Sunday School Resource Produced by Jane Tibbs Children s Adviser 01 January 2017, the Second Sunday of Christmas

Transcription

1 SundayMAXleaders Sunday School Resource Produced by Jane Tibbs Children s Adviser 01 January 2017, the Second Sunday of Christmas Introduction Today we remember that Jesus, the expression of God s love, lived as a vulnerable baby boy in the real and dangerous world which we all inhabit today. Game Pack quickly! Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus had to leave Bethlehem in a hurry. How quickly could the children pack if they had to go away? Readings Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23 You will need A selection of items you might take away pyjamas, toothbrush, towel, soap, hairbrush, cuddly toy, Bible, slippers, jumper, underwear, socks etc. An empty case or rucksack A large dice Sit the children in a circle and explain that each person will take a turn to roll the dice. If they throw a six they pack the case neatly! The others keep playing and the next person to throw a six unpacks the case. The winner is the first person to pack the case, and close it. Discussion I wonder what all this was like for Mary? First, she travelled to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born. That must have been difficult. Then, when Jesus was still small, they had to run away to Egypt another big journey. Having been settled there for a while, it was then time to uproot and travel all over again. Every time Mary and Joseph had to trust and obey God s instructions. Every time they had to get used to a new place and different ways of living. I wonder if it was a relief for Mary to get back to Nazareth? For some children and families today, what happened to Mary and Joseph happens to them too. They have also had to keep moving because of wars in their countries. They have to leave friends and belongings behind and start all over again, in a new country where everything, including the language, is different. What is it like to move to a new place? Is it hard to leave? Is it fun and exciting to go somewhere new? What is it like to meet new people? God still calls people to do brave things. Sometimes children know very definitely what God is calling them to do with their lives. Do you know what God might want you to do? Or can you remember a time when you have known the right thing to do, but it has been hard doing it? It might help if the Leaders could share something here.

2 Advent wreath How many candles will be lit on the Advent wreath today? Five! The large white candle is lit to remind us that Jesus was born on Christmas day. Light all of the candles. After the candles are lit Leader: We light this fifth candle to remind us of Jesus, the living word sent down to the earth! All: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation! Leader: For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. All: And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! Leader: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light Jesus the Light of the World All: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out! Craft Activity Travelling game In this game the children can travel with Mary, Joseph and Jesus using counters and a dice. You will need A copy of the game for each child A piece of card to stick it on to Colouring pens, pencils and glitter pens Glue A dice and counters Give each child a copy of the game. Encourage them to colour it and then stick it on to a piece of card to make it firm. Play the game using the dice and counters make up your own rules! The Education Department, The Old Deanery, Wells BA5 2UG Tel: jane.tibbs@bathwells.anglican.org

3 Songs Up above the world so high, Joseph saw you in the sky. God sent you to show the way Leading the family far away. To the tune Twinkle, twinkle, little star Christmas, it s Christmas Kidsource 26 Christmas bells that bring glad tidings Kidsource 432 He came in love to bring hope Kidsource 497 Jesus put this song into our hearts Kidsource 209 One more step along the world I go Kidsource 273 Sleep, holy child Kidsource 703 This child Kidsource 737 Prayer Loving God, as we think of Mary and Joseph travelling, we ask you to keep us safe in our journeys. When we enjoy our travels, we remember how frightening it must have been for them. As we think of Jesus being kept safe, we think of the children in the world who aren t safe. We thank you for the fun of Christmas, but we think of others too. Amen For this prayer you may like to walk round the room as you say it. You could make signs saying Bethlehem, Egypt, Galilee, Nazareth and place them around your space. Travelling, travelling through the night, Mary, Joseph and baby take flight. Travelling, travelling a dusty road, Carrying only what they could hold. Travelling, travelling to somewhere new, Egypt s the place now, the place for you. Travelling, travelling just in time, Herod s in a temper and has death in mind. Travelling, travelling off again. Now Herod s dead, who will reign? Travelling, travelling back to where? Not where we started as Herod s son s there. Travelling, travelling, where should we go? Find somewhere quiet, yes, I know. Travelling, travelling this seems right Galilee, Nazareth, a welcome sight. The Education Department, The Old Deanery, Wells BA5 2UG Tel: jane.tibbs@bathwells.anglican.org

4 SundayMAXkids Sunday 01 January 2017 An angel appeared to Joseph and warned him to take his family and escape from Bethlehem. Today is the second Sunday of Christmas Help them find their way through the maze A crossword to solve Across 1. To see images while sleeping 6. To run away from something 7. To take someone s life 8. Female parent Down 2. A heavenly servant of God 3. A young person 4. King of Judea who tried to kill baby Jesus 5. Opposite of day Lord, Keep us safe as we travel through life. Help us to love what is good And dislike what is evil. Amen

5 SundayMAXstory Sunday 01 January 2017 Angel Dreams based on Matthew 2:13-23 Encourage the children to shout boo whenever King Herod is mentioned, to cheer when Joseph is mentioned and give a couple of children triangles or shakers to rattle when angel is mentioned Lots of people loved the baby Jesus, but there were some people who did not. King Herod was one of the people who did not. He didn t like the idea of there being another king. King Herod wanted to find Jesus and kill him. God knew what King Herod was thinking. God sent an angel to talk to Joseph in a dream. The angel told Joseph to take his family and go to Egypt. He told them to stay there until he said it was safe to return. Egypt was far away. Joseph had never been there before. Where would they live? But Joseph did as God told him. He took his family and went to live in Egypt. After a while King Herod died. An angel appeared again to Joseph in a dream. King Herod is dead! You can move back home again! the angel said. Joseph was worried about moving back to Bethlehem. So the angel appeared again to Joseph and told him to move his family to Nazareth. Joseph did as God told him and made a new start in Nazareth.

6 SundayMAX Sunday 01 January 2017 From Living Stones by Susan Sayers craft