More Christemas Wrapped Up

Combining years of Scripture Union experience with exciting new ideas, this book will give you almost everything you need to get the most out of Christmas.

New material and Scripture Union favourites

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

ËxHSLIOEy272617zISBN 978 1 84427 261 7


All-age Advent, Christmas Day and nativity servicesy

Songs, rhymes and raps-agaga e A tmas

SSoonnggngnngn s, rhrhr yhyh mDramag

Craft ideasS

CCCraAssembly outlines

rapapa s

QuizzesQuQuQ izizi zze

Theme gamesideded as QQuQuQ i

TTTThhThTThT emme gamesChristmas partiesNeed more ideas for other times of celebration? Try…

Compiled by Christine Wright

MoreChristmasWrappedUpRev.indd 2-3 9/3/07 09:13:11

© Scripture Union 2007First published 2007ISBN 978 1 84427 261 7

Scripture Union, 207–209 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2EB, EnglandEmail: [email protected]: www.scriptureunion.org.uk

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All rights reserved. The activities and illustrations in this book may be photocopied for use. This permission is grantedfreely to owners of this book. This arrangement does not allow the printing of any of the published material in permanentform. Nor does it allow the printing of words or illustrations for resale or any commercial use. Apart from this, no part ofthis publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Scripture Union.

Performing LicenceIf you wish to perform any of the sketches in this book, you are free to do so without charge, providing the performance isundertaken in an amateur context. The purchase of this book constitutes a licence granting the right to perform the piecesfor no financial gain. Those wishing to engage in commercial or professional performances should make a separateapproach in writing to Scripture Union.

Scripture quotations are from the Contemporary English Version published by HarperCollinsPublishers © 1991, 1992, 1995,American Bible Society.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication DataA catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library.

Printed and bound by Henry Ling LtdCover design: Paul AiryCompiler: Christine WrightEditorial team: Alex Taylor, Helen Gale, Alicia Wallace, Karen EvansArtists: Pauline Adams, Lynne Breeze, Anna Carpenter, Clive Edwards, Helen Gale, Andy Gray, Eira Reeves

Scripture Union is an international Christian charity working with churches in more than 130 countries, providingresources to bring the good news about Jesus Christ to children, young people and families and to encourage them to

develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer.As well as our network of volunteers, staff and associates who run holidays, church-based events and school Christiangroups, we produce a wide range of publications and support those who use our resources through training programmes.

We extend grateful thanks to all the writers and artists who regularly contribute to Light. Without their hard work andcreativity this book could not have been produced. And thanks to our Scripture Union field and schools workers who havebeen willing to share their expertise and bright ideas. Every effort has been made to attribute the items correctly, but weapologise to any author or artist whose work has not been credited. Please inform the publisher and we will endeavour toput matters right in any future editions of More Christmas Wrapped Up!

Pages 1-60 final.qxp 22/06/2007 10:48 Page 2


Introduction

Short talks for evangelismLabelling Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A talk which challenges popular views

Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A talk suitable for Christmas Day

Four different hats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A talk based on Luke 2:22–38

Christmas surprises! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8A talk using simple pictures

No wrapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9A challenging, short talk

Events and partiesOperation Christmas Child . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10An all-age community event

The people’s nativity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12An outdoor presentation

Shepherds and angels party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Ideas for a themed party for children

Short talks for all agesPromises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19An Advent talk based on Luke 1:67–79

Give and receive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Preparing for Christmas

The perfect Christmas? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Challenging people of all ages to think of whatChristmas is all about

Christmas card exchange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20A talk based on Luke 2:17–19

Gold, incense, myrrh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Learning the meaning of the gifts

Timeline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Learning about the coming of the Saviour

Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21A talk using light, based on John 1:1–14

Party invitations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22A talk to emphasise how Jesus came foreveryone

Assembly materialGiving presents (suitable for KS1) . . . . . . . . . . 27

The light of the world (suitable for KS2) . . . . . 28

Gifts (suitable for KS3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

All-age servicesChallenging child. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31A nativity service

A make-and-tell nativity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Come to the light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 A service suitable for Christmas Day

King in a manger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39An interactive service

Christmas journeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Spelling out Christmas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Family activitiesFour ideas to enrich a family Christmas . . . . . 45

Short dramasJesus is born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Improvised drama for younger children

Wrapped up in chaos? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Modern day improvised drama

Shepherds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46A new look at the shepherds’ story

Nativity without rehearsal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47A short nativity

Dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Discussion between Mary and Elizabeth

Good news!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48A quirky insight into the life of angels!

