This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 12 December 2017. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
Yvonne Morris, our diocesan children's adviser, provides a way for families and children's workers to have chilled out conversations about the Christmas story. Use the wonderings and questions as a springboard to share together your stories, thoughts and experiences.
There are no right or wrong answers - this is an invitation to be and talk together.
All these things are signposts pointing towards an event called Christmas. Did you know that in God's big story, written in the Bible, there are many signposts pointing towards Christmas? They don't involve Christmas jumpers, writing cards or watching Christmas movies. Around 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote about his coming.
Isaiah wasn't the only prophet to know that Jesus would come.
Jeremiah, Daniel and Micah are just some of the prophets who were so close to God they knew what he was saying. A bit like a jigsaw puzzle, each prophet had a piece that in time would come together to make a picture, pointing to when God's promises would come true. Read together your favourite version of the Christmas story.
You can find it in the Bible in Matthew Chapters 1 and 2, and Luke 1-2:40 or in your storybook Bible.
The Christmas Journey by Susie Poole (published by Pupfish) and My Very First Nativity Play by Lois Rock (published by Lion) are both great for primary school children and pre-schoolers. As you read the story, can you find 'signposts' that point towards Bethlehem? I wonder what signposts you found? I noticed that angels are like signposts to different people throughout the story. Like the prophets, Angels point the way to Jesus across time (but not so many years as Isaiah!).
An angel foretells the birth of John the Baptist and the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to prepare her to be Jesus' mum.
An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream (three times!) and many angels appeared to the shepherds to announce Jesus' birth. Did you notice what the angels often say to the person they are speaking to? I wonder if being told 'Do not be afraid…' helped them feel less frightened.
What helps you when you feel scared?Did you read the part of the story about the Magi? (they may have been called Wise Men in your version).
They had a brilliant signpost showing them how to get to Bethlehem! Can you imagine following a star? I wonder what their journey was like.
Do you think they talked and joked and got cross with each other on the way?I just love the Christmas story.
There are so many things to be curious about.
Keep wondering about the prophets that point to Jesus across many many years.
Keep wondering about the Angels that point to Jesus and show the way to Bethlehem.
Keep noticing the things that point you to Jesus and the signposts showing you his way of loving and living. Offer these things to God in prayers using your own words.