The light of the whole world

Props:

·    Blanket(s) – one per 4/5 children – big enough for them to sit under and for it to be dark

·    Battery operated LED lights

·    Flipcharts with “Where would you like Jesus to shine his light” written on

·    Pens

·    Jesus storybook bible “The light of the whole world”

Something to Say

Hopefully we have all had a lovely Christmas time with our families and eaten lots of nice food, received lots of presents and had lots of fun. But we know there is more to Christmas than this, it’s Jesus’ birthday! Jesus came born as a baby like you and me so we could be best friends with God forever. It says in the bible that Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

A story about a baby who was the light of the whole world

Let’s watch a story about baby Jesus -  the light of the whole world. When you’re watching, think about where there is “light” and where there is “darkness” in the story and also in the world.

·    Title “The light of the whole world”

Did you hear that at the end? It said that Jesus came to take away all of the darkness! WOW! Even though he was born a little baby just like you and me, he came so we could be best friends with God forever. He is the light of the world! Remember, that who ever walks with him *will not walk in Darkness*. Where would you like Jesus to shine his light?

Something to Show: 

Ask the kids to create posters “I would like Jesus to shine his light...”

Prepare a poster with a picture of a candle and the question “Where would you like Jesus to shine his light?”. Get the children into 2 or 3 groups and give them some pens. Have them think about Christmas and where they have been, ask them to think about any places where they think Jesus could shine his light. For example, I went to my Uncle's house who is very sad and angry and shouts a lot and I would like Jesus to shine his light there. Don't let them hold back – its ok to put whatever comes to mind!

Something to Pray:

·    When they have completed that, ask the children to gather around each poster and say all of the things they have written or drawn and see if anything is unclear. Ask for them to pray out loud for the situations written on the posters.

·    If the group is small enough, or if you have several helpers to allow a few groups of no more than 4/5, get some blankets and have the children get under each blanket. This is good if the kids are mixed ages eg 3+, as they often are in the Sunday following Christmas. Call out the prayer points from one poster and pray “Dear Jesus, please shine your light on...the park....” – then use the battery operated LED lights to come on when you say “Shine your light”. If children want to join in with prayer points not on the poster at this point that is also fine.

·    Ask the children to lie down and ask the Holy Spirit to come. See what words and pictures He gives the children.  Recap in a group.

A verse to remember:   John 8-12:  “"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).