Advent Activity Calendar - December 11

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 1: 18-25

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'--which means, 'God with us.' When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

Country in Focus: Germany

Tradition: Christmas Tree Ornaments

Activity: Decorate a Christmas tree ornament.

Materials: box of plastic or glass inexpensive ornaments any color, beads, ribbon, sequins, glitter glue, and glue

Directions:

Use the materials you gathered to decorate the plain ornaments to make your own creations. They make great gifts for grandparents!

Background:

At this point, you probably already have your Christmas tree up. Back on December 6th, I related the history of the Christmas tree itself. But how did the tradition of the Christmas tree make it's way to England and thereby to America? And why did we start hanging ornaments on the tree?

Queen Victoria was very popular. Everything she did, the people of her country emulated. Queen Victoria often traveled to Germany to visit relatives. She met her her husband Prince Albert there. They were married and returned to England, to rule and to raise their family. Prince Albert brought with him a Christmas tree of hand blown glass ornaments. In 1846, the Royal family were depicted in the Illustrated London News standing around their Christmas tree with their children. Immediately, everyone in England and on the East Coast of America had to have one.

Many of the ornaments that people decorated their tree with were handmade ornaments because that's all they could afford. Ladies began Christmas crafting all year in preparation. Until finally, it became the big business it is today! Making ornaments is still more fun. Have a great time!