Year 4 Christianity. Why do Christians think about Incarnation at Christmas? What is the Trinity? (Autumn 2B)

• Session 1 - How do different Bibles tell the story of the Nativity?

  KEY WORDS Incarnation; Good News; Prince of Peace; Nativity

  Have a look at the range of religious Christmas Cards and Stained Glass Windows which tell the story of the nativity. Each pack should include different scenes from the story. Nativity Christmas cards

  Definition of the word Incarnation

  In your group create a road along your table. Together can you work out the order of the story and place them along the road.

  • Look at the texts from the Bible remembering the bible is a source of authority for Christians

  • Place the texts alongside the cards at the different parts of the journey.

• Explain there are some really important concepts which we need to think about.

• Explore where Incarnation and Good News will be added into the journey. Each group should know their character to focus on. Follow that journey talking through the emotions and events according to that character. If the character was on social media doing updates, what might they have written.

• Explore the story of the Nativity from ‘The Glorious Impossible’ by Madeleine L'Engle emphasising the wonder of the incarnation for Christians.

BIG QUESTION - Why was Jesus called the Prince of Peace?

Year 3 and 4 - Christianity  "Why do Christians think about Incarnation at Christmas?" 

With a range of religious Christmas Cards and Stained Glass Windows tell the story of the nativity. Each pack includes different scenes from the story. Now create a road along your group table.

Place words alongside the cards at the different parts of the journey. There are some really important concepts which we need to think about. Try to explore where Incarnation and Good News will be added into the journey. Each group will have a character to focus on, then follow that journey talking through the emotions and events according to that character with your partner or group. 

Why was Jesus called the Prince of Peace?

Some words which may help in todays lesson... Incarnation    Good News    Prince of Peace    Nativity

Definition - Incarnation Nativity Chrismas cards

What is a Christingle and how does it help us develop our understanding of the Incarnation?

Some words which may help in todays lesson... World, Jesus, Light, Love, Blood, Creation, Darkness, God   Light    Darkness    Jesus

What is Christingle?

Children to then write these words in a few sentences to show that they know what it means. Look at a Christingle and explain the symbolism and how the word Christingle means Christ Light. What does each symbol mean to a Christian and how would it be described in a service at church? Look at photos of a Christingle service and imagine yourself there. What clues can you find out?

Write some enquiry questions about the Christingle and see if your partner can answer them. 

Reflect on Jesus bringing light to the world or how you can bring light to others.

http://www.grahamkendrick.co.uk/songs/item/386-song-for-christingle-can-you-see-what-we-have-made

Christingle Prayer - Graham Kendrick

Why is the incarnation an important concept in Christianity? 

Looking at the Biblical verses to unpack together as part of a circle time discussion.

We are looking at some special words for Christians.   

Incarnation     Word     Flesh     God     Jesus

John 1 verses 1 and 2 - 

John 1. 1. 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1 | KJV Bible | YouVersion

John 1 verse 14 -  

John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh — That very person who was in the beginning-who was with God-and who was God, John 1:1, in the fulness of time became flesh-became incarnated by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin.

John1:14 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org

Luke 2 verses 1-20  - 

Luke 2 v1-20 by Saddleback Kids   (any questions Mrs H-S will try and answer next week)

An outline of a Christmas Tree which you each have. You will need to draw large baubles to place your words inside as you go along.

Listen to each of the verses and write in the bauble why that verse is important for a Christian

Can they explain the term Incarnation to a partner? 

How can we think more deeply about incarnation using Christmas Carols? 

Working with a partner, come up with a deep thinking enquiry question about Christmas Carols. Look at the questions together as a class, are there any which the children can answer straight away from their own personal experiences.

• Listen to ‘O Come o come Emmanuel’, around 700 years old and still sang at Advent. Who can explain what Advent is? 

What is the message that Christians want to tell other people? 

Gaudete - Sing ‘Gaudete’ together (the chorus is quickly learnt). Do you think this carol is older or younger than ‘O Come’?

• Look at some photos of Bethlehem today.  Why do Christians visit the Church of the Nativity? Is it a pilgrimage? Then go back in time and look at reconstructive photos of what Bethlehem looked like at the birth of Jesus. 

• Look at a photo of the shepherds from the film Nativity. Children to reflect on how they would have felt to have been a shepherd in that scene.

Hark the Herald.  Which words mean something to you?

• Finally look at Silent Night. Explore the history of the song, sing verse one in German then look at its WW1 links.  

How do Christians worship at Christmas?  

Bible Gateway passage

O Come, O Come Emmanuel