Art Project: Decorate Christmas Candles with Beeswax

A great way to help children reflect on the Christmas story is to have them decorate their own candles with beeswax. Decorating candles is a beloved activity in Germany. I first became aware of it three years ago when a Godly Play colleague was making a candle for her godson's baptism. It is a pleasurable, tactile experience as well to mold and shape the beeswax between the fingers and smell its fragrance. 

You  will need a wide candle for this activity so that the "canvas" is big enough for small hands to work on. The height is not so important, but the wider, the better. 

In Germany, Stockmar sells what is called "Verzierwachs", which are thin sheets of beeswax for decorating candles. It is like modeling wax, but much thinner. If you can't find this, modeling wax like this here will work, but you may need to warm it a little at first so that small hands are not frustrated by the hardness of it.

It is important to tell the children to begin by kneading very small pieces of wax. The tendency of the children is to take a large piece, but larger pieces do not adhere to the candle as well. We actually cut the long strips of wax into smaller pieces before giving it to the children at Advent Club.

I made this simple candle to use as an example at Advent Club. I purposely made it very simplistic, because I find that when I do more elaborate things, the kids simply copy my work. If you are doing this with a group, it may help to ask them some "Wondering" questions, like "I wonder, what your favorite part of the Christmas story is?" or "I wonder, what part is the most important?" You are sure to be surprised by some of the answers you get to what the children put on their candles!

Here is some of the children's work from Advent Club:

Wishing you a joyous and meaningful First Advent on Sunday!


Linked to Friday's Nature Table at The Magic Onions

and Grünzeug at Naturkinder

and Montessori Monday at Living Montessori Now

and Waldorf Wednesday at Seasons of Joy

and Kids Get Crafty at Red Ted's Art Blog

Advent Club 2012 - Week 1

AdventsAG 2012 fing letzte Woche an! Unser Thema ist "Die Hoffnung von Weihnachten" und wir werden gemeinsam entdecken, was für eine Hoffnung man in Weihnachten findet, und drücken unsere Gedanken durch Kunst und kreatives Spiel aus. Wir freuen ins auch über die Möglichkeit diese Hoffnung weiterzugeben bei einem Projekt im Seniorenheim. Advent Club 2012 began last week! Our theme is "The Hope of Christmas" and we'll be exploring what sort of hope we find in the Christmas story and expressing what we learn through art and imaginative play. We'll also have the opportunity to share what we find out about hope with others at a Senior Citizen's Home just before Christmas.

Nach einem Gespräch über die Bedeutung vom Wort "Advent" - es ist lateinisch für "Warten" - und auf wen wir warten, fingen wir an über Geschenke zu reden. Gerade weil dieses Thema so aufregend für Kinder ist, habe ich ihnen ein Geschenk an uns von Gott gezeigt. Dieses Geschenk ist sehr alt und würde an uns geschenkt, sogar bevor wir geboren sind. Und auch wenn wir nicht genau verstehen, was es ist oder was wir admit tun sollen, gehört es ganz uns. Diese Geschenk ist nämlich win Gleichnis. Es gibt mehrere von diesen Geschenken und heute hörten wir "Die kostbare Perle". After discussing what exactly the word "advent" means (Latin for "waiting"), and who exactly we are waiting for, we turned our attention toward the subject of gifts. During Advent, there is a lot of talk about gifts. So our first story was about a gift to us from God. It's a very old gift, one that was given to us before we were born. And even if we're not quite sure what it is or what to make of it, it is still our gift and belongs to us. And we can come back to it at any time. This gift is a parable called "The Parable of the Great Pearl".

Jesus erzählte dieses Gleichnis, als er gefragt wurde, "Was für ein Reich ist das Himmelsreich?" In der Geschichte machte ein Kaufmann sich auf und suchte nach einer wirklich kostebaren Perle. Er entscheidet sich für eine Perle, die nicht die größte oder schönste ist. Dann tauschte er alles dafür ein um sie zu besitzen. Jesus told this parable when asked what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. In it a merchant searches long and hard for the perfect pearl. The one he finally chooses is not the biggest or most obvious choice. Then, he trades everything he has, even his house, to get it.

