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Advent The Christmas Story Revisited 1. Read the Nativity Scene in Luke Chapter 2 and summarise the story The Birth of Jesus At the time the Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire. When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own town. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David. Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David. He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him. She was pregnant, and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger there was no room for them to stay in the inn. The Shepherds and the Angels There were some shepherds in that party of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terrible afraid, but the angel said to them, Don t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David s town your Saviour was born Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth lying in a manger. Suddenly a great army of heaven s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased! when the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manager,. When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel has said about the child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had told them. Jesus is Named A week later, when the time came for the baby to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name which the angel had given him before he had been conceived. TASK: Make a Childs story book or cartoon frames to share with the local kindergarten. In groups of 2 use your summary to pick the important parts of the story and illustrate the scene for a children s book e.g. a. Mary and Jesus arrive for census b. No room at the inn c. Birth in the stable d. Wise Men visit e. Herod announces his law f. Flee to Egypt You can use computer images; draw yourself, collage from magazines, your choice. 1
Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem for the Census No room at the Inns and so Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable Wise men visit from the East bring Jesus gifts Mary and Joseph flee Bethlehem and travel to Egypt to prevent Herod s soldiers hurting Jesus 2
The Birth of Jesus By Len A lively skit about the people and times during the Birth of Jesus (Skit for nine to fourteen) Option A: (For a classroom role play) Duration: 15 minutes Volunteers: 9 children Topics: Birth of Christ Materials: Baby doll and crib (can use a small basket that fits doll) 2 x3 piece of cloth, plain white 3 small show boxes, decorated as Magi s treasure boxes Chocolate candy gold coins, 2 bags of potpourri Small pillow to make Mary appear pregnant. Option B: (For a very small church production) Duration: 20 minutes Volunteers: 14 children Christ Topics: Birth of Materials: (In addition to the materials shown for Option A) Three 3 x5 pieces of cardboard for Inn doors (decorated as desired) 3 plain blue oversize t shirts for the 3 magi 4 plain white oversize t shirts for the angels 3 or 4 different coloured plain oversize shirts for shepherds, narrator 2 plain beige or brown oversize shirts for Joseph and Mary Note: For this production, you can add a children s choir to sing Away in a Manger when Joseph and Mary settle in the stable, and O Holy Night at the end of the play An area fixed up as a stable. (The stable can be surrounded with white Christmas lights, and lit when the Magi and shepherds arrive.) A big cardboard star, wrapped in aluminium foil Additional props if desired can be added (Narrator enters) Scene 1 (Outside the town) Narrator Hear ye, hear ye. Caesar Augustus declares that there will be a census. Everyone will be counted and must return to their native towns. Let this be known to everyone! (The narrator exits, and Joseph and Mary (pregnant) enter) Joseph Mary Mary, I know you are heavy with child, but we must go to Bethlehem for the census. Yes Joseph. I think I can travel and I know the Lord will be with us in this journey. 3
(Joseph and Mary pack up and start their journey. They walk over to the first inn and knock at the door. Innkeepers are behind doors.) 1 st Innkeeper Yes, I m coming. Hold on. Joseph We have been travelling for a long time, do you have a room for us? 1 st Innkeeper I am very sorry, but there is no more room here. Try next door. (Joseph and Mary walk over to the next Inn, and knock at the door) 2 nd Innkeeper I am so sorry, if you are looking for a place to stay we are completely booked here. Try next door. (Joseph and Mary walk to the next inn and they barely get to the door when the 3 rd Innkeeper comes out.) 3 rd Innkeeper Unbelievable, this place is almost wall to wall with people. (He looks at Mary with compassion) I don t think you will find any room available in this town. But you should not be travelling any more this late in the evening. If you don t mind, you could get some rest in my stable out back. It isn t the most comfortable place, but at least there will be a roof over your head. And the animals are wonderful, they will not bother you. Joseph My wife must have some rest. The stable will be fine. 3 rd Innkeeper Well then, follow me (The Innkeeper steps aside and leads Joseph and Mary to the stable, and then all Innkeepers exit) Scene 2 (Inside a stable) (Joseph helps Mary sit down on the floor and then begins to prepare a bed for them) Joseph Mary Joseph I know God is with us. It is much better to sleep here than outside. Joseph, I don t feel very well. I am really tired and I am having this pain. I think it s time for the baby to be born. Please Mary, lie down here on this nice bed I prepared. It won t be long now. Scene 3 (A field) (Narrator enters) Narrator Meanwhile, some shepherds were tending their flocks at night when suddenly an angel appears right before them (Angels enter. While the angels speak, Mary wraps the baby Jesus in cloth and lays Him in a trough) 4
