In short...
Themes: The story of the birth of Jesus; celebrating Christmas.
Summary: This assembly, suitable for an act of collective worship, is for Christmas time and focuses on the Christian story of the birth of Jesus.
Resources: The to download/print (pdf). The assembly begins with some 'presents' - all items associated with Christmas - but with a twist! You will need to source these beforehand and place them in boxes and/or wrapping paper. Alternatively use the image gallery called 'Christmas is鈥?'
The video
This video tells one of the most famous stories from the Christian religion - the birth of Jesus, remembered each year on Christmas Day.
Mary is visited by an angel who tells her that she is to be the mother of Jesus, God's Son. Not long before the birth, Mary travels to Bethlehem with her husband, Joseph, as required by the Roman census. The town is already busy and Jesus is born in a stable as there is no room at any of the inns.
Jesus's first visitors include humble shepherds and rich, wise men from the East, who have followed a bright star to find this new king.
Duration: 3' 38"
End of speech: '鈥hristians celebrate Jesus's birthday as one of their main holy days - Christmas Day.'
Video questions
- Where do Mary and Joseph live? (Nazareth)
- Who tells Mary she is going to have a special baby? (An angel called Gabriel)
- Why do Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem? (The Roman rulers wish to create a list of everyone living in the land - called a 'census'. They require that everyone returns to the place of their birth to be counted. So Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem - the place where Joseph's family come from.)
- Where does Mary place Jesus after his birth? (In a manger - the trough usually used by the animals for feeding)
- What have the wise men read in their old books? (That a great king will be born when a new star appears in the sky)
- What three gifts do the wise men give Jesus? (Gold, Frankincense - a precious resin to be burned as incense - and Myrrh - another precious resin with a variety of uses)
Key links
Download / print the assembly framework ready for use
Gallery: Christmas is..? image
Click to display the gallery images
Suggested framework
1. Entry music
Play a Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus, such as 'The First No毛l', or choose one of the songs suggested below from 大象传媒 collections (eg 'Away in a manger' or 'Mary had a baby').
2. Introduction
Wrap up and number with a label some things that Christmas is 'about' (see list). Then place them under your school tree if you have one, or at the front of the hall. At the start of assembly, talk about the fact that it will soon be Christmas and that there are five presents that you need some help opening. Some pointers for what to say about each gift as it's opened are included below.
1: A Christmas decoration - at Christmas, we like to make everywhere look pretty (draw attention to what's already - or will be - in evidence at school).
2: Some Christmas role play food - at Christmas we often have a special meal together.
3: A Christmas party popper / cracker / blower - Christmas is often a time for parties and celebrating.
4: A family photo - Christmas is a time for families to get together.
5: A small baby Jesus nativity figure - for Christians Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, an event that they remember every year on Christmas Day. This baby may be small, but for Christians, the story of his birth is the biggest and most important part of Christmas.
Alternatively, if you do not have time to source the items, use the images in the gallery called 'Christmas is鈥?'
3. The video
Play the video. It includes a short introduction to the Christian religion before telling the story of the birth of Jesus (the 'nativity'). The video ends with the words: '鈥hristians celebrate Jesus's birthday as one of their main holy days - Christmas Day.'
4. After the video
Use the story questions to help children to talk about the story they have watched and to recall the main events.
5. Time to talk
Ask children to think about why it is so important to Christians that this story is remembered every year and what they think the most important part of the story is.
6. Time to sing
An opportunity to sing your chosen song. Suggestions from 大象传媒 collections are below.
7. Opportunity for reflection
We've been thinking today about a very special story - the nativity - the story of the very first Christmas鈥
We've heard how the special baby, Jesus, was born in a stable - and how angels announced the news of his birth鈥he birth of Jesus, God's Son鈥
This story is one of the most important of all stories for Christians and a really important part of the celebration of Christmas鈥
I wonder what's important about Christmas for you鈥?
Think quietly to yourself for a few moments now鈥
8. Opportunity for prayer
Dear God.
Thank you for Christmas time and for all the wonderful things that we have thought of that are a part of our celebrations.
As we enjoy Christmas, please help us to remember that we celebrate because of the story of the birth of Jesus.
Amen.
Suggested songs
'Away in a manger' - Come and Praise, Beginning
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky
Look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing
The baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love You, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side
Until morning is night
Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask You to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Your tender care
And fit us for Heaven
To live with You there
And fit us for Heaven
To live with You there
Mary had a baby (vocal)
Mary had a baby, Yes, Lord;
Mary had a baby, Yes, my Lord;
Mary had a baby, Yes, Lord;
The people came to worship him in Bethlehem.What did she name him, Yes, Lord鈥
She called him Jesus, Yes, Lord鈥
Where was he born? Yes, Lord鈥
Born in a stable, Yes, Lord鈥
Where did they lay him? Yes, Lord鈥
Laid him in a manger, Yes, Lord鈥
Silent Night (vocal)
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
'Away in a manger': Instrumental - Come and Praise, Beginning
Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the sky
Look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing
The baby awakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love You, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side
Until morning is night
Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask You to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Your tender care
And fit us for Heaven
To live with You there
And fit us for Heaven
To live with You there
'Mary had a baby' - Instrumental
Mary had a baby, Yes, Lord;
Mary had a baby, Yes, my Lord;
Mary had a baby, Yes, Lord;
The people came to worship him in Bethlehem.What did she name him, Yes, Lord鈥
She called him Jesus, Yes, Lord鈥
Where was he born? Yes, Lord鈥
Born in a stable, Yes, Lord鈥
Where did they lay him? Yes, Lord鈥
Laid him in a manger, Yes, Lord鈥
Silent Night (guitar instrumental)
Related links
- ()