Die Reaktionen der Kinder im Ergründungsgespräch danach waren herrlich! Einige Kinder hielten den Kaufmann für verrückt. Einige dachten, er ist doch glücklich mit seiner Perle. Andere haben überlegt, wie er weiter leben wird, und ob er die Perle für etwas Besseres tauscht. Ich fragte noch, was so kostbar seine könnte, dass man alles dafür abgibt. Eine 5.Klässlerin meinte, dass die Perle vielleicht für Gott und seine Nähe stehen könnte.   The reactions of the children were highly animated during the Wondering at the end. Some children thought he was crazy. Others think he is content with his pearl. Some think he will keep and treasure his pearl. Some think he will trade it for something bigger and better. When asked what the pearl could be and what could be so valuable that one would give up everything for it, a fifth grader slowly made the connection that being close to God might be what the pearl stands for. 

Im Ergründungsgespräch betone ich immer, dass es keine richtige oder falsche Antworte gibt. Das Ziel mit den offenen Fragen ist den Kinder Raum zu geben selbst die Antworte zu entdecken. Gibt es überhaupt eine "richtige" Antwort? Was die Gleichnisse betrifft, glaube ich nicht. Wenn es nur eine Interpretation gäbe, hätte Jesus uns stattdessen nur ein Lehrbuch gegeben.: ) During the Wondering, I always tell the children that there are no right or wrong answers. The point of these open-ended questions is to allow the children to work out their answers with God, rather than be told what the "right" answer is. And is there a right answer? I don't think so. If there was only one interpretation or answer, Jesus would not have told a story.: )

Nach der Geschichte kommt die Kreativphase, wo die Kinder durch Kunst u. Freispiel die Möglichkeit haben mehr über Advent und die Geschichte nachzudenken. Sie konnten eine von den Aktivitäten unten aussuchen:  After the story came the "creative time" and this is where the children have opportunities to think more about what they have heard or what is on their hearts through art and play. The children had an opportunity to choose from the following activities:

Station 1: Freispiel mit Geschichtenmaterialen / Imaginative Play with the Stories

Im ersten Foto oben sieht man einen Tisch mit Holzspielzeugen und Geschichtenmaterialen hinter mir. Die Kinder dürfen die Sachen ohne zu fragen nehmen und mit ihnen spielen. If you look closely at the first picture in this post, you will see a table filled wooden toys and story materials behind me. The children may take the things on the shelves and examine them more closely through play. 

Here three boys check out "The Mystery of Easter" materials.

Station 2: Malen / Painting

Hier dürfen die Kinder mit Farbe ihre Gedanken über alles Mögliches ausdrücken. Da Kinder das Leben als nichtverbalen Wesen beginnen, "reden" sie öfter mit Bildern statt Worten. Diese Station soll diesen Prozess unterstützen. At this station, the children may paint whatever they wish about whatever they happen to be thinking about. Because children begin life as non-verbal beings, they often express deeper feelings and thoughts through pictures rather than words. This station is designed to help them explore how to express what is inside.

Station 3: Weihnachtsanhänger / Christmas Ornaments

Basteln zur Advent macht einfach Spass. Hier haben die Kinder symmetrische 3-D Weihnachtsanhänger gebastelt: einen Stern, das Christuskind, oder einen Tannenbaum. Creative crafts are part of what makes Advent so much fun. Here the children made symmetrical 3-D Christmas ornaments. They could choose from a Christmas tree, a star, or Baby Jesus. As always, they are encouraged to make the craft their own and not simply copy my examples.

My co-teacher, Melinda, gives instructions on
how to make the ornaments.

This child is glueing Baby Jesus into an oval "manger".

Some of the finished ornaments.

Station 4: "Was ich Gott schenken möchte . . .  /  "What I want to give God . . . "

Hier konnten die Kinder schreiben oder malen was sie gern Gott zu Weihnachten schenken möchte oder was er ihnen schon geschenkt hat. Dann konnten sie es in einen Umschlag einpacken und eine schöne Schleife darum binden um unter den Tannenbaum hinzulegen. At this station, the children had the opportunity to draw either what they want to give to God or what he has given them. Then, they could "wrap" in a pretty envelope and tie a ribbon around it.

