session essentialsafbaeca6fd643522f120-20ea0478d7b61d59040602ff82faf170.r60.cf… · 2015-02-08 · a festive holiday mood, complete with sleigh bells! (Open your Winter-B Seasonal

© 2014 Published by Morehouse Education Resources, http://www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

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Helps for Leaders◆ More about Today’s Scriptures◆ Reflection◆ Faith Formation and the Arts, Part 6

Enrichment◆ Welcome the Good News◆ Singing Together◆ Epiphany Big Book ◆ Treasure Hunt◆ Bible Skills for Third Graders

(flashlight)◆ Info: Where You’ll Find Everything

Else

Core Session ◆ Getting Started (flashlight)◆ Gospel Story: Visitors from

the East◆ Play-Dough Gifts (play dough

or other modeling material)◆ Praying Together

John describes Jesus as the eternal Word of God.◆ In today’s gospels, we remember journeys of faith: the magi travel to the baby Jesus, whose

family must then escape from the wrath of Herod. ◆ Children are on their own journey of growth, a journey we support by trusting them

enough to make their own mistakes and accept their own responsibilities. ◆ In today’s session we focus on the Epiphany narrative, remembering the wise ones’

journey to a Light greater than the star that guided them.

Light and LifeScriptureMatthew 2:1-15, 19-23

2nd Sunday a f t e r C h r i s t mas – B

Living the Good News | Primary | 2nd Sunday after Christmas – B

http://www.MorehouseEducation.org

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Getting Started (10-15 minutes)Children take turns holding the light in this story preparation game.

Ask a volunteer to be the Star. The Star holds the flashlight and stands at one end of the room, designated as Bethlehem. Explain that this Star is the special star that shone over the stable when Jesus was born.

Ask the other children to stand at the opposite end of the room. When the Star turns on the flashlight, the other children are free to travel toward Bethlehem. When the light is off, children who still move must go back to the beginning point.

When all the children have reached the Star, pick a new Star and repeat the game. Close by explaining:◆ Once the star helped some special visitors travel to

Bethlehem—and that’s the story I want to tell you today.

Gospel Story (5-10 minutes)Visitors From the EastNote: Though not the assigned gospel reading for the 2nd Sunday after Christmas, today’s lesson offers the story of the visit of the Magi to round out the cycle of Christmas narratives for young children.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, cruel King Herod ruled the land.

One day wise men from the East came to the palace of Herod. “Where is the baby born to be king?” asked the wise men. “We saw his star in the skies. We have come to worship him.”

“But I am king,” Herod thought angrily. “No one else will wear the crown in my country.”

But aloud he said, “I do not know where this baby is. When you find him, come back to me. Tell me where I can find him, so that I can worship him, too.”

The wise men bowed and went on their way. “Look!” one said. “The star is in the sky again!”

The wise men followed the star. It led not to a palace, not to a rich home, but to a poor stable filled with animals. The wise men entered the cave. There they saw a woman, Mother Mary, holding a

baby in her lap. A man stood nearby, Father Joseph, watching the visitors closely.

The wise men knelt down near Mary and worshiped her baby. They held up gifts in their hands: shining gold, rich frankincense and fragrant myrrh.

Mary showed the wise men the baby’s face. “His name is Jesus,” she said.

That night, angels in dreams came to the visitors and to Father Joseph, too. “Do not go back to Herod,” an angel warned the visitors. “He wants to kill the baby. You must take Mary and the baby and run away to Egypt,” an angel whispered to Joseph. “King Herod wants to kill the child.”

The next day, the visitors began traveling by a secret road, back to their faraway lands. Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus ran away to the strange land of Egypt. And God watched over them in all their ways.

Play-Dough Gifts (10-20 minutes)Take up a small lump of play dough or modeling material as you explain:◆ The kings brought gifts for Jesus. One gift was gold.

(Make a bag of gold or coins of gold from a lump of yellow play dough.)

◆ One gift was frankincense, lumps of incense that could be burned to make a sweet smell. (Make small lumps of play dough.)

◆ One gift was myrrh, a kind of perfume. (Make a perfume vial or bottle.)

Invite the children to create their own play-dough gifts for Jesus.

Praying Together (5 minutes)Gather children in a circle. Say:◆ The wise men brought special gifts to baby Jesus.◆ What gifts would you like to give to Jesus today?

(Encourage children to speak freely and directly to Jesus, using the gifts made in the Play-Dough Gifts activity above as a prayer starter.)

Close by praying:◆ Thank you, God, for sending Jesus. Amen.

Note: If you use At Home with the Good News, distribute this week’s paper to the children before they leave, or e-mail it to their parents after the session.



