Preparing The Tree
Children's sermon
THE BIG INFLUENCE OF SMALL THINGS
Exegetical Aim: Making preparations in our personal lives for Christ's coming.
Props: A small Christmas tree, ornaments to be used to decorate the tree, and small bulbs with the following words written on them: Love, Obey, Truth, Help, Heal, Patient, Trust, Hate, Disobey, Fib, Lie, Mean, Hurt, Brat. Use a small brush and decorating paint to write the words on the bulbs. Place the bulbs in a second container. Half of the positive and half the negative bulbs should be given to the children.
Lesson: Place the Christmas tree in the middle of the children. Less than two weeks to go and...? (Christmas is here) How many of you are ready? They will all raise their hands or say, "I am." Oh? Are you sure? (response) When do you know that you are ready for Christmas? (response) What are some things that you have to do to get ready for Christmas? (response) What are some other things you need to do to get ready? (response) What are some things we should not do to get ready for Christmas? (response)
One of the things we need to do to get ready for Christmas is decorate the tree. I have my ornaments and the Christmas tree for my office with me this morning and I need your help to decorate it. Hand out the ornaments and allow them to finish.
Distribute the bulbs when they finish. Don't put these bulbs on the tree just yet. I want you to look at your bulbs. Ask each child the following questions: What does your bulb say? (truth) Is telling the truth a way to prepare for Christmas? (yes) Then hang it on the tree. Negative example: What does your bulb say? (fib) Is telling fibs a way for use to prepare for Christmas? (no) Does that belong on a Christmas tree? (no) Good. Let's not put it there then.
Application: There are many things we need to do to get ready for Christmas. Buy presents for one another, decorate our trees, and come to church. But what's the most important way we prepare? (response) If they need help: Can you look at the bulbs on the tree and tell me? (response) It's by preparing ourselves. John the Baptist did this. Jesus said that he prepared the way for his coming. Let's all do that this Christmas.
Let's Pray: Lord, we want to prepare for Christmas by being more loving and less hateful, by being more truthful and telling no lies, by helping and not hurting others, and by trusting you and not doubting your love. We pray in the name of the one for whom we are waiting, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Props: A small Christmas tree, ornaments to be used to decorate the tree, and small bulbs with the following words written on them: Love, Obey, Truth, Help, Heal, Patient, Trust, Hate, Disobey, Fib, Lie, Mean, Hurt, Brat. Use a small brush and decorating paint to write the words on the bulbs. Place the bulbs in a second container. Half of the positive and half the negative bulbs should be given to the children.
Lesson: Place the Christmas tree in the middle of the children. Less than two weeks to go and...? (Christmas is here) How many of you are ready? They will all raise their hands or say, "I am." Oh? Are you sure? (response) When do you know that you are ready for Christmas? (response) What are some things that you have to do to get ready for Christmas? (response) What are some other things you need to do to get ready? (response) What are some things we should not do to get ready for Christmas? (response)
One of the things we need to do to get ready for Christmas is decorate the tree. I have my ornaments and the Christmas tree for my office with me this morning and I need your help to decorate it. Hand out the ornaments and allow them to finish.
Distribute the bulbs when they finish. Don't put these bulbs on the tree just yet. I want you to look at your bulbs. Ask each child the following questions: What does your bulb say? (truth) Is telling the truth a way to prepare for Christmas? (yes) Then hang it on the tree. Negative example: What does your bulb say? (fib) Is telling fibs a way for use to prepare for Christmas? (no) Does that belong on a Christmas tree? (no) Good. Let's not put it there then.
Application: There are many things we need to do to get ready for Christmas. Buy presents for one another, decorate our trees, and come to church. But what's the most important way we prepare? (response) If they need help: Can you look at the bulbs on the tree and tell me? (response) It's by preparing ourselves. John the Baptist did this. Jesus said that he prepared the way for his coming. Let's all do that this Christmas.
Let's Pray: Lord, we want to prepare for Christmas by being more loving and less hateful, by being more truthful and telling no lies, by helping and not hurting others, and by trusting you and not doubting your love. We pray in the name of the one for whom we are waiting, Jesus Christ. Amen.