Bad news, Herod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49A short sketch

News reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49A short drama

Find the real king . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Drama for older children and adults

The promised Messiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Bible monologues for two readers

Tell me about your vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51A sketch examining Revelation 1

At the Chinese restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51A sketch examining 1 Thessalonians 4:1 –5:11

The pageant of Christ’s nativity . . . . . . . . . . . . 52A pageant in rhyming verse

Dramatised readingsAngel gazing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Luke 1:8–20 for three voices

Life-changing words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Isaiah 7:10–14; Luke 1:26,27 for six voices

Arise, shine! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58Isaiah 60:1–6 for three voices

Cont

ents

Contents

4


God with us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Extracts from Isaiah 9:2,6 and Matthew1:18–21,23 for four voices

Short storiesMary’s story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Luke 2:1–7 retold for younger children

Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60An excerpt based on Luke 2:16–20

Shepherds included. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61An interactive version of Luke 2:8–20

Magi journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Based on Matthew 2:1–12 for young people

Here at last! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62A monologue based on Matthew 2:1–12

The mince pie tooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63A modern-day story for Christmas

Creative prayerGod is great! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Action prayer for younger children

Praise dance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65A chanted prayer with dance movements

Here is the baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65A reflective prayer for younger children

Our God is here! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65A responsive prayer

Sharing the good news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66A prayer for seekers

Acrostic prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66A prayer activity for older children

Let the light shine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66A responsive prayer for all ages

Pebbles prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67A prayer activity for all ages

For the gift of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67A prayer of thanks with actions for all ages

Accepting God’s gift. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67A simple prayer activity for all ages

The Saviour is here! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68A meditation

Let light blaze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Prayers for others for all ages

Following God’s light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68A responsive prayer for Epiphany

Christmas craftSalt dough decorations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Handprint angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Make a manger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Make a Christmas gift. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

‘Stained glass’ Bible verse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69A decoration to display in a window

‘Jesus’ banner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69A talking-point banner to make and display

Advent wreath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70A decoration for all ages to make

Make an angel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 76

Surprise angel painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 77

The true light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70, 79A candle Christmas card

Mini screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71, 80Picture sequence of Christmas story

Star decoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71, 81A tree decoration

Lift-the-flap baby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Nativity figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Angel templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Christmas gift boxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82For older children, young people or adults

Shooting star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83A box model

Additional resourcesGames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Quizzes and puzzles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Christmas cookery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Songs and rhymes for younger children . . . . . 93

Poems and songs for all ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Sheet music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Contents

5


Christmas (love it or hate it) providesboth a challenge and an opportunity for

churches, and More Christmas Wrapped Up!is full of material to help you make the most ofthe season!

This compilation of ideas is for you, if you’veever thought, ‘Christmas again! It only seemslike a couple of months since the last one. Whaton earth can we do this year?’ If you needinspiration for short talks for any occasion,there’s plenty here. You may be looking for newmaterial for services for all ages or Christmasevents, or you may simply need prayers, songs,games or stories to use with children andyoung people. In addition there are recipes forChristmas goodies, craft projects for allabilities and much more.

You may, on the other hand, be excited by theopportunities that Christmas brings, to presentthe good news to people with whom you would

not normally have much contact. As you turnthe pages of this book, you’ll discover tried andtested ways of presenting the gospel ininteresting and absorbing ways. You could tryout some of the drama to increase familiaritywith the story of Christmas, at the same timebringing out the meaning of the story in a new,appealing way. You could challenge families totry out the ‘Family activities’ at home or use the‘Dramatised readings’ to bring a new focus tothe words of the Bible.

Christmas is much more than a time forfeasting, indulgence and overspending. I hopethat this compilation of material will help youinspire people to think more deeply about whatChristmas really means – God’s love revealedto all people in the person of his Son, Jesus.

Christine Wright

Intr

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Introduction

6


Short talks for evangelism

7

Labelling JesusA talk which challenges popular views about whoJesus is

YYoouu wwiillll nneeeedd:: A4 sheets of paper, a flip chart orwhiteboard, marker pens, Blu-tack

Before the service use the sheets of paper andmarker pens to prepare examples of some ofthe labels that have been associated withJesus. Examples should include the following,as well as any others that you wish to add: ‘Sonof Man’; ‘Great teacher’; ‘Magician’; ‘Son ofGod’; ‘A good man’; ‘Healer’; ‘Someone whocared’; ‘Invention of the Gospel writers’.

Hide the labels around the meeting room. Drawthree columns on the flip chart or whiteboardand head them ‘Label’, ‘True’ and ‘False’respectively.

Introduce the activity by remarking thatdifferent people have had different opinionsabout Jesus over the years. Explain that someof those opinions are hidden around themeeting room. Invite people to hunt for thehidden labels, and return to their seats, withany that they find. When all the labels havebeen found, ask for them to be brought to thefront one at a time and glued in the first columnon the flip chart or whiteboard. As each label isplaced on the board, ask the congregation tovote on whether the statement is true or false,and put a tick in the appropriate column. Besure to fully involve the children and youngpeople in the voting and discussion activity.