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Welcome the Good News (10-15 minutes)On page 1 of today’s Welcome the Good News children will find Welcome God’s Word, a scripture skills activity that explores the story of the Magi. Children will also find a With Your Family activity they can lead at home or practice in the group.

On page 2 children will find an Epiphany board game—just for fun.

Singing Together (10-15 minutes)From Singing the Good News you and the children can sing together:◆ “Christmas Dreams” (songbook p. 18, also available

as an MP3)◆ “The Hay Was Scratchy” (songbook p. 20)

Note: To access both the songbook and its attached MP3 files, open your Winter-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Singing the Good News.

You can also use simple movements to turn “Christmas Dreams” into a prayerful dance. The words and movements are attached to this document.

Epiphany Big Book (15-30 minutes)Activity Soundtrack: Play Prokofiev’s “Troika” to set a festive holiday mood, complete with sleigh bells! (Open your Winter-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Companion Music for options on obtaining this music.)

Children work together to make a giant book illustrat-ing the Epiphany story. The finished book can be kept as a room resource, donated to the church library or presented as a gift to another group.

Write each of the following captions across the bottom of a separate sheet of poster board.◆ Jesus was born in Bethlehem.◆ Soon after, wise men from the East traveled far to

see him.◆ The wise men asked King Herod, “Where is the

baby king?” Herod did not know.◆ The wise men saw a large, bright star in the sky.

◆ The star shone over the stable where Jesus slept.◆ The wise men walked into the stable. They

worshiped baby Jesus.◆ The wise men gave baby Jesus gifts: gold,

frankincense and myrrh.◆ Soon after the wise men began their journey home.

Ask the children to work together to illustrate each poster. Read the captions aloud to the children. Invite children to combine drawings with collage to illustrate each poster. (Cologne or bath oil can add fragrance to the wise men’s gifts.)

Help children join all the finished posters into a book by following these directions:◆ Place the posters, in order, in a stack.◆ Punch holes across the top or down the left-hand

side of the posters.◆ Thread yarn or rings through posters to finish.

Treasure Hunt (15-30 minutes)Children go on an Epiphany scavenger hunt. The Treasure Hunt lists invite children to review Epiphany facts as they explore.

This treasure hunt has two variations, one for groups that can freely explore the church building during the session and one for groups that must remain in the room. Be sure to check before the session that you have the materials needed for the option you choose.

If you have a large group, divide children into smaller groups of eight or less. Each group will need an adult helper, so you will also need to arrange for such helpers before the session. Set a time limit for when groups need to return to the room.



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Ask:◆ Who was looking for someone in today’s story?◆ What did the wise men find in today’s story?

Explain:◆ We could say that the wise men went on a special

treasure hunt: they found Jesus!◆ Today we will go a treasure hunt, too.

Distribute the Treasure Hunt lists.

Church-Building Treasure Hunt: Give each child five gold gummed-foil stars. When children find an item, they put a gold foil star next to the item on their Treasure Hunt lists. Possible finds:◆ something gold: processional cross, candle holder, etc.◆ something that smells sweet: incense, flower, soap,

etc.◆ something that holds water: holy water or baptismal

font, cruet, basin, drinking fountain, etc.◆ something that gives light: candle, electric light, etc.◆ a picture or statue of Jesus: most churches will have

at least one

Encourage any adult helpers to let children solve the problems, suggesting ideas only when the children seem stuck.

Room Treasure Hunt: Arrange items before the session. Put sheets of gold gummed-foil stars next to each item. When a child finds an item, he or she takes a gold foil star from the sheet next to the item and sticks the star on the Treasure Hunt list. Possible items:◆ something gold: processional cross, candle holder,

jewelry, etc.◆ something that smells sweet: incense, bar of soap,

perfume jar, etc.◆ something that holds water: canteen or pitcher◆ something that gives light: candle, flashlight, etc.◆ a picture or statue of Jesus: a crèche figure, picture in

an open Bible, etc.

Bible Skills for Third Graders (10-15 minutes)Children use a flashlight to spell words from today’s story.

Help children find Matthew 2:9-11. Ask them to follow along as you read aloud. Explain:◆ I will use a flashlight to write words on the

chalkboard or wall.◆ Each word will be from the verses that we have just

read.◆ Watch and guess what word I am “writing.”

Begin with easy words such as joy, star, gold or Mary. (Words with the letter I are difficult for children to guess.) After several words, invite volunteers to take turns choosing words to spell.

Where You’ll Find Everything Else

◆ Attached to this Session Plan you will find:— Backgrounds and reflections for today’s

readings, titled More about Today’s Scriptures.— A printable version of today’s Gospel Story:

Visitors from the East, which can be distributed or e-mailed to children and their families.

— An optional New Testament activity that emphasizes where in the Bible we find stories about Jesus.

— A handout meant to go To Parents, with an activity to use at home.

