The news of the shooting in Connecticut can concern your children more than they might show.  Most will ask questions as they process it.

The Awana staff has put together 10 key points to consider as you handle this teaching opportunity, including: listen to your children; pray with them; allow them to be sad, or mad, or angry; admit that you do not have all the answers; assure them that you will do everything in your power to keep them safe; remind them that this was not from God – help them understand that there is sin in the world, and it was that evil that brought this about.

Read the full article.

For older children, see Ray Comfort's article about another mass murder, which concludes:  "The only answer is the gospel.  Christians must share their faith in obedience to the Great Commission."

If you send e-cards (Crosscards, Dayspring, etc.) or if you have a website or other online presence (such as Facebook or a blog), 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 & video:

"Have you accepted the most precious gift anyone could ever give you?  Read more."

"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."

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. "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.

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 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 version in .doc format •  Free original, short 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.

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.

Do you like Special Offers, saving money, and learning about new and useful resources for your homeschool?

Then you will want to check out the Resource E-Mails that come to your mail box!

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We've lived in warm Hawaii all our lives, but now the Lord is leading us to Oregon.  In purchasing a new home there, we were discussing the need to take care of (repair or replace) four heating ducts under the house.  We don't have furnaces here in Hawaii, so this is all new to us.

Our 5-year-old looked very surprised and replied, "Wow! I didn't know people cook ducks under their houses in Oregon!"

Submitted by Karen, Hawaii.

Send your humorous anecdote to [email protected].

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)

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

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.

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.

Please help us make this newsletter better by letting us know what we are doing correctly, where we need to improve, and topics you would like addressed.

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In this issue we offer 15 suggestions for activities your family can enjoy together during this holiday and your winter break.

Look over this list and see if there are any of these ideas that your family would like to include in your schedule – but don't try to do them all, or you will wear yourself out!

You could be very pleased with the results of adding a new family activity and just might make a family memory or start a family tradition as well.

During this season, as you enjoy time with your family, also remember in prayer those whose families have been broken or have suffered a loss, as well as those who are separated by military service to our country.

May the Lord bless your family for His glory.

Be sure your family's break schedule includes daily time with the Lord.  Family Bible Time, or Devotions, do not need to be long or complicated.

 •  Use the Scriptures and ideas in Newsletter #356: Christmas Bible Study: Devotionals & Activities.

 •  Set aside a time each day, perhaps while everyone is still at the breakfast or dinner table or before going to bed at night.

 •  Let God talk to you by reading His Word.  You can read through the Bible each year in only about 15 minutes a day.  (See schedules.)  Our family likes to listen to an audio recording of the Scripture while we follow along in our Bibles.

 •  Take a few minutes to discuss what you've read.  Recall facts, test comprehension by paraphrasing, and make applications.

 •  Pray, sing a song, or review a memory verse.

This is the number one, all-time greatest thing to do together as a family.

 •  Make this time as relaxed and enjoyable as possible, but stop to explain or discuss items that come up.

 •  Select a special book to read during your break that will keep the interest of all family members.

 •  Read, or take turns reading, with expression and at a slightly slower pace.

An alternative is to listen together (at home or in the car) to an audio recording of good literature, such as those from your local library, Sing 'n Learn, or Vision Forum.

3.  Play Board Games & Do Puzzles

For an electronic-free evening, turn off the TV, video, computer, etc.  Clear the table, pop some corn (see six pages of flavored popcorn recipes), and get out board games or puzzles.

Board games and puzzles provide time for all your family to visit, interact, and have fun together.

Before your scheduled game time, check your local thrift shop for games and puzzles at one-tenth the price you would pay for them new.  Check the box and count the game pieces; if pieces are missing, buy a second game and still save eighty percent.  If the rules are missing, you can find them free online.

Look for time-tested family games such as Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Boggle, Dominoes, Password, Bible Trivia, Outburst, Upwords, Pictionary, and Uno (see All Games for Fun!).  Two of our new favorite word games are Bananagrams and Quiddler.

Our extended family thoroughly enjoys a rousing game (it gets that way!) of Pictionary or Password when we get together at Thanksgiving or Christmas.  We abandon the board part of these games, and everyone, youngest to oldest, takes turns pulling out a card and giving the clues.

