Post by Kathleen C-C on Nov 20, 2009 10:09:45 GMT -5
I didn't write this, I just found it in CAY and thought it was such a sweet idea...[/b]
CAY ARCHIVES: "Our Birthday Gift for Jesus"
Daily Lessons on Thankfulness!
First Posted November 8, 2001 by 'WishesnDrms'
[ Moderator's Note: This is a GREAT idea for families to do TOGETHER! Depending on the family budget – or that of its members – the amount of money per item can be increased or decreased. The main point of the exercise being to get you all thinking about how you live... and how folks in other parts of the world live. ]
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the
measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:38
Thanksgiving is generally a very busy time for most people. On this
day (and through the 12 Days of Christmas), try to take a few minutes to impress upon your children - and yourself! - the generous blessings God has poured out upon you. Make a small gold box or decorate an empty box to be used as a bank. Place it in the middle of your kitchen table and once a day for the next 38 days, you will be placing monetary offerings into it. Decide with the children to whom you wish to give this gift (a nearby shelter or food bank, your Church missions fund or perhaps the Red Cross organization). On Epiphany, when according to tradition, the Kings gave their gifts to the Christ Child, you can give the gift away. Each day, both you and your children will be able to reflect upon your blessings.
[This could be done as a sermon or children's lesson, at a Bible Study etc. It could also be assembled creatively and sold at a Church Craft / Bake sale to benefit a hunger project locally / nationally / internationally.]
-------------------------------------
DAY 1 (The Friday after Thanksgiving) - One out of 5 American children lives in poverty, lacking adequate clothing. Give 5 cents for each pair of socks, underwear or tights each child has.
DAY 2 - Are you thankful for the blessing of electricity? Give 5
cents for each light bulb in your home.
DAY 3 - Would you rather live in the dim light of candles? Be
thankful for them, too. Give 5 cents for each candle in your home.
DAY 4 - Most of the world's population live beyond the reach of
medical care. Give 25 cents for each box of Band-Aids in your home.
DAY 5 - Are you thankful you have a roof and doors to keep out the
wind and rain? Give 25 cents for every exterior door your home has.
DAY 6 - Are you thankful for your clothes? Give 5 cents for every
closet in your home.
DAY 7 - Are you glad you have indoor plumbing? How about the toilet paper that goes with it? Give 5 cents for each roll of TP in your
home, counting all stored away rolls.
DAY 8 - To people in refugee camps, even a thin sliver of soap is
precious. How many bars of soap does your family have? Give 5
cents for each bar. Also give 5 cents for each container of pump
soap.
DAY 9 - Think of something nice you can do for a poor family in your
community and do it today. Maybe give them some homemade bread or cookies to brighten their day. If you can't, put a dollar in the box and be exceedingly grateful for all of your own blessings.
DAY 10 - Do you walk to your town to get a bucket of water for
washing, drinking, bathing, and cooking? Or are you blessed with
faucets that bring precious water to you? Give 5 cents for each
faucet. Don't forget the outside ones!
DAY 11 - Still thinking of water, how did you get clean today? Give
5 cents if you took a bath and 10 cents for every person who took a
shower.
DAY 12 - Most of the world is starving while Americans biggest
concern is being overweight! Put in 5 cents for each pound your
mother and father thinks that they are overweight.
DAY 13 - What a blessing to be able to see and have eye doctors to
help us! Put in 5 cents for each pair of glasses your family
members wear, and don't forget sunglasses.
DAY 14 - Many people in the world are blind and do not have doctors to help them. Give 50 cents for each person in your house that wears contact lenses.
DAY 15 - Jesus loved the little children. Give thanks, and 50 cents
for every child in your family. Do a secret good deed for each one
of them today.
Day 16 - How would you like to live in your car as some families have to do? Give 50 cents for every car in your family.
DAY 17 - What if you lived on the streets like so many in India do?
Give thanks for your home and give 5 cents for every pillow. Count
the decorative ones, too.
DAY 18 - Epidemics often follow natural disasters. Give thanks if no
one in your house has been too sick this month to go to work or
school, and give 50 cents.
DAY 19 - The comfort of a clean bed is an undreamed of luxury for
millions of the world's poor people. Give 5 cents for each bed in
your home.
DAY 20 - Did a cozy blanket cover you last night? Give 5 cents for
every blanket in your home.
DAY 21 - Was it cold enough to wear a coat today? Were you thankful for your coat? Give 5 cents for every coat, raincoat, and jacket in your home.
DAY 22 - In some countries of the world, most of the people can't
read. Are you thankful you can read? Put in 5 cents for each book
in your home.
DAY 23 - By now, you have received Christmas cards from many loving friends and family members. Give 5 cents for each card, and give thanks to God for that love.
