The Twelve Days of Christmas Series Day 12: Christmas countcown cups and living one day at a time.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS SERIES.

Christmas count down cups.

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 12 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CUPS AND ONE DAY AT A TIME

ACTIVITY: TO MAKE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CUPS

"Hang a length of string so that you can attach the cups. Cut brown paper into twelve pieces big enough to cover 12 plastic tumblers.  Place a length of double-sided tape around the middle of each tumbler.  Roll the paper around each in a cone shape.  Trim top and bottom edges, wavy or pointed.  With a stamp set or glitter markers, label them 1-12.  Attach to the string using Home brand Wooden Pens and fill with your favourite feasts "

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: ONE DAY AT A TIME

Either before or after the children make their Christmas countdown cups, you may wish to think about living one day at a time and what God says to us about it in Scripture.

 Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'
For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day. [ 6:31-34)

This scripture quote is important not just in the Christmastide season when we can enjoy the season one day at a time. By using our countdown cups, we can enjoy the treats we have of the day and look forward to the other days.

However, it is a lesson for the whole year.  We must learn to not worry about what is ahead since God's providence will take of it. It does not mean that we do not have to prepare for the future in our daily lives but that we need to be open at all times to God's providence.

At this point it may be worthwhile for the children to reflect on something they worried about. Did their greatest fear come to fruition? Was their anxiety wasted and did the situation that they worried about turn out better than they expected (God’s providence).

As you light your candles from day 2, you might like to offer the following prayer or a spontaneous one of our own.

Jesus, as we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas,

help us to appreciate the gift of each day.

Help us to use our 'inner countdown cups' during the year

so that we embrace each day with open heart

and a free mind.

Help us to live one day at a time during this year.

The season Christmastide is completed with the Feast of the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord although technically from a liturgical perspective Christmastide continues on until Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple on 2nd February.  So, I now complete this 12 Days of Christmas Series, so that on the Feast of the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord, you may make your own completion to the season of YOUR Christmastide. I hope that this Christmastide has been a joy filled and peaceful one for you and that during this precious season you have grown in the love of God.