Play one of the versions of charades for a more dramatic or active game.

4.  Take a Walk

In the winter, when we are not outside as much, a walk is even more special.  You might need to check the weather report to see when you can plan to go out for a walk together.

Besides being an excellent form of exercise, walking along, removed from the scene of your daily life, you can get a different perspective and a unique opportunity to visit with your children in an informal setting.

Having this time to talk things through in a nonstressful time and place can greatly benefit your relationship with your child.  Really listen to your child; ask about his interests and what he is thinking about.

5.  Cook & Bake Together

Have you always wanted to make bread with your family?  Pick an afternoon, have all the ingredients on hand, and just do it!  You might even have some extra read-aloud time while it is rising.

 •  See an online video demonstrating bread making, healthy bread recipes, or order "The Art of Breadmaking" DVD from Franklin Springs Family Media.

 •  If you regularly bake all your own bread, try something else that you have always wanted to bake.

 •  Make a special meal — double it and take it to someone in need!  Or take some of your fresh homemade baked goods to share with a neighbor or shut-in.

 •  Learn to make some ethnic foods.  See recipes for ethnic cuisines by region or world cuisine.

 •  Invite another like-minded family to join you for your special meal (or any meal, an activity, or a day).  When like-minded home-school families spend time together, they provide needed support and encouragement for the whole family.

 •  Your family might also like to work together one afternoon cooking ahead for your next school quarter.  If you don't do the complete meal package, just cooking and freezing meat to add to your regular recipes can save you a lot of time in the weeks to come.  See Freezer Cooking Guide.

Bible History Course Pillars of the Hebrew Nation, Part I Ancient times come alive as students travel through the Hebrew nation beginning with Creation through Joshua chapter 10. Our Keys to the Past books enhance the study of Scriptures. This hands-on approach includes student learning projects with materials and directions included for:  •  A Passport Book providing an impressive Cumulative Project presentation  •  A Timeline Book allows students to understand other events occurring during each Biblical period  •  Authentic meals, a Palestine party, a mini Hebrew village, and a replica of the Tabernacle For grades K-8 (or Your Entire Family)  |  208 pages Available as Printed Book, or E-Book & Materials Packet Sample Lesson  •  Table of Contents Information & Cathy Duffy Review Order Here www.commonsensepress.com

6.  Visit the Lonely

Take a few hours during your break to reach out to others.  Is there an elderly relative or shut-in whose life you could brighten with a visit?

Although your presence, smile, and listening ear is often enough, a small practical gift, photo, or flowers permit your visit to linger after you are gone.

Be sure to offer the love, joy, peace, and hope of our Lord in your words.  It is appropriate to ask if they would like you to read some Scripture, sing a hymn, and pray with them as well.

7.  Out with the Old

No, we don't want to unclutter the whole house.  Just spend a few hours one afternoon on one small area voted by your family as the one they would most like to see uncluttered.

Use the four-box method: throw away, give away, put away, and store away.  Maybe you can do this before your rewarding game night and take your giveaways to the thrift store when you go to look for games and puzzles.

Even one little spot of improved order can be very encouraging and make you feel like you accomplished enough to sit down and enjoy a rest.

8.  Arts and Crafts

Perhaps your younger ones need something to keep them busy while you are baking.  It takes just a few minutes to mix up a playdough or dough art recipe that will keep them busy for hours.

See the best Playdough recipe, a basic Dough Art recipe and instruction for keepsake ornaments, and Morton Salt's "Dough It Yourself" Handbook (42-page free e-book).

You could also do some of those other messy, time-consuming art projects you don't have time for during your school days.

9.  Go for a Drive or a Day Trip

Anyone can gain a fresh perspective from a change of scenery, but for us who are "city folks" by necessity, it is especially refreshing to drive through the countryside.  You, like we, might also like to listen to books on tape some of the time along the way, such as Dickens' "Christmas Carol."

Is there a little shop or park that you pass by and never have time to stop and explore?  Take an afternoon off to do those things.  Or visit a museum or historical home that might be decorated for Christmas.

