CVC kids Resources
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We know that music is very subjective and can even be divisive. These songs, however, are scripture…word-for-word. So, if you listen consistently, your family will be memorizing Bible verses before you know it.
Our favorite Bible storybook for preschoolers is The Beginner’s Bible, but if you find yourself looking for something a bit simpler for your toddler, the Read and Share Toddler Bible is our recommendation.
Featured Topic
Prayerfulness
Big headline about prayerfulness goes here and speaks to the intent behind this section of the webpage.
This section right here goes into the topic even deeper maybe even highlighting one or two sections or resources on the page below. Both of these statements could be long or short.
CHRISTMAS
PREPARE HIM ROOM: CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
Marty Machowski
Last December, I had the joy of using Prepare Him Room with my children during Advent. Here’s what I loved about it. Machowski begins with a note for how to use the book, followed by instructions for making your own Advent wreath. For each week of Advent, there are three devotions, which is a manageable amount during the busy holiday season. Day one is always focused on “God’s Promise.” Day two tells us about “The Angel’s Announcement” of that promise, and day three is a passage that shows the “Fulfillment of God’s Plan.” Every devotion has the following elements: a warm-up activity, a Bible passage to read, a summary of that Bible passage, a time for discussion, a prayer prompt, songs to listen to or sing together, and occasionally a family craft or activity. I especially appreciated the new-to-me songs from the companion album from Sovereign Grace Music. A few of them even made it to our annual Christmas playlist. There is also a fictional story included within the book, called Bartimaeus, with one chapter to read for each week of Advent. Truthfully, Bartimaeus wasn’t the best story I ever read, but at the end of the month, my children expressed a better understanding of what it means to be adopted into God’s family, so I think it was worth reading. You can dive all-in and do everything that is suggested, but it is also very easy to pick and choose the elements that will work for your family. If you’re looking for an Advent devotional that is easy to use, family friendly, and guides your heart to true worship, give this one a try!
PREPARE HIM ROOM: CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN SONG
Sovereign Grace Music
This album is a companion to the Prepare Him Room family advent devotional by Marty Machowski. These songs are referenced throughout the devotion, and the lyrics are printed within its pages, so you can follow along as you listen to them or sing them together as a family. Some of the tunes are familiar Christmas carols, while others are original and new. There are certainly a few gems, like “He Who Is Mighty” and “There Blooms a Rose in Bethlehem,” and honestly, the whole album is worth the price just for a particularly beautiful rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” You can purchase a CD or buy a digital copy online, and you can also access these songs on Spotify and stream them for free if you have Amazon Prime.
THE WONDER OF THE GREATEST GIFT: AN INTERACTIVE FAMILY CELEBRATION OF ADVENT
Ann Voskamp
When December rolls around, it is always my goal to make the story of Jesus’ birth the most amazing, celebrated, and wonderful part of the Christmas season. How is a parent to do that with all the competing, worldly “Christmas magic” that is constantly pulling at our children’s attention? This resource is one way to bring the beauty and excitement of the arrival of the Messiah to your home. Ann Voskamp’s book opens to reveal a three-dimensional tree. There are twenty-five little doors to open that have pretty, Jesse-tree ornaments hidden inside. Hang an ornament on the tree each day and read the brief, yet heart-felt devotion that goes along with it. The book will take you all the way back to the Garden of Eden and travel through important Bible stories that tie into Jesus’ genealogy and eventually end with His birth.
*Please note that Ann Voskamp has also written another family Jesse-tree devotional called Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas that I do not recommend as heartily. The readings were a bit too long and wordy for my children to enjoy. The Wonder of the Greatest Gift: An Interactive Family Celebration of Advent is the one to buy, in my opinion, because it had much more manageable readings, and it also included the tree and ornaments.
A SAVIOR IS BORN: ROCKS TELL THE STORY OF CHRISTMAS
Patti Rokus
If your family is like mine, they love rocks! Some are shaped like hearts, and some have sparkles, and some are smooth as butter. Patti Rokus loves rocks, too, and she created a unique picture book in which she used rocks to form all the illustrations. The text is comprised of simple phrases or verses, with Bible references included. A Savior is Born: Rocks Tell the Story of Christmas is perfect to pore over during the Christmas season or anytime of the year. Check out her Easter book that has the same format. We love that one, too!
