“Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:3)
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth…”
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
Hello Parents!
We have celebrated the Fourth of July and, for many of us, summer break begins in ernest. It’s a beautiful time of relaxation and exploring new places and things for many families. Even if your children are in “Year-Round” school and you have a demanding work schedule, it’s still possible to add some activities that celebrate the season and connect your family to nature and new experiences. For the next six weeks you will find fun arts and crafts ideas for kids of all ages. We will celebrate the power and wonder of God and the creation of this beautiful and complex world. Encourage your children to make a keepsake box from a shoe box to house treasures from the summer adventures. Designate a “Nature Table” where family members can display their art work and important summer souvenirs for everyone to see and admire. Each week there will be a Bible reading that is connected to the magnificent power of God and His love for us. Today we begin with “Genesis, chapter 1:1-31 The Creation of the World.” I will be referring to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, website USCCB.org for Bible stories; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for helping us learn and understand more deeply.
MagnifiKid! “Summer Vacation” Prayer
“Lord, I am happy that
summer vacation is here. I will have
the chance to meet
new people in new
situations.
I will let you enter my into
my heart and guide
my steps so that I will
always be filled with
joy, openness, and
respect.”
*Idea for “Keepsake Box,” and the “Summer Vacation” Prayer Come from MagnifiKid!, July 7, 2019 vol. 16. Part B. Section 2. Page 3 & 13 By Lisa Reno
A Reading for Older Children
“The Creation” An Excerpt
“In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
Water lay deep over the surface of the earth and darkness was absolute.
God said, ‘Let there be light.’
And suddenly there was light.
And God saw that it was good.”
Source: The Children’s Illustrated Bible, Pages 18-19
“On the first day God creates light.”
“On the second day God creates sky.”
“On the third day God creates land, sea and every kind of plant.”
“On the fourth day God creates the sun, the moon and the stars.”
“On the fifth day God creates the creatures of the sea and sky.”
“On the sixth day God creates animals and people.”
“On the seventh day God rested, for the work was done, and all was well with the world.”
Source: The Children’s Illustrated Bible, page 19
Note to Parents. Although this book is not specifically a Catholic Children’s Bible, it is a wonderful resource for enrichment about the geography, people, history and archeology of the people of the Bible. I highly recommend it for the interesting information it provides, and for the beautiful telling of the Bible stories.
“Written in conjunction with educators, scholars, and religious advisors, this retelling of favorite Old and New Testament stories retains the original feel and poetry of the Bible while appealing to contemporary young readers.” Excerpt from Amazon Book Review
A Reading for Young Children
“The Creation of the World” An Excerpt
“God decided to create the world. He said,
‘Let there be light!’ And there was light!
He called the first light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night.’
It was the first day.”
“God separated the sky from the land and the sea. He covered the land with plants and flowers and fruit trees.
He created the sun and the stars and placed them in the sky to shine over the earth.
He filled the world with living creatures: the birds
of the air, the fish of the seas, and all the animals
of the land.”
Source: The Catholic Bible for Children, Pages 10-11
“All Things Bright and Beautiful”–A Sing-Along Video About God’s Creation of the World
Our Art Projects
“Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light.”
Source: USCCB.org
“Then God said: Let there be a dome in the middles of the waters, to separate one body of water from another.”
Source: USCCB.org
These watercolor paintings were made using liquid watercolors and a synthetic brush. I like this type of brush best because the brushes don’t shed hairs. They are inexpensive children’s paint brushes. If done as a family, or with one other family member, it’s more fun! Think, “Abstract.” Just enjoy painting beautiful colors over the watercolor paper (an important component). Please tell your children, “There’s no such thing as perfection!” Have fun!
I dipped the tip of the brush– a flat plane, not pointed–into the paint and started making “dashes” on the first painting. My goal was to make a painting signifying the creation of light. My paintings rarely end up as I want them to. So a while back, I began to cut them into strips or geometric shapes and glue them onto sturdy paper. I used neon poster paper for the “Light!” painting. I like the effect of turning a watercolor paper into a “mosaic.” I think it turns a watercolor painting into something more interesting.
The blue “Sea and Sky” painting below it, was made a bit differently. I first rubbed a white watercolor pasteI in swirls and circles before I painted. The watercolor doesn’t cover all of the pastel and gives a nice effect. This painting was glued onto an extra-large sheet of watercolor paper made by Canson. Please tell your children not to throw a painting away if they don’t like it. Invite them to turn it upside down or sideways. Next option is to cut it up into shapes or strips and paste the parts onto another piece of paper, letting the background paper show through. It is exciting to see the transformation!
Materials
“Creation” Art Projects and More Reading Options for Younger Children can Be Found, Here!