Today, one of the
words we will focus on in our Advent
Alphabet is “Jesus”.
 |
| Our Baby with a Crown on to Show that Jesus Is the King of His Heart |
I know Jack will
be excited each time we read a story or do an activity about Jesus today. At 2 ½,
he definitely feels connected to the infant Jesus and calls out “Baby God”
whenever he sees a depiction of the Christ Child. It makes me melt!
 |
| Nina, Sharing Her Coloring of Christ the King |
Nina and Luke
will surely enjoy our “Jesus” focus today, too.
It will mean that they get to spend more time on a project that they
began yesterday towards the tail end of our morning learning period and are
eager to get back into -- constructing a nativity scene out of blocks and
homemade figurines. Plus, during read
aloud time, will be able to catch up on a favorite Advent read, The
Jesse Tree,
diving further into faith history and the lineage of Jesus.
Moreover, we will discuss how Jesus is not just a historical figure, but
one who remains present today in Heaven, in the Eucharist and in our hearts.
 |
| Luke added special detail to the circle jewel at the top of the crown. He decided to make it look more like earth, to remind us that Jesus came to earth for us. |
Speaking of Jesus
in our hearts, I realized last that that although I shared last
minute planning ideas for our Christ the King Liturgical tea, I never
shared how it actually went.
So, here’s a picture
recap:
Decoration
 |
| Ready to Dig In |
Unfortunately, I
failed to get a good picture of our table decorations, but I can provide a
verbal snapshot: Since Jesus is king of
Heaven and Earth, Nina decided we should use two tablecloths to symbolize each
place. So, we used a blue one for Heaven
and a cream one for Earth. At the end of
the table, we placed a basket with some of our activities in it. In front of the basket was a printed Christ
the King image. To one side, was a
candle with a paper crown that Nina had made around it and, to the other side,
was a candle with Mary on it, which Nina insisted we use since Mary is now
alongside Jesus in Heaven as the Queen of Heaven.
GFCF, Plant-Strong Tea Time Fare
We enjoyed
drinking Royal Punch (purplish-red colored
100% juice that, as Nina pointed out, could remind us not only of the royal
color purple, but of the blood of Jesus as shared during Mass) and chocolate almond milk (because the kids
don’t like real tea, but LOVE this and, because, as one of the kid suggested,
the color reminds us of Earth, where Jesus came as child and king.)
 |
| Apple slice hearts did not work so well, so we just made one crowned heart. |
Apple Slices, including a heart shaped one
with a Summer Squash Crown (to
remind us that Jesus is King of our Hearts – and to harken back to faith
history and the Garden of Eden) We
placed these between our “Heaven” and “Earth” tablecloths, to symbolize that
Jesus’ love for us and ours for Him is our way from Earth to Heaven.
 |
| Okay, so the clouds could have been better shaped. |
A Pineapple Crown at the center of a Blueberry
“Sky” with Banana Slice “Clouds” (to
remind us that Christ is the King of Heaven)
We placed these, of course, on the “Heaven” side of the table.
 |
| Of course, this plate was refilled more than once with our carb-and-spread-aholics. Thankfully, the greens were, too. |
Crackers spread with Hummus, Peanut Butter
and Almond Butter, with a Summer Squash Crown at their center and Baby greens
interspersed throughout
(to remind us of the Earth, where Christ came to be a different kin of King –
one who leads by serving) We placed
these on the “Earth” side of the table.
We also had Mango Sorbet, which I forgot to get a picture
of, because Nina waned it and persuasively suggested that it is the color of a
crown.
Prayer
 |
| Not traditional prayer in this pic, but age-appropriate activity which focused the kids' eyes on Christ the King. |
Since I don’t
normally take pictures while we pray, you can simply imagine the kids itching
to dig into all the food after saying their own impromptu prayer, while I
insisted on reading them the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus
Christ King as found at Catholic
Culture:
Most sweet Jesus,
Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before you. We
are yours, and yours we wish to be; but to be more surely united with you,
behold each one of us freely consecrates himself today to your Most Sacred
Heart. Many indeed have never known you; many, too, despising your precepts,
have rejected you. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them
to your Sacred Heart. Be King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never
forsaken you, but also of the prodigal children who have abandoned you; grant
that they may quickly return to their Father's house, lest they die of
wretchedness and hunger. Be King of those who are deceived by erroneous
opinions, or whom discord keeps aloof, and call them back to the harbor of
truth and the unity of faith, so that soon there may be but one flock and one
Shepherd. Grant, O Lord, to your Church assurance of freedom and immunity from
harm; give tranquility of order to all nations; make the earth resound from
pole to pole with one cry: Praise to the divine Heart that wrought our
salvation; to it be glory and honor for ever. Amen.
Prayer Source: Enchiridion of
Indulgences , June 29, 1968
Activities
While eating, as
planned, I mentioned Pope
Benedict XVI’s remarks as shared at Catholic Culture that Christ’s kingship is not based on “human
power” but on loving and serving others and connected this thought to the
homily our local priest had offered that morning about earthly kings often
ruling with a scepter that can bonk one on the head while Jesus ruled through
service, with a towel and a bowl washing other’s feet. Then, we brainstormed
ideas for how to love and serve others, which became the suggestions for our
Advent chain this year.
We also led the
kids in singing the Christ the King song
found at CyberFaith.com:
 |
| Luke was the first to dive into crown-designing, which he did completely free-style, as is his gift. |
After eating
everything served on the table, plus extra servings from the counter, the kids
designed their own homemade crowns with heart shapes to remind us all that Christ is King of our Hearts.
 |
| Nina followed suit. |
The children also
enjoyed coloring images of Christ the King from Sanctus Simpliticus and Sermons4Kids.
 |
| Then, while coloring, she decided her crown should have more hearts. So, she asked me to cut two more, which she added, before beaming about Christ, King of Heaven, Earth and our Hearts. |
As the kids made
their crowns and did their coloring, I did as I had planned to do, an borrowing
from Amy
at Splendor in the Ordinary, discussed
the fact that although “we pay special attention to Christ's kingship this day,
He is King throughout the year... and
throughout all of history.
 |
| Jack, Just Beginning to Color |
Extensions
 |
| Luke's Completed Coloring and Narration |
After the tea, the children narrated to me about Christ the King, and later, put their coloring pages in their faith binders.
The day after our
tea, we continued our Christ the King focus by doing the word
search from Sanctus
Simpliticus and parts of Mama Erika’s Raising Little Saints Feast
of Christ the King packet during lesson time.
I know these
photos won’t help others much right now – since Christ the King day has passed
for this year. However, they can be
bookmarked or pinned for next year’s planning.
Some of the food ideas can also be used on Epiphany – for there’s nothing
like whole food crowns, right?
Are you planning any meals connected to the Liturgical Year soon?
