Thank you for joining me for the first day of our nature-themed advent calendar!
Today’s Reading
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end.
Today’s Activity
Next week in Exploring Nature With Children is all about Christmas plants, so take some time today to enjoy some nature-themed Christmas carols with your child. (The links open to YouTube)
The Holly And The Ivy
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom,
As white as lily flow’r,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To be our dear Saviour
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To do poor sinners good
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
On Christmas Day in the morn
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as the gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
For to redeem us all
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown
O, the rising of the sun,
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
O Christmas Tree
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when it’s cold and drear.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
For every year this Christmas tree,
Brings to us such joy and glee.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Such pleasure do you bring me!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
You’ll ever be unchanging!
A symbol of goodwill and love
You’ll ever be unchanging
Each shining light
Each silver bell
No one alive spreads cheer so well
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
You’ll ever be unchanging
Deck The Halls
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis’ the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.,
Troll the ancient Christmas Carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la la la la la
I would also like to make a gentle suggestion to all reading this today; why not begin an Advent journal to record the precious moments of advent? It need not be a fancy affair, indeed a simple lined spiral bound book can easily be carried around with you and does not have that off-putting tone that expensive, purpose-made journals have, with their pristine and perfect pages! Just take a moment each day to record a memory. I promise this will become a treasure in years to come.
See you tomorrow for more advent fun.
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