— Printable directions for the Christmas Dreams Dance, suggested in today’s Music activity.

◆ Open your Winter-B Seasonal Resources folder, then click on Seasonal Articles to find:— Information on Winter-B’s Models of the Faith.— For leaders and/or families, a helpful Christmas

Overview, an Epiphany Overview and an article offering Reflections on the Incarnation.

— A printable article for leaders titled First Impressions, which offers practical helps for the use of fine art.

— An article for leaders suggesting ways for Dramatizing Scripture in the classroom.

— An article for leaders exploring the importance of understanding and acknowledging various Learning Styles among group members.


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More about Today’s ScripturesIn today’s readings, God promises light to dispel the world’s darkness. Jeremiah anticipates the time when God will renew and restore the exiled nation of Israel. Sirach (Alternate) describes Wisdom’s help at creation. Paul celebrates God’s gift of Christ, who makes us all children of God. John identifies Jesus as “the light that comes into the world and shines on all people” (1:9).

Jeremiah 31:7-14This reading is from a section of Jeremiah (chaps. 30–33) called the “book of consolation” (30:1-3). In it are words of hope for an eventual renewal and restoration for Israel.

The gathering of the dispersed and their journey back to Jerusalem will be even more wonderful than the exodus from Egypt. God will personally shepherd the people.

This passage also uses the legal terms for the ransom or redemption of someone who has been sold into slavery. The right of redemption of person or property lay with the kinsman, a right that Jeremiah exercised with respect to his family’s field and that he saw the Lord exercising with respect to Israel.

Sirach 24:1-12The book of Sirach (formerly called Ecclesiasticus) sets down the content of the oral instruction of Jesus Ben Sirach, a second century BCE. Jewish wisdom teacher whose teachings on Old Testament law, ethics, and history were compiled by his grandson and translated by him into Greek for wider distribution.

In this passage, Wisdom speaks in the first person, singing her own praises and revealing her origins with God, her dwelling place in Israel and the reward she offers for those who are willing to seek and follow her. She comes from God but is distinct from God, acting to orchestrate the marvels of creation and then coming to rest among the people of Israel.

Ephesians 1:3-14Letters in the New Testament often answer questions of early believers or address problems within a community. Ephesians seems to have been written solely to teach Christians more about God’s great plans for the Church and the world. This teaching (chaps. 1–3) is followed by three chapters of counsel about how to conduct life until “the fullness of time” (v. 10) when all creation will be gathered up in Christ.

After the initial greeting, Paul shifts into a blessing in the form of a hymn. The hymn centers on the revelation of God in Christ, through whom believers are chosen and destined for adoption and for participa-tion in Christ’s mission of redemption.

Paul shows by example the importance of making requests of God in prayer, not to coerce God, but so that believers may cooperate in the working out of God’s will. Paul prays that they may be enlightened in their “hearts” (v. 18)—in scripture, the core of the person—to comprehend the surety of their hope, the privileges and responsibilities of their inheritance, and the dimensions of God’s power in them.

John 1:(1-9) 10-18The prologue to John’s gospel (the equivalent of the Christmas stories of Matthew and Luke) is in the form of a hymn in stanzas. John may have adapted an earlier Christian or even pre-Christian hymn. For Greeks (and Hellenistic Jews), the “Word” (Greek, Logos) was the rational principle of the universe, giving meaning to all existence. For Jews, the word of God expressed God’s eternal purpose active in creation, in revelation and in redemption.

John describes the Word (Jesus) as existing before creation (Genesis 1:1) as both personal and divine. As Word, Jesus is the revelation of God’s hidden personal reality. The Word, which is “life and...light” (v. 4) was active in the salvation history of Israel, and was made flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Flesh is not intrinsically evil but represents the weak and transitory condition of human nature.

The word for “lived among” (v. 14) evokes the Old Testament memory of God “tenting” or dwelling with the people. God’s “glory” (described outside the Bible by the Jews as God’s “dwelling,” Shekinah) is the visible sign of God’s invisible presence. The enfleshed Jesus reveals the glory, the presence of God, to and with humankind.

The repetition of the phrase “grace and truth” (vv. 14, 17) significantly underscores both the nature and mission of Jesus: He came “full of grace and truth” (v. 14)—that is, he is the source of grace and truth—and he came to impart that grace and truth to those who “believed in his name” (v. 12).


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Jesus’ nature and mission combine to proclaim him as the ultimate revelation of God (1:18), not an aloof appearance of a transcendent and impersonal deity, but an in-the-flesh person who “lived among us” (v. 14) and calls us to know God, receive God and live in the light of God.

Reflection “In the beginning”...a crack of light splits the ominous grey skies. For centuries, the deity had been distant, removed from human life, and angry much of the time. People lived in fear of God’s wrath, convinced that God’s punishment would fall brutally and frequently. Only a few brave intermediaries would risk addressing this God, and their speech was more a pleading intervention than a friendly conversation.

