- DISCLAIMER: This is still rough. The Bible verses aren't listed...some of the info may not be clear. But in case you wanted to try just Christmas Day, I wanted to have what we do. We just made it up. You could make up your own. The point is that we can fill a day with fun and focus on the Nativity story. We tweak this every year. It is not what it was 5 years ago. But it is fun.
**************************************************** - Optional Supplies
- Bop It (maybe 2 depending on your group size)
- Simon game (not quite as fast paced as Bop-It)
Charades for Kids (you may need extra playing pieces) - Box of candy (we like Whitman's)
First, we have a little opening statement, to explain what we are planning to do.
"The purpose of the day is to review the Christmas story in a fun and interactive way. During the day we will play games and do activities as they pertain to the story. Some of the activities are individual, and some require teams. Teams are assigned, no trading spots. Throughout, points will be awarded for participation/success in the activities. At the end prizes will be distributed based on the final point totals.
(Preparation for the game "Simon Says")
"During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God."
SIMON SAYS 🎲🎄🎲🎄🎲🎄
(2011 addition- This year we are going to try Bop-It/Simon...I'll let you know...;-))
(with small children, perhaps Simon Says is best and of course, no supplies to buy. As our group got older, they really enjoyed the Bop-It and Simon combination-younger on Bop-It and older on Simon)
Rules🎌🎌🎌
One person (over 10) from each team agrees to be Simon. The Simons all get one point for being Simon, and if they lose at the end of the day by one point, they may not point out that if they had been a player instead of Simon, they might have won.
Each time someone is out, the next Simon takes a turn until only one player remains. That player (the winner) will get 2 points.
Those ages 7-9 get 1 do-over.
Those ages 3-6 get 2 do-overs
Those ages 1-2 stay in the game the whole way, but will not win.
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But Zachariah and Elizabeth were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment; it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering.
Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God.
"He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God."
Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."
But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."
Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.
Rules🎌🎌🎌
One person (over 10) from each team agrees to be Simon. The Simons all get one point for being Simon, and if they lose at the end of the day by one point, they may not point out that if they had been a player instead of Simon, they might have won.
Each time someone is out, the next Simon takes a turn until only one player remains. That player (the winner) will get 2 points.
Those ages 7-9 get 1 do-over.
Those ages 3-6 get 2 do-overs
Those ages 1-2 stay in the game the whole way, but will not win.
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But Zachariah and Elizabeth were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment; it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering.
Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear. But the angel reassured him, "Don't fear, Zachariah. Your prayer has been heard. Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you. You are to name him John. You're going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you—many will delight in his birth. He'll achieve great stature with God.
"He'll drink neither wine nor beer. He'll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother's womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he'll get the people ready for God."
Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."
But the angel said, "I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won't believe me, you'll be unable to say a word until the day of your son's birth. Every word I've spoken to you will come true on time—God's time."
Meanwhile, the congregation waiting for Zachariah was getting restless, wondering what was keeping him so long in the sanctuary. When he came out and couldn't speak, they knew he had seen a vision. He continued speechless and had to use sign language with the people.
Charades 🎲🎄🎲🎄🎲🎄
Rules: 🎌🎌🎌
Following the Charades for Kids game. If playing regular Charades consider one person at a time guessing and going around the circle until everyone has guessed or the charade has been guessed. Winner(s) of this game will get one point. We have had to add playing pieces and you may need to do this as well.
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When the course of his priestly assignment was completed, he went back home. It wasn't long before his wife, Elizabeth, conceived. She went off by herself for five months, relishing her pregnancy. "So, this is how God acts to remedy my unfortunate condition!" she said.
Hidden Prize 🎲🎄🎲🎄🎲🎄
Those searching for the hidden prize will be under the age of 13. They may ask 3 yes/no questions each for a clue but may only be as specific as a certain room. The person who finds the hidden prize receives 2 points.
The hidden prize for us is always a box of Whitman's chocolates and we eat them for lunch dessert. We use Whitman's because there is a "key" to the chocolates and we like that...
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(preparation for PS2 Jungle Book Dance-a -rama)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin's name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:
Good morning!
