This short clip 'Retooning the Nativity' from Igniter Media would probably work well for older kids. Watch the clip together and then reread the Christmas story from the Bible. Ask the children to make a list of those aspects of the Christmas story that we have come to accept that are not mentioned in the Biblical accounts. The clip can be purchased directly from Igniter Media or from  Sermon Spice.

Disney's classic Christmas story 'The Small One' can be viewed on YouTube (3 parts). This endearing tale involves a small boy, and the boy's old donkey, Small One. Sadly, the donkey must be sold.The boy and Small One wander the town looking for someone to buy and lovingly care for the donkey until finally, as the evening shadows and their discouragement deepen, a soft-spoken man stops and asks if the donkey is for sale. He is looking for a gentle donkey to carry his wife to Bethlehem. 
This is a movie that all ages will appreciate and will generate plenty of discussion following the movie. Those who wish to purchase the movie will find it in Disney's 'Classic Holiday Stories' Vol 9- a compilation of Disney Christmas stories.

The Christmas Story God's Son is Born (Tommy Nelson) is available online. Click on the link to visit the site and read the story aloud to your children or print it off for each child. If you're reading the story online, remember to click on Full-screen or Presentation for ease of viewing.

Looking for some Christmas material for your Christmas Children's Church program or to help tell the Christmas story to your children? YouTube has many resources that you may find useful. This well-produced clip is from NEST.

Christmas Candy Cane recipes, similar to those listed in the previous post, can also be found in Emily Biggers' book 'Delightful Desserts' (Christmas at Home series). This little recipe book also contains other Christmas edibles: Frozen Holiday Treats, 12 Days of Christmas, Cookies, Brownies & Bars and more to prepare and use as gifts or to make with your kids. 
Available from our online store.

 Try this cooking activity from Betty Crocker Kitchens (www.bettycrocker.com)  for a different Christmas craft. Follow the recipe to make the dough before your children church program commences, or have the children make the dough if time allows. Give each child some plain and some red dough to twist a candy cane cookie. Bake them and roll in the candy mix. Pop in a small cellophane bag when cool and attach a tag with the candy cane poem from Ministry- to-children to give as Christmas gifts to others.                                                                                                                                                                                        
1           cup sugar
1            cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2        cup milk
1            teaspoon vanilla
1            teaspoon peppermint extract
1            egg
3 1/2     cups all-purpose flour
1            teaspoon baking powder
1/4        teaspoon salt
1/2        teaspoon red food colour
2            tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
2 tablespoons sugar

1. Stir together 1 cup sugar, the butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food color into 1 half. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
2. Heat oven to 375ºF.
3. Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.
4. For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from each half into 4-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

 

Here's a terrific little download from Family Fun that you can use when you need a last-minute craft project for your children's church or to occupy the kids at home. Simply download the pdf from Family Fun (or below) and print onto light card. Carefully cut out each tree decoration. Use glitter glue, sequins or gems to add a decorative touch. Punch a hole in each and thread thin cording through each. They can also be used to decorate gifts with a Christmas greeting written on the reverse.

Visit www.pccrafter.com for some affordable and appealing clipart and projects. Clipart collections (approx 24-30) can be downloaded for $4.95 and can be used for many different projects. Free ideas and projects can be downloaded from the site. See more ideas...  And the following Classic Christmas Tin (by Lori Barnes) is just one of the Christmas ideas available. Some of the collections include Christmas gift envelopes and little boxes that would be great to for kids to cut out and create as simple gifts for others.   Classic Christmas Tin Description: It's that time again: time to decorate for the holidays! Here is one great way that you can bring some Christmas cheer into your own home!

Supplies:

• Classic Christmas clipART Creatable by Rebecca Carter
• White cardstock
• Jute
• Berries
• Greenery
• Mod Podge
• Sponge brush
• Striped tin container (Home decor store)

Instructions:

1. Print out candle image from Classic Christmas by Rebecca Carter onto white paper. Fit to size tin. Mine was 4 x 6. Cut out.
2. Adhere the image to the tin can using a light coat of Mod Podge over image so the ink doesn’t run. Follow with a few more light coats.
3. Tie berries and greenery to top of lid using the jute

Whether you're looking for activities to occupy the kids during the holidays or searching for children's church Christmas activities for the festive season, we've found some great resources available on the net. First up.... downloadable activity sheets and colouring pages from Boz the Bear (for younger ages) and The Very First Noel (older children). Of course, these resources are designed to be used in conjuction with the DVDs and include colouring sheets and craft ideas (BOZ the bear's WowieBOZowee Christmas) with suggested activities, word searches and verse scramples for the Very First Noel. Both these DVDs can be purchased from our online store.