If you should have read my last post but
one about a Christmas all-age idea and liked it – but it came too late to
include in your Christmas programme, here’s a further opportunity to use the
idea – this time linked to Epiphany, the coming of the Wise men to Jesus.
As a reminder, it works this way. Get the
children to join you and split them into five groups and sit on the ground in
their groups (they won’t be sitting still for long so don’t worry if the floor
is a bit cold). If you have a centre aisle of reasonable length, spread the
groups down the aisle so all the congregation are as near a group as possible.
.
One group has to remember ‘Caspar’,
traditionally the name of one of the wise-men; the second remember ‘Melchior’ another wise man; the third group ‘Balthazar’; the fourth ‘Camels’ and the fifth group ‘Servants’. (This can be
played with only one child –or willing and agile adult - to each name instead of a group) ALL THE CHILDREN have to listen out for
their group’s name AND FOR the word ‘Caravan’
As you tell the story - Click here for the script which follows the Shepherd’s tale (but don't go to it until you've finished reading this column as it will then replace these instructions: so you might best be served by copying these instructions to a separate document first. - each group has to stand up, turn round and sit down again whenever ‘their’ name is called and to do the same when ‘Caravan' is read out.
Start to read the story slowly so the
children get the idea and so the smaller ones have a chance to follow the lead
of the older children in their group. Then gradually speed up so the children
soon have hardly time to sit down before they have to get up again. The
children will enjoy the muddle and so will the rest of the congregation (unless
they are very, very staid!).
THEN: stop the story where indicated in the
script and invite everyone who can to join in each time ‘Caravan’ features
Once the script ends, go straight into
whatever message fits your situation best. I like to go simply to how clearly God
demonstrated the Good News of Jesus was for all people – not just the Jews.
The full text for The Wisemen’s Tale can be accessed HERE where it follows the Shepherds’ Tale.
The full text for The Wisemen’s Tale can be accessed HERE where it follows the Shepherds’ Tale.
I only hope that if you chose to use this
story or the earlier published Shepherd’s Tale (or your own similar story-line
developed on this idea) you have as much fun as we have had with both of them.
You might also like to consider using the Carol of the Cosmos (Be Still Small Earth) Click here which celebrates the cosmic disturbances that attended the Birth of Jesus. It is sung to the lovely Sibelius melody from Finlandia so the tune will be familiar to many people.
AND there is further original Advent and Christmas material on this blog which you can access through the special index HERE
You might also like to consider using the Carol of the Cosmos (Be Still Small Earth) Click here which celebrates the cosmic disturbances that attended the Birth of Jesus. It is sung to the lovely Sibelius melody from Finlandia so the tune will be familiar to many people.
AND there is further original Advent and Christmas material on this blog which you can access through the special index HERE