Station 5: Ideen für den Seniorenheim / Ideas for the Seniors' Home

Hier haben wir Ideen fürs Programm beim Seniorenheim gesammelt. Wir werden sie dann nächste Woche besprechen. Here the children could write or draw ideas for our time at the Seniors' Home. We'll discuss them next week and start to make concrete plans.

Jede Woche werden wir eine neue Station einführen. Und wenn eine nach einer Weile nicht mehr interessant ist, dann lassen wir sie. Each week, we'll add and take away stations to give the children plenty of opportunities to think about the mystery of Advent and Christmas.

Es wäre nicht Advent ohne Musik! Wir haben Spasslieder wie "Weihnachtsbäckerei" sowohl wie ruhige Lieder, z.B. "Macht hoch die Tür" gesungen. What would an Advent Club be without Advent and Christmas songs? We started out with some of the more fun songs and slowly moved toward more serious songs like "Macht Hoch die Tür", which speaks of opening a door for God in our lives during Advent. 

Unsere Zeit wird immer mit einem kleinen Fest beendet. Die Kinder finden's immer toll und wollen es nie verpassen. Heute gab's Butterkekse, Rohkost und Multivitaminsaft. Our clubs always end with a small feast. The kids love the part and never want to miss it. We sit in a circle and laugh a lot while we eat. Juice, butter cookies, and chopped veggies were on the menu this week. 

Bis nächster Woche! See you next week!

For more Advent Club Fun see:

Week 2

Week 3 + 4

Week 5




linked to Friday's Nature Table at The Magic Onions

and Grünzeug at Naturkinder

and Montessori Monday at Living Montessori Now

and Waldorf Wednesday at Seasons of Joy

Godly Play: St. Teresa of Avila

On the last green and growing Sunday of 2012, I shared the story of St. Teresa of Avila, found in Godly Play Vol. 7. This is the only saint story so far that has elicited a genuine belly laugh from the kids.

The materials for the story:
- a Teresa figure
- a wooden bed
- a donkey
- a crystal
- a map of Spain

(Note: Usually the Teresa figure would not be used in the actual story, but in the introductory story of the saints. Rather than using the wooden figure in the story, there is a booklet with a picture of the saint and a timeline inside. I choose to replace the booklet with my own figures for two reasons: 1. The figure holds the attention of my 6-year-old better; 2. It is difficult for me to obtain the booklets, because these stories have not been translated into German and are not produced by our GP supplier here in Germany.)

This story begins with details of Teresa's happy family life, and then moves on to the two greatest challenges in her life, the death of her mother and her poor health. Teresa's life changes when she suddenly becomes aware of God's presence in a more intense way. It makes her more playful and loving.

The part where the children laughed so hard was a story about Teresa crossing a river while riding on a donkey. The saddle starts to slip, but Teresa doesn't notice, because she is praying. She lands in the water and says playfully, "God, is this how you treat your friends? No wonder you have so few friends!" (I love that Teresa was so sure of her relationship with God that she could joke like that!)

The story also does a fine job of explaining Teresa's greatest work, The Interior Castle, in which prayer is described as a castle made of very clear crystal. When you reach the innermost room, it is "so light that all you can see is God".

During the Wondering, both children said the story about falling into the river with the donkey was their favorite part.

When asked what their favorite part was, one child answered, "That Teresa had a mother and father. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been born!"

And when asked if a part of the story told something about them, one child answered, "Well, I like to collect rocks, too. And I like books, too!" Neither of my children usually answer this question, so it was interesting to get a response from one of them this time. 

Here are the other Godly Play saint stories that I have done this year:

Thomas Aquinas

St. Patrick

St. Elisabeth of Portugal

To see how I made St. Teresa of Avila, click here. 