10.  Shop the Sales

Would you like to save 40-50% or more on needed (that's the key word here) items that are on sale after Christmas?

If you haven't arranged your budget to take advantage of these tremendous savings this year, take a few hours to check them out anyway and see if it would be worthwhile to do so next year.

One large family we know used to wait to shop for gifts for their family until after Christmas when they got more for less.  It was a family tradition to receive their gifts on New Year's instead of Christmas, and it worked very well for them.

So Easy Your Whole Family Can Learn To Speak Another Language Together! Learn To Say "Jesus Loves You" and a Whole Lot More in Spanish or 20 Other Languages! • Listen to audio sample #1 and sample #2. • Why pay 100s of dollars for less effective   secular programs?  Text/audio downloads    only $7.50 each  (PDF/MP3). • Ideal for mission trips, homeschoolers, church outreach, and anyone   who wants to learn. The Logos Method 1. The most effective (& least expensive) program found anywhere. 2. A fun, conversational approach. 3. Repetition of short phrases (printed & spoken). 4. "Leveled learning" in small pieces. 5. Integration of biblical vocabulary in every lesson –      which makes the "Logos Method" completely unique. Logos Language Institute www.languagesforchrist.org  /  E-mail us.

11.  Give Each Family Member
        Some Time Alone

As important and enjoyable as family togetherness is, everyone needs a little time alone once in a while.

 •  Give your children some personal free time to follow their own interests.  They might enjoy a whole day or afternoon off to catch up on a hobby or do something they haven't had time to do.

 •  Get caught up on your rest.

 •  Do some writing just for fun and pleasure to record your thoughts and memories.

(A little free time each day is something that needs to be built into your regular daily schedule as well.)

12.  Give Each Family Member
        Some Personal Attention

It is important to give each family member individual attention each day.

 •  You might also want to spend several hours alone with each of your children during your break.

 •  Ask each child (and your spouse!) what they would like to do alone with you.  Be prepared for anything from building with Legos to listening to your child talk about his problems and dreams.

 •  During your break, your children could each choose a favorite activity and/or menu.  When our children were younger we let them take turns in choosing an activity for family night each week.

13.  Watch and Discuss a Good Movie

Find a good, uplifting video that will entertain and inspire your whole family.

 •  See the DVDs offered by Franklin Springs Family Media that set forth a vision for the fullness of a God-honoring family life, Pendragon, the Christian epic feature film set in Britain's Dark Ages, and Mr. Button Family Videos (on DVD).

 •  Check out the Christian perspective or appropriateness of a movie you consider viewing at Plugged in Online, Christian Spotlight on Entertainment, or Redeemer Reviews.

 •  See Christian Spotlight's lists rated with excellent and good moral rating.  (Have you ever seen "The Fourth Wise Man"?  It's a great Christmas or Easter movie.)

14.  Make Music Together

A good ol' family sing is a wonderful experience for your children to remember.

If your family doesn't regularly sing or play musical instruments together, why not start now?

It doesn't have to be a long session, unless your family wants to continue longer.  This is one of our extended family's favorite activities during the holidays — in fact, any time we get together.

You can also go to a concert in your own home by scheduling a time to sit down together and listen to a piece of music on a CD, cassette, radio, or a concert on TV or video.  You might want to start with Handel's "Messiah" (Low-cost MP3 of Handel's Messiah; Handel's Messiah DVD plus documentary and booklet).

One of our fondest family memories is when our father brought home a stereo set and put on some classical music while we sat with the lights off and the curtains open to view the moonlight on the Alaskan snow.

Want to learn how to play the guitar or piano easily and quickly in your own home?  Check out Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class (guitar and piano).

15.  Plan Regular Family Nights
        for the Coming Year

Hopefully your family will have enjoyed your time together during your break so much that you will want to continue some of these activities during the coming year.

One of the best things we did with our children when they were growing up was to have a "family night" each week.  It was a time set aside to enjoy one another's company, doing something relaxing and fun together.  It didn't have to cost money or be very educational; it was just family time!

Why not take an hour during your break for a family planning time to get started on family nights if you are not already having them regularly?

This can create a family tradition that will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime.