Hello Chapel Hill Families!

Celebrate Wonder is a Sunday school curriculum that engages children’s natural sense of curiosity to help them understand God’s love. It creates a safe environment for kids to ask big questions — helping them explore the Bible in ways that feed their imagination and encourages creativity. Through carefully-selected Bible stories, songs, videos, and hands-on activities, Celebrate Wonder gives children the tools to explore their faith while incorporating it into their daily lives.

Since we are not able to meet in person, I have been mailing Sunday School Kits to families each month with printed lesson plans, activity sheets and craft supplies. December Sunday School Kits are being mailed out today. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please sign up by clicking the button below.  I will also continue to attach digital copies of the material to our weekly e- news for you to print at home if you prefer that option.

Each month, our weekly stories will align with a Faith Word. The Faith Word for the month of December is, “Joy”.

As we continue to journey through the Advent season, we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child. In the Scripture today, we hear Mary’s story. An angel appears and tells Mary that she will have a child. Her child will be known as God’s Son, and she will name him Jesus.

Mary is overwhelmed and confused. She cannot imagine how this could be possible. But she is reassured by the presence of the Holy Spirit and is reminded that God makes all things possible. After her disbelief, Mary finds joy! She agrees to do God’s work and accepts her holy and precious role. Mary begins to praise God through a beautiful song and prayer. In her praise, she expresses joy and gratitude. She recognizes all that God is doing and is filled with excitement and anticipation. However, this must have been difficult news to process. You might wonder how Mary could have so much joy in the midst of so much chaos and confusion. In this week’s video and lesson, the children will hear that sometimes joy is not our first response. It can take time to find joy in difficulty. Yet, Mary is able to accept that, although life is drastically altered, there is joy to be found. Joy does not always have to be big smiles or ecstatic jumping; it can be an attitude of gratefulness. While it is sometimes hard to find joy in the unexpected, our Bible story teaches us to find gratitude even in the most unanticipated moments of life.

Sometimes we have to practice joy even under stress and anxiety. One thing to try is face stretches. Begin by scrunching up your face as tight as possible. Hold this for five seconds. Then release by loosening every muscle in your face, even sticking out your tongue. Do this several times. Not only does this release tension, it makes you smile and laugh. Small practices, such as this one, can help us pause, relax, and find a little joy.

Check out the Poland Kids in last week’s video, Session 13- “Peaceable Kingdom” (Isaiah 11:6-9)