Newsletter #356 - Archived Online. 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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The Gospel in Charles Wesley's Christmas Carol Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing includes references to the incarnation, Messianic prophecies pointing to the birth of the Messiah, as well as themes of what Christ did for us. Read "The Gospel in Charles Wesley's Christmas Carol" for Scripture verses and explanatory notes on words of the song, making for a meaningful study for your family.
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
by Charles Wesley Hark! The herald angels sing, Peace on earth, and mercy mild, Joyful, all ye nations rise, With th'angelic host proclaim, Christ, by highest Heav'n adored; Late in time, behold Him come, Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Hail the heav'nly Prince of Peace! Light and life to all He brings, Mild He lays His glory by, Born to raise the sons of earth, Come, Desire of nations, come, Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed, Now display Thy saving power, Now in mystic union join Adam's likeness, Lord, efface, Second Adam from above, Let us Thee, though lost, regain, O, to all Thyself impart,
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.
Misc. Christmas Activities
Christmas Holiday Helper. Living Books Curriculum presents stories, picture study, and copywork in a 22-page e-book. Christmas Ideas for Home Schoolers. 8-page e-book with 35+ ideas, including recipes, snowflake patterns, poems and carols from Hewitt Homeschooling. The Christmas Story in Works of Art in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hat tip to Living Books Curriculum. Figgy Pudding, Stollen and Tamales. Sign up for the free twice-monthly Knowledge Quest newsletter and receive free 31-page e-book with holiday recipes from 14 countries. The Announcement to Mary. Free 12-page e-book with Bible lesson featuring the unique "stick figuring" though the Bible from Grapevine Studies. Christmas Devotionals delivered to you by e-mail. Choose from Advent Devotions, Christmas Joy, Classic Christmas Hymns, The Christmas Story. Christmas IQ Quiz. See how well you know the Christmas story. Names of Jesus Ornaments. Printable Bible crafts. These also correlate with the free Names of Jesus unit study (below). Printables, Bible lessons, crafts, and resources. Journey to Bethlehem, Three Wise Men, Birth of Jesus. Gifts, decorations, crafts, recipes, cards from Martha Stewart. 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.
Christmas Planner
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Always-Relevant Teaching Home Back Issues 
Fifty-one Back Issues The information, inspiration, and encouragement packed into each back issue never goes out of date. They are always relevant, applicable to your needs today. "The Teaching Home has been a part of my continuing education since I started homeschooling, and I have kept every issue. "I often go back to old issues to find creative, helpful hints or inspiration." |
Sunnyside Up
One in a Million
At our home-school group's gym day, I was busy talking with a friend when my son Brian went to write out his name tag.
Soon there was a tug at my arm, and Brian proudly handed me my name tag. With a smile, I put it on. In big letters, he had written "MOM."
Submitted by Laura S., Michigan.
Send your humorous anecdote to publisher@teachinghome.com.
Peace with God
1. God loves you.
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:
• Abiding Radio. Choose from four stations: vocal, instrumental, kids, and seasonal (Christmas). Information for listening on many different devices.
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Christmas Bible Study:
Devotionals and Activities
1. Be Devoted to the Lord
2. Read the Story
3. Study the Story
4. Dramatize the Story
5. Apply the Story of God's Love
6. Sing about the Story
Christmas Issues
Preparing for Christmas: Newsletter #354
Christmas Peace: Newsletter #355
Sidebar
Christmas Freebies
Unit Studies, E-books, Advent Calendars, and Activities
Recommended Resources
• Living Books Curriculum: Digital Christmas Collection
• Gospel for Asia: Give to a Needy Family in South Asia
Greetings,
In this issue we present suggestions for focusing on the wonder of God's love for us and His provision for our salvation through the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son.
These ideas can be used for your Bible class, to replace some of your regular classes, and/or for your family devotions for one or two weeks from now until Christmas.
Since "Jesus is the reason for the season," we should not become so busy that we do not have time for Him!
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.
Get Ready for a Fresh Start
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1. Be Devoted to the Lord
Suggestions for following the model below at Christmas time are included in the rest of this newsletter.
We show our devotion to the Lord by spending time with Him, listening to His Word and talking to Him in prayer.
Family Bible time, or devotions, should be a Christian family's first priority each day – not as a long or complicated duty, but as the privilege it is.
• Establish
the Habit
Firmly establishing a habit of meeting
together will greatly facilitate this time
together with the Lord. Set aside a
time each day, perhaps while everyone is
still at the breakfast or dinner table or
before going to bed at night.
• Read
God's Word
Let God talk to you by reading His
Word. You can read through the Bible
each year in just 15-20 minutes a day (See
schedules).
• Study
God's Word
Take a few minutes to discuss what you've
read. Recall facts, test comprehension
with questions, expand understanding by
having your children paraphrase what was
read.
• Apply
God's Word
Determine to do something about what you have
read, such as share the truth with someone or
change something in your life.
• Memorize
God's Word
Memorizing and reviewing Bible verses
together implants God's Word in your hearts
for life!
• Pray
When you talk to the the Lord, thank the Lord
for what He has done for you (come to earth
to die for our sins); ask for forgiveness;
and bring petitions for the needs of
ourselves and others.
• Sing
Sing praises to the Lord through hymns and
spiritual songs.
Suggestions for following the model above at Christmas time are included in the rest of this newsletter.
2. Read the Story
One of the most meaningful family traditions you can pass on to your children is reading the story of Christ's birth together.
Read and Discuss the Bible Story
• Read and discuss Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:5-2:38.
• And/or listen to the Bible reading online, on a CD, or watch a video with word-for-word Scripture (Matthew: Visual Bible, only $11.15).
• Add explanations for your younger children as you read.
Compare Accounts
• Notice the different details given in the Matthew and Luke accounts.
• Read the accounts of Jesus' birth from "A Harmony of the Story of Jesus" which brings together all the relevant verses from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John rearranged by subject and approximate chronological order.
• Read about the incarnation of Jesus in John 1:1-18. How does this account differ in viewpoint, etc.?
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3. Study the Story
Further study brings many rich truths to bear on the simple story of Christ's birth.
• Recall facts, test comprehension with questions, expand understanding by having your children paraphrase what was read.
• Explain and discuss the names given to the promised Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 and the character quality each reveals.
• Find and study the prophecies in the Old Testament predicting the coming of the Messiah and their fulfillment in the New Testament such as His virgin birth, Bethlehem to be the place of His birth, and His suffering. More than 300 are listed on the Messiah Revealed website.
Doctrine for Children
Don't be afraid of the word "doctrine"; it simply means "teaching." Children can understand important foundational truths from Scripture, such as:
• The Virgin Birth: Jesus had no human father, only a mother. (Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:34-35; Isaiah 7:14)
• The Incarnation: Jesus is both fully God and fully man. (John 1:1-3, 14; 14:6-11; Colossians 1:12-18, 2:6-9, Isaiah 43:11, 45:21-22)
Why Jesus Came
Look up some of the following Scriptures, and discuss the reasons that Jesus came.
1. To Redeem Man
• To seek and save the lost as a shepherd. (Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:11; John 10:1-30; Isaiah 53.6; I Peter 5:2-4; 2:25; Matthew 9:36; Hebrews 13:20)
• To give His life as a ransom. (Matthew 20:28; Romans 6)
• To save sinners by bearing our sins and paying our penalty. (Romans 6:23; Isaiah 53:5; I Timothy 1:15; I Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28)
• To put away sin. (Hebrews 9:26; I John 3:5; John 1:29; Leviticus 16:20-22; Isaiah 53:6; II Corinthians 5:21)
• To give eternal life to those dead in sin. (Ephesians 2:1-6)
• To give re-birth and adoption as God's children to all who receive Him in faith. (Galatians 4:1-7; John 1:12)
• To conquer death through His death and resurrection. (I Corinthians 15:20-22; Revelations 21:4; II Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14-15)
• To remove enmity and establish fellowship and friendship with man. (I John 1; Romans 8:7; John 15;3-15)
2. To Reveal the Character of God
• To reveal the Father and to demonstrate the great love of God for all men. (Romans 5:8; II Timothy 2:4; Matthew 11:27; John 14:9)
• To provide a pattern of holy living. (I Peter 2:21; Matthew 11:29)
• To demonstrate patience, humility, and obedience. (Philippians 2:5-8; I Peter 2:21-23; Hebrews 5:8; John 6:38)
3. To Fulfill Prophecy and the Law
• To fulfill prophecy. (Matthew 5:17; Romans 15:8)
• To fulfill and abolish the law. (Ephesians 2:13-15; Matthew 5:17-18)
• To be a faithful high priest and the mediator between God and man. (I Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17)
• To remove the veil and open the Holy Place to us. (Hebrews 6:19-20; 9; 10:19-22)
4. Dramatize the Story
Your younger children may comprehend and remember the story of Christ's birth better through some of the following activities.
