Simblissity: Day 6

Friday, the 6th day of Advent

Advent Verse

Psalm 110:1 tells us He would sit down at the right hand of God. This is mirrored in the New Testmanent in Hebrews 1:3.

Jesse Tree

Today's verse is a little longer, adding some challenge to our memorization:

"I will make you into a great nation
       and I will bless you;
       I will make your name great,
       and you will be a blessing."

-Genesis 12:2

Our story continues on to Abraham, still Abram at the promise in these verses.

A drawing of a tent is a fitting ornament for today, as Abram was called away from his home and family to follow the Lord as a wanderer. A homemade ornament could be a tent cut out of brown felt with a toothpick glued on for tent-posts.

To Explore

Christmas Trees!

Though originally rooted in paganism (pun intended), the Christmas tree often plays an integral part of Christian holiday celebrations. The fir tree is first known to have come indoors in Scandinavia during the dark ages. In the midst of freezing, dark winters, the fir tree stood with marked contrast to its stark surroundings. Vikings found encouragement in this hardy tree. The evergreen was a popular symbol for many pagan cultures.

A legend about St. Boniface tells how the evergreen began to be associated with Christianity - http://www.essortment.com/all/historychristma_rfra.htm The tradition spread throughout Christendom and it became tradition to hang an evergreen from the ceiling each winter. However, the tree was still not associated with Christmas.
The first recording of the tree being used for Christmas celebrations didn't occur until 1510 in Latvia. You can read more about that history here - http://www.firstchristmastree.com/
Another legend says that it was Martin Luther who influenced our current celebrations of the Christmas tree. http://christmas.howstuffworks.com/stories/christmas-tree-stories2.htm
For a brief run-down of the development of the Christmas tree, you'll enjoy this site - http://www.christmasarchives.com/trees.html

Christmas Around the World

Latvia - http://www.latviatourism.lv/info.php
Christmas feasting in Latvia - http://www.eat-online.net/english/habits/christmas/christmas_latvia.htm

To wish a merry Christmas in Latvia, you would say "Priecïgus Ziemassvºtkus".

Hands On (cooking, coloring, creating)

Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees (my kids LOVE this one) -
To make, add green food coloring to white frosting and smear over sugar cones. Let kids decorate with ice cream sprinkles and cupcake decor or mini m&m's. Take a picture because this craft will be gobbled up quickly!

Handprint Christmas Tree -
Dip child's palm in green paint and then upside down on paper or fabric. Make a row of 4 handprints, then 3, then 2. For the top, use yellow paint on the child's other hand, or draw on a star. Thumb prints dipped in red paint make great "tree" decorations. Using fabric paint on a sweatshirt makes a great gift for grandparents.

Let the littles decorate their own felt Christmas trees, again and again -
http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2009/12/im-dreaming-of-pink-christmas.html

Color a Christmas tree and then add glitter glue ornaments - http://www.supercoloring.com/image_print.php?img_src=http://www.supercoloring.com/wp-content/original/2008_12/christmas-tree-coloring-page.gif

Part of the St. Boniface legend included his use of the triangular shape of the evergreen tree to explain the trinity. Here is an excellent math lesson lapbook on triangles -
http://xinpeifamily.blogspot.com/2009/09/triangle-lapbook.html

Latvian Recipes - http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2308551/recipes_for_christmas_dinner_in_latvia.html?cat=22

Music

O Tannenbaum, also sung as O Christmas Tree - http://www.fashion-era.com/Christmas/christmas_customs_tree_history.htm#O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)

Books

Read FREE online, Hans Christian Andersen's tale: The Fir Tree -

The first book on this list makes me cry every time. The last makes me laugh every time. All of them are good, but these two are our favorites.