You're beautiful with God's beauty,
Beautiful inside and out!
God be with you.
She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.
He will be great,
be called 'Son of the Highest.'
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob's house forever—
no end, ever, to his kingdom."
Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man."
The angel answered,
The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
the power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
will be called Holy, Son of God.
"And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."
And Mary said,
Yes, I see it all now:
I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
just as you say.
Then the angel left her.
Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She (Elizabeth) was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,
You're so blessed among women,
and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that
the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your
greeting entered my ears,
The babe in my womb
skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
believed every word would come true!
And Mary said,
I'm bursting with God-news;
I'm dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
JUNGLE BOOK DANCE
In the Jungle Book Dance segment, everyone gets a point who participates. Those who have never played before and inexperienced play on easy, those with minimal experience normal, those who are good at it play on hard. Those who are supportive of others and generally show good sportsmanship will get two points. The winner gets 1 point (max 4 points for the winner, but everyone could get 3 points if they tried at all)
If you do not have PS2 Jungle Book, you can come up with some other kind of jumping activity or game. This is just what we have. Generally this is when the womenfolk get the lunch together after their turns. That is just what happens in our family...If we were going to do something else,we might do a Jewish dance, or a simple folk dance. We would not use anything with current pop tunes.
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At this point we generally have lunch. The easiest thing for us has been homemade vegetable soup (chicken noodle for those who don't like that) and a cheeseball and crackers. and the hidden prize. Just do something that is easily assembled.
Homemade Vegetable Soup
5 qt Crock Pot
- 2 lbs browned ground beef, drained of fat
- 1 med bag of mixed vegetables
- 2 potatoes
- 1 large bottle of tomato juice
Homemade Chicken and Noodles
- 3 chicken breast halves, boiled (or 1 or 2 cans of chicken breast meat)
- 4-6 cans of chicken broth
- 2 bags of Rheames Frozen Noodles
- 2-3 cans of cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups of frozen peas, cooked
- preparation for the gingerbread house-making
Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.)
Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined break the engagement quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant.
She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins." This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term:
Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;
They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us"). (Isaiah 7:14)
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary.
DECORATE GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Joseph was a carpenter by trade. Teams will decorate a gingerbread house together. When the house is completed, all team members still liking one another will receive one point.
As a side note, these can be purchased fairly cheaply after Christmas. We always do buy the kits then and keep for the next year. We don't eat them anyway. Generally we have between 9-12 people, so we have 3 teams. for any team event.
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(preparation for Yahtzee)
About that time, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be counted
YAHTZEE
Everyone will participate in a rousing game of Yahtzee. It is a fairly simple game and those who are not familiar can rely on assistance from other members of the group to help them to get the maximum points.
Persons with the highest score per group will receive one point, and the overall highest score will receive one additional point.
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(preparation for the car puzzle)
So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.
CAR PUZZLE
All teams will construct a route that can be traveled with a vehicle from a minimum of 6 pieces. The first team to complete will get two points. Other teams will get one point for completion. Anyone with a good attitude during the entire event will receive one point. Here is a site to buy the puzzles if you want, or you can just figure out something you could use for this story. We have 3 sets of pieces for our 12 people. These are pretty fun.
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(preparation for blanket making)
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn.
BLANKET
Each team will assemble a fleece-knotted blanket for charity. Completion of this project will result in one point per member. Please do not tie the knots too tightly or the results will be disappointing. For each team, you will need about 2 yards of two coordinating colors of fleece or a pattern and a solid. Here is a site that will show you how to do it. We usually try to have it where the fringe is cut and ready to be tied. I pin the two together before we start tying to keep them straight. Everyone ties a side. Do not let this overwhelm you. If you get all the steps done to the tying, it is not hard to do with a group. Use sharp scissors to cut the fleece.
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(preparation for the Christmas Quiz or game...the point is having accurate knowledge or being able to relay facts accurately)
There were sheepherders (shepherds) camping in the neighborhood.
They had set night watches over their sheep.
Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic host, praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing! They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!