Linked to Waldorf  Wednesday at Seasons of Joy

Symmetrical 3-D Christmas Ornaments + Advent Link-Up

The idea for these pretty Christmas ornaments came about when my Godly Play co-teacher, Melinda, brought me a similar egg-shaped ornament that was made for Easter. She suggested that we might be able to make some sort of Christmas ornament out of it for our upcoming Advent Club that we do with our local elementary school. 

You will need:

- Thick, beautiful paper. I used a type of extra thick construction paper, much like scrapbooking papers sold in the States.

- Glue

- Scissors

- Symmetrical patterns and patterns for Baby Jesus' head and body.

- Ribbon

- Hole puncher

- Wooden stars

Step 1:  Choose a symmetrical shape and make a pattern. Any symmetrical shape will work. I chose to use a Christmas tree pattern, a star, and an oval for a "manger".

Step 2: Trace and cut out four copies of your design.

Step 3: Fold each pattern in half and begin glueing them together. If you are making Baby Jesus, you should glue the oval shapes for the manger together first. Then, make two copies of Baby Jesus, glue the head and body together, and fold them in half as well. Then, Baby Jesus can be glued into two of the folded ovals. 

Step 4: Punch holes at the top and bottom of the design. 

Step 5: Tie ribbons at the top and bottom. 

Step 6: A wooden star can be glued to the ribbon at the bottom as decoration. Or they can be used in other places, such as for "ornaments" on the Christmas tree.

Here is some of the children's finished work. 

(Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to snap any pictures of the Christmas trees!)

Linked to Montessori Monday at Living Montessori Now

and Waldorf Wednesday at Seasons of Joy

and Kids Get Crafty at Red Ted's Art Blog

And now I'd like to invite you to share your wonderful Advent and Christmas ideas at this Link-Up party:

Please feel free to share all your ideas for Advent and Christmas with us! 

I'll be posting each week until New Year's. We all love to have a pool of ideas to gather from, so please share old or new posts. 

If you participate, please link back to Explore and Express. Feel free to grab the button above or in the side bar. 

By participating in the link party, you give me permission to share your photos in weekly highlights.

Please do not link giveaways or advertisements for commercial items. Thanks!

Sneak Preview: St. Teresa of Avila

I'm still working my way through Godly Play Volume 7 which contains enrichment stories of the saints. There is a saint story for each month of the year, plus two introduction the saints stories, the story of the child's own saint, and the story of the child's life. Sixteen lessons in all and I'll have managed 4 this year. (At this rate, I'll be finished in four years!) We have one more "green" Sunday before Advent starts, so I am going to use it to tell the story of St. Teresa of Avila.

It is said that Teresa's The Interior Castle is a book that every Christian should read before they die. I am currently reading it on-line here.

I think that Teresa's story tells us much about how to find contentment in difficult situations. She lost her mother as a teenager and then became sick and bed-ridden as a young adult. Though her general condition improved, she was plagued by ill health the rest of her life. That did not, however, stop her from being a positive influence on others and being a joyful person. Experiencing friendship with her Creator helped Teresa come to terms with and make something wonderful out of the natural boundaries she faced.

 I've just finished a figure of her for the story. I think it turned out much better than the one I did of St. Elisabeth of Portugal.

I made the headwear for Teresa's habit with felt, but glued it onto black cardboard to help it keep its shape. 

We'll see what the kids say about it all on Sunday!

On another note, please keep adding your posts to the Exploring Advent and Christmas Link-Up!

Godly Play: The Flood and the Ark

To be honest, I have always hesitated to tell this story. Because it is a story that is so familiar to almost every child and adult, I have feared it might be difficult to get past their already firmly formed perceptions of it. However, my kids have been aware for some time that there is a Godly Play story about the Noah and the ark, and after seeing it on the shelves in the Godly Play room in Wittenberg a couple of weeks ago, they have been asking for it. So, I decided to learn and tell it to them this week.

My materials for "The Flood and the Ark". There is also a small
Playmobil dove in a basket that is not shown in this picture.

Yes, my ark and the animals are from Playmobil. Though I would love to have the beautiful wooden one made by the Lindenwerkstatt Panitzsch, I can't justify spending the money when we have a Playmobil one already that the kids really love. I added a wooden rainbow, Godly Play wooden figures for Noah and his wife, and a brown felt underlay.

