The Twelve Days of Christmas Day 4 Santa Sack- The Virtues

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas Scene  The 12 Days of Christmas series.icon.

Day 4 Santa Sack- The Virtues
 

During Advent, our local supermarket put out their magazine with recipe ideas and  of course how we can spend our money at their store in preparation for Christmas. One of their articles the 12 days of Christmas disappointed me because they had used the carol' The Twelve Days of Christmas' and used it to mean the twelve days before Christmas. Not the twelve days after Christmas- Christmastide.  Obviously, there is more money to be made before Christmas than after for a supermarket.
  
In my twelve days of Christmas series, I quote from the article 'Fresh Food Kids' and then add a spiritual connection to help us remain in the season of Christmastide.  Christmas is not just a day as the shops would like us to believe.  Jesus is the reason for the season.

DAY 4: SANTA SACK AND THE VIRTUES.

ACTIVITY: TO MAKE A SANTA SACK

"You need felt or fabric, Woolworths Home Essentials Burgundy Pillow Case, glue needle, thread, bells and ribbon. Cut start shapes from fabric, arrange onto pillow cases and glue in place. Sew on bells. Tie ribbon at the top of the case so presents don't fall out".

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: BEING GOOD FOR GOD AND THE VIRTUES

Either before or after the children make their Santa sack, remind the children of the tradition that Santa only comes to children who have been good all the year.  Then help them to reflect on the virtues (see my virtue series) as a way of teaching them to be good for God and to grow spiritually throughout the year.

As the children learn about the virtues, they might like to put a parcel representing the virtues in the sack that they have made.  Then as a family, you might like to encourage each other to learn about and practice one virtue each month, (in an age appropriate manner). You might like to offer the following prayer or a spontaneous one of our own on being good Children of God all the year.

Jesus, we desire to be good for You. 
help us to grow in Your likeness and to practice the virtues  

so that our 'inner Santa sack' will be filled to overflowing.