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A Time For . . .

What is Christmas about?

by Rachael Crisp

Suitable for Key Stage 2

Aims

To reflect upon the giving aspect of Christmas.

Preparation and materials

  • You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (A Time For . . .) and the means to display them.

  • Optional: you may wish to explore initiatives that encourage giving, such as the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, whose website is available at: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

Assembly

  1. Explain that you would like the children to take a few moments to reflect upon what Christmas means to them. Explain that as they reflect, you are going to show some slides and ask some questions that will help the children to consider the meaning of Christmas for them.

  2. Ask the children, ‘What does Christmas mean to you?’ Ask each of the following questions as you show the appropriate slide.

    Show Slide 1.

    Is it a big dinner?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 2.

    Is it a time to get up early and open presents?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 3.

    Is it a time of fun and laughter, or arguments or both?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 4.

    Is it a time for playing games?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 5.

    Is it a time for singing carols?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 6.

    Is it a time for tradition?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 7.

    Is it a time of happiness, or sadness or both?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 8.

    Is it a time for giving, or receiving or both?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

    Show Slide 9.

    What does Christmas mean to you?

    Pause to allow time for thought.

  3. Explain that the first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on 25 December was in 336, during the rule of the Roman Emperor Constantine. A few years later, Pope Julius I declared that the birth of Jesus would always be celebrated on 25 December.

  4. We can read in the Bible about who Jesus is and why we celebrate Christmas. The Bible tells us that soon after the birth of Jesus, the baby had some visitors. One set of visitors were the wise men, who brought gifts to give to Jesus. It was a time of giving.

  5. At Christmas, we all hope that we will receive gifts. There is great excitement in houses all over the world as children put out stockings in the hope that Father Christmas will visit them. It is incredibly exciting to wake up in the morning, see piles of presents and have the fun of opening them!

  6. So, what does Christmas mean to you? Is it a time of giving? Could it become a time of giving? Let’s take a few moments to think of ways in which we can give to people during this time.

    Listen to a range of responses.

    Explore with the children ideas about giving presents, but also about giving time to someone and helping people.

  7. If possible, talk about a local church or charity that does something special for people at Christmas.

    Optional: you may wish to explore initiatives that encourage giving, such as the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, whose website is available at: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

Time for reflection

We all love to receive presents. However, there is great enjoyment in giving, too.

As we say the following prayer, let’s reflect upon the giving rather than the receiving aspect of Christmas.

Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for Christmas.
Thank you that it can be a time of giving.

Thank you for the people in our lives who give to us (maybe list a few people, such as teachers, care workers, nurses, firefighters, parents and foster carers).
Help us to remember to give to others.
Help us to remember that gifts of our love, care and time are all special.
Thank you for everything that you give to us.
Amen.

Song/music

Any appropriate Christmas song.

Publication date: December 2017   (Vol.19 No.12)    Published by SPCK, London, UK.
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