More often than not Australians end up at church’s that are different from their home church on Christmas Day. Often this is because they have traveled to be close to family or because they have decided to attend the church of a relative.
All to infrequently this is because they have wondered in to just attend a service, but might be the case if they are already on holiday.
These are some generic ideas that might help you keep your children engages with what is happening no matter where you end up. If you are are a church that uses the RCL please see the previous last 3 posts for specific ideas.
If you are a small congregation please feel free to print these pages and hand them to parents/guardians as they arrive.
No matter where you are or where you go, the important part is that you enjoy this holy day together.
Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on
Explain what is going on.
Read during the Bible readings,
Pray during the prayers, Precise, what is said, so that your child can understand.
Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.
Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle.
Also leave when you need to but make sure you return quickly.
You and your child/ren have as much right to worship as any other member of the congregation.
All these ideas have been chosen to make use of what you might have with you, rather than trying to locate items that you might not have.
Read/Watch the Christmas story with your child
try https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories-overview/
The most relevant are Bethlehem Town and Jed and Roy McCoy
and if the church you are at is following a Refuge theme this year try Jesus was a Refugee
You can read on line or purchase the books if you have time. All of these have an activity pack for download at $A4.95.
Which you can print off, at an Officeworks if you are already away from home, many Hotels will let you print too. Or ask someone at the church to print it for you.
There are more than enough activities for young and old to enjoy and maybe even share.
OR down load the Bible for Kids app on your phone https://www.bible.com/kids
Take any children’s story book Bible with you, read to or let them look at the pictures.
MAKE A NATIVITY SET: Down load this free nativity set http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids
print on thick cardboard for them to colour and make during the sermon.
BRING: a nativity set for the children to play with or take dolls, and animals to make up a child friendly playset of your own.
Bring a baby doll to play with.
PRAY: Use the nativity to suggest a prayer for each person represented ie for the baby to have a safe home to grow up in, ie for dad to love Mum, for people to care enough to find you etc. (if you do not have a play nativity you can make one here
BRING texta’s non-toxic, child safe and washable and drawing paper or a journal.
Above all enjoy this special time together.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 