Wolfe Stew

When you realize that December is near, do you hear jingle bells or alarm bells? For me, the alarm bells are blaring: I cannot believe 2024 is nearly over! As you prepare for the festive season, we encourage you to take some time for yourself. Connect with God, family, friends, co-workers, and strangers, but don't forget to think about who you are and what you need. What is on your heart for you for next year? What is your biggest hope for 2025? What steps can you take toward achieving what you hope for? How can you partner with God in it? Will you trust Him even if it doesn't happen? My biggest hope for 2025 is that each one of you grow deeper in your relationship with Christ. That's my hope for me, too: to know  Him more.  We also hope to help you wrap up 2024 with a bow of JOY through this selection of activities we've stewed on for you. Our December 2024 offerings: December 2024 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  December 20...

Sometimes the build-up to Christmas is not joyful. In fact, the Christmas of the Bible was shocking, confusing, heartbreaking, and dangerous. But even in these moments, when emotions overwhelm us, if we choose to seek God's presence, recognize His truth, and respond in obedience, we open the door for His eternal JOY. Christmas Eve | December 24th Annually JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Facts about Jesus' birth. Wolfe Stew Connects  To recognition and obedience. Bible Verses and Quotes  Related to Jesus' birth. Activity Suggestions  Christmas Eve service, movies, snacks, questions, and family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   Christmas  (December 25th Annually) New Year's Day  (January 1st Annually) Thank Goodness It's Monday Day (January's First Monday) Did You Know: To fully understand the magi's journey, we have to start nearly a thousand years before Christ's birth? Balaam, a prophet during the time of the exodus, blessed Israel. Part of h...

No matter the viewpoint, from the bottom or from the top, a mountain landscape is breathtaking. Mountains tell of God's majesty with their towering heights, beauty, and timelessness. Go to the mountain; tell of your savior - the one who brings you JOY. International Mountain Day | December 11th Annually JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Facts about mountains. Wolfe Stew Connects  To help with your mountains. Bible Verses and Quotes  About mountains. Activity Suggestions  Mountain related informational videos and articles, inspired art, songs, discussion questions, and family challenge. UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:   Winter Solstice (When the sun reaches its southernmost point) Christmas  (December 25th Annually) New Year's Day (January 1st Annually) Did You Know: There are three main types of mountains?  The types of mountains are categorized by their formation: volcanic eruptions, tectonic plate collisions, and tectonic plate tension and compression. ...

I am ready for the rush of this year to slow down. How is it that I am sending out December calendars already? Didn't school just start yesterday?  If your year feels like it is speeding by too, perhaps we can slow it down by committing to experiencing the fulness of each moment. We are praying that you find God in each one and rest there. To aid you in finding JOY in your home and classroom, our December 2023 offerings include: December  2023 Ideas for  Every  Day Calendar  (family friendly, educational)  December 2023 Growth for Today Calendar  (personal growth, Bible-based) Blank 2023 Calendars   Bible verses  Inspirational Quotes December 2023 Ideas for EVERY Day View the  current month's calendar   at the Learning Lab Tab. Or download your  December 2023  through  OneDrive . View  archived calendars  on our JOY for Today page. Add " Would you rather... " questions into your daily holiday festivities...

(Updated 11.8.2024) JOY to the world! He is with us. May your Christmas be full of JOY as you abide in His glorious presence! JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To love. Bible Verses and Quotes  About Christmas. Activity Suggestions  Carols, Would You Rather, and Family Challenge Did You Know: December 25 is, more than likely, not Jesus' actual birthdate?  While it has become our tradition to celebrate His birth in December, He was more likely born in fall or summer. ( Belief Net ) Jesus' birth was not precisely on the fold of B.C./A.D.?  While His birth was the reason for the label change (from Before Christ to Anno Domini - the year of our Lord), His birth was not precisely at the transition. The main reason being that the idea for the label change did not emerge until 525 A.D. By that time, it was not only challenging to uncover His precise birth year, but it also took less precedence than accurately calculatin...

Winter often denotes a season of waiting - waiting for the thaw so life can begin again. It's what we do in the waiting that's challenging. Whether you approach this winter with wonder or discontent, we're praying JOY finds you in it. December 21, 2022 JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To winter outlooks. Bible Verses and Quotes  About winter. Activity Suggestions : Science Activities with Book Pairings, Would You Rather, and Family Challenge Did You Know: Japan gets more snow than most countries? Of the top ten snowiest destinations  HGTV  lists, five are in Japan. Niseko, Japan tops the list with an average annual snowfall of 50 feet. ( Fact City , and  HGTV ) Russia experiences the coldest winters? Canada comes in second and Mongolia third. ( Fact City ) Humans undergo a type of hibernation?  While we do not sleep through the winter, we do eat and sleep more because of the decreased daylight hours which i...

A single candle in the middle of utter darkness is the portrait of hope. No matter how dark our circumstances there is light that lives on. This Light is eternal hope that can live on in you - when you are ready to let it. At times JOY feels unachievable. Light a candle in your darkness. Watch the flame and hold on to hope that JOY will come again. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Five we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To light. Bible Verses and Quotes  About grieving. Activity Suggestions : Lighting Candles, Book List, Resource Options, Would You Rather, and Family Challenge Did You Know: Worldwide Candle Lighting Day's goal is to support families who grieve the loss of children?  The Compassionate Friends organization began when Reverend Stephens (of England) connected two grieving sets of parents in the hopes that their shared experience might help the healing process. The parents deeply benefited from the connection and longed to lead others in similar sit...