A Magi-cal Approach to Worship

What are the Magi doing in the Christmas story - they're a bit mysterious, don't you think? And for that matter, what is a magi, or a mage? Probably best to clear up a bit confusion first.

Joel Payne has written an interesting article on the Magi which is well worth checking out. It's posted at EngageWorship.org

Fresh Christmas Resources for Children's Ministry

Here are some great ideas re possible Advent/Christmas activities for your context…
Bible Society Seeds Christmas Issues
Christian Playgroup Storytime Christmas Surprises 

From the Uniting Church in South Australia…
 
Adorable Multi-Age Worship Resource

Summer Sundays and Celebrate Jesus 

From Barnabas November eNews
A Sheep's Tale
Christmas Story Beads
Christmas games - activities for a children's or all-age session
Church-sized Christingles - get everyone involved in a twist on this traditional service
Christmas - Have I got good news for you! -the Bible in TV programmes
Operation Christmas Child - a reflective story
Packing up Christmas - some games that tell a story
Presenting the Christmas message through sounds
Seasonal Shopping - an all-age nativity sketch
Multi-Age Advent - an Advent service focusing on John the Baptist's prophetic ministry.

 
 

Advent Notes

• The reason for the Advent season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent or Coming, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent or Coming. We look forward to both, and remember that Christ could return at any time, and we must be ready.
• In some churches and especially Eastern Orthodox ones, Advent has become a time to fast. In a similar way to Lent, it has become a time to clear their lives and minds and make space to allow God to move. Fasting allows people to concentrate on God, and makes the feasting of the celebration of Christmas all the more enjoyable.Jesus
• “Gaudete Sunday” is the old name for the third Sunday in Advent, when people moved from fasting and praying , and started to look forward to Christmas. “Gaudete” means ‘rejoice” in Latin, and reminds us that the coming of Jesus really is something to rejoice about!