We have always enjoyed a change of pace during the holiday season. Over the years we enjoyed three different Christmas units by Karen Caroe that are still available free online. One of these unit studies is “A Blessed Christmas,” focusing on Christmas symbols and their meanings.
Every Christmas symbol ought to point to the Lord Jesus Christ. Our entire focus for this season is on Christ, His character, our service to Him, and our opportunity to spread His light to others.
Karen Caroe, “A Blessed Christmas”
Designed to begin on December 1 and continue through the 24th, the unit includes ideas for celebrating Christmas and the twelve days of Christmas through January 6.
We have provided updated resources and links to go with the unit below.
Suggestions
- Make a “Symbols of Christmas” notebook. Include the following:
- Print out Drawing & Writing Paper for each symbol.
- Draw/illustrate or paste the symbol at the top.
- Copy the related Scripture verse below.
- Use the rest of the writing space to narrate what is learned about that symbol.
- Use the Bible verses listed for memorization or dictation.
Day 1: The Advent Wreath
The Making and the Meaning of an Advent Wreath
Relatively simple instructions.
Advent Wreath Craft
For younger children from First-School.
Day 2: Bells
Christmas Bells
Learn the history behind the bells we hear at Christmas.
Bell Ornament
Make a bell ornament out of a mini clay pot.
Bell Songs
Teach younger children one of these bell songs.
Bell Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Carol of the Bells
Enjoy this well-known hand bell favorite.
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)
Day 3: Cards
The History of Christmas Cards
The tradition, the first Christmas card, and an interesting infographic from WhyChristmas.com.
Nativity Christmas Cards
Step-by-step instructions and easy for children to make.
Christmas Cards for Kids
Seven ideas from Martha Stewart to help youngsters make their own.
Christmas Cards
Interactive Christmas card maker from DLTK.
Day 4: St. Nicholas
The Real Saint Nicholas
How we got from the Bishop of Myra to Santa Claus.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore
Classic poem in the public domain.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Our favorite illustrated version — one for each child that is read nearly every year!
NORAD Tracks Santa
For those really into the Santa Claus tradition.
St. Nicholas Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 5: Gifts
Christmas Presents
The history of giving gifts…starting with the Three Wise Men.
Official Shoebox Gift Suggestions
Ideas for stuffing a shoe box to send in conjunction with Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse.
The Gift of the Magi (Audio)
Librivox version.
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
Free download.
Gifts Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 6: Ornaments
The Forgotten History of Christmas Ornaments
Brief history iHeartRadio.
Easy Christmas Tree Ornaments
Many options for making these “Thankful” ornaments by gluing or lettering things you are thankful for on each one.
Ornaments Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 7: Christmas Tree
The History of Christmas Trees
From WhyChristmas.com.
Make a Paper Christmas Tree
Craft from Enchanted Learning.
Handprint Christmas Tree Craft
Another idea from DLTK with templates for ornaments.
Gift Tree
A great idea!
Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree Recipe
Cinnamon rolls in the shape of a tree. Yummy!
Trim a Christmas Tree
A Jan Brett Christmas tree! Fun interactive.
Tree Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 8: Candles
Christmas Candles
History from WhyChristmas.com.
Choosing a Light Source
Learn more about lighting at Lowes.
Edison’s Incandescent Light Bulb: A Unit Study
Our own unit study describing how they work.
Sand Candle
Complete instructions for making your own Christmas candle.
Candles Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)
Day 9: Wreaths
History of the Christmas Wreath
From Wilson Evergreens.
Make a Paper Wreath From Little Hand Prints
Great for even the youngest child.
Make a Paper Wreath From Little Hand Prints
Great for even the youngest child.
No-Bake Christmas Wreath Treats
Easy and super yummy!
Wreath Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 10: Holly
Holly, Ivy and Christmas Plants
Background from WhyChristmas.com
Holly Berry Napkin Rings
Not the ones we used to link to, but nice all the same.
Holly Wreath Leaf Craft
Easy for children.
No-Bake Holly Cookies
Simple recipe from Kraft similar to the wreath above but … well, holly-shaped.
Holly Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
The Holly and the Ivy from KidZone
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)
Day 11: Poinsettia
Poinsettias at Christmas
The history from WhyChristmas.com.
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
Christmas favorite that tells the story of “The Flower of the Holy Night.”
Christmas in Mexico
Read how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico.
Poinsettia Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Feliz Navidad
Cute sing-along for young ones.
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)
Day 12: Shepherd’s Staff
Christmas Candy Canes
History from WhyChristmas.com.
5 Interesting Facts About the Candy Cane
From Crosswalk.com.
Candy Cane Poem
Avoids the legend (which is likely untrue), but retains the object lesson.
Spangler Candy Cane Tour
How the candy is made.
Chocolate-Dipped Candy Canes
A special treat with hot cocoa.
