I’m always looking for ways to tell the Christmas story and make the holidays special. For years, my family shared a special recipe for our Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus cake for Christmas Eve after we came home from church. A single white candle was blown out by the youngest capable child. We started this tradition with other families and entire church congregations.
Yesterday at Glenbrooke Senior Center, we made a sandwich bag “trail mix,” with item(s) representing all parts of the stable scene. The leader had each set of items in separate bowls and served each person’s sandwich bag (using tongs, spoons) and the rule was, “No Eating!” these are gifts to give to others or to top presents for Christmas. The Scriptures, representing the characters, are read before passing out each treat so the participants know what each item represents.
The original source is www.abundantaffection.com When I tried the site, it could not be found.
The card reads: HUGS (Luke 2:7) Mary embraced Jesus and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes
* Use candy kisses. I found some peppermint ones, red and white
MINI MARSHMALLOWS (Luke 2:7) Jesus was laid in a manger and had no pillow for
His head
*Use mini marshmallows
PRETZELS (Luke 2:9, 13) Angel wings—Angels declare the birth of Jesus to the
Shepherds
* Use curved pretzels
POPCORN, TINY CANDY CANES (Luke 2:15) The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem. Corn is food for the sheep and candy canes represent their crooks
* Use popped corn (any flavor) and tiny candy canes
ALMONDS, DATES, FIGS (Luke 2:4-5) Almonds and dates and figs are native to Israel,
food for weary travelers. (note: wrap the fruits in plastic wrap)
* Use almonds(covered or plain), dates (no seeds), figs (note: wrap the fruits in plastic wrap)
3 MUSKETEERS , WRAPPED GOLD CANDIES, AND/OR CHEDDER GOLDFISH:
(Matthew 2:2) they didn’t get there until much later—men never ask for directions!
Wise men from the East (traditionally 3) came to worship Jesus
*Use mini Musketeers, wrapped gold candies, and/or chedder goldfish. The fish symbol later
represented the Christians fellowshipping together.
STAR (Matthew 2:2) Wisemen followed the star to find Jesus and worship Him.
* Use star-shaped candy, Starbursts, or have a cutout star to attach to the bags
GOLD CHOCOLATES (Matthew 2:21) The Wisemen brought gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh
* Use wrapped gold candies and/or chedder goldfish.
DOVE CHOCOLATE ANIMAL CRACKERS (the stable) The animals gave up their
feeding trough, and camels and sheep were there.
I hope this idea is one you can use, adapt as an object lesson and small gift for others to help make the nativity story more real. Other possibilities: licorice sticks for visitors to lean on when walking, life savers because Jesus came to save us, etc. something to represent the innkeeper
*Shopping list
Attach the card with the characters, scriptures. Perhaps find bags with Christmas colors, etc.
Hope you can use this idea to make the holidays a little more special for teachers, visitors to your homes, Christmas stockings, etc. Betty Jackson
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