Day One The Angel Gabriel Visits Mary

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was

Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you… You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.’”

Luke 1:26-28, 31

Look at these images of the Annunciation.

What do these images tell you about Mary?

What colours have been used for Mary’s clothes? Why?

Day Two Mary and Joseph’s Engagement

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was

found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”

Matthew 1:18

The wedding ring symbolises a never-ending circle of eternal love. It is made from gold to show love is precious and special, like gold.

Draw your own picture or symbol for love.

Day Three Mary’s Song: The Magnificat

“And Mary said:

‘My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers.’”

(Luke 1:46-55)

Learn a lesson from Mary: sing praise and thanks to God.

Learn the first verse of your favourite Christmas Carol and sing it loud and proud for all to hear!

Day Four The Angel appears to Joseph

“…an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your

wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”

Matthew 1:20

God chose Joseph to be Jesus’ father on earth.

What does this tell us about Joseph? What kind of person was he?

Day Five Salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice

“[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name

Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

The name Jesus literally means saviour.

Throughout the Bible, Jesus is given many names and titles.

You could: Write down as many of them as you can find.

OR

Make an Advent chain of the names of Jesus. 25 names, one for each day of Advent

Day Six Jesus bridged the gap between

Heaven (God) and earth (humanity) “All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call

him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us.’”

Matthew 1:22-23

Colouring Competition!

The most impressive entry from each class will win a prize!

Day Seven Jesus: Descendant of King David

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to

house and line of David.”

Luke 2:4

Do you recognise the people in this picture?

If a census was taken today where would you and

your family have to “go and be counted”?

What questions would you put on a modern day census questionnaire?

Day Eight Las Posadas: The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem

“[Joseph] went [to Bethlehem] to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”

Luke 2:5

The Posada is a Christmas celebration and re-enactment of Mary

and Joseph’s journey that takes place in many South American countries in the nine days leading up to Christmas. People take figures of Mary and Joseph with their donkey as they travel to people’s houses and ask if they have room for the Christ child.

They are welcomed in and a party commences.

Write a prayer to be said as you welcome the Christ child to your class at Christmastime.

Day Nine The Baby Jesus

“While they were [in Bethlehem], the time came for the baby to be born, and [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. [Mary] wrapped [Jesus] in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”…”

Luke 2:6-7

What does a baby need to feel loved and safe?

What do you need to feel loved and safe?

Are there any similarities and differences?

Day Ten

The Stable and the Manger “‘This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in

cloths and lying in a manger.’”

Luke 2:12

Did you know you can visit the very place Jesus was born?

It is called ‘The Church of the Nativity’ and it is of course in Bethlehem. It is one of the oldest churches in the world. It is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus. It is

considered very sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Plan a journey to the Holy Land.

Which places would you want to visit and why?

Day Eleven Jesus: The Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

For the second week in Advent, we focus on peace.

Quietly ask Jesus for his peace with this prayer:

Prince of Peace, reveal yourself to us today. We need peace in our lives, our homes, our families,

our school, and our whole world. Help us to slow down and seek out the peace you

provide, so we may become peacemakers for ourselves and others.

In your name, Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

Day Twelve The Shepherds

“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of Lord appeared to

them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the

town of David a Saviour has been born to you.”

Luke 2:8-11

Two thousand years ago, shepherds were despised and unwanted. People left them out. They smelled like sheep. They slept on the

ground. They were poor. They were not important… Or were they?

By choosing shepherds (the lowest of the low) to visit the most special person ever born (Jesus), God shows us that everyone is special to him. When you are feeling upset and alone, remember:

Jesus came for me! I am not too low, too insignificant, too unimportant, too powerless, too

forgotten, or too anything for God to love me, search for me, find me, and want to bring me home.

Make a lolly stick shepherd to remind you of why God chose the

shepherds and the love He has for you.

Who visited you when you were a baby?

Day Thirteen The Gift of a new born lamb

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

From ‘In the bleak midwinter’ by Christina Rossetti

Why did the Shepherds give Jesus a new born lamb?

Day Fourteen A multitude of angels

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest;

and on earth peace to men’”.

Luke 2:13-14

Did you know that in the Bible, angels are described as

looking like 'normal' people? No mention of halos or wings!

They are 'tall young men with shining faces and wearing white simple robes'. Matthew 28:2-7 / Mark 16:1-7 / Luke 24:1-8

Draw what you think an angel looks like.

Day Fifteen Spread the Good News

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has

happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told

them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Luke 2:15-18

Lots of Christmas carols talk about using bells to spread the good news of Jesus’ birth.

How many Christmas carols mentioning bells can you name?

Day Sixteen Jesus is named

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before

he had been conceived.”

Luke 2:21

The name Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”

Find out what you name means.

Why did your parents choose that name for you?

Day Seventeen The sacrifice of a Dove

“Joseph and Mary took [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be

consecrated to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves.’”

Luke 2:22-24

Mary and Joseph offered a sacrifice of two turtle doves to God after the birth of Jesus. This reminds us of the song ‘The Twelve

Days of Christmas’.

Write a modern version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.

Which gifts will you include?

Day Eighteen The wisdom and knowledge of the Magi

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.”

Matthew 2:1

Who do you recognise in this picture?

Look at the Magi. They are also known as the three kings or the three wise men.

Think about the journey of the wise men. Complete one activity from the list below.

What would they have taken on their journey? Write a kit list.

What would they have eaten on their journey? Write a menu.

They were rich and would have probably had servants. What jobs would these servants have to do? Write a job advert for the servant of a wise man.

Don’t forget shovelling up camel poo!

Day Nineteen Jesus is the King of Kings

“… Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’”

Matthew 2:1-2

Make a crown. On it you could write…

“Jesus is … Lord of lords and King of kings”

This a famous line from the Book of Revelation and will help you remember that even though Jesus was very poor, that he did not wear fine, expensive clothes, that he did

not wear a gold jewel-encrusted crown and he did not live in a palace, he is still our King of Heaven.

Day Twenty The Star

“After [the Magi] had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

Matthew 2:9-10

Make a simple origami star using the instructions in this envelope.

If you leave the front flap of your star unglued,

you can write a message inside.

Day Twenty One The Gifts

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11

Why did the Magi give Jesus Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh?

Which three gifts would you have given Jesus? Why?

Day Twenty Two The Escape to Egypt

When the Wise Men had gone, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' the angel said, 'take Jesus and Mary and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for Jesus to kill him.' So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary during the night they left for Egypt.

Joseph listened to the angel’s advice.

Give a friend or someone you know some good advice.

Day Twenty Three An Angel Appears to Joseph

When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the Wise Men, he was furious and he gave orders to kill all the boys aged two or younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. This was to try and kill Jesus. After Herod had died, Joseph had another dream in which an angel appeared to him. The angel said, 'Get up, take Jesus and Mary and go back to Israel, for those who were trying kill Jesus are dead.'

Angels are God’s messengers.

Their job is to speak to people on God’s behalf.

What message would God send for us today?

Write a speech bubble for the Angel Gabriel.

Day Twenty Four The Holy Family go home

So Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary and they went back to Israel.

They went to Galilee, and lived in their old town of Nazareth.

How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they finally got home to Nazareth?

Have you ever been on a long journey? Where did you go?

How did you feel when you got back home?

Day Twenty Five The Nativity Story

Which do you think is the most

important part of the Nativity Story?

Why? Draw your own Nativity scene.

It can be as simple or as detailed as you like.

The most impressive entry from each class will win a prize!

The winners will be announced at Epiphany.