We talked about why we use flashlights, and then discussed what would happen if we put it inside a box. Obviously, that would be silly, because we wouldn't be able to see the light! In Jesus's time, there were no flashlights, so they used candles when it was dark outside. He taught that, just as we should not put a candle under a bushel, we should let our light shine by being a good example to those around us. We made bushels, decorated with fancy patterns from our vivid imaginations, and took candles to remind ourselves to be good examples. Most of the children decided to tape their candles to the bottom of the bushel, birthday-cake style, so that everyone would see them shining.
Each candle had a number on the back, so we took turns choosing a story, activity, or song related to being a good example. Everyone seems to have forgotten how to sing "Choose the Right Way", which we practiced a lot at the beginning of the year, so it may be time to re-learn that one. It was a busy, fun day, and the children were happy to have a simple little craft to take home!