First Thoughts: This is the moment we've been preparing for throughout Advent. This is why we've been waiting, watching, praying, and emptying ourselves, so that God could come powerfully into our lives and change us forever. Why then are we so scared? In our work with the children we're going to help them make the connection between being genuinely excited about and desirous of the coming of Christ in our lives, as well as frightened by it and resistant to it. It is a normal part of any spiritual journey that we experience attraction and resistance to God at the same moment. We welcome spiritual transformation as we hide from it. It is helpful to give our children a chance to begin to interact with this necessary human paradox. How do you work with it in your own life? How do you understand your own experience of trepidation before God? Who do you seek out to provide encouragement and counsel when you want to hide from God's face? The best support we can receive during these times of paradox are from those who have navigated the seasons of spiritual transformation time and time again. That's who you are for these children, a person they can come to with their questions. Take time to thank God for this awesome privilege and to ask God for help in accepting this precious responsibility. Carry your prayer with you in your time with the children.
Teaching On Your Own: Hey everybody. How are you guys today? Me? I'm excited. No, nervous. No, excited. Well, I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Have you ever felt that way? It's kind of confusing, isn't it? But I find that happens a lot to me, especially with things that are important to me. Like tonight, each year on Christmas Eve my family has a tradition of lighting candles and praying together before we go to bed. This year it's my turn to light the candles and say the prayer. I was really excited about it. I've wanted to do this for a long time. But now that it's really time to do it, I'm scared about it. Excited and scared, that's me.
I am reminded of our story today where Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger. The time everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived! So God sent angels to tell the good news to some shepherds who were taking care of their sheep. Now you would think the shepherds would be really excited to hear that this special baby was born, and they were. But still the first words the angel said were, "Don't be afraid." So the shepherds were afraid and excited at the same time, just like me! How do you feel when you're starting something new? When we start a new adventure we are entering the unknown. We know there are going to be lots of surprises and new things to learn, which is exciting; but we also know that we're going to go through lots of changes, which is scary. Here's the problem: feeling excited makes me want to move forward and being scared makes me want to hide. So what do we do? We can remember what the angels told the shepherds, "Don't be afraid. God is doing something great here!" First we remember that God is leading us in this adventure. God knows what's ahead and God knows how to lead us safely. So it's going to be okay. Then we take a deep breath, say a prayer, and step forward in faith. What happens if I mess up? That's okay too. God will be with you to help you. God doesn't ask us to do everything perfectly but to use our faith and trust God. If we do that we're always going to be okay. I'm still a little nervous, but I think I'm ready. So what do you say? Let the adventure begin!
Teaching As A Team:
(Leader 2 paces nervously)
Leader 1: Hey (name), are you okay? You seem sort of nervous.
Leader 2: I am. Well, not nervous, but excited. Okay, I'm excited and nervous.
Leader 1: What's going on?
Leader 2: Each year on Christmas Eve my family has a tradition of lighting candles and praying together before we go to bed. This year it's my turn to light the candles and say the prayer. I was really excited about it. I've wanted to do this for a long time. But now that it's really time to do it, I'm scared about it.
Leader 1: Well, that makes sense.
Leader 2: It does? How can I be excited and scared at the same time?
Leader 1: Those two feelings go together a lot of the time, especially with things that are important to us. For example, our story today tells us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger. The time everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived! So God sent angels to tell the good news to some shepherds who were taking care of their sheep. Now you would think the shepherds would be excited to hear that this very special baby was born, and they were. But the first words the angel said were, "Don't be afraid."
Leader 2: So the shepherds were afraid and excited at the same time?
Leader 1: Yes, and it makes perfect sense. When we start a new adventure we are entering the unknown. We know there are going to be lots of surprises and new things to learn, which is exciting; but we also know that we're going to go through lots of changes, which is scary.
Leader 2: But feeling excited makes me want to move forward and being scared makes me want to hide. So what do I do?
Leader 1: We can remember what the angels told the shepherds, "Don't be afraid. God is doing something great here!" First we remember that God is leading us in this adventure. God knows what's ahead and God knows how to lead us safely. So it's going to be okay. Then we take a deep breath, say a prayer, and step forward in faith.
Leader 2: But what if I mess up?
Leader 1: That's okay too. God will be with you to help you. God doesn't ask us to do everything perfectly but to use our faith and trust God. If we do that, we're always going to be okay.
Leader 2: Okay, I'm still a little nervous, but I think I'm ready.
Leader 1: Then let the adventure begin!
Closing Prayer: Loving God who calls us into this new adventure, give us hearts of faith to follow where you call. Help us to be gentle and kind to our fears but not to be ruled by them, so we can discover the great new things you have in mind for us. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Follow-Up Lesson: To reinforce this lesson in a home or classroom environment, give the children a few scenarios where they begin something new -- a new grade in school, moving to a new home, having new siblings (either born or brought in by marriage), and so forth. What are some things that would excite the children? What are some fears the children might have? Fears are associated with thoughts of danger or loss. We're afraid that in the big changes we will lose something we really need. Fears are not silly and they don't go away because we ignore them. Instead the way to deal with fear is to admit that they're there and to share those fears with God or a trusted adult. That way our fears can be soothed and healed, and we are free to move forward in faith.
For a craft idea you will need two construction paper circles per child. (Use paper plates if that's easier.) Draw a line through the middle of both circles. On one half of one circle, instruct the children to write the word "Fear" along with a dark night sky. There might be a small sliver of a moon and a few tiny stars, but mostly it would be dark. Turn the circle over and on the other half invite the children to write the word "Faith" and a picture of the angels singing and a great bright star that fills up the whole scene. Finally take the second circle and invite the children to draw a picture on the lower half depicting the Christmas story -- a manger with the baby, shepherds, Mary and Joseph. Mark a point in the middle of that centerline and tell the children to include one element in the picture that will cover that center point (like a mountain or the top of the stable). Use a hole punch to make a hole on this center point and then cut around the adventure scene, taking off the top half of the circle. Attach the "Fear/Faith" circle on the back of the scene with a round paper fastener. Now you should be able to rotate the back plate from "Fear" to "Faith." Ask the children how the scene seems different with the different backgrounds. Close by reviewing with the children how can move from fear to faith in their own lives. Close with a time of prayer.
