AGE:
Secondary |
THEME:
Advent |
PREPARATION: |
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Get a group of students to make a patchwork quilt - this could be part of a textiles project, or they could design pictures which represent their Christmas, then put them together creating a paper 'Patchwork Quilt'.
You might also think about contacting charities such as Crisis [www.crisis.org.uk] to get a speaker who will take part in the assembly.
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DEVELOPMENT: |
Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas.
Traditions at Advent include Advent Calendars or Advent Crowns - counting down the days or weeks until Christmas Day.
There are lots of plans that need to come together at the same time ready for Christmas - you could use the example of how busy these weeks are in school.
- Students who have been involved in preparing for this worship might bring on and display the Patchwork Quilt centrally to the assembly - it is made up of small pieces that all needed to be properly joined to make the finished article what it was intended to be.
The 'quilt' can be taken as a symbol that Christmas is a time when our individual plans come together as a part of one celebration.
The quilt can also symbolise the warmth that we feel at Christmas time.
[If you've used a picture patchwork quilt then try to have a real quilt as an example.]
Traditionally for us Christmas is a cold time of year but the quilt can remind us of time spent at home, around a fire, with family and friends. It can represent the warmth we can feel because Christmas is also a time of giving and sharing - our presents, and often more importantly, our love and time with those around us.
- While we are getting ready for our own Christmas celebrations - piecing together the patches of our quilt with:
the buying and wrapping of presents;
writing cards;
going to parties;
spending time with family and friends;
preparing special food;
we can also spare some time to think about those who may only have one or two of those patchwork pieces, or none at all.
They may have no money for food or presents, or they may spend Christmas alone.
Will they feel the inner warmth of Christmas?
- Charities such as Crisis will provide food and company for homeless people in big cities at Christmas.
You might consider inviting a visiting speaker to share why they give up their time over Christmas and what reaction they get from those they help.
Alternatively, you could use this account of working with Crisis over the Christmas period. It would be even more powerful if you were able to project some images of homeless people as a backdrop to the account.
- You might consider if there is any way the school can support work to help homeless people - or another chosen charity? Collections taken at Carol services or Christmas performances could be given to support the charity.
- Finally get your students to give some thought to who they will share the 'warmth' of Christmas with this year.
Will they bring their patchwork piece to grandparents, younger siblings or lonely neighbours?
If we're honest the thing that we find most exciting about Christmas may well be what we are given, but for people to receive it also requires someone to give.
We can try to be part of both sides, the giving and receiving. Advent is a good time to put some thought into getting ready to bring warmth, or happiness into someone else's Christmas.
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READING: |
| Matthew 2: 4-17 |
PRAYER AND REFLECTION: |
God set the example, he gave us his only Son at Christmas knowing what lay ahead, but He was prepared to make that sacrifice for the sake of mankind.
Lord help us piece together a patchwork of happiness and love to share this Christmas.
Help us to remember those who are lonely and afraid, in pain or suffering and let us share our own good fortune, our time and our love with those around us. Amen.
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