4/1/09    Second Sunday of Christmas

Theme: The Light of the World

BIBLE READING

John chapter 1 verses 1-18

Preparation

A key theme of this gospel reading is "Jesus the Light of the World", a symbol of this which is becoming increasingly popular is the Christingle - one of which could be used in this assembly. (Christingle: orange with a red ribbon round the centre, a candle stuck in the top, and four cocktail sticks set it in like compass points, each with a small load of "fruits of the earth" such as raisins and sweets.) If you are not able to use a Christingle you will still need a central candle. If possible you also require a number of smaller candles with cardboard protective holders that pupils can carry. If you are not happy with this idea, then you will require a number of small torches instead, but this is not quite so effective.

Some large pieces of paper and felt tip pens.

A Bible to read John chapter 1 verses 1-5, 9-12

Darken the assembly hall as much as is possible before the children arrive and have just the central candle (Christingle) burning.

Introduction

Talk with the assembly about how dark it is at this time of year in Britain, with later sunrises and earlier sunsets, and often-duller days. Estimate how much of your waking time you are dependent upon artificial light sources.

Remind the assembly of the festival they have just been celebrating - Christmas. Even if they did not do anything "religious" over the last few weeks, they will still have celebrated with gift giving and a holiday from work. How do people use light to celebrate Christmas? (e.g. not just Christingles and candle-lit services but also all the Christmas displays in the shops and your own family Christmas trees).

Establish that this is a time of the year when people especially need light to comfort them and guide them and help them to function.

The Message

One of the very important titles Christians have for Jesus is "the Light of the World" (if you are using a Christingle, see if the children can remember its symbolic meaning). There is a very special reading that Christians use this time of the year about Jesus as light and we are going to hear it now:

John chapter 1 verses 1-5, 9-12

There are many places in the world today which feel "dark". Places where awful things are happening like famine, war or exploitation of the poor. Ask the children if they can remember the names of some of the "dark places" or have heard of some of the "dark things" which are happening. (Do remember these need not all be hundreds of miles away from your town or village - all areas of the world have their "dark places") As each name or cause is suggested, call the child up, write their suggestion on a large piece of paper, and send them to stand with it in a corner of the hall, as far from the light as possible.

Once you have several places or problems named, remind the assembly that the only way of chasing away darkness is to replace it with light. What kind of "light" or help do these places need? When you have shared a few suggestions, call up a number of children to light a candle from your central "Christ light" and send them to stand by the "dark places" and light them up.

Prayer

Use the content of your discussion to pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the light of the world, for light to come to these areas of the world's darkness.