There are several quizzes online (here's another one...might need to be tweaked) for Nativity Christmas that you could print out for your group. I have also used a silly one with Christmas Carols where you figure out which one they are talking about. The idea is to give correct information. This year I am toying with the idea of using a game that one of our pastors plays with his family, which is the pictoral equivalent of the Telephone Game.
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Tally the points....the winner can win a silly prize that you bought ahead of time. Or they can be the first in line for dinner. Or some years we have had "presents" that have to do with prophecies about Jesus. Anyway, you could let people choose from those based on their scores.
Possible Prophecy Gifts
Vinegar, sponge
Psalms 69:21...Given vinegar in thirst...Matthew 27:34
Guideposts
Psalms 78:1.2...He would teach in parables...Matthew 13:34-35
The Farmer’s Almanac
Isaiah 9:6...The Counselor, ...Matthew 13:54
Amaryllis
Isaiah 11:1...Out of the root of Jesse-Son of Jesse...Luke 3:23,32
Operation Game
Isaiah 53:4a...He would have a healing ministry... Luke 6:17-19
Chapstick
Isaiah 53:9c...No deceit in his mouth... John 18:38
Dominoes
Jeremiah 31:15…Triggered massacre of baby boys…Matthew 2:16-18
Silver Dollar
Zechariah 11:12-13a...Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver... Matthew 26:14-15
Sewing Kit
Zechariah 12:10a...The Messiah's body would be pierced... John 19:34-37
Kleenex
Isaiah 53:3c...Great sorrow and grief... Luke 19:41-42
Toss Up Dice Game
Psalm 22:18 They cast lots for His clothing. Matthew 27:35
Bandaids
Psalm 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. John 19:33; 36a
Then we eat dinner. And watch Charlie Brown Christmas. Or the Nativity Movie. By the end of all that, everyone is usually exhausted.
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Food for Christmas
Whatever you think is delicious for Christmas is great of course. I don't have anything symbolic or spiritual for this part. We do make this cake, and it is very festive. This year I will try to take a picture of it so you can see it.
The Christmas Cake
We use the cake, the frosting and the shortbread angels on our cake. This recipe was in Southern Living.
Chocolate Truffle Angel Cake
From
You can freeze the cake layers and cookies weeks ahead, then assemble the cake (except adding the angel cookies) a day or two before your party. Add the cookies and ribbon up to 6 hours before serving.
1 recipe Chocolate Cake
1 recipe Chocolate-Praline Truffles
1 recipe White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1 recipe Angel Shortbread Cookies
24 inches (1 1/2-inch-wide) wired fabric ribbon
1 (4-ounce) white chocolate bar, shaved
Prepare Chocolate Cake batter, and pour into 3 greased and floured 8-inch round cakepans.
Bake at 350° for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
Reserve 1 1/2 cups White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Spread remaining frosting on top and sides of cake.
Spoon reserved frosting into a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; seal bag, and snip a 1/4-inch hole in 1 corner of bag. Pipe frosting around base of cake, creating a ruffle. Pipe about 1 teaspoon frosting on back of each Angel Shortbread Cookie. Press cookies against sides of cake, spacing evenly. (Wingtips should be about1/2 inch apart.)
Cut ribbon into 6 (4-inch) lengths; crumple slightly. Place each piece loosely against side of cake between each pair of angel cookies, inserting ends under angel waists. Sprinkle shaved white chocolate on top of cake. Store in refrigerator up to 2 days without cookies, up to 6 hours with cookies (which will soften if chilled longer). Remove up to 2 hours before serving; serve at room temperature.
Yield: 1 (3-layer) cake
Chocolate Cake
From
This recipe goes with Chocolate Truffle Angel Cake, Miniature Chocolate Truffle Tree Cakes
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cocoa
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
Combine cake flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Follow baking directions for Chocolate Truffle Angel Cake or Miniature Chocolate Truffle Tree Cakes.
Yield: enough batter for 3 (8-inch) layers or 1 (15- x 10-inch) layer
Southern Living, DECEMBER 1997
White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
From
This recipe goes with Chocolate Truffle Angel Cake, Miniature Chocolate Truffle Tree Cakes
1 (4-ounce) white chocolate bar, broken into pieces
1/2 cup whipping cream, divided
1 cup butter, softened
6 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Microwave chocolate pieces and 1/4 cup whipping cream in a 1-quart microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 minute and 10 seconds. Whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. (Do not overheat mixture.)