Now the breakthrough: God is described in terms of parenting, accessible to the imagination if not the actual experience of most human beings. Jesus brings “the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Imagine, and expand the reflection to the mother’s daughter too: “It’s a boy/girl!”...the soft skin, the luminous eyes of the newborn. “Mama/Dada!”...the first words, pure poetry to the ear bending over he crib. “And the winner of the full college scholarship is...your son/your daughter.” “Since it’s Mother’s/Father’s Day, I wanted to write and tell you what an inspiration you have always been to me, and how lucky I am to be your daughter/son.”

While these may be dramatic highlights, they are the dream of every parent, everyone who nurtures. To appreciate what the parent/child relationship means at some deep archetypal level, we need only think how we cringe when the mother or father of the convicted murderer is interviewed on TV. Something has gone terribly amiss there, and we mourn for the lost dreams, the fractured hopes. Even through the negative, we get a glimmer of what the full, healthy relationship should be.

This bond peaks beyond human limitations: in God’s being revealed by the only Son, “close to the Father’s heart” (John 1:18). Shakespeare touched this dynamic when he described a mother looking at her daughter,

seeing “in her reflected the lovely April of her prime.” We are all the beneficiaries: from the richness of this love flows “grace upon grace.”

That may be hard to remember when the kids are squalling, the living room carpet is stained, or the church choir is singing off key. At times like that, we need to imagine looking into the newborn’s face, hearing a beloved parent’s voice, walking with God as with a dear companion.

Faith Formation and the Arts, Part 6by Roger W. HutchisonVisualizing Our FaithWhen we tell stories of Jesus’ calming the sea, we must include images of oceans, boats and storm clouds. We must allow children to stick their fingers into paints and bring their blank pages to life with angry grays and lightning blues. We must invite our children to mold lumps of clay into elephants waiting to climb upon the ark.

Provide your seniors, those who are 18 and those who are 82, with a blank canvas and some finger paints. Encourage them to paint their self-portrait. Their eyes will twinkle, their memories will soar, and they will experience a delight that often fades away when we move from childhood into adulthood. Exhibit their work, naming it “The Face of Christ.”

It doesn’t take a huge budget to provide opportunities for your faith community. You do not have to be an art educator. You already have the tools to do this. You are faithful. You want your community to experience a sense of inclusion and awe. You want them all to know that they are part of the greater story.

It is my eternal prayer that when our children open their wings and leave the safety of their nest for the last time, they will carry with them the visual images of a faith that inspires and encourages. I pray that this sense of awe, love, joy and hope will carry all of us through adulthood and into the richness of eternal life.


“We saw his star.” (Matthew 2:2, Good News Translation)

✽With a friend, go outside tonight. What stars can you see?

✽How did the wise men feel when they followed the star to Jesus? Read Matthew 2:9-10.

✽On the next page you will find a game board.

— For each player, cut a star from construction paper. — Use the stars as playing pieces. — Roll a die to see how many spaces to move. — Everyone who reaches the stable wins!

Primary

Living the Good News2nd Sunday after Christmas – B

The kings traveled a long way to find the baby Jesus. It was a risky

adventure! Talk this over with your family:• What did the wise men have to do to make

such a long trip so long ago?• What’s the difference between a good risk and a bad risk?

• What good risks have we taken as a family?

START Your camel’s leg is hurt. Miss a turn.

Hurry to the nearest water hole.

The star fades.

Rest here.

You get a faster camel. Move

ahead 3 spaces.

Camp out

here.

You left your gift behind.

Go back 2 spaces.

Water hole

Hurry to the nearest field.

Pick up gold here.

Go to a shop that sells incense.Field

Dead end. Go back 1 space.

The star fades. Rest here.

Field

Camp out here.

Whose King will the new baby be? Move ahead 1 space.

FINISH

Where does the star stop?

Tell what city is ahead.

Sun stroke! Miss a turn.

If you can rhyme a word with EAST, move ahead 1 space.

If you know what myrrh is move ahead

2 spaces. Stay at King Herod’s. Miss

a turn. If you know the city where Herod lived, move ahead 3 spaces.

If you can find 3 words in the word

CAMEL, move ahead 1 space.

Stay for dinner. Miss a turn.

The star fades.

Rest here.

Tell why you

are taking a gift

with you.

Oops! A coconut hits

you on the head.

A cloud hides the star. Miss

a turn.

Who is the star leading you

toward?

Tell why you are

following the star.

Sing a song to

your fellow travelers.

Stop to rest. Miss a turn.

Incense sold here.

