For 32 years The Teaching Home has provided families information,
inspiration, and encouragement from a distinctively Christian perspective.

Co-Editors: Veteran Home-School Sisters, Sue Welch and Cindy Short

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All Glory to God
by Charles Wesley

All glory to God, and peace upon earth,
Be published abroad at Jesus' birth.

Then let us behold Messiah the Lord,
By prophets foretold, by angels adored;

Our God's incarnation
     with angels proclaim,
And publish salvation in Jesus' Name.

Immanuel's love let sinners confess,
Who comes from above,
     to bring us His peace;

Let every believer His mercy adore,
And praise Him forever,
     when time is no more.

See words and music online.




Christmas Freebies

The following free online resources (unit studies, e-books, advent calendars, and activities) can help you use this season to teach your children and build family traditions.

Also see The Teaching Home's Christmas Pinterest Page for more resources, plus art and craft projects.




Christmas Planner

Christmas Planner

"Tips for Organizing & Simplifying Your Way to the Christmas You've Always Dreamed Of" includes budget, scheduling, gifts, shopping, traditions, cards, decorating, baking, charity, plus printables.  24-pages.
•  Free pdf e-book.




Christmas Unit Studies

A Blessed Christmas Unit Study

This unit study is about the symbols of Christmas – each one pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ. The entire focus is on Christ, His character, our service to Him, and our opportunity to spread His light to others.  This 24-day study has been expanded with many activities.  49-pages.
•  Free pdf e-book.
•  Free online html version.
•  Free original, short (non-expanded) html version.



The Names of Jesus Unit Study

Each of 24 days you will study one of the Names of Jesus.  Includes Bible and character study, learning activities, a Christmas Journal, and more.
•  Free 149-page expanded version in .doc format.
•  Free original, short (non-expanded) html version.



Good Christian Men Rejoice!

This unit is a study of 15 Christmas carols and hymns with learning activities.
•  Free html version.



Christmas Around the World

Information, activities, recipes, coloring pages, etc.  Includes Japan, Australia, Egypt, England, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Mexico, Spain, Ireland, and Colonial America.  Not overtly Christian, but nothing objectionable.  46 pages.
•  Free pdf e-book.



Christmas Unit Studies

This index page links to many possibilities to include in your Christmas unit study, including links to resources, lapbooking units, coloring pages, learning activities, complete unit studies, and more.  Not overtly Christian.
•  Free online html version.
•  Christmas Unit Study - Bible.




Advent Calendars

Advent Calendars

Although Advent officially begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, most Advent calendars start on December 1.



Teaching Mom's Advent Calendar

This Advent calendar was made to be used over again for as many years as you can get something out of it.  So you probably won't be able to do everything in the same year.

You can make this a month-long unit study of Advent and Christmas, or just get some ideas for how to create your own Advent traditions at home.

Each day includes: Advent candle; Bible verses and study; Jesse Tree verses; Chrismom; articles/devotionals; discussion starters; vocabulary; book and movie suggestions; study of fine art and carols; traditions and history around the world; coloring, cooking and crafts, and activities; plus home decorations.



Thriving Family's Countdown to Christmas

This Focus on the Family publication's activity calendar is a 19-page e-book with daily scripture and activities.



About.com's Countdown to Christmas

Each day offers links to a recipe, a game, a coloring page, a craft, an activity, plus a way to show off your projects.



Homeschooled-Kids.com Advent Calendar for Families

A simpler version for younger children.


Specialty versions you might enjoy:

 •  A Bach Christmas Calendar

 •  Jacquie Lawson animated Advent Calendar of London (for anglophiles), buy for $3.




Christmas Activities

Annie's Christmas Welcome Page

On this page you will find all my different Christmas pages listed.  Annie's Holiday Pages are written from a Christian Perspective!
•  www.annieshomepage.com




Save $20 on Your HSLDA Membership




Home School Legal Defense Association offers homeschooling families a low-cost method of obtaining quality legal defense that gives them the freedom to homeschool without having to face legal threats alone.

Use this link and discount group number 299142 for $20 off your membership fee.  (Be sure to enter the discount group number 299142 in the "Discount Group Code" area, not the "Coupon Code" area.)




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Sunnyside Up




Big Words Help Writing

Our daughter, 7, labored over a story she was writing, periodically asking for spelling help.  When she was finally finished, she asked for the stapler to put her pages together.

Surprised that she had written enough to fill up two college-ruled sheets, I praised her efforts.

She responded, "I used big words."  And indeed she had!  The pages were filled with words whose letters were two to three inches tall.

Submitted by Maria P., Massachusetts.

Send your humorous anecdote to [email protected].




