Jared Dees's Blog: The Latest from Jared Dees, page 11
December 28, 2020
The Visit of the Three Wise Men: A Christmas Bible Story for Kids
This story is featured in Prepare the Way: Advent and Christmas Bible Stories for Kids.
Matthew 2:1–12
Jesus Christ was the Messiah. He was the King of the Jews, yet his spiritual kingdom would extend beyond Israel. The three wise men were foreigners, but they came from their country to find the prophesied king.
As you read this story, pay attention to the reason the wise men from the east come to find Jesus.
East of Israel, in another country, three wise men saw a unique star...
December 23, 2020
November 2020 Project Report
Here is my monthly report on projects, goals, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.
My 2020 Goals
Professional Goals:
100% / Double the number of members of The Religion Teacher (December 2017 to present) (+8%)
423,428/1,000,000 words for kids (A part of my #1millionwordsforkids goal) (+12,538 words)
573/600 Resources (Videos/Worksheets) for Members of The Religion Teacher (+21 resources)
Personal Goals:
66/75 Books read (+7 books)
33/73 Books of the Bible read fro...
December 22, 2020
Noel: A Christmas Poem by J.R.R. Tolkien (Summary and Reflection Questions)
“Noel” by J.R.R. Tolkien Poem Summary
J.R.R. Tolkien is best known for his long works of epic fantasy, The Hobbit and The Lord or the Rings. In these books he showed his skill in both narrative storytelling and poetry. In each of his books, he included many short works of song and poetry.
Tolkien’s devout Catholic faith is well known, but he did not write very much that was explicitly Christian. In 2013, however, one of Tolkien’s lost Christian poems was found in a magazine of Our La...
"A Child of the Snows" A Christmas Poem by G. K. Chesterton (Summary and Discussion Questions)
“A Child of the Snows” Poem Summary
G. K. Chesterton was a prolific writer of essays, novels, short stories, and poems. His Catholic faith and love of literature permeated through all his works. This poem is a perfect meditation on Advent and Christmas.
Chesterton begins by appealing to the lengthening darkness and worsening weather in the short days of December. We long for warmth and fire and we find a star leading us to the birth of a child in an inn at the end of the world. Cheste...
Thomas Merton's Advent Poem with Reflection Questions
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk in the United States during the 20th century. He is one of the best known Catholic spiritual writers of the last century. He was a lover of literature and a poet in his own right. He wrote many poems about Advent, the Annunciation, and Christmas. This particular poem is aptly titled simply “Advent.” In this poem we are given clues about how to prepare ourselves for Christmas during the four weeks of Advent.
For more Advent and Christmas poetry, visit thi...
December 21, 2020
Angels Visit the Shepherds: A Christmas Bible Story for Kids
Luke 2:8–20
The very first people to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, newborn King of the Jews, were simple shepherds, not great leaders. It was a miraculous event, and yet some of the poorest people in the land were the first to know about it.
As you read this story, pay attention to the message that the angel brings to the shepherds near Bethlehem.
Not far from Bethlehem, where Jesus had been born, there were shepherds in a field watching over their sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the L...
December 14, 2020
The Nativity: A Bible Story for Kids
This story is featured in Prepare the Way: Advent and Christmas Bible Stories for Kids.
Luke 2:1–7
The prophets in the Old Testament said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a city of David, but Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth. Here is the story of how Jesus came to be born in Bethlehem, near the capital city of Jerusalem.
As you read this story, pay attention to the humble beginnings of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Emperor Augustus ruled over all the lands wit...
December 7, 2020
The Annunciation: A Bible Story for Kids
This story is featured in Prepare the Way: Advent and Christmas Bible Stories for Kids.
Luke 1:2638 A young woman named Mary lived in Galilee. She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph. An angel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of her son, and her reaction provides for us a wonderful example of faith.
As you read this story, pay attention to the way the Virgin Mary responds to the words of the angel Gabriel.
The angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary, saying, Hail, favored one!...
December 1, 2020
The Preaching of John the Baptist: A Bible Story for Kids
This story is featured in Prepare the Way: Advent and Christmas Bible Stories for Kids.
Matthew 3:1–11; Mark 1:2–8; Luke 3:1–16; John 1:19–27
John the Baptist was the best known preacher in all of Judea. He preached an important message to help prepare the way of the Lord.
As you read this story, pay attention to the message John the Baptist shared with his disciples in the wilderness.
A very inspiring man lived in the wilderness of Judea, repeating to all who came to listen to...
November 24, 2020
Be Watchful and Alert: An Advent Bible Story for Kids
This story is featured in Prepare the Way: Advent and Christmas Bible Stories for Kids.
Matthew 24:45–51; Mark 13:34–37; Luke 12:35–48
Jesus told his disciples that he would return after his death and ascension into heaven. To help them prepare for his return, he told them a parable to warn them how to be ready.
As you read this story, pay attention to the reasons the servants had such a hard time waiting for their master to return.
Jesus gathered his disciples together to tell t...