The rainbow, the sign of God's promise
never to flood the earth again.

Noah and his wife with the stone altar they built to
thank God for making the water recede.

The story is told with poetic language, such as, in explaining the reason for God sending the flood: "People began to do bad things. God decided to send a great flood of water to wash everything and make it clean again." Of course, there is a direct correlation here with baptism and words about the flood appear again in the Holy Baptism story. 

My son, the 9-year-old Bible scholar, was quite irritated when the story only mentioned the dove and left out the raven that was sent out as well. This happens frequently when Godly Play stories leave out information that he deems important. It drives him batty when we skip over the plagues in the Exodus story. I explained to him that Godly Play stories aren't strictly historical accounts and try to get to the heart of the story rather than explaining every detail that may or may not be important.

During the Wondering, my 6-year-old daughter became interested in how we got the stories from the old Testament in the first place. This led to a great discussion about stories being passed down orally and eventually being put into writing. I told her that I'd have to tell her "The Story of Writing" from Montessori's Great Lessons at some point. 

During the Creative Time, they both chose to paint and worked on pictures that had absolutely nothing to do with Noah and the ark, which I suspected they would. I suspect it will take them a few weeks to wrap their heads around this overly familiar story and consider it more deeply.

Special Note: After I wrote this post, Storyteller let me know that there is a note in Godly Play Vol. 2 that says, "When you reach the part where the waters go down, you may want to introduce the raven before telling about the dove. We omit the raven from the main presentation because it can be a distraction, especially for younger children." Wish I had seen that before I told this to my son!

Getting Ready for Advent + Link Party

Advent is now just around the corner. And here in Germany, where our Thanksgiving (Erntedankfest) was in October, the Christmas markets are already being built, and the smell of Glühwein and Lebkuchen - very Advent-y things - are in the air.

I know that many of you are already getting ready for Advent. How does one get ready for a season of "getting ready"? I've thought about this a lot in the past few years. Let's face it, Advent can be a mountain of stress for most people. What helps me is to keep the idea of "waiting for the King" at the center. Advent is a time of waiting for and anticipating how Jesus will come into our lives in a fresh way.

Another thing that helps me is to decide beforehand what I can and can't do during Advent. I can do a few things: a few art projects, read some special books and tell the story of Christmas in creative ways to my kids. I can't however send out mounds of Christmas cards, buy presents for the whole extended family, or give Advent parties.

Despite what the commercial calendar tells us, it isn't all over on Dec. 25. That's when Christmas actually begins, and then we have all the time in the world to celebrate after Christmas Day. In fact, it's a great idea to leave many activities until the days following Christmas when you have time off and things are a little more relaxed.: )

In case you want to go ahead and begin planning, I'd like to share with you a few ideas from Advents past and are looking for a new idea.

The top of my list is the Godly Play Advent story. You can tell it in one setting or split it up into 5 parts.  For children under 5 years of age, I would definitely tell it in more than one sitting. Also, if you don't have time to learn a long story, telling it this way avoids stress. The English version is in  Godly Play Vol.3: 20 Core Presentations for Winter and the German one is in Godly Play 03: Gleichnisse und Weihnachtszeit.

Also, I'll be telling the enrichment story, "The Mystery of Christmas" about some of the lesser told parts of the Christmas story this year as well.  It features Giotto paintings and can be found in both of the above mentioned books as well. This story is better suited to children 5 and up.

If you are looking for art projects, there is the Nature Nativity

and this Nativity Collage Silhouette

and Stacking Christmas Trees for the little ones.

You can also make Beeswax Ornaments

and, if it's cold enough,  Ice Ornaments.

I'd now like to invite all of you to a new link party:

Please feel free to share with us your wonderful ideas for Advent and Christmas! 

I'll be posting each week until New Year's. We all love to have a pool of ideas to gather from, so please share old or new posts.

If you participate, please link back to Explore and Express. Feel free to grab the button above or in the side bar. 

By participating in the link party, you give me permission to share your photos in weekly highlights.