Illustrations by: Lynn Avril©

2014 Published by Morehouse Education Resources, w

ww.M

orehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Perm

ission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

“We saw his star.” (Matthew 2:2, Good News Translation)

✽With a friend, go outside tonight. What stars can you see?

✽How did the wise men feel when they followed the star to Jesus? Read Matthew 2:9-10.

✽On the next page you will find a game board.

— For each player, cut a star from construction paper. — Use the stars as playing pieces. — Roll a die to see how many spaces to move. — Everyone who reaches the stable wins!

Primary

Living the Good News2nd Sunday after Christmas – B

The kings traveled a long way to find the baby Jesus. It was a risky

adventure! Talk this over with your family:• What did the wise men have to do to make

such a long trip so long ago?• What’s the difference between a good risk and a bad risk?

• What good risks have we taken as a family?

START Your camel’s leg is hurt. Miss a turn.

Hurry to the nearest water hole.

The star fades.

Rest here.

You get a faster camel. Move

ahead 3 spaces.

Camp out

here.

You left your gift behind.

Go back 2 spaces.

Water hole

Hurry to the nearest field.

Pick up gold here.

Go to a shop that sells incense.Field

Dead end. Go back 1 space.

The star fades. Rest here.

Field

Camp out here.

Whose King will the new baby be? Move ahead 1 space.

FINISH

Where does the star stop?

Tell what city is ahead.

Sun stroke! Miss a turn.

If you can rhyme a word with EAST, move ahead 1 space.

If you know what myrrh is move ahead

2 spaces. Stay at King Herod’s. Miss

a turn. If you know the city where Herod lived, move ahead 3 spaces.

If you can find 3 words in the word

CAMEL, move ahead 1 space.

Stay for dinner. Miss a turn.

The star fades.

Rest here.

Tell why you

are taking a gift

with you.

Oops! A coconut hits

you on the head.

A cloud hides the star. Miss

a turn.

Who is the star leading you

toward?

Tell why you are

following the star.

Sing a song to

your fellow travelers.

Stop to rest. Miss a turn.

Incense sold here.

Illustrations by: Lynn Avril©

2014 Published by Morehouse Education Resources, w

ww.M

orehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Perm

ission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Winter • Year B

©2014 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-672-1789Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

More about Today’s Scriptures2nd Sunday after Christmas

In today’s readings, God promises light to dispel the world’s darkness. Jeremiah anticipates the time when God will renew and restore the exiled nation of Israel. Sirach (Alternate) describes Wisdom’s help at creation. Paul celebrates God’s gift of Christ, who makes us all children of God. John identifies Jesus as “the light that comes into the world and shines on all people” (1:9).

Jeremiah 31:7-14

This reading is from a section of Jeremiah (chaps. 30–33) called the “book of consolation” (30:1-3). In it are words of hope for an eventual renewal and restoration for Israel.

The gathering of the dispersed and their journey back to Jerusalem will be even more wonderful than the exodus from Egypt. God will personally shepherd the people.

This passage also uses the legal terms for the ransom or redemption of someone who has been sold into slavery. The right of redemption of person or property lay with the kinsman, a right that Jeremiah exercised with respect to his family’s field and that he saw the Lord exercising with respect to Israel.

Sirach 24:1-12

The book of Sirach (formerly called Ecclesiasticus) sets down the content of the oral instruction of Jesus Ben Sirach, a second century BCE. Jewish wisdom teacher whose teachings on Old Testament law, ethics, and history were compiled by his grandson and translated by him into Greek for wider distribution.

In this passage, Wisdom speaks in the first person, singing her own praises and revealing her origins with God, her dwelling place in Israel and the reward she offers for those who are willing to seek and follow her. She comes from God but is distinct from God, acting to orchestrate the marvels of creation and then coming to rest among the people of Israel.

Ephesians 1:3-14

Letters in the New Testament often answer questions of early believers or address problems within a community. Ephesians seems to have been written solely to teach Christians more about God’s great plans for the Church and the world. This teaching (chaps. 1–3) is followed by three chapters of counsel about how to conduct life until “the fullness of time” (v. 10) when all creation will be gathered up in Christ.

After the initial greeting, Paul shifts into a blessing in the form of a hymn. The hymn centers on the revelation of God in Christ, through whom believers are chosen and destined for adoption and for partici-pation in Christ’s mission of redemption.

Paul shows by example the importance of making requests of God in prayer, not to coerce God, but so that believers may cooperate in the working out of God’s will. Paul prays that they may be enlightened in their “hearts” (v. 18)—in scripture, the core of the person—to comprehend the surety of their hope, the privileges and responsibilities of their inheritance, and the dimensions of God’s power in them.

