Christmas - my favorite time of the year!

Most people dread this week at school. You know - the week before we get out for Christmas vacation(I just heard you shudder!). But, although the kids really drive me crazy, I love this week. No, I haven't lost my mind. I love it because it's the week I get to teach about the Christmas story. Not the Santa and elves version, but the real reason we celebrate Christmas. We started last week talking about Christmas traditions around the world. This week, we move on to Hanukkah and Christmas. Here are some of the Hanukkah books we will read this week:
       
  
We also watch some videos that teach the students about Hanukkah.  We make menorahs and play the dreidel game. 

To teach the Christmas story, we read these books:
(I love the pictures in this version)

  

I wish I had all of the books here at home with me (right now, I can't remember all of the titles).  Each day, the kids write in a Christmas Story book that we made for them.  Basically, it's a coloring sheet on one page with writing lines on the facing page.  The first page is a picture of Mary holding baby Jesus, the second page is Joseph, then the shepherds, angels, and wise men.  Each day, the kids write one part of the Christmas story after we read.  It really is cute to see what they write.  If I get the chance tomorrow, I'll scan in one of the books and post it here for you to grab. 
Each year as I teach this, I can't help but think that this might be the first (and possibly only) time that some of these kids might hear about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  I'm so blessed that I have the opportunity to teach these kids the real meaning of Christmas.  Thank you, Lord!
Merry Christmas!