(WT) Mary Accepts, Magnifies, and Ponders - Service

Rotation.org Writing Team

Mary Accepts, Magnifies, and Ponders

and you should too!

Service ~ Mission Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activity

Students will create no-sew "Baby Jesus (Swaddling) Receiving Blankets" for distribution to either families in the congregation with babies, a local women's ministry, or hospital's Mother-Infant or Neo-Natal Infant Care Unit (NICU). An infant and parent will be invited to take part in the Bible study.

A "receiving" blanket is a small blanket that you typically use to wrap newborns in. In the Bible, they were called "swaddling cloths." They also come in handy as burp cloths, quick covers, and car seat warmers.

Alternately, larger double panel no-sew fleece blankets can be made for children with disabilities or seniors as an expression of the message that servants are care-givers.

Scripture

Luke 1:26-38 (Announcement), Luke 1: 46-55 (Song of Joy), Luke 2:8-20 (Pondering)

Key/Memory Verse: "Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19 (NRSV)

Objectives

See Bible Background for this lesson's and set's list of objectives.

Objectives for this Workshop

Make a direct connection with young mom(s) and baby(s) in the congregation.
Make a gift of "Mary receiving blankets" --connecting Christmas giving with being a Servant of the Lord.

Notes and Instructions About Making No-Sew Fleece Blankets

It is important that you quality fleece-like material so that the edges don't fray when cut and thus, don't require stitching. If you will be making swaddling blankets for an NICU or Mother-Infant care in a hospital talk to them about their preferred material. Flannel will last longer but will require stitching so the edges won't fray. If the blankets will go home with the child, quality fleece is okay. NICU's may request "no fringe." Many may request non-gender-specific colors (such as yellow and green). Ask first.

Instructions

ProjectLinus.com has a free pdf instruction sheet showing you how to make a no-sew fleece blankie with simple fringe knots. As well, there are numerous websites and youtube videos that describe how to make "no-sew" baby blankets. Search for"no sew fleece receiving blanket with knots." Most of the videos will show blankets made out of two layers of fleece, but for small babies, one layer is sufficient, and the knotting procedure is identical.

See the knotting example at the beginning of this "No Sew, No Tie, Fleece Blanket" video posted by John Larson. It shows a two-layer blanket but you can knot with one layer just as well. This DIY's "single fleece layer" youtube is a bit fuzzy at first but shows how to do the knots with a single layer..

If you are giving blankets to newborns or a NICU, ask first, but expect to make them rather small so they will fit in the neo-nate's bed (approximately 30" x 24"). A 6 mos to 1 yr old's blanket can be approximately 36" x 40".

Check with the recipients first if you want to have your students sew a Bible verse or their name in the blanket.

Wash the blankets before distributing.

Click the pic to see the full instructions.

Preparation

Read Bible Background, scripture and this lesson.
Contact the recipient(s) of your blankets to go over details.
View the various "no sew fleece blanket" websites, youtube videos and the instructions at Project Linus to determine which project best suits your students and needs.
Arrange for an infant and parent to attend your lesson and take part, especially in the Bible study.

Materials List

Flannel blanket material
Scissors
Measuring tape
Heavy needle and thread if you will be sewing a name or verse into the blanket.
Gift wrapping/tags if desired.

Lesson Plan

Open - 10 minute

Welcome the students and introduce what they'll be doing and learning today. Introduce the infant and parent who have joined your class today. Have them tell a little bit about themselves.

Ask the students: What is a servant?

Ask the parent: How are you like your baby's servant?

Ask the parent: Do you mind being your baby's servant?

(Write all responses on the board.)

Ask the students: Based on what we've just learned, what is a servant of God?

Ask the students: Jesus said he didn't come to be served, but TO SERVE. What did he do to serve others? Does that strike you as odd that GOD is our servant?

(The parent's point of view is helpful here. We willingly serve our children, and hope in turn that they will help (serve) with our needs, and the needs of others. Our service is an example.)

READ today's main Bible passage, Mary hears from Gabriel what God is going to do through her, and accepts it by saying she is willing to serve the Lord.

Ask: What was God (through Gabriel) asking Mary to do?

Would it be easy?

What if she had said "no"? What might God have done?

Say: Being a servant of God means listening and trusting. Mary trusted that God knew what he was doing.

Ask the parent: How does your baby learn to trust you? What sorts of things happen that BUILD that trust between you and your baby?

Say: Trust is a relationship founded in love. Your baby learns to trust you because of the love, trial and error that happens. We learn to trust God in the same way. We accept God loves us, and through good and bad, we know God forgives us.

Ask the parents and students: What are some of the ways that babies learn they are loved? Snuggling! Being kept warm. Feeling safe and bound (swaddled/bundled). Having things (like blankies) that make them feel at home, safe and secure. How many of YOU had a blankie when you were a baby?

Say: Today, we are going to help some new babies feel safe, secure, and loved by making them blankets. Blankets are not only important, they are a great symbol of how we are loved. Thus, they make a great gift, not just to the baby, but because WE KNOW their secret! (Describe the particular blanket recipients your blankets will be given to.)

Describe the place that will receive the gifts.

Make the Blankets - 20-25 minutes

In preparation, view several youtube videos and 'how-to' websites.

Best practice: two students per blanket working together.

Decide whether or not you want to stitch a phrase on the blanket, such as, "Servant of the Lord." If so, realize this will take them about 10 minutes just for stitching.

During quiet times when making the blankets is an excellent time to ask questions.

Here are a few questions to slip in:

Do you think most people think of Christmas as a time for giving or getting?
How would Mary answer that question? (She definitely received, but what did she also give back to God?
What are some of the ways we could help others at Christmas, in gratitude for the gift of Jesus to us?

(think about "in your family" "here at church" "at school" etc.)

Reflect - 5 minutes

Circle around the blankets and have each student offer a prayer that the babies who touch these blankets will feel safe and loved, and that someday, they will hear about the greatest Baby who ever lived, Jesus! ...and about Mary, his mother, who was a great servant of God, and showed us all how to lovingly accept and trust God's plan.

As each offers a prayer, cut them a small square of flannel to tuck away in their pocket and take home.

Additional Suggestions

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