A Box Of Blessings: A Family Advent Project

A Box of Blessings: A Family Advent Projectby Kathy Collard Miller
Our 7-year-old daughter exclaims, "Mommy, it's time to open another present." No, it's not Christmas morning, but it is time to help keep our family's thoughts focused on the true meaning of Christmas by joining together for a holiday project which has become a family favorite. The children can hardly wait to dive into our "Box of Blessings," a special box which holds 24 gifts for the Advent season.
The first present introduces the idea. On December 1, I open the large gift-wrapped box containing 24 more attractive gifts, and read the enclosed tag to the family: "Today we are beginning a Christmas project. We will open a different present for the next 24 days to help remind us of God's most precious gift--His Son Jesus."
In preparation for the Advent season, gifts are selected that are practical and useful as visual aids, and then a specific object lesson is planned around each gift. Scripture references plus discussion questions are chosen which will both reinforce biblical principles and stimulate good conversation within the family.
The children grow more excited with each day. We find that the discussion time allows for them to share their ideas and feelings rather than to shout back "pat answers" to our questions. Sometimes we ask additional follow-up questions to help clarify an area of misunderstanding. My husband and I also add our own ideas and the children learn from our discussions.
Everyone can benefit from this family holiday project. Simply wrap a large box with Christmas paper, wrapping the lid separate. Gather 24 visual aids, wrap them, write out tags for each (object lesson, Scripture and discussion questions), and place the gifts in the box.
With little effort and a bit of creative imagination, every family can make Christmas more Christ-centered. The Lord used object lessons consistently. He took things that were familiar to the disciples and made sermons out of them to teach eternal truths. Our "Box of Blessings" has helped each of us to know God better and to absorb simple principles from His word. When our 5-year-old son received Christ as his personal Savior less than three weeks after our Advent observance, we knew this was one Christmas tradition we would continue.
Present #1 A large, wrapped box containing 24 gift-wrapped presents. READ: Today we are starting a family Christmas project. We are going to be opening little presents for 24 more days. God gave us the most precious gift of all, His Son Jesus. (John 3:16) Have each of us received this gift of Jesus into our lives?
Present #2 Several pieces of any kind of food. READ: Does food always stay the same even after a long time? No, it changes when it gets old, doesn't it? But Jesus never changes; He is always the same. (Hebrews 13:8) Why do you think it is important that Jesus never changes?
Present #3 A heart-shaped object. READ: Hearts remind us of love. We love others, but did you know that God loves us even more? (I Corinthians 13:4-7) How many things about love can we find in these verses?
Present #4 A piece of soap. READ: Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to show them that they should be servants to each other. (John 13:5) How can we be a servant to each other?
Present #5 A piece of flat bread for each person. READ: Jesus was tempted just like we are. (Matthew 4:1-11) When we are tempted, how can we resist the Tempter like Jesus did?
Present #6 A small candle or flashlight. READ: Both a candle and a flashlight give light. (Matthew 5:16) How can we be a light so that other people can see Jesus in us?
Present #7 A little Bible or tiny Scripture booklet. READ: God gives us His words in the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16) How does the Bible help us to live the Christian life?
Present #8 A piece of modeling clay. READ: We can mold this piece of clay into whatever we want it to be. Sometimes we want to be like the people of the world but Jesus wants to mold us into His image. (Romans 12:1,2) Are there some things we do that are like the world and not like Jesus?
Present #9 Scissors. READ: With scissors, we can cut out crowns for us to wear. (Have construction paper available for crowns.) Jesus promises to give heavenly crowns to those who still love Him even when sad things happen to them. (James 1:12) What sad thing has happened in each of our lives? Do we still love Jesus?
Present #10 A toy boat. READ: The disciples were afraid they would die in a storm. (Mark 4:35-40) Are we afraid of something? What does God say about fear?
Present #11 A small battery. READ: A battery gives a flashlight the power to produce light. Similarly, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live a Christian life and have the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22,23) What are the fruits of the Spirit? How can we have the fruits of the Spirit?
Present #12 A penny for each person. READ: God gives us everything we have and wants us to give a part of it back to Him. (2 Corinthians 9:7) What can each of us give to God? Does God want us to be happy or sad when we give to Him?
Present #13 A plastic lid. READ: We use a lid or seal to keep something inside a jar or other container. (Ephesians 1:13) Who does God use to seal our salvation within us?
Present #14 Plastic toy sheep. READ: Sheep follow their shepherd's voice. Just like sheep, we should listen to our Shepherd's voice. (John 10:4,5) What are some things our Shepherd, Jesus, tells us to do?
Present #15 A rubber band. READ: See this rubber band? When we pull and stretch it, it becomes tight. That's a good example of how we feel inside when we worry. If we don't stretch it, the rubber band is soft and relaxed. (Philippians 4:6-7) God wants us to relax in Him. If we are uptight, what do we need to do so that we can relax inside?
Present #16 A blank piece of paper with "sin" erased off. READ: When you make a mistake in writing, you can erase it and start over again. When you do something wrong, called sin, you can ask Jesus to forgive you and He will forget all about it. You can start over again. (Ephesians 4:32) What is something each of us did wrong lately that Jesus has forgiven us for?
Present #17 Empty. READ: Were you surprised to find this present empty? So was Peter when he found the tomb of Jesus empty. (John 20:1-9) Jesus was born so that He could grow into manhood, die for our sins and then be resurrected from the dead. What does resurrected mean? Jesus is alive. How does that affect our lives as Christians?
Present #18 A cotton ball with perfume on it. READ: This smells good, doesn't it? What Jesus did for us, by dying for our sins, smelled good to God. (Ephesians 5:2) What nice thing have each of us done lately that smells good to God?
Present #19 A plastic or toy angel. READ: An angel will announce when Jesus comes back to earth to take His children to heaven. (I Thessalonians 4:16) Do each of us know that we are going to heaven? How can we know for sure?
Present #20 A match. READ: The deeds we do are either valuable or worthless. (I Corinthians 3:12,13) What deeds are each of us doing that will be considered good in heaven? What deeds will be judged worthless and burned up?
Present #21 A picture of a neighbor or friend. READ: God uses the word "neighbor" to mean everyone. (Galatians 5:14) He wants us to love everyone. Do we have a hard time loving everyone? What can we do about it?
Present #22 A happy face sticker. READ: Is there something you can do to make God happy? (Colossians 3:20) What are some ways each of us can be obedient today?
Present #23 A tiny piece of concrete. READ: The foundation of a house is usually made from concrete. It is put in first before the house is built. (Luke 6:47-49) Is Jesus our foundation? Is He first in each of our lives?
Present #24 A tiny globe or picture of the earth. READ: God made the earth and everything in it. That includes each of us. (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 139:13-16) Do you know that you are special and important to God?
Present #25 A photograph of each child when each was a baby. READ: You used to be a baby, didn't you? So was Jesus. Just as you are growing up, Jesus grew up so that He could one day become our Savior. (Luke 2:1-20) What do you want to be when you grow up? In what way can each of us continue to have the Christmas spirit every day of the year?
http://www.kathycollardmiller.com/articles_&_tips.htm