John 1:(1-9) 10-18

The prologue to John’s gospel (the equivalent of the Christmas stories of Matthew and Luke) is in the form of a hymn in stanzas. John may have adapted an earlier Christian or even pre-Christian hymn. For Greeks (and Hellenistic Jews), the “Word” (Greek, Logos) was the rational principle of the universe, giving meaning to all existence. For Jews, the word of God expressed God’s eternal purpose active in creation, in revelation and in redemption.

John describes the Word (Jesus) as existing before creation (Genesis 1:1) as both personal and divine. As Word, Jesus is the revelation of God’s hidden personal reality. The Word, which is “life and...light” (v. 4) was active in the salvation history of Israel, and was made flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

00-WB-CR02-SB-X-More about Today’s Scriptures

Winter • Year B


Flesh is not intrinsically evil but represents the weak and transitory condition of human nature.

The word for “lived among” (v. 14) evokes the Old Testament memory of God “tenting” or dwelling with the people. God’s “glory” (described outside the Bible by the Jews as God’s “dwelling,” Shekinah) is the visible sign of God’s invisible presence. The enfleshed Jesus reveals the glory, the presence of God, to and with humankind.

The repetition of the phrase “grace and truth” (vv. 14, 17) significantly underscores both the nature and mission of Jesus: He came “full of grace and truth” (v. 14)—that is, he is the source of grace and truth—and he came to impart that grace and truth to those who “believed in his name” (v. 12).

Jesus’ nature and mission combine to proclaim him as the ultimate revelation of God (1:18), not an aloof appearance of a transcendent and impersonal deity, but an in-the-flesh person who “lived among us” (v. 14) and calls us to know God, receive God and live in the light of God.

Reflection “In the beginning”...a crack of light splits the ominous grey skies. For centuries, the deity had been distant, removed from human life, and angry much of the time. People lived in fear of God’s wrath, convinced that God’s punishment would fall brutally and frequently. Only a few brave intermediaries would risk addressing this God, and their speech was more a pleading intervention than a friendly conversation.

Now the breakthrough: God is described in terms of parenting, accessible to the imagination if not the actual experience of most human beings. Jesus brings “the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Imagine, and expand the reflection to the mother’s daughter too: “It’s a boy/girl!”...the soft skin, the luminous eyes of the newborn. “Mama/Dada!”...the

first words, pure poetry to the ear bending over he crib. “And the winner of the full college scholarship is...your son/your daughter.” “Since it’s Mother’s/Father’s Day, I wanted to write and tell you what an inspiration you have always been to me, and how lucky I am to be your daughter/son.”

While these may be dramatic highlights, they are the dream of every parent, everyone who nurtures. To appreciate what the parent/child relationship means at some deep archetypal level, we need only think how we cringe when the mother or father of the convicted murderer is interviewed on TV. Something has gone terribly amiss there, and we mourn for the lost dreams, the fractured hopes. Even through the negative, we get a glimmer of what the full, healthy relationship should be.

This bond peaks beyond human limitations: in God’s being revealed by the only Son, “close to the Father’s heart” (John 1:18). Shakespeare touched this dynamic when he described a mother looking at her daughter, seeing “in her reflected the lovely April of her prime.” We are all the beneficiaries: from the richness of this love flows “grace upon grace.”

That may be hard to remember when the kids are squalling, the living room carpet is stained, or the church choir is singing off key. At times like that, we need to imagine looking into the newborn’s face, hearing a beloved parent’s voice, walking with God as with a dear companion.

More about Today’s Scriptures2nd Sunday after Christmas

Winter • Year B


PR-WB-CR02-DL-C-New Testament

The New Covenant is offered to us in the person of Jesus Christ. In this activity, emphasize that we find stories about Jesus in a part of the Bible we call the New Testament

Show children the Bible or Bibles. Ask:

❉❉ What do we call these books?

❉❉ Where have you seen a book like these?

❉❉ What kinds of stories might be in this book?

Invite the children to tell what they think about the Bible, to ask questions, etc., as time allows.

Explain that the Bible has special stories about Jesus. The part of the Bible that has these stories is called the New Testament.

Turn to Matthew 2:1-12. Explain that the story they heard today was first written down in the Bible. You or a volunteer may read aloud the passage. Emphasize that the Bible has many more stories about Jesus, too.

New Testament

Winter • Year B


PR-WB-CR02-DL-A-Christmas Dreams Dance

You may use simple movements to turn “Christmas Dreams” into a prayerful dance. Invite members to hold hands as they form a circle. Sway back and forth, holding hands, as you sing each chorus. Accompany the verses with these movements:

Verse one: I rock the baby in my arms, and sing a lullaby. (Drop hands. Stand in place and rock arms.)

And in my dream I see the star shining in the sky. (Raise hands to front and overhead. Spread and stretch fingers as you walk to center.)