Angel 1 All Angels Shepherd 1 Shepherd 2 Narrator Behold, I bring good news of a great joy. For today, in the city of David there is born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom He is please. Let s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about. Let s tell our friends and we all go. Praise God for this Good News. Come on it s a long journey. And so the shepherds, after hearing the angels, went to visit the Baby. Some time later, three Magi saw a bright star in the sky (Narrator exits and Magi enter. Star is displayed) 1 st Magi (Pointing to the star) Look, a star. Look how bright it is! 2 nd Magi (Looking at the star) It is the sign. The wonderful sign. The King of the Jews is born! 3 rd Magi Let us go and worship Him. Gifts, we need gifts! 1 st Magi I know what I can give Him. I will give Him gold, for He is Royalty 2 nd Magi My gift will be special. It will be myrrh 3 rd Magi Frankincense will be my gift. Let up put them in special boxes, because He is King (The three Magi each place their gift into a treasure box. Narrator enters. Then Magi walk over to the stable while looking at the star. Mary takes the child and holds him in her arms.) (Narrator enters) Scene 4 (Inside a stable) Narrator And so the Magi found their King, by following the star. When they arrived they bowed down, worshiped the King, and offered their gifts to him. (The Magi slowly place their gifts in front of Mary, look at the baby and then they bow down. Then Angels enter) Angels Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among men! 5
The Story of Jesus Word Search Angel Bethlehem Donkey Joseph Joy Manger Mary Roman Shepherd Star Tax Wise men Worship 2008 www.bogglesworldesl.com 6
The Story of Jesus Word Search Angel Bethlehem Carpenter Donkey Egypt Frankincense Gabriel Gold Herod Jerusalem Joseph Joy Manger Mary Myrrh Nazareth 2008 www.bogglesworldesl.com Roman Shepherd Stable Star Tax Wise men Worship 7
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The Nativity Story Crossword 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Across 1. Another word for happiness. 3. The empire that controlled Bethlehem. 5. How many wise men were there? 6. The town where Jesus was born. 8. A messenger of God. 9. What the wise men followed to Bethlehem. 11. What Mary rode. Down 1. Mary's husband. 2. A person who raises sheep. 4. The bed where Jesus slept. 7. Jesus' mother. 10. What Joseph had to pay. 2008 www.bogglesworldesl.com 10
The Nativity Story Crossword 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Across 1. Mary's hometown. 6. The building where Jesus was born. 7. Another word for happiness. 9. What Joseph had to pay. 10. The King who wanted to kill Jesus. 12. The bed where Jesus slept. 14. One of the gifts brought by the wise men. 16. Place where Joseph and Mary fled with the baby Jesus. 17. The angel that came to Mary. 18. One of the gifts brought by the wise men. 19. A person who raises sheep. Down 2. A messenger of God. 3. Mary's husband. 4. Jesus' mother. 5. Joseph's job. 7. The city of King Herod. 8. The empire that controlled Bethlehem. 9. How many wise men were there? 11. What Mary rode. 13. The town where Jesus was born. 15. What the wise men followed to Bethlehem. 17. One of the gifts brought by the wise men. 2008 www.bogglesworldesl.com 11
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EAST AFRICA CRISIS APPEAL Before, during and after disasters strike Caritas Australia is there The most severe humanitarian crisis in the world today the time for action is now! What is Happening? the worst droughts in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and across East Africa in 60 years have left more than 12 million people in need of food, water and basic facilities. Half of those are children. The situation has now been officially declared a food crisis. That means children and the elderly are severely malnourished. In parts of Somalia, the United Nations has declared the situation a famine. The drought is not expected to ease until early 2012 and the numbers of vulnerable people affected are anticipated to rise dramatically. Over the coming three to four months, the region s fragile food security will continue to deteriorate the most vulnerable communities are preparing for below average summer harvests, early depletion of pasture and water, and continued high prices of food, water and fuel. Worldwide, humanitarian needs have been estimated at USD 1.7 billion but less than half of that is funded. Bishop Peter Kihara, the Bishop of Marsabit in one of the worst hit areas of Northern Kenya said: There is no question that we have a very desperate situation and it is deteriorating rapidly. We urgently call to our brothers and sisters across the world to help us in this time of need. How Caritas is Helping Across the region the International Caritas Network is providing that help but with more than 12 million in need of assistance we need your donations to assist us in reaching more families with life giving support. Caritas Australia has a long history of engagement in East Africa and at this time of great and urgent need, Caritas is committed to providing emergency aid and to working to secure long term opportunities for those affected by drought throughout this highly vulnerable region. Caritas is: Providing supplementary feeding and food relief Ensuring people have access to clean water to drink Assisting families to maintain their livelihoods In Kenya the network is: Providing food relief to 40,000 people in the work affected areas in Eastern and Coastal Kenya Ensuring children and new mothers are being reached first with aid Instigating veterinary programs in the hope to keep 15,000 cattle healthy 17
In Somalia the network is: Reaching 7000 people through Operation Lifeline with food aid. This includes over 1400 children and the elderly. Providing supplementary feeding to over 4000 people, targeting new mothers and children and the elderly Providing 70,000 semi nomadic people with access to clean water in Eastern Somaliland In Ethiopia the network is: Reaching over 80,000 people in Haraghe and Meki with food distributions Supporting livestock programs in the southern Borana region, helping 25,000 households to maintain the health of their cattle. How You Can Help Support the people of East Africa by donating online to Caritas Australia s East Africa Crisis Appeal. Your support will provide life giving support to those most in need throughout the Horn of Africa. All funds raised through the appeal will be spent in assisting vulnerable people in East Africa. Caritas Australia is mandated to deliver at least 92% of all funds raised in emergencies to the emergency in question. 18