Hello Chapel Hill Families!

Celebrate Wonder is a Sunday school curriculum that engages children’s natural sense of curiosity to help them understand God’s love. It creates a safe environment for kids to ask big questions — helping them explore the Bible in ways that feed their imagination and encourages creativity. Through carefully-selected Bible stories, songs, videos, and hands-on activities, Celebrate Wonder gives children the tools to explore their faith while incorporating it into their daily lives.

Since we are not able to meet in person, I have been mailing Sunday School Kits to families each month with printed lesson plans, activity sheets and craft supplies. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for January, please sign up by clicking the button below.  I will also continue to attach digital copies of the material to our weekly e- news for you to print at home if you prefer that option.

Each month, our weekly stories will align with a Faith Word. The Faith Word for the month of December is, “Joy”.

This week, we finally get to celebrate the greatest joy of all—the birth of Jesus! But this joy did not come easily. There were a lot of surprises, confusion, and changes that led to this miraculous birth.

As seen in today’s story, Mary and Joseph had to take a long journey to Bethlehem. The emperor forced families to return to their hometowns to be registered. This was not part of these expectant parents’ plans, and neither was the news they had received earlier about the upcoming birth of Jesus. After their journey to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph arrived to find no place to deliver this special baby and were forced to bear the child in a room shared with animals. Nothing was going according to plan. Yet, after the long journey, the waiting, and the difficulties, they received with great joy their newborn son, Jesus.

Jesus brought joy not only to Joseph and Mary, but also to the whole world. There is so much in this story for children to latch onto. Most importantly, we want them to know there is JOY. During this Advent season, children have been anxiously awaiting Christmas. Many of them likely are imagining what gifts they will receive and the fun they will have. This is a joyous time; however, this story also can help children focus on the joy we find in Jesus. Jesus’ story has just begun, and children can embrace this joy throughout their lifelong faith journeys.

Many of us plan our days, our weeks, and more. We have schedules and routines we always follow. But what if those plans are disrupted? This week shake up your schedule. Look at your daily tasks, errands, meetings, and responsibilities, and try to do one thing differently. Maybe you can respond to that email later and instead make a gratitude list. Try going for a walk while you listen to a conference call. Whatever may be your disruption, it is important for you to remember that things do not always go according to plan. If you can practice self-care in the midst of change, you might just find a little joy!

Check out the Hands Kids in last week’s video, Session 2- “Joseph’s Joy” (Matthew 1:18-24)