Verse two: I dream I am an angel now, singing songs of joy. (Drop hands. Stand in place with arms raised to side and overhead. Sway from side to side, as if “flying.”)

I’m flying through the heavens bright to see the baby boy.

Verse three: I dream I am a shepherd boy, caring for my sheep. (Drop hands. Pillow head on hands, as if sleeping.)

The angels come to tell the news and wake me from my sleep. (Sway arms, as in verse two, and then lower arms to side and hold, extended, forming an “A” shape.)

Christmas Dreams Dance

©2014 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.livingthegoodnews.coM • 1-800-672-1789

Winter B

PR-06-WB-11-A-To Parents

Whether they were men who studied the stars, wise men or kings, we never fail to thrill at these exotic figures who behold the star of wonder, follow it and fall on their knees to wor-ship a baby (Matthew 2:1-12).

The Epiphany story of the three kings is an appropriate one for today’s children. They may not know very much about navigating by stars or travelling by camels, but they must take risks and brave uncharted territory, simply to grow and flourish.

Help your children recall the risks that they’ve already taken. Think back to ways they explored new activities and social situations. Your willingness to recall and to celebrate their finest moments can offer them a shining star to follow into adulthood.

To Parents

Winter • Year B


Gospel Story:Visitors from the East

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, cruel King Herod ruled the land.

One day wise men from the East came to the palace of Herod.

“Where is the baby born to be king?” asked the wise men. “We saw his star in the skies. We have come to worship him.”

“But I am king,” Herod thought angrily. “No one else will wear the crown in my country.”

But aloud he said, “I do not know where this baby is. When you find him, come back to me. Tell me where I can find him, so that I can worship him, too.”

The wise men bowed and went on their way. “Look!” one said. “The star is in the sky again!”

The wise men followed the star. It led not to a palace, not to a rich home, but to a poor stable filled with animals. The wise men entered the cave. There they saw a woman, Mother Mary, holding a baby in her lap. A man stood nearby, Father Joseph, watching the visitors closely.

The wise men knelt down near Mary and worshiped her baby. They held up gifts in their hands: shining gold, rich frankincense and fragrant myrrh.

Mary showed the wise men the baby’s face. “His name is Jesus,” she said.

That night, angels in dreams came to the visitors and to Father Joseph, too.

“Do not go back to Herod,” an angel warned the visitors. “He wants to kill the baby.”

“You must take Mary and the baby and run away to Egypt,” an angel whispered to Joseph. “King Herod wants to kill the child.”

The very next day, the visitors began traveling by a secret road, back to their faraway lands. Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus ran away to the strange land of Egypt. And God watched over them in all their ways.

PR-WB-CR02-DL-X-Gospel Story_Visitors from the East

Com

mon

sense an

d the experts agree: faith

form

ation m

ust occu

r in th

e hom

e. Th

e chu

rch’s edu

cational program

s have a m

uch

better ch

ance of su

ccess if these efforts are expan

ded an

d enrich

ed by the fam

ilies wh

ere children

spen

d a hu

ge proportion of th

eir time.

Th

is resource is design

ed to help fam

ilies an

d chu

rches m

eet that n

eed. Often

parents

wan

t to participate in th

eir children’s religiou

s edu

cations, bu

t aren’t sure h

ow to do it. T

hese

pages give families m

any w

ays to bring th

e Su

nday readin

gs into th

e hom

e. At H

ome w

ith the G

ood New

s is designed for th

e parents of

children

aged preschool th

rough

grade six.

Each

reproducible page con

tains:

•B

ibleBackgroun

d

Th

is section lists th

e readings for each

Su

nday an

d briefly explain

s how

they relate

to each oth

er or to a comm

on th

eme.

•W

hatYourChildD

idThisW

eek

Th

is section su

mm

arizes wh

at Presch

ool/ K

indergarten

, Prim

ary and In

termediate

groups did in

their session

s. It gives parents

a specific startin

g point for a con

versation

about w

hat th

eir children

learned or

accomplish

ed. For parents w

ho are n

ew to

an experien

tial, lectionary-based approach

, it serves as an

introdu

ction th

at will

increase th

eir familiarity.

•P

rayerStarter

Th

ese can be u

sed at hom

e, after a meal,

at bedtime or w

hen

ever a family gath

ers to pray togeth

er. On

e person can

serve as th

e leader, reading alou

d the w

ords of the

prayer or the prom

pt that in

vites others to

participate.

•Parentin

gTip

Health

y parentin

g is a skill learned over

time. T

hese su

ggestions give paren

ts con

crete ideas for cherish

ing th

eir children

an

d makin

g the C

hristian

message th

eir w

ay of life at hom

e.