Candy Cane Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day: 13 X-Mas
Christmas or Xmas?
History from WhyChristmas.com.
The Greek Alphabet
Learn the Greek alphabet.
Luke 2
In Greek for copying — well, maybe just a verse or two!
Christmas in Greece
Read how Christmas is celebrated in Greece.
Day 14: Carols
The History of Christmas Carols
From WhyChristmas.com.
Joy to the World! by Kenneth W. Osbeck
The stories behind 25 well-known Christmas carols along with the music and lyrics. Great resource! Read our full review.
Christmas
A selection of Christmas carols with lyrics and midi.
Christmas Carol Charades
Use the list above and these simple instructions.
Christmas Carols & Hymns Unit Study {Free}
Lots of resources covering 15 Christmas carols and hymns.
Day 15: Carolers
The Huron Carol
Learn more about the history of the first American Christmas carol.
Christmas Songbook List
Free songbook with 22 well-known Christmas carols. All it needs is a beautiful cover!
Day 16: Star
Find the Constellations by H.A. Rey
A favorite for learning about the constellations from the author of the Curious George series.
Star Stories {Free eBook, Go-Alongs & Star Book Pages}
A new favorite way to learn the constellations!
Stained Glass Star
Use as an ornament or hand on the window and let the light shine through.
Favorite Sugar Cookies
Our favorite for making stars.
Star Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 17: Manger Scene
Nativity Plays and Cribs
The history of the tradition from WhyChristmas.com.
Nativity Scene
Simple but beautiful and ready to color. (Scroll down to print the two PDF pages.)
Build a Nativity Scene
Interactive for young children.
Make Your Own Nativity Scene
Download from WhyChristmas.com to print and color.
Day 18: Angels
Angels
Read Scripture verses that mention angels to learn more about them.
Paper Plate Angel
Simple craft from Enchanted Learning.
Angel Christmas Tree Ornament
Easy to make.
Christmas Angel Cake
Kids will enjoy helping you make this creation from Betty Crocker.
Day 19: Baby in the Manger
Activity: Compare & Contrast
All types of resources for comparing/contrasting the two types of visitors that came to see Jesus as described.
The Names of Jesus
You might want to refer to this other Karen Caroe unit for help with the names of Jesus and Scripture references.
Luke 1:26-56
Jesus’ birth announcement.
Nativity Silhouette Art Project
Beautiful!
Jesus in the Manger Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Away in a Manger
Sing along with the Cedarmont Kids.
(You may want to install an ad blocker before viewing.)
Day 20: Mary
Trading Card Creator
Interactive at ReadWriteThink that helps you print a character card describing Mary.
Gabriel Visits Mary
One of the lessons from the free 325-Lesson Bible Curriculum at Calvary Chapel Children’s Ministries with coloring page, memory verse and activities.
M is for Mary
Nativity activity book about Mary from Media Angels.
Build a Nativity Scene
Younger children can arrange the nativity scene in this interactive from WhyChristmas.com.
Day 21: Joseph
Trading Card Creator
Interactive at ReadWriteThink that helps you print a character card describing Joseph.
Escape to Egypt
Another lesson from the free 325-Lesson Bible Curriculum at Calvary Chapel Children’s Ministries covering Matthew 2:13-23 with coloring page, memory verse and activities.
Build a Nativity Scene
Younger children can arrange the nativity scene in this interactive from WhyChristmas.com.
Day 22: Shepherds
Psalm 68:10; Psalm 74:21b; James 2:5
Shepherd Paper Craft
Easy activity from DLTK.
Angels Appeared to Shepherds
From the free 325-Lesson Bible Curriculum at Calvary Chapel Children’s Ministries with coloring page, memory verse and activities.
The Shepherds
Free activity/story book download.
Shepherds Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
Day 23: Lambs
Luke 2:8, 15-16; John 1:29; John 10:14-15
The Sheep
From The Scripture Alphabet of Animals by Mr. Harriet N. Cook.
Animal Study
Interactive at ReadWriteThink to record what you learn about sheep.
“The Lamb”
Poem by William Blake.
Little Lamb Cookies
From Martha Stewart. (Or use small mini-marshmallows, icing and chocolate chips to decorate cut-out or animal cookie sheep.)
Sheep and Their Shepherds
Lots of resources for learning more about sheep and sheep herding.
Lamb Shape Book
From WorkSheetPlace.com.
Day 24: The Wise Men
Proverbs 9:10, 16:16; James 1:5
Compare and Contrast Map
Interactive at ReadWriteThink that can be used to compare the wise with the fool.
The Wise Men
From the free 325-Lesson Bible Curriculum at Calvary Chapel Children’s Ministries with coloring page, memory verse and activities.
The Wise Men
Lesson from DLTK.
Wise Men Minibook
Download at HSLaunch.com.
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