Old-Fashioned Craft with a New Twist

---

Kids are going to be excited about Christmas. Sure thing. There's nothing you need to do to ramp that up. But is there a way to promote peace in the hearts of young children who need a concrete visual of “how much longer”? More importantly, how can you incorporate moments for your children to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with activities that take their eyes off their wants and make them aware of their blessings, as well as the needs in the world around them?

Encourage a practice of selfless praying that extends far beyond the Christmas season!

You really can’t beat an old-fashioned paper chain as a visual children can understand. This season, consider supplying them with items to make paper chains that go beyond a countdown of days. Write prayer suggestions on paper strips that challenge them to pray for others while counting down the days until Christmas. Attach a star on the last ring that will be taken off on Christmas Eve night. Be sure the prayer suggestion on this ring says, "Thank God for sending His Son, Jesus!"

(Hint: If you have more than one child making paper chains, there is no need to write prayer suggestions on each set of paper strips. Choose one chain to include prayer suggestions. Every child may remove a ring from their chain, but as you gather them together for prayer time, read the prayer suggestion on the one.)

Unique "Hand Clap" Method for Young Children

Turning a paper strip into a ring can be challenging for young children. Follow these instructions to make this an activity preschoolers can enjoy.

• Draw a dot on the end of each paper strip.

• Turn each strip over and draw another dot on the opposite end.

• Tell children the dots on both sides of the paper strips represent hands. Their job is to rub glue on one "hand", find the "hand" on the other side, and put the two "hands" together to make them clap!

• Next, show children how to rub glue on the dot of an alternate colored strip and thread it inside the circle before making another pair of "hands" clap. Repeat.

• Cheer children on as you watch their chains grow. Resist the urge to perfect the color pattern. It's okay to mix up the colors. Learning how to make a paper chain is a big accomplishment all by itself!

Rub glue on the paper strip's dot. Find the dot on the other side. Press the two dots together to make the "hands" clap!

Rub glue on the dot of another paper strip. Thread it through the circle. Find the matching dot on its other side. Press the two dots together to make those "hands" clap. Repeat.

---

Prayer Suggestions

• Pray for someone (by name) who is sick

• Pray for someone who doesn't know Jesus

• Pray for those who serve our country

• Pray for our police officers

• Pray for those who don't have a warm bed to sleep in tonight

• Pray for those who are hungry

• Pray for those who are lonely

• Pray for our church leaders

• Pray for the leaders of our country

• Thank God for our church

• Thank God for His Word, the Bible

• Thank God for family

• Thank God for sending Jesus!

It's okay to list any of these on multiple prayer strips.

What prayers would you like to see added to this list? Please share your ideas with our group! Use this blog's comment section to add your suggestions.