Be prepared for some disagreement onstatements like ‘A good man’ and be preparedto comment. Sum up by saying that some of thestatements are obviously out of line with whatthe Bible teaches and that some others are truebut don’t go far enough. (For example: ‘greatteacher’ and ‘good man’.) You may also need toadd when the ‘Invention of Gospel writers’ labelgoes up, that there is good evidence outside theBible for the existence of Jesus, and that it ishardly likely that the early Christians wouldhave given up their lives for something theyknew to be a lie.

Finish by drawing their attention to the label,‘Son of God’. Read Luke 1:26–33 and commenthow it was an angel from heaven who told Marythat her child would be the Son of God. Shefound it hard to understand but was willing totrust God. This Christmas, God invites each ofus to believe that Mary’s child is his Son,trusting that nothing is impossible for him.

GiftsA talk suitable for Christmas Day

YYoouu wwiillll nneeeedd:: four large gift tags with thefollowing words written on them, and eachattached to a chocolate Christmas treedecoration – gift tag 1: ‘A gift … from God’; gifttag 2: ‘A gift … for all of us’; gift tag 3: ‘A gift …of new life’; gift tag 4: ‘A gift … through Jesus’

Hang the decorations on a Christmas tree.Many churches like to include a short time onChristmas Day when the people areencouraged to show one of their Christmasgifts. This would be a suitable time to do this.

Make the point that the best Christmas gift ofall didn’t come in a box or Christmas stocking.

Proceed with the talk by asking each questionbelow in turn. (Each time take the appropriategift tag from the Christmas tree and offer it to amember of the congregation, inviting them toread out what it says and then allowing them tokeep the small chocolate gift to eat later.)

Who is it from? (Give gift tag 1 to someone.)

Read Romans 5:15 and explain briefly what‘grace’ means. It means something given out ofkindness, not because we deserve it. Godhimself has sent this gift because of his greatkindness.

Who is it for? (Give out gift tag 2.)

Read Romans 5:15 again. Explain that God’s giftwas not just for a few special people, or for thepeople who were living when Jesus came as ababy, but it is for everyone.

What is it? (Give out gift tag 3.)

Read Romans 5:18. Explain that ever since thetime of Adam, the first man in the Bible, peoplehave done wrong things that did not pleaseGod. This is sin. Sin creates a barrier betweenGod and us, but instead of punishing us for oursin, God’s gift is that he sent Jesus to take thepunishment for us so that we could be forgiven.Then God can accept us and offer us a new life.

How do we get it? (Give out gift tag 4.)

Read Romans 5:19. Jesus has been punished inour place and we can receive God’s gift throughaccepting what Jesus has done for us.



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Four different hats A talk based on Luke 2:22–38

YYoouu wwiillll nneeeedd:: four different hats

Around 700 years before Simeon and Annawere born, God had promised a messiah –someone who would save God’s people. DidGod’s people believe it? (Wear different hats asyou illustrate what people in Simeon’s day mighthave thought.)

HHaatt 11:: ‘Yeah, well, those prophets back thenwere in “cloud cuckoo-land”. I don’t believe it.’HHaatt 22:: ‘That promise was centuries ago! Peoplebelieved different things then. And anyway, if ithasn’t happened by now, it never will.’HHaatt 33:: ‘It’s a lovely thought… someone to saveus; I wish it would happen, but it’s probably justwishful thinking.’

People wear the same hats today when theythink about the Christmas message of Godsending Jesus to be our Saviour. For example:

HHaatt 11:: ‘The Christmas Story – it’s just a story! Idon’t believe it really happened!’HHaatt 22:: ‘Jesus lived over 2,000 years ago! We livein an age of science now – we don’t need God.And anyway didn’t Jesus say he would comeback and he hasn’t?!’HHaatt 33:: ‘I love the Christmas story – you know –peace and joy. I wish it were real!’

Simeon and Anna who saw Jesus as a smallbaby, wore a different hat!

HHaatt 44:: ‘God has promised. He always keeps hispromises. I trust him.’

Simeon and Anna believed what God said.Their lives showed that they believed him. Itwas tough waiting but they kept on trustingGod. Simeon and Anna were right to trust God.Simeon saw and held Jesus. He had livingproof that:

• God had kept his promise (Luke 2:29).• God had sent a saviour for all people

(Luke 2:30,32).

Which hat are we wearing? Are we ready totake the Christmas story seriously and believewhat God has said?

Those of us who are already wearing ‘hat 4’should follow Simeon and Anna’s example:

• Thank and praise God (Luke 2:28–32,38).• Tell others about Jesus (Luke 2:38).

