Object lessons brighten Christmas for Kids and Adults
Christmas can easily become all about gifts and decorating and great food, but thanks to a new book even the simplest Christmas object can open the door for learning."Christmas Object Lessons" offers 45 Scripture-based lessons that help children (and adults) keep Jesus at the center of the season. From bells to cookie cutters, holly to ornaments, from snowmen to wrapping paper, author Verna Kokmeyer offers a short story, Scripture verse, discussion question, prayer and simple activity to add depth and meaning to these classic objects.
"I love that object lessons can make complex, theological concepts simple and easy to understand," said Kokmeyer. "Then, when you see that object later you remember that lesson."
Kokmeyer is no stranger to object lessons. She's been writing books full of them for two decades. She's written object lesson books for toys, animals and sports, with "Object Talks from Sports Kids Love" recently republished by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas ($9.95). LPC also publishes "Christmas Object Lessons" ($9.95), which is available locally at Baker Book House, 2768 E. Paris Ave. SE.
She sees the book as perfect for homeschoolers, Sunday school teachers, Christians school teachers and even for family devotions.
"All the lessons have a biblical theme," said Kokmeyer, who directed the Maranatha Christian Writers Conference for 10 years. "Without being deeply philosophical, I can say that Santa or a star can point us to God."
She got help with the object lessons from her 8-year-old granddaughter, who put together a list of things that have to do with Christmas. The lessons are alphabetized by object, so adults can quickly find pages for cranberries or gift tags or even pine needles. Familiar holiday objects such as Rudolph, mistletoe and poinsettia are included, as are unusual objects such as ham, extension cords and popcorn.
"I love it when readers learn something, and I enjoy seeing children get things out of the object lessons," said Kokmeyer, who with her husband are parents of seven and grandparents of 17. They live on Gun Lake in Middleville.
"I've got to believe that the Lord is really going to use this book," she said. "And I've got unlimited object lessons floating around in my head. My kids used to say when I look dazed, 'Oh no, she's got another object lesson in her head' or 'I'm going to be part of an object lesson.'"
At a Glance:
Christmas Object Lessons
Author: Verna Kokmeyer
Price: $9.95
Website: www.lessonswithobjects.com
Available: Baker Book House in Grand Rapids and on Amazon