The Good News of Christmas

The spiritual significance of Christmas is the very essence of the Gospel – the Good News of God's love and gift of eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1.  Jesus is God's gift of love, celebrated at Christmas.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

2.  Man is separated from God by sin.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)  For the wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23)

3.  The death of Jesus Christ in our place is God's only provision for man's sin.

He (Jesus Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)

4.  We must personally receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. (John 1:12)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9)




God's Word

Immerse your family in God's truth through systematic reading and study of God's Word.


The Teaching Home's
Unique Bible Reading Schedule

Features include:
•  Start any month.
•  Read 6 days a week
   (allows for church on Sunday).
•  Read 4 weeks per month
   (24 days per month).
Online at TeachingHome.com.

Listen to the Bible Online.  Choose from six English versions (plus Spanish and other languages) at BibleGateway.com/Audio.

Search God's Word at BibleGateway.com.  Options include Passage Lookup, Keyword Search,and Topical Index.




Christian Music Online 24-7

Listen to beautiful traditional, sacred, and inspirational conservative Christian music (commercial free!) when you tune in to these online stations:

 •  Old Christian Radio

 •  Abiding Radio.  Choose from four stations: vocal, instrumental, kids, and seasonal (Christmas). Information for listening on many different devices.




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Preparing for Christmas
 
     1.  Proclaiming the Good News
     2.  Teaching the Character Quality of Generosity
     3.  Giving To Meet Needs


 Sidebar 
 
Christmas Freebies
     Unit Studies, E-books, Advent Calendars, and Activities


 Recommended Resources 

 •  Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class: Easy Christmas Songs
 •  Betty Lukens: Through the Bible in Felt
 •  Diagramming the Scriptures: Grammar and Bible


Greetings,

In this issue we offer suggestions for your family as you prepare for Christmas.

This is an opportunity to teach spiritual truths to our children and to share the same Good News to our world today that the angels proclaimed 2,000 years ago.

This is how God showed his love among us:
He has sent His one and only Son into the world
that we might live through Him.

In this is love: not that we loved God,
but that He loved us and sent His Son
as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
     (1 John 4:9-10)

May the Lord bless your family for His glory.


Cordially,
The Pat Welch Family, Publishers
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian

The Teaching Home is a homeschool, family-run business operated in our home since 1980.


Easy Christmas Songs for Guitar
from Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class

Easily Learn To Play 14 Beautiful Christmas Songs!

New Course (Book & DVD).  Easier arrangements with chords and strumming so even the new guitar player can be ready to sing along with friends and family for Christmas.

Each song is introduced, followed by tips on playing it.  You learn 30+ chords with lots of strumming and finger picking patterns too.

3 Purchase Options for This Program:
1.  Streaming Videos and eBook (Instant Access) - $19.95
2.  Physical Book & DVD (Shipped) - $24.95
3.  Both Options Above (Instant Access & Shipped) - $33
     Start Learning These Songs Today


Give the Gift of Playing Beautiful Worship
Music in the Comfort of Your Own Home –
in Just a Few Days!

     •  Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class
•  Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class for Kids
•  DVD/Book SetsMastering Finger Picking; Music Theory;
   Christmas Songs and Solos
•  PianoPiano for Christians; Pattern Piano (playing by ear)
•  Christian Drum DVDs


Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class
www.worshipguitarclass.com  |  800-391-5412

Sign up for Free Newsletter; Guitar Playing Tips & Chord Chart eBook



1.  Proclaiming the Good News

Regardless of objectionable practices of past and present Christmas observances, Christian families can focus on the true reason for the celebration – God's love in sending us a Savior!


Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?

By no means!  Christmas is the primary Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord.

However, there is no indication that Christ was born on December 25, and there is no instruction or example in Scripture of celebrating His birth.  Further, the celebration of Christmas did originate from a pagan winter festival and various customs centuries ago.

Yet today the content of Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ the Lord.  The old pagan roots of Christmas are no longer remembered or associated with Christians' observance of this day.

Christmas provides a unique opportunity for Christians to proclaim to the world the good news that a Savior has come – Jesus Christ the Lord!


5 Ways To Proclaim the Good News

At Christmas time, it is appropriate to include a witness for Christ in our greetings to extended family, neighbors, and co-workers in keeping with the holiday.  We have a ready-made opportunity to explain the Good News of the Gospel.

Your presentation of the good news of God's gift may take many forms:


1.  Hand Out Gospel Tracts

These tracts use Scripture to show that Jesus came to die for man's sin and invite readers to accept Him.


