Every year, Christmas seems to start a little earlier. Decorations suddenly appear, big and bold, in the shopping centres and piped Christmas music wafts out of each store.
Supermarket catalogues are filled with Christmas gift suggestions and toy sales and kids begin clamouring for the newest and greatest toy attraction.
And every year, our goal as children's ministry leaders of making Christmas 'real' to kids, seems to get just a bit harder.
How can you help kids find Jesus, this Christmas?
Yes... we do have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas program that we've prepared to present to the kids. And our church calendar will be filled with family Christmas events and presentations.
But sometimes the message of Christmas gets lost amongst all the activity... and I was looking for a simple, effective way of emphasizing the importance of Jesus, this Christmas.
And then, I watched one of the Skit Guys clips. You've probably seen it but I've included it below anyway. Eddie tells of setting out the nativity scene... but hiding Jesus. Naturally, the kids are very concerned to find Him.
Supermarket catalogues are filled with Christmas gift suggestions and toy sales and kids begin clamouring for the newest and greatest toy attraction.
And every year, our goal as children's ministry leaders of making Christmas 'real' to kids, seems to get just a bit harder.
How can you help kids find Jesus, this Christmas?
Yes... we do have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas program that we've prepared to present to the kids. And our church calendar will be filled with family Christmas events and presentations.
But sometimes the message of Christmas gets lost amongst all the activity... and I was looking for a simple, effective way of emphasizing the importance of Jesus, this Christmas.
And then, I watched one of the Skit Guys clips. You've probably seen it but I've included it below anyway. Eddie tells of setting out the nativity scene... but hiding Jesus. Naturally, the kids are very concerned to find Him.
It's a great clip and would be good to show to families.And then I thought... yes, this simple activity would be really effective. Of course, it would be great for families to do at home- but it could be something you could include in your Sunday program in the weeks leading up to Christmas. You could give the kids the clue for the week.. and afterwards, read the Christmas story from a picture storybook or a chapter from a longer book. (There are recognised benefits of reading to kids but many families are too busy to find time to include this activity.)
Check out the list of Christmas story books listed below that could be used after the 'Search for Baby Jesus' treasure hunt activity.
Check out the list of Christmas story books listed below that could be used after the 'Search for Baby Jesus' treasure hunt activity.
If you can't see the media clip, click here to view ....
Suggestions for reading to the children...
*If you're missing Baby Jesus: a true story that embraces the spirit of Christmas.
* Jed and Roy McCoy, A Christmas Story. You can buy this story as a powerpoint presentation or over-sized book, too.
* Keeping Holiday., a charming, insightful way to help children grasp the meaning of Christmas
* He's here.. from the Jesus Storybook Bible
So, whether you present this clip and the idea to your church families or include it in your Christmas program to highlight the real message of the season, I hope these resources and ideas will be of assistance, this Christmas.
*If you're missing Baby Jesus: a true story that embraces the spirit of Christmas.
* Jed and Roy McCoy, A Christmas Story. You can buy this story as a powerpoint presentation or over-sized book, too.
* Keeping Holiday., a charming, insightful way to help children grasp the meaning of Christmas
* He's here.. from the Jesus Storybook Bible
So, whether you present this clip and the idea to your church families or include it in your Christmas program to highlight the real message of the season, I hope these resources and ideas will be of assistance, this Christmas.
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