December 23: The Baker's Hand

*You'll need to wrap one or more cookie cutters for today's gift if you start at the beginning of today's instructions. If you prefer to pre-bake (or buy!) cut-out cookies, the verse is applicable to simply decorating the cookies. In the past, I have wrapped up a bottle of cookie sprinkles or decorations instead of cookie cutters to demonstrate God's craftsmanship.

• Read Isaiah 64:8.

"Yet you, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand."

• Give the children time to open the cookie cutter(s).

• Explain to your children how God takes great care in forming each one of us for His purpose.

• Pass out small amounts of cookie dough to each child.

I found this recipe for cutout sugar cookies:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sugar-Cookie-Cutouts/Detail.aspx

If you have a favorite cut-out recipe that you'd be willing to share, post it in a comment below!

• Allow the children to play with the dough, shaping it and forming it as you talk.

• Use the verse in Isaiah to talk about the way God made us, choosing specific features unique to each one. Expound on the unique features of each child.

• Continue cutting/forming the cookies and then bake them.

• Use the decorations as an analogy as well. Describe how God adds just the right touches to our personalities to make us all unique and beautiful.

• Give your children an opportunity to decorate their own cookies.

• Pray with your children, thanking God for each one for specific qualities.
  

• Enjoy!