The Power to Rejoice

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The third week of advent begins today. Last week we lit two candles. This week we light three. If possible, have four candles ready, arranged in a circle like wreath. This will help your children learn the goodness of waiting.

Light three candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for family.
Thank you for food.
Help us remember
all your good gifts.

Read this Bible thought from First Thessalonians 5:16-24.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Rejoice all the time!
Never stop praying!
Always thank God!

Ask your child:
When you're hungry, what do you want to eat?
Let them answer however they want to.

Do you know why we don't always eat __________ ? (the food they said they would like if they were hungry). Why do we sometimes eat __________? (put a "healthy" food in the blank, one they don't like very much)

Sometimes we need moms and dads to help us know what is good to eat. Moms and dads know about what is healthy. It's our job to help you be healthy, so we want you to eat good food. When we give you ___________ (a healthy food they don't like much) it's because we want you to grow up strong.

Do you think you can remember that? It's good to say "thank you" for all our food, even when it's something that's not our favorite. It's good to say "thank you" for everything God gives us. When we say "thank you" it helps us not be so sad or mad.
Perhaps talk about how you have learned to like a particular food you didn't like as a child, or about something that seems hard to do (like work or house work) that makes things better for you and your family.

Let's thank God for lots of things.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for family.
Thank you for food.
Help us remember
all your good gifts.
Add other thoughts and prayers, making a long list together with your child, thanking God for things that are fun or tasty and things that aren't so much fun or favorite but that are good and healthy for us. Have fun with this prayer!

Read this Bible thought from First Thessalonians 5:16-24.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Rejoice all the time!
Never stop praying!
Always thank God!

Put out the candles.