Peck’s attention span rivals that of a gnat. So imagine my surprise when he was engaged almost throughout this entire project. In toy reviewer style, he announced we were building the “Legendary Wreath.” He also described the components we used in far more interesting, imaginative terms than they deserved. The red sprigs elevated to some kind of power crystal. And the evergreens were dubbed titanium.
If you don’t know what a toy review is, add that to your thankful list this Thursday. If you’re curious, resist. If you can’t, you can find them on YouTube Kids. Peck is obsessed.
Last note before the meat and bones of this post, I discussed the concepts with Peck while we were assembling the wreath. He learns best when engaged in some kind of activity.
Project:
I purchased a foam wreath disk, artificial evergreen sprigs, red sprigs, three purple candles, one pink candle, and one white candle from Hobby Lobby for less than twenty dollars. I plundered my own supply of decorations for a small nativity.
Make sure your artificial plants have wire to poke into the foam. Some have flimsy plastic connecting them to the stem, and this won’t work for your needs.
Cut sprigs into smaller pieces (2-4 inch lengths). You want them well below the line of flame from the candles. I will neither confirm nor deny whether Christmas decorations have caught on fire in the six5mom home before.
Press the candles into the foam to mark their spots. Then carve out depressions for the candles with a knife. Obviously, this is a job for grown ups or very mature, older children. No one wants a trip to the ER during Advent.
Insert the various plant sprigs into the disk, leaving room for a nativity in the middle. See our little helper?
Place the candles in their holes and set the nativity in the center. Viola! You’ve made a Legendary Wreath.
A photo of our completed wreath is at the top of the article.
Discussion:
First discuss the meaning and purpose of Advent as described in last week’s post. It’s not yet Thanksgiving, so let’s talk about Christmas
You: What does XOXO mean?
Kiddo: Hugs and kisses
You: Which letter represents the kisses and which the hugs?
Kiddo: Answers will vary.
You: The X’s are the kisses. Make an exaggerated kiss mouth and show the hint of an X. The O’s are the hugs. Hold out your arms in a circle, hands clasped. This is also a shape. Which one?
Kiddo: Circle.
You: A circle has no beginning and no end, like eternity. Hold up the foam wreath disk. This circle in our wreath remind us of God’s eternal love for us. The love He showed us when Jesus was born. The love shown when Christ died on the cross. And the love we’ll see when He comes again. Hold up the evergreen sprigs. What kind of plants are these?
Kiddo: Answers will vary.
You: They are evergreens. Their name comes from the fact that their leaves don’t change color and fall off in autumn like other trees. They are always green. Like the circle wreath, they represent eternity. God promises us something along with forgiveness of sins. What is it?
Kiddo: Answers will vary.
You: Eternal Life. Jesus’s birth proved not only God’s eternal love, but His promise of an eternal life lived with Him. Hold up a candle. What do we use candles for?
Kiddo: Answers will vary, but one should answer that they give light.
You: Did you know the Bible says that Jesus is the light of the world? Sin is like darkness, and Jesus takes away our sin like light dispels darkness. These candles represent Jesus’s light.
Peck discerned on his own that the red of the berries represented Christ’s blood that was shed for us. I’d chosen them only because red is his favorite color. It’s up to you whether you want to include that in your discussion.
Scripture:
The Word (Jesus) gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4,5
No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isaiah 60:19
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank for your everlasting love and the promise of eternal life with you. Amen
six5mom 