Beat butter and 1 cup powdered sugar at low speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add remaining 5 cups powdered sugar alternately with remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Add white chocolate mixture and vanilla; beat at medium speed until spreading consistency.
Yield: about 4 1/2 cups
Southern Living, DECEMBER 1997
Angel Shortbread Cookies
From
These angels get their iridescent glow from sparkling sugar, sold at some gourmet grocers and at cake decorating and kitchen shops. You can order 8 ounces for $6 or 3.3 ounces for $4 from La Cuisine - The Cook's Resource in Alexandria, Virginia, at 1-800-521-1176.
This recipe goes with Chocolate Truffle Angel Cake
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 tablespoons whipping cream
2 (3.3-ounce) jars white sparkling sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (optional)
4 (2-ounce) vanilla candy coating squares
Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add 2/3 cup sugar, beating well. Add egg yolk and vanilla; beat 1 minute or until yellow disappears.
Combine flour and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until dry ingredients are moistened. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Divide dough into 3 portions; shape each into a ball, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill 1 hour.
Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Sprinkle parchment with flour, and unwrap each dough portion on a lightly floured surface. Roll each into a 9- x 6-inch rectangle (about 1/4 inch thick). Cut dough using a angel-shaped cookie cutter. Reserve trimmings. Freeze angels on baking sheets 15 minutes; slide angels at least 3 inches apart.
Whisk together egg and whipping cream. Brush angel cookies lightly with mixture, and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until golden brown; cool on pan 10 minutes. Transfer cookies with parchment paper to a wire rack to cool.
Press together reserved dough trimmings; roll out on a lightly floured parchment paper-lined baking sheet to 1/4-inch thickness; cut with a 1-inch star-shaped cutter. Remove and discard trimmings. Brush stars lightly with egg mixture, and sprinkle with sparkling sugar, reserving remaining sugar.
Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until stars are golden brown. Remove with parchment paper to a wire rack to cool.
Brush upper one-third of back of each angel lightly with corn syrup, and sprinkle with reserved sparkling sugar, if desired. Let dry.
Microwave candy coating in a 4-cup glass measuring cup at HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice. Pour into a small heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag; seal. Snip a tiny hole in 1 corner of bag, and drizzle a small amount onto backs of 6 stars (reserve extra stars for other uses). Attach 1 star to center of each angel.
Drizzle in desired design over wings. Make small dots with coating along upper edge of halos. Let stand until hard. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week, or freeze up to 6 months.
Yield: 6 angel cookies and about 1 dozen star cookies
We also eat these ribs...CAUTION They have to be started 3 days in advance--2 to marinate and almost a day to cook.
Quincy Jones Thriller Ribs
The ribs are marinated in a dry rub of spices and garlic and jalapeno
peppers for 2 days (hence the 2 day Prep time) and slow roasted in a low
oven for 8 hours."
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons spike seasoning ( see note)
- 1 teaspoon Accent seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 5 racks of baby-back pork ribs ( about 5 pounds)
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large jalapeno peppers, minced
- 2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 green bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
Directions
- In a cup, combine Spike and Ac'cent seasonings, and black pepper.
- Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon seasoning mixture on each side of the rib racks.
- In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, jalapeno peppers and remaining seasoning mixture.
- Rub the garlic mixture on the top and bottom of the ribs.
- Line a large roasting pan (17 x 11 1/2 inches) with enough foil to wrap all the ribs.
- Spread a layer of onions and bell peppers on top of the foil.
- Place 2 rib racks, side by side, on the vegetables.
- Continue to layer the onions and peppers and the ribs.
- Tightly wrap the marinated ribs in the foil and refrigerate for 2 days.
- Remove the pan from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Before placing the ribs in the oven, reduce the temperature to 300.
- Bake the foil-wrapped ribs for 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove the ribs.
- Spoon off the fat from the liquid in the pan and discard, reserving the pan juices.
- Cut each rack into three sections and serve with the vegetables and pan juices.
