One of my favorite Christmas Movies is Charlie Brown. What amazes me is this movie proclaims the message of salvation of Jesus Christ at a time of year where there are so many things that compete for our attention like presents, decorations, and receiving instead of giving. I shared this movie with my students as we ended our 1st semester together. I always say, it isn't Christmas until you hear Linus tell you the gospel story from Luke. Well, here is the story of Jesus's birth from Luke mixed with some stories and pictures of how we remembered Jesus and celebrated HIM this Christmas in 3rd Grade at El Camino Academy.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn..."
Christmas Program: In Elementary this year, we put on a music program called, "The Sights and Sounds of Christmas". The students acted out the Christmas story, but made pauses and stopped to ponder the sights and sounds that they would have seen if they were there at the birth of Jesus. All of the ECA community was invited. We had it in our own school this year instead of renting out a local church. It was such a blessing to be able to decorate and celebrate as a body of Christ the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Upper Elementary focused on the shepherds, wisemen, and the nativity scene where all come to worship Baby Jesus. Below are some pictures during the 3rd Grade presentation of the Wisemen and King Herod.
The Shepherd and the Angels
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!...."
The Giving Place: Students were again encouraged to serve and love others this Christmas Season, which is especially hard for young ones like my 3rd Graders. ECA works with many ministries all year long, connecting our ECA students with poor areas of their country that they would never see or grow compassion for on their own. My 3rd Graders work with a poor school in Suba called Acoinprev. My students were so excited to bring in money and go to the Giving Place. The Giving Place is where they can buy a toy (or toys) and wrap them for a friend that they have at any of the ministries. One of my students asked if they could specifically buy a present for a certain girl they had become friends with at Acoinprev. How sweet!
"...When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it has been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was circumcised in the womb."
Luke 2:1-21
Please enjoy these Christmas Carols sung by Elementary at ECA!
We Three Kings
Do You Hear What I Hear
Little Drummer Boy (In Spanish)
Merry Christmas from Bogota! May God's peace and light be abundant this holiday season. I look forward to seeing many of you while I am in Chicago for Christmas.
Blessings,
Carrie
Me and my aide, Erica :-)
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