How

to U

se This R

esource

Brin

gin

g th

e Sunday R

eadin

gs to

Your Fa

mily

•FamilyD

iscussionQ

uestion

In th

is section appears a qu

estion based on

th

e gospel. Since m

ost families don’t h

ave lon

g, un

interru

pted time for discu

ssion,

this qu

estion can

come u

p in th

e car after ch

urch

, durin

g the w

ait at the drive-in

ban

k or fast food restauran

t, or at bedtime.

Paren

ts can adapt it to th

e ages and

interests of th

eir children

.

•GospelR

eflection

T

his m

editation on

the gospel lin

ks Jesus’

story and ou

r daily lives. People w

ho pray

over the gospels regu

larly can begin

to m

ake them

the tem

plate for the w

ay they

live. Th

us, th

ey can tran

sform th

e message

from w

ords proclaimed in

chu

rch to valu

es en

shrin

ed in th

e heart.

Wh

ile some fam

ilies may h

ave time for

extended refl

ection on

the readin

gs and

utilize all th

e sections of th

e page, others m

ay h

ave time for on

ly a quick Fam

ily Discu

ssion

Qu

estion or P

arentin

g Tip. A

ll parents w

ill wan

t to see w

hat th

eir children

did in th

eir session so

they can

discuss it w

ith th

em afterw

ards.

Reprodu

ce the pages an

d arrange a system

of distribu

tion so th

at they can

be sent h

ome w

ith

the oldest or you

ngest ch

ild in a fam

ily, the

chu

rch n

ewsletter or an

y regular bu

lletin.

WheretoU

seThisR

esourceT

his resou

rce may be h

elpful in

a variety of settin

gs, and especially for:

• C

hristian

Edu

cation settin

gs wh

ere parent

involvem

ent is cru

cial•

Intergen

erational edu

cational settin

gs•

Schools w

ith den

omin

ational spon

sorship

wh

o wan

t to involve fam

ilies more

Brin

gin

g th

e Sunday R

eadin

gs to

Your Fa

mily

Today’s readings assure us of God’s providential care. In Jeremiah 31:7-14, the Lord looks forward to a day of reunion and restoration, of celebration and gladness. In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul proclaims that, from the creation of the

world, God has worked to bring us into the fullness of Christ. Today’s gospel reading —John 1:1-18—presents Jesus as the incarnate Word of God, who brings us all into God’s family.

Preschool/Kindergarten children played a guessing

game and a Follow-the-Leader game about wise men.

They also had free play with a creche set, decorated

stars while listening to festive music, and took turns

bringing gifts to baby Jesus in the manger.

Primary (Grades 1-3) children took turns being

“the star” leading the wise men. Using play dough,

they fashioned likenesses of the gifts these wise men

brought. They also crafted a Big Book about the

Epiphany with posters that illustrated themselves and

viewed the painting Festival of Lights.

Intermediate (Grades 4-6) participants discussed

family and searched magazines and newspapers for

pictures that they used to make a large poster of

“God’s Family.” They thanked God for the people in

their lives whom they love. While listening to joyful

music, they crafted votive holders.

Second Sunday after Christmas • Year B

© 2014 Morehouse Education Resources. All rights reserved. www.livingthegoodnews.com • 1-800-242-1918 • Permission is hereby granted to reproduce these pages for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Make room for Christmas gifts by

clearing out clothes that don’t fit and

toys that are broken or outgrown. Then

donate them to a suitable outlet such

as a clothing drive, a homeless shelter,

a resale shop or another good cause.

The clash between Herod and the child continues today: evil forces are always unsettled by anythin new, creative or liberating. jesus is born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread” among wheat fields. He is small, vulnerable and ultimately, nurturing.

The King, from the seat of power, reacts with violence to any threat. He doesn’t want to nurture his people, but to murder them. Between these two forces move other realities: The star set in heaven, beyond human machinations. And the magi: seekers willing to risk. They are truly wise, because their first responses, on seeing the child, are to

rejoice, do revernce and give gifts. The whole tableau unfolds without a word. One last sterling quality: they follow the warning which comes through a dream.

This is a good day to reflect on how we model the magi. Are we comfy settled in our unchallenged routines, our unexamined attitudes? or are we willing to leave the comfort zone and follow what seems implausible? Do we take our cues from God or set our directions by human opinion? Stars and Joys await...

• Jesus, you were once a refugee. Pour your kind care upon all the families that must flee their homes and live in exile as you did.

Your family may not have had to leave home under threat, but they have certainly

faced stress. Roleplay some tense times in your family’s life. Some possibilities: getting everyone

out in the morning, housecleaning, bedtime, etc.

If you had to leave home suddenly, what one thing would you take with you?

Documents

session essentialsafbaeca6fd643522f120-20ea0478d7b61d59040602ff82faf170.r60.cf… · 2015-02-08 · a festive holiday mood, complete with sleigh bells! (Open your Winter-B Seasonal