 •  Christmas Steps to Peace with God
 •  Christmas: A Time for Peace (in Spanish)
 •  Jesus, The Real Meaning of Christmas
 •  The Best Gift of All (for children)
 •  More Christmas Tracts

 •  Pocket Testament League offers low-priced copies of the Gospel of John with different cover designs, various translations, several languages (Spanish, ESL, Chinese, Japanese, large print, bilingual), and all contain the plan of salvation and an opportunity to sign up for a free correspondence course.

    "The best gift you can give is the gift of God's promise of eternal life through faith in Christ.  And God's Word explains it better than human words can.

    "Giving a Gospel of John is the easiest way possible to share your faith at a time of year when so many people are open to the message of God's love and forgiveness."  –Pocket Testament League.


2.  Include the Gospel in Your Cards and Letters

 •  Send cards with a biblical message and/or Bible verse, write out a verse such as John 3:16, or include Christmas tracts with all your Christmas cards.

 •  If you mail or e-mail an annual family letter, include a personal testimony of the Lord's working in your life, your gratefulness for His salvation, and a Bible verse.


3.  e-Cards & Online

If you send e-cards (Crosscards, Dayspring, etc.) or if you have a website or other online presence (such as Facebook or a blog), you can include a message and/or link to the Gospel, such as:

 •  Scripture:

    "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

    "To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

 •  Links to online information and video:

"Have you accepted the most precious gift anyone could ever give you?  Read more." (link to http://christiananswers.net/godstory/prayer1.html)

"Watch a free on-line video which clearly explains how Jesus Christ was born and why – starting at the very beginning, at the dawn of Creation.  Watch The Hope, an 80-minute video." (link to
http://christiananswers.net/hope/home.html)


4.  Give Christmas Goodies Plus a Gospel Message

Prepare a plate of baked goodies or a basket of fruit for your neighbors, friends, and/or family and include a Christmas tract, a Scripture portion (see above), or an audio tape or CD of a book of the Bible.


5.  Go Christmas Caroling

Everyone loves to hear the familiar Christmas carols.

 •  Go caroling in your neighborhood, in a hospital or nursing home, or to shut-ins from your church.

 •  Go as a family or with another family or a group.

 •  Include your testimony in just a couple of sentences between songs, briefly speak of the gospel message in the songs, and/or pass out Christmas tracts.

 •  Print 4-page Booklet of 14 Christmas carols to take with you caroling, or Carols by Candlelight, a Gospel message with words for carols, that you can give to those you sing to.


Affecting Our Culture

Christians' celebration of a Christ-centered Christmas is a testimony to all around us and can have an impact on our culture today.

Although the CIA Factbook list 75% of the U.S. population as "Christian" and the vast majority do not object to the religious aspects of Christmas, a small minority do.

Some Christian organizations are working to keep the Christian emphasis in our public celebration of Christmas in various ways, such as:

 •  Nativity Displays.
Steven W. Fitschen, president of The National Legal Foundation explains the right to display Nativity scenes on public property, and a memorandum of law has been prepared by Liberty Counsel regarding publicly and privately sponsored religious holiday displays and religious holidays in public schools.

 •  The Use of "Christmas" in the Marketplace.
Liberty Counsel and American Family Assoc. have prepared lists of retailers for people who want to patronize and encourage companies who acknowledge Christmas, and avoid those that do not, in order to help ensure that Christmas does not get secularized or censored from its essence – the birth of Jesus Christ.



Take a Visual Journey Back to Bible Times
with Betty Lukens Through the Bible in Felt

Make Your Bible Stories Come Alive!


With Betty Lukens Through the Bible in Felt, Bible characters and scenes are brought vividly to life as you add, remove, and rearrange the felt pieces.

The brilliantly colored felt figures capture the attention of even the most active children.

Felt sets include:
•  600 Felt Figures & Objects
•  Illustrates Old & New Testament Bible Stories
•  182 Lesson Teachers' Manual
•  Backgrounds & Overlays to create numerous scenes


Teach Christian Values that Will Last a Lifetime!

Betty Lukens
Visit us online today at www.bettylukens.com.

Use promo code TEACHING for an extra 20% off
through December 31th 2012.


Betty Lukens has been manufacturing quality felt visuals
for over 30 years!


2.  Teaching the Character Quality      of Generosity

Generosity is part of a group of character qualities included in the broader category of love.

"We love, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

Explain to your children that we give gifts at Christmas to show our love for others, just as "God so loved the world and gave his only begotten Son."


Look at Why We Should Be Generous

 •  Because God has been generous to us (Eph. 3:19-20).

 •  Because God tells us to (Luke 6:30, 38; Romans 12:8, 13; Eph. 4:28; Isa. 58:10-11; II Cor. 9:7).

 •  Because we are stewards of what He has given to us.

