Christmas
Christmas means different things to different people. For children the focus is probably on the presents they hope to receive. For some it is a time for a celebratory feast. For others it is a time for family reunion. For Christian teachers it is an opportunity to focus, yet again, on the events surrounding the birth of the Lord Jesus. The problem is that much of the story may already be familiar to those who make up your audience. It’s a case of, same old, same old. How can we approach these events with a different emphasis?
Using a data projector approach this CD-ROM presents the story in four different ways picking out aspects of the events that are often overlooked.
The Saviour is Announced
The opening scene is based on the conversation between the angel Gabriel and Mary as recorded in Luke 1: 26-38. Nine months later Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem where the baby Jesus is born. They are visited by some shepherds who tell them what the angel had said about him. (Lu2:17C.E.V.)
After six days the holy family visit the temple where they meet Simeon who rejoices that- my eyes have seen your salvation. (Lu 2:30 N.I.V.) Aged Anna features in the conclusion.
No room in the Inn
The central character is the gatekeeper who welcomes travellers who have come to be enrolled in David’s city. This includes a couple who arrive late after the inn is packed out. The gatekeeper suggests a stable as an alternative. Shepherds in the hills are startled by the appearance of an angel who after announcing the birth of Jesus explains that he will be found lying on a bed of hay. (Lu 2:12.C.E.V.)
The Saviour has come
The objective of this presentation is to teach children the meaning of the term Saviour. It commences with a shepherd saving a lost sheep from threatening wolves. As the sheep is returned to the flock the angel appears with the message that a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11.C.E.V.)
They followed a Star
As the citizens of Jerusalem are going about their everyday affairs they are greatly disturbed by the arrival of travellers who ask “Where is the new king?” This causes much consternation and a flurry of activity as the people distance themselves from these intruders.
A scene follows where the chief priests and teachers of the law discuss the question - Where will the Christ be born. King Herod who is also disturbed by the wise men’s question arranges to meet them secretly. After informing them that Bethlehem is probably the place where they should seek, he sends them on with the request for them to let him know as he wants to go and worship him too. (Matt 2:8.) The travellers are led to where the baby Jesus is. After presenting their presents they are warned in a dream not to return to Herod and -they went back home by another road. (Matt 2:12.C.E.V.) Joseph and Mary are warned too that Herod plans to harm their child. They leave for Egypt.
Peter the Pine Seed
A cute story from the perspective of a pine seed who wishes to be a great strong tree but is ends up becoming a Christmas tree instead. This story is best suited to an infants audience and aims to draw the focus of Christmas from presents, decorations and trees to the celebration of Jesus Birthday.
The Legend of the Three Trees
This is a folklore story of unknown origin. The story outline involves three trees that make wishes about their future uses. These wishes all come true but not in the way the tree expected.
The CD also contains some extra items such as quiz games that are linked to the Christmas stories and a play which was scripted and recorded by Graham Wade based on Leo Tolstoy’s ‘Papa Panov’s Christmas.
