Day 8: Joseph

Invasion of Bethlehem!  
I'm sure I am going to miss it when these days are over. Every time I turn around my decorations are disrupted or displays tweaked. But instead of getting annoyed I thank God for the opportunity to live with little boys' perspective and mind to view life through, since I did not grow up with that.


This week we played a Bible Trivia game I had as a kid and no matter what the question my youngest shouted, "Joseph!" as the answer. I guess he doesn't know yet that the pat answer is "Jesus". Since there is a significant Joseph in the Old Testament and New Testament I guess he's heard that name a lot and assumed it was a safe answer. Either way, it was funny every time.

Day 8: Joseph's Coat of Many Colors

Tonight was the second Sunday of December so at dinner we lit the second candle of our Advent wreath which symbolizes the second form of revelation: the Law, which will be our story for tomorrow. Through the Law God revealed to His people more about who He is, what His will is for His children, and His standards of righteousness. We often think of laws as boring or hindering but I'm fascinated as how the Isrealites wept, celebrated, and offered thanks at the reading of the Law! They listened to the Law read aloud for hours and sang praise to God for it! What a different perspective they had and I will discuss this week with the kids how the Law is perfect and makes us wise as written in Proverbs. I got candlesticks to fit my wreath but bought a cranberry color rather than the traditional purple and white. We light a 5th candle at our Christmas dinner, the 4 red and this white candle at the center of our wreath.

There is a booklet to go along with the symbols on this wreath, but we have also assigned our own symbolism for each candle. These kinds of wreath/booklet sets with daily readings are a great, simple way to add to your Advent teaching.

In the box we gave one paper and one felt ornament and for the chocolate I had a Thanksgiving mold with cornucopias so we used these to represent the time of feasting and storing before the great famine during Joseph's rule. When I can I like to use a different symbol than what is on the ornament so it's another visual element to remember or tell part of the story.

If you are following along with the Bible in Stories - pages 78-81, summarize 82-99
If using the Bible or another Bible reader - summarize Genesis 37-46