Images Of Advent (Sheep and Goats)

(Resource Pack 136)                                                                   KEY STAGE 2 &3

VISUAL AID: Copy and download song ‘In the Beginning from ‘The Christmas Story’ on the Music Link of www.sheilahamil.co.uk and invite the children to listen to the words.

Try to collect a selection of these hats and props and draw them one at a time out of the bag.

My thanks to Revd John Sinclair for the idea for this assembly.

The song tells us, that Jesus came to the world as a LIGHT                                                                 

A light to guide us; a light to shine through us to see what our hearts are like...cruel or kind; unselfish or selfish; a light so powerful that no darkness could ever put it out.

John the Baptist told us he came as a LAMB,                                                                                    

To be sacrificed for us...put to death...the only one perfect enough to pay the price for all the bad we’ve done.

The ordinary people believed he came as KING. To rule over his people, and set up a new kind of Kingdom, a kingdom they wanted to be part of.

Some people today think he came as a POLICEMAN ...to set up law and order, and give us rules to keep. But in fact he agreed that in keeping only two of them, they were doing right. (Jews had hundreds of rules.  i.e.To love God and our neighb

The rulers saw him as a FOOL, who was doing and saying things which made him their enemy...healing on God’s special holy day, and making himself out to be God.

Advent also tells us that Jesus will return to earth, and that we have to be ready to meet with him.

That he shall come this time as a THIEF that breaks into a house...so suddenly and unexpected, that he’ll find people not at all ready to be his special friend.

The bible tells us he will also come as a JUDGE, who will know all about the good things and the bad things we’ve done in life. And many people will wish that they had been ready to meet with him face to face!

Summarise Matthew 25. 31-46  The Parable of the Sheep and Goats

He’ll say to some.

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat!

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink!

I was a stranger and you made me feel welcome.

I needed some clothes and you clothed me!

I was sick and you looked after me!

I was in prison and you came to visit me!

When?

When you did it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters you did it for me

I was hungry and you turned away from me!

I was thirsty and you weren’t bothered at all!

I was a stranger and you threatened me and picked on me!

I needed some clothes, you laughed at me, and went out to buy even more for yourself!

I was sick and you kept well away!

I was in prison and youwanted to do away with me!

Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did not do for me!

ADVENT: A TIME FOR US TO MAKE SURE WE ARE READY TO MEET WITH JESUS.