Why Advent?

This year for advent, we have taken a little bit of a different spin on things. We are doing the Jesse Tree along with our church (follow the daily blog HERE for great little ornaments, short devotionals and questions based an each scripture verse!). In that study, we are learning about the story of Christmas from creation all of the way through the cross. Creation, fall, Abraham, Joseph, etc.

But during our school days, we are focusing a little bit more specifically on WHY Advent?! It's been a neat way to really ponder and try to teach the boys to ponder the WHY of Jesus coming as a baby. Not just that He did, but why did He?

One day, I took a simple piece of white printer paper and wrote Romans 3:23-24 on the top. Then I wrote, "WHY ADVENT" under that and left room for the boys to each draw a picture or write about why THEY need advent. Owen drew a picture of a sad face (sin) and the cross. Baxter drew a picture of baby Jesus under a black blanket - he was just using black, but I pointed out that Jesus took our black sin on Himself when He died for us.

Another day, we did an exercise that I found on another website. Owen is working on copywork (using his best handwriting to copy something that I have written out or that is in the Bible or a song or a book). He copied Isaiah 9:2. When he was done, I got out our blindfold. Here is what followed:

"The people who walked in darkness, (notice how sad B is looking because he's in darkness)



...have seen a great light." (what a better thing to be in the light, thank you Jesus for being the light of the world!"




Isaiah 9:2 "The people who walked in darkness, have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shown."