DAY 24 - Most of the world's population has never seen a supermarket. Instead they scratch out their sustenance with primitive tools. Give 5 cents for every garden or lawn tool you have.
DAY 25 - Most people in the world cook over an open fire. Aren't you
glad your parents didn't send you out to chop wood this morning?
Give 5 cents for every burner on your stove and 10 cents for every
oven.
DAY 26 - Aren't you glad you have people that love and think about
you? Put in 5 cents for every gift under the Christmas tree that is
for you.
DAY 27 - Jesus was born and died for you! Put in 50 cents for every
Bible in your home and give a prayer of thanks that you live in a
country that allows you to be a Christian.
DAY 28 - Unfortunately this is the time of the year in which many
people suffer loss in house fires. Give 5 cents for every phone in
your home from which you can call 911 in the case of an emergency.
DAY 29 - Many people in the world suffer excruciating pain from the
lack of dental care. Have you ever been grateful for toothbrushes?
Give 5 cents for each toothbrush in your home.
DAY 30 - Do you have a pet? Many people in the world can't even feed themselves, let alone a pet. Give 25 cents for your pet. If you
live on a farm and have any other animals, give 5 cents for each
additional animal your family has.
DAY 31 - Many children in the world barely get one meal a day. How
many did you have? Give thanks and 50 cents for each meal.
DAY 32 - Would you like to have to walk to school, to church or to the store? Most people in the world walk wherever they go. Give 5
cents for each bike, pair of skates, skateboard or anything else with
wheels you have at your house.
DAY 33 - "Give us this day our daily bread." Thank God for feeding
you today and give 5 cents for every slice of bread your family ate
today.
DAY 34 - Count all the cans in your cupboard or pantry. Give 5 cents
for each one of them as you thank God for the technology to preserve and can foods.
DAY 35 - Count all the packages of frozen foods and meats in your
freezer. Thank God for refrigeration and give 5 cents for each you
counted.
DAY 36 - Make a list of all the fruits and vegetables God created that
you can name. Put 5 cents in for each of them on your list.
DAY 37 - Many children in the world do not have a school to go to and barely learn to read or write. Give 5 cents for every pencil in your house.
DAY 38 - Most people in the world have never touched a computer. If there is a computer in your home, put in 25 cents for each one of
them. Count those Palm Pilots and electronic organizers also.
SOURCE: groups.yahoo.com/group/Christmas_all_year/message/35349
CAY ARCHIVES: "Our Birthday Gift for Jesus"
Daily Lessons on Thankfulness!
First Posted November 8, 2001 by 'WishesnDrms'
[ Moderator's Note: This is a GREAT idea for families to do TOGETHER! Depending on the family budget – or that of its members – the amount of money per item can be increased or decreased. The main point of the exercise being to get you all thinking about how you live... and how folks in other parts of the world live. ]
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the
measure you give will be the measure you get back." Luke 6:38
Thanksgiving is generally a very busy time for most people. On this
day (and through the 12 Days of Christmas), try to take a few minutes to impress upon your children - and yourself! - the generous blessings God has poured out upon you. Make a small gold box or decorate an empty box to be used as a bank. Place it in the middle of your kitchen table and once a day for the next 38 days, you will be placing monetary offerings into it. Decide with the children to whom you wish to give this gift (a nearby shelter or food bank, your Church missions fund or perhaps the Red Cross organization). On Epiphany, when according to tradition, the Kings gave their gifts to the Christ Child, you can give the gift away. Each day, both you and your children will be able to reflect upon your blessings.
[This could be done as a sermon or children's lesson, at a Bible Study etc. It could also be assembled creatively and sold at a Church Craft / Bake sale to benefit a hunger project locally / nationally / internationally.]
-------------------------------------
DAY 1 (The Friday after Thanksgiving) - One out of 5 American children lives in poverty, lacking adequate clothing. Give 5 cents for each pair of socks, underwear or tights each child has.
DAY 2 - Are you thankful for the blessing of electricity? Give 5
cents for each light bulb in your home.
DAY 3 - Would you rather live in the dim light of candles? Be
thankful for them, too. Give 5 cents for each candle in your home.
DAY 4 - Most of the world's population live beyond the reach of
medical care. Give 25 cents for each box of Band-Aids in your home.
DAY 5 - Are you thankful you have a roof and doors to keep out the
wind and rain? Give 25 cents for every exterior door your home has.
DAY 6 - Are you thankful for your clothes? Give 5 cents for every
closet in your home.
DAY 7 - Are you glad you have indoor plumbing? How about the toilet paper that goes with it? Give 5 cents for each roll of TP in your
home, counting all stored away rolls.