Christmas surprises!A talk using simple pictures drawn onto OHP,flipchart or Velcro board, by Steve Hutchinson

This talk works best if you feel confidentenough to draw the pictures as you go along(which is easier if you draw faint pencil lines inadvance). Each picture is turned upside downto become a different image for the next part ofthe talk.

Introduce the talk by saying that the Christmasstory is full of people who were surprised.

11 JJoosseepphh wwaass ssuurrpprriisseedd

Mary, Joseph’s true love, hadpromised to marry him. Buthe was worried and sad.(Draw his head the sad wayup.)

Mary was pregnant. ThenJoseph had a dream. It wasa surprising dream becauseGod spoke to him.

But it was also a fantasticdream because now heunderstood what washappening! God turnedJoseph’s thinking upsidedown. (Turn the head upsidedown to show that Joseph is happy.)

22 TThhee sshheepphheerrddss wweerree ssuurrpprriisseedd

It was a quiet night. Thesheep and shepherdswere on the hillsideabove Bethlehem. Theshepherds were used tobeing out all night withtheir sheep. (Draw somesheep: clouds with triangle faces and stick legs.)

Suddenly, their worldwas turned upside downand they were verysurprised and terriblyafraid! (Turn upside down andmake triangles intoangels with heads and wings.)

An angel appeared telling them not to beafraid. ‘I’ve got good news,’ he said. ‘It willbring great joy to everyone.’

Joy: that would be a surprise for some people!A chance to be really happy! Lots of peoplewould like true happiness.



9

33 TThhee wwiissee mmeenn wweerree ssuurrpprriisseedd

The wise men came lookingfor a baby, born as king ofthe Jews. (Draw a crown.)

They went to King Herod’spalace first. He was verysurprised and upset at the news. ‘I’m the kingof the Jews,’ he said. There was no baby there.

So they followed the starthat they had seen at thestart. It went ahead of themuntil it stopped over theplace where the child was.They went in... and had asurprise! (Turn the crownupside down and draw in ababy.)

No crown, but a baby! Thirty years ago onChristmas Eve, a young man sat in achurchyard, wondering about God. He was halfatheist (meaning he didn‘t believe in God) andhalf agnostic (meaning he didn‘t know). He saidto God, ‘If you are real, show yourself to me.’God turned his life upside down. He is the RightReverend Jim Thompson, now Bishop of Bathand Wells. (You could also include here the storyof someone you know whose life has been turnedupside down since they became a Christian.)

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that Godchose to come to earth as a vulnerable babybecause of his great love for us.

The angel said, ‘Your Saviour is born.’ Here issomeone who will turn your life upside down.He can completely change you and give you realhappiness... if you will let him.

Will you tell him you love him? Will you ask himinto your life to change you? You may be in for abig surprise!

No wrappingA short talk, by Vicki Blyth

YYoouu wwiillll nneeeedd:: three similar sized boxes,wrapping paper, an image of a cross or anactual wooden cross, concertina-folded paperwith the word LIFE cut out so as to make a stringof letters, a sack or bag to put presents in

Make up the following three presents using theboxes. Present 1 contains junk but is beautifullywrapped; present 2 contains the cross and isplainly wrapped, and present 3 contains thestring of letters.

Take present 1 from your sack or bag. As youtake off the wrapping, comment on howbeautiful the wrapping is and then expressshock and disappointment when you see whatis inside. Relate this to the way we often havejunk in our lives that we would rather hide away,but when we do get a glimpse of it, we can beshocked and disappointed.

Take present 2 from your sack or bag and openit. Comment on it being a rather unusual gift.Explain that the cross represents salvation andthe fact that God sent his Son to get rid of ourclutter and give us the best present we couldever hope for. Say how it was not neatlypackaged, with sparkly glitter and fancy bits ofribbon. It was gruesome and painful, but meanswe can have…

Now open present 3 and reveal the string ofLIFE – and as you do so say the words ‘eternallife’ to complete the talk.



New material and Scripture Union favourites

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

ËxHSLIOEy272617zISBN 978 1 84427 261 7


All-age Advent, Christmas Day and nativity servicesy

Songs, rhymes and raps-agaga e A tmas

SSoonnggngnngn s, rhrhr yhyh mDramag

Craft ideasS

CCCraAssembly outlines

rapapa s

QuizzesQuQuQ izizi zze

Theme gamesideded as QQuQuQ i

TTTThhThTThT emme gamesChristmas partiesNeed more ideas for other times of celebration? Try…

Compiled by Christine Wright

MoreChristmasWrappedUpRev.indd 2-3 9/3/07 09:13:11

Documents

More Christemas Wrapped Up