Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
The traditional season of Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation for Christmas. What’s more, the four weeks of Advent provide a natural framework for making school a part of the Christmas season.

Whether or not you’re the unit study type, here are some thoughts for weaving Christmas into your schooldays during Advent. You might do a study of fine arts. Christmas has given birth to some of the most beautiful works of art, literature, and music ever created. You could visit the art museum and look at Nativity paintings. Read Christmas poetry or fiction, such as “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. You could also listen to stunning music like Amahl and the Night Visitors, watch The Nutcracker, or participate in a performance of Handel’s Messiah.

Another thought is to focus on life skills by doing some Christmas cooking, making crafts, or doing a building project that results in a manger scene or Christmas tree stand.

What about adding holiday cheer to the more traditional school subjects? On the internet and at the library, you can find fun math and English activities that relate to the seasons. You could also study the history of Christmas traditions, and learn how different cultures celebrate the season.

Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year. By celebrating Advent, you can reinforce the true meaning of Christmas as something that extends to all of life and shouldn’t stay wrapped up on December 25^th. Until next time, I’m Mike Smith.