DAY 8 - To people in refugee camps, even a thin sliver of soap is
precious. How many bars of soap does your family have? Give 5
cents for each bar. Also give 5 cents for each container of pump
soap.
DAY 9 - Think of something nice you can do for a poor family in your
community and do it today. Maybe give them some homemade bread or cookies to brighten their day. If you can't, put a dollar in the box and be exceedingly grateful for all of your own blessings.
DAY 10 - Do you walk to your town to get a bucket of water for
washing, drinking, bathing, and cooking? Or are you blessed with
faucets that bring precious water to you? Give 5 cents for each
faucet. Don't forget the outside ones!
DAY 11 - Still thinking of water, how did you get clean today? Give
5 cents if you took a bath and 10 cents for every person who took a
shower.
DAY 12 - Most of the world is starving while Americans biggest
concern is being overweight! Put in 5 cents for each pound your
mother and father thinks that they are overweight.
DAY 13 - What a blessing to be able to see and have eye doctors to
help us! Put in 5 cents for each pair of glasses your family
members wear, and don't forget sunglasses.
DAY 14 - Many people in the world are blind and do not have doctors to help them. Give 50 cents for each person in your house that wears contact lenses.
DAY 15 - Jesus loved the little children. Give thanks, and 50 cents
for every child in your family. Do a secret good deed for each one
of them today.
Day 16 - How would you like to live in your car as some families have to do? Give 50 cents for every car in your family.
DAY 17 - What if you lived on the streets like so many in India do?
Give thanks for your home and give 5 cents for every pillow. Count
the decorative ones, too.
DAY 18 - Epidemics often follow natural disasters. Give thanks if no
one in your house has been too sick this month to go to work or
school, and give 50 cents.
DAY 19 - The comfort of a clean bed is an undreamed of luxury for
millions of the world's poor people. Give 5 cents for each bed in
your home.
DAY 20 - Did a cozy blanket cover you last night? Give 5 cents for
every blanket in your home.
DAY 21 - Was it cold enough to wear a coat today? Were you thankful for your coat? Give 5 cents for every coat, raincoat, and jacket in your home.
DAY 22 - In some countries of the world, most of the people can't
read. Are you thankful you can read? Put in 5 cents for each book
in your home.
DAY 23 - By now, you have received Christmas cards from many loving friends and family members. Give 5 cents for each card, and give thanks to God for that love.
DAY 24 - Most of the world's population has never seen a supermarket. Instead they scratch out their sustenance with primitive tools. Give 5 cents for every garden or lawn tool you have.
DAY 25 - Most people in the world cook over an open fire. Aren't you
glad your parents didn't send you out to chop wood this morning?
Give 5 cents for every burner on your stove and 10 cents for every
oven.
DAY 26 - Aren't you glad you have people that love and think about
you? Put in 5 cents for every gift under the Christmas tree that is
for you.
DAY 27 - Jesus was born and died for you! Put in 50 cents for every
Bible in your home and give a prayer of thanks that you live in a
country that allows you to be a Christian.
DAY 28 - Unfortunately this is the time of the year in which many
people suffer loss in house fires. Give 5 cents for every phone in
your home from which you can call 911 in the case of an emergency.
DAY 29 - Many people in the world suffer excruciating pain from the
lack of dental care. Have you ever been grateful for toothbrushes?
Give 5 cents for each toothbrush in your home.
DAY 30 - Do you have a pet? Many people in the world can't even feed themselves, let alone a pet. Give 25 cents for your pet. If you
live on a farm and have any other animals, give 5 cents for each
additional animal your family has.
DAY 31 - Many children in the world barely get one meal a day. How
many did you have? Give thanks and 50 cents for each meal.
DAY 32 - Would you like to have to walk to school, to church or to the store? Most people in the world walk wherever they go. Give 5
cents for each bike, pair of skates, skateboard or anything else with
wheels you have at your house.
DAY 33 - "Give us this day our daily bread." Thank God for feeding
you today and give 5 cents for every slice of bread your family ate
today.
DAY 34 - Count all the cans in your cupboard or pantry. Give 5 cents
for each one of them as you thank God for the technology to preserve and can foods.
DAY 35 - Count all the packages of frozen foods and meats in your
freezer. Thank God for refrigeration and give 5 cents for each you
counted.
DAY 36 - Make a list of all the fruits and vegetables God created that
you can name. Put 5 cents in for each of them on your list.
DAY 37 - Many children in the world do not have a school to go to and barely learn to read or write. Give 5 cents for every pencil in your house.
DAY 38 - Most people in the world have never touched a computer. If there is a computer in your home, put in 25 cents for each one of
them. Count those Palm Pilots and electronic organizers also.
SOURCE: groups.yahoo.com/group/Christmas_all_year/message/35349
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