a gluten free/ vegan version.

Bake some Topiolec. It's literal translation is "drowned man" and it refers to a poppyseed bread that requires "drowning" the dough in cold water until rises to the top.