Make a Nativity Set
• Make a playdough, dough art, or clay nativity set. You could shape the figures like the "Little People" toys.
• See instructions for a nativity scene on pages 38-39 of Morton Salt's Free 42-page e-book, "Dough It Yourself" Handbook.
Make and Use Puppets
Tell the story of Jesus' birth using felt, puppets, or unbreakable nativity figures.
• Easy-to-Make Bible Story Puppets by Valerie Bendt. Patterns and directions for making 40 inexpensive and durable felt hand puppets (order book or instant download).
• Sock puppet instructions here and here.
• Finger puppet patterns and instructions.
Act Out the Story
Help your children act out the story.
• They can play multiple parts and use stuffed animals as props.
• Costumes can be as simple as a scarf or bathrobe.
This year, give to the Lord while touching the outcasts and the needy – bringing to them the Good News of the Savior whose birth we celebrate. Through the online Gospel for Asia Christmas Gift Catalog you can give a family in South Asia the chance for a better life by selecting and sending them a gift. Your gift will make a difference in their lives – not only materially, but spiritually as well! Every gift is given in the name of Jesus, and the recipients are eager to learn of the love that generated such a caring act of kindness. |
5. Apply the Story of God's Love
The story of the life of Christ reveals a loving God who is seeking a personal relationship with you. Through faith in Jesus Christ, His substitutionary death for you, and His resurrection, you can have forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and eternal life.
God's Love
Explain and discuss the following verses.
"Herein is love, not that we loved God,
but that he loved us,
and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
(1 John 4:10)
"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)
"The Lord is patient toward you,
not wishing for any to perish
but for all to come to repentance."
(II Peter 3:9)
God's Gift
Compare receiving a gift to how a person receives God's forgiveness and eternal life by accepting it as an undeserved gift by faith.
"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 the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6:23)
"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."
(Ephesians 2:8, 9)
Our Response
Ask each of your children who understands if he has accepted this gift.
• Ask the Lord to help you lead your child to Him in saving faith if he has not been saved.
• Memorize some of the Scripture passages above or others that speak of God's love to us.
• Pray and thank the Lord for His love and gift of salvation.
6. Sing about the Story
Music adds so much to our celebrations. It is also a way to teach and remind our family of spiritual truths.
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one
another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
(Colossians 3:16)
• Sing
Together
Gather your family together to sing Christmas
carols during your family devotional time or
as an activity at some other time.
See words and music for 424 Christmas hymns and songs at Net Hymnal. Also look for the theme of Christ's coming in other hymns not usually considered Christmas carols (e.g., "One Day," "Tell Me the Story of Jesus," "That Beautiful Name," and "Ivory Palaces."
• Learn
the Story Behind the Music
Learn the history of our Christmas music (see
the link above for Christmas hymns).
• Read
Song Lyrics as Poems
Some of these songs are quite profound in
their doctrinal teachings and can be read as
poems. In fact, we can sometimes appreciate
the words better by concentrating on them
without the music before we sing them.
• Listen
to Handel's "Messiah"
Handel's Oratorio "Messiah" speaks of
Christ's life, death, and resurrection:
• Words and the Scriptures to which they refer.
• Open Score (complete words and music in 50-page free e-book).
Listen to Handel's "Messiah" from Philadelphia online (with background notes)
• Low-cost MP3 of Handel's Messiah.
• DVD: Handel's Messiah (250th Anniversary Performance) plus "For Ever and Ever," a documentary on "Messiah" with an accompanying booklet.