Study the characteristics of love and generosity and what God says about them:


Love

Wanting and doing the best for another, expecting nothing in return.  Also: compassion, affection, concern, caring, empathy, encouraging.

See I Cor. 13; I John 3:17-18; Romans 12:9-10; John 15:12-13; Phil. 2:1-4.


Generosity

Gladly and unselfishly giving self, time, talents, money, and possessions.  Also: sharing.

See II Cor. 9:7; I Tim. 6:18; II Cor. 8:1-5; Heb. 13:16; I Tim. 6:18.


Find Out What God Says about Giving

Read and study Bible passages that encourage Christian generosity.  Start with the following.

    •  Deut. 16:17
•  1 Chronicles 29:11-17
•  Proverbs 11:24-25; 22:9
•  Matthew 25:35-40
•  Luke 6:38
•  Acts 20:35
•  Romans 12:13
•  2 Corinthians 8:2-21; 9:5-15
•  Galatians 6:6
•  1 Timothy 6:17-19
•  Hebrews 6:10; 13:16
•  I John 3:17


Discuss What We Should Give

 •  We must thoughtfully consider the needs of others in order to meet those needs in a practical manner.

 •  We can be generous regardless of our financial situation and our ability to purchase gifts – we have much that we can give: time, attention, conversation, work, service, etc.

 •  When you give to those in need, do it in the name of the Lord so that He gets the glory and others are pointed to Him.



Effectively Teach Grammar & Study God's Word
with Diagramming the Scriptures

Diagramming the Scriptures by Shirley M. Forsen is a textbook which teaches the diagramming of over 300 sentences taken from the King James Version of the Bible. 8.25" x 11", 344 pages.

Starting with the simple subject-verb sentence, it then adds new concepts with lots of practice until the student can master compound-complex sentences.

Examples, practice sentences, and review sentences are given for each sentence pattern, part of speech, clause, or type of sentence.

 •  Provides better understanding of Scripture and any literary work.
 •  Lays a firm foundation for speaking and writing.
 •  Supplements any English grammar course.
 •  Prepares for SAT college exam preparation.

Diagramming the Scriptures
More information at diagrammingthescriptures.com
Order Paperback (Save 20%) or Kindle Edition (Save 64%) from Amazon.com


3.  Giving To Meet Needs

Christmas is a time of giving, modeled on God's great gift to us. Teach your family how giving pleases the Lord.

 •  Model a free and happy generosity.

 •  Teach your child to be thoughtful of those in need and understand how to meet their needs.


God's Gift List

 Talk to your family about those God told us to give to: prisoners; widows and orphans; our "neighbors"; the poor, handicapped, hungry, thirsty, or sick; strangers, those in need of clothing, and those that cannot return our gifts.  (See James 1:27; Luke 14:12-14; Matthew 25:35, 36.)

"Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:1)


Types of Gifts

Discuss ways to meet the different needs of people.

 •  Some need material things. Give food, clothes, or money for housing, utilities, or transportation to a needy family or individual.

 •  Some need friendship, companionship, time, or service. Make a short visit to a nursing home, take a meal or a "tea party" to a shut-in from your church, or help serve a meal at a rescue mission.


How To Reach the Needy

There are several ways that you may become aware of the needs of others and give to them.

 •  You may know someone to give to directly. This may be extended family, neighbors, friends, or acquaintances.  (See the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37.)

 •  You may give through your local church, such as a benevolent fund.  An example given to us in Scripture.  (See Acts 6:1-7.)

 •  You may give through an organization that ministers in parts of the world with which you would not come into contact, such as:

Gospel for Asia offers you the opportunity to give the Gospel as well as a practical gift to meet urgent needs of Dalit ("Untouchable") families, showing them a tangible expression of God's life-changing love.

Gospel Rescue Missions present the Gospel, as well as provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, education and job training programs, and assistance to the elderly, poor, and at-risk youth.  See a directory of missions and "Eight Ways to Truly Help the Homeless" (including precautions for your family's safety).

Home School Foundation helps needy homeschooling families through hard times, including their Widows Fund.

"He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor."  (Proverbs 22:9)


Practice Hospitality

Hospitality is a gift that money cannot buy, and it is something that God tells us to give to others (Romans 12:13).  You do not need to do an elaborate dinner or party.

 •  Ask a neighbor in for tea or coffee.

 •  Do not wait until your house looks "perfect" to practice hospitality.


Always Include the Best Gift

 •  True love will offer the best gift, the Good News of salvation, along with any gift that ministers to physical needs (Acts 3:6).

 •  Give in the name of the Lord so that He gets the glory and others are pointed to Him.