Christmas Love
Showing love at Christmas
by K. J. Lacey
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider that Christmas is all about love and that love can last throughout the year.
Preparation and materials
- Have available the following images and the means to display them during the assembly:
- a happy child, available at: https://tinyurl.com/o5u2te9
- home-made biscuits, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yball7w5
- giving thoughtful gifts, available at: https://tinyurl.com/ya7z3x6v
- singing carols, available at: https://tinyurl.com/y9m2t832
- saying thank you, available at: https://tinyurl.com/y7vqv6cq
- spending time with someone, available at: https://tinyurl.com/yd5cwgtw - Have available the YouTube video ‘Muppet Christmas Carol – It Feels Like Christmas’ and the means to show it during the assembly. It is 2.39 minutes long and is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlRpGj7LWS4
- Optional: you may wish to display a quotation from The Muppet Christmas Carol: ‘Wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas.’
- Optional: you may wish to ask a child to read the following words from the Bible (2 Corinthians 9.7).
Each one should give, then, what he has decided in his heart to give. He should not give if it makes him sad. And he should not give if he thinks he is forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.
Assembly
- Show the image of a happy child.
Ask the children to describe the reaction that is shown in the picture and ask what they think led up to it. - Ask the children what have been their favourite gifts that they have received at Christmas, on a birthday or at some other celebration.
Ask them if they have ever received a gift that surprised them. - Point out that some gifts might be complete surprises. If possible, share a story about a gift that you have received that was unexpected or surprising.
- Explain that Christmas should not just be about receiving presents. Ask the children what else they value about Christmas.
Listen to a range of responses.
Answers might include decorations, lights, family and snow. However, point out that the most important thing about Christmas should be sharing love. - Ask the children for suggestions as to what they could do to share love this Christmas.
Some suggestions are included below, but if possible, link these to the school. For example, if a charity event is being organized at school in the run-up to Christmas, suggest that this is an example of showing love. If the children will be visiting a rest home to sing carols, mention this.
Optional: show the images of home-made biscuits, giving thoughtful gifts, singing carols, saying thank you and spending time with someone. - Point out that there are many ways to show love to others. Christians believe that God showed his love by sending his son, Jesus, into the world. This is the event that is celebrated at Christmas.
Time for reflection
Tell the children that you are going to show them a short Christmassy video. Point out that the video contains the line ‘Wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas’ and shows the importance of sharing this love with everyone we meet.
Ask the children to listen for the line. You may wish them to raise a hand each time they hear the words.
Show the YouTube video ‘Muppet Christmas Carol – It Feels Like Christmas’.
Read the following words from the Bible.
Each one should give, then, what he has decided in his heart to give. He should not give if it makes him sad. And he should not give if he thinks he is forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Fill us with your love this Christmas
So that we, in turn, can share this love with others.
Help us to spread joy and happiness to everyone we meet,
And be grateful for everything that we receive.
Amen.
Song/music
‘It feels like Christmas’ from The Muppet Christmas Carol, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlRpGj7LWS4 (2.39 minutes long)
