Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer: A Christmas assembly

To consider the fact that each of us is unique and important, and the characteristics that make us different from others are special gifts (SEAL theme 5: Good to be me).

by Manon Ceridwen Parry

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To consider the fact that each of us is unique and important, and the characteristics that make us different from others are special gifts (SEAL theme 5: Good to be me).

Preparation and materials

• A CD/download of any version of ‘Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’.
• The story is by Robert L. May. It was first published by Montgomery Ward in 1939. May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, turned the story into a song.

Assembly

1. Ask the pupils if they’re looking forward to Christmas and explore with them what the season means for them. It can be an exciting and happy time.
   
   Discuss with them the special songs and stories they hear around Christmas time. Which are their favourites?
2. One song is a very sad song (even though it ends happily). This is ‘Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’. It is a favourite Christmas song for many people. Do the children know it?
   
   (Play the song, and afterwards get the pupils to tell the story with you.)
3. The story is sad to begin with. Rudolph has a very red nose and his friends make fun of him. They laugh at him, call him names and won’t let him play with them. Today we call that bullying.
   
   Explore what it feels like when people make fun of you for being ‘different’. It makes you feel very lonely and unhappy.
4. But, actually, Rudolph’s red nose, even though it makes him different from the other reindeer, is, in the end, what makes him special.
   
   Santa asks him to be the lead reindeer because his nose is so bright and red that he is able to guide the sleigh through the fog.
5. Rudolph’s nose was seen as embarrassing and wrong. But actually it was something which Santa could use. And Rudolph became the most famous of all the reindeers because of his unique red nose.
   
   Something similar may be true for us. What makes us different from everyone else is sometimes what makes us special.

Time for reflection

We are all unique (explain what the word means if it is difficult).

Explore how it feels when we accept that we’re all different and that sometimes something which some people see as a weakness can end up being our strength.

Prayer

(Play the song again and have a few moments of quiet. Get the children to repeat the following prayer after you.)

Thank you, God, for making each person here special.
Thank you, God, for making me special. 
Amen.