A NIGHT TO REMEMBER â—½ HOME
This photo used for this story is one a friend took, one she posted on Instagram. I loved it so much I asked if I could use it for the magazine, because it’s just beautiful. A little kid in a wagon as the sun sets behind him…
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If there ever is a season to observe sunset, sunrise, leaves in the air, the smell of rain and more…it’s the season of fall. So this month, we’re inviting parents to take the kiddos outside on a day when it’s still not too cold but just crisp enough…and point to creation…and tell them who made it all.
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I have heard that in order to reach those unreached in other countries, before they will accept the idea of Jesus Christ, they have to be told about creation…who made the earth, and all that is in it. Then they are open to Jesus. So interesting.
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Maybe our kids are the same way…
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Preparation: Get the wagons, or a big blanket, or the bicycles, or just hop in the car – however your family travels - and plan a day/morning/evening to observe. And take some cider or cookies to enjoy while you do.
photo courtesy of Allison Dickey
The sunrise or sunset:
Genesis 1 says And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
As a family, observe the sun and see what the kids know about this big ball of fire. Tell them how it is faithful to rise and set daily, just like God is faithful to be near us daily. He created this big light in the sky to remind us of his faithfulness!
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The moon:
Sometimes it’s a clear night or sometimes it’s cloudy, but clouds that cover the moon don’t cause the moon to disappear. It’s still there! We can even see it out our windows at night, and sometimes it’s full and sometimes it’s a sliver! Let’s make up a song about the moon! (Let the kids each sing a line of whatever they like!)
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Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.
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The trees:
Some are starting to shed their leaves. God made seasons too, and he planted trees that lose their leaves and then put on new ones in the spring. Aren’t fall leaves so pretty? Some trees are called evergreens and don’t lose their leaves! So many trees, and God made them all. What is your favorite tree? (Collect a few leaves and then everyone at once toss them up and watch them fall.)
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So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
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Birds:
Do you see any birds flying in the sky? Would you like to fly like a bird? There are lots of verses about how God cares for the birds, and if he cares so much for them, how much more does he care for us?
What is your favorite bird and why?
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It is important to know who made the world around us, the land on which we walk, the lights in the sky, and who keeps those things all in motion, all spinning, all growing and all of the seasons in order…
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So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
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Humans:
Point out the similarities and differences in each person in the family (same nose, different color hair, skin tone, etc.) We are all different in some ways, but the same God created us all. He made us in His image. To worship Him and enjoy his creation.
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God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.
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The earth and all that’s in it, including us, is good, because God made it. There are lots of other voices that don’t believe in God as our creator. We have to choose to believe the truth that the God who created us all keeps us all in His loving arms, always and forever…as we sleep, wake, and go about our day.
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Let’s pray:
Father in Heaven, thank you for all of creation that speaks of your goodness and power in the heavens and in the earth. Thank you that we can see your love across the sky every morning and night, and that you gave us this beautiful world to enjoy. You are a good God and we are your people, and so thankful that You love us forever and always.