Theme: Nativity Fast
Unit study on the Nativity Fast [Advent] and Entrance of the Theotokos, and activities associated with the start of the fasting period, such as putting up the tree and stirring up the pudding.
- Overview
- Preparing for Christ
- Christmas Pudding
- Christmas Cards
- The Little Theotokos
- The Theotokos' Life in the Temple
- The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
- The Burning Bush
- Moses' Staff
- Christmas Tree
Overview
For the bookshelf
For the toy shelves
Outings
See also
Start of the Nativity Fast and Day After Entrance of the Theotokos
Preparing for Christ
Introduction
Watch Rocko's "Christmas Special" (it's actually quite long).
Activity 1
St. John Chrysostom said:
"Let the hands fast by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.
Let the ear fast by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism."
Get up and shake out your bodies after that long Rocko movie episode. Stretch and shake each body part John Chrysostom just mentioned.
Activity 2
Write down forty kind things you can do, such as:
- donate a Christmas present to a charity
- donate books to charity
- donate clothes you don't use any more to someone who needs them
- feed wild animals, such as birds or deer
- give someone a compliment
- give someone a hug
- let someone in front of you in a queue
- make someone smile, such as by telling a joke
- offer to help someone
- smile and thank someone who serves you
- spend 10 minutes giving someone your full attention
- tell someone you love them
- write a happy note and hide it for someone to find
- write a thank-you note to someone
Lunch Snack
Review which foods are fasting foods and which are non-fasting foods, and choose fasting foods for your meal.
Activity 3
Use forty paper plates to make a Christmas tree on the wall. Stick-tape a paper with an act of kindness to each one, ready to pull off an act on over the coming forty days.
Christmas Pudding
See also "Start of the Nativity Fast".
Introduction
Watch a three-minute video, "Stir-Up Sunday: Stir and Pray", or learn the "Christmas Pudding Song".
Activity 1
Find all the ingredients for the Christmas pudding, measuring and chopping as needed.
Activity 2
Make the Christmas pudding, making sure to say the "Stir Up" prayer.
Stir up, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people that they may plenteously bring forth the fruit of good works, as they await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to restore all things to their original perfection; who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.