Year 4 Christianity. Why do Christians think about Incarnation at Christmas? What is the Trinity? (Autumn 2)
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?
Session 2 - What is a Christingle and how does it help us develop our understanding of the Incarnation?
KEY WORDS - Light of the world; Darkness; Jesus
Lesson Starter - Play class Pictionary using the key concept words – World, Jesus, Light, Love, Blood, Creation, Darkness, God.
Write these words, taking it in turns with a partner, in a few sentences to show that they know what they mean.
What is a Christingle?
The word Christingle means ‘Christ Light’. The Christingle is made up of symbols.
What is a symbol?
What does each symbol on the Christingle mean to a Christian and how would it be described in a service at church?
Look at the photos of the Christingle service and imagine yourself there.
What clues can you find out?
Will there be any Christingle services in your local churches?
Write some enquiry questions about the Christingle and see if your partner can answer them.
Make your own illustrated drawing of a Christingle.
Reflect on Jesus bringing light to the world or how you can bring light to others.
Whilst illustrating the Christingle listen to some modern Christian Christmas Carols
Session 3Why is the incarnation an important concept in Christianity?
KEY WORDS Incarnation; Word; Flesh; God; Jesus; Trinity
Focus on Biblical verses to unpack together as part of a class discussion.
This session we are looking at some special words for Christians from the bible which is a source of authority.
We are going to look together at some verses from the New Testament and in particular the Gospels.
Look at John 1 verses 1 and 2, John 1 verse 14 and Luke 2 verses 1-20. (Listed below)
ACTIVITY - Have an outline of a Christmas Tree on a board with some baubles cut out.
As we go through each of the verses, write on a bauble why that verse is important for a Christian.
Some examples include “Jesus is God”, “God became a person”, “Jesus was born a baby and became the Saviour”, “Jesus lived with people who weren’t perfect”,
QUESTION - What is the best way to start a story? It is to start at the beginning. This is what John does.
He is describing Jesus as “The Word” and is telling Christians about Jesus as God.
DISCUSS the concept of the Trinity.
Can you explain the term Incarnation to a partner? If time compare the text from different Bible translations using the website, Bible Gateway.
FINAL ACTIVITY - Write a star for at the top of the tree explaining why the Incarnation is important for Christians.
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
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 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.
Luke 2 verses 1-20 -
Luke 2 v1-20 by Saddleback Kids
(any questions Mrs H-S will try and answer next week)
Session 3 How do Christians around the world celebrate the Incarnation?
KEY WORDS Nativity; Church as a worldwide family
On tables look at the range of nativity sets from around the world.
In a carousel style, look at the different nativities and investigate them in detail.
Record on the A3 sheets of paper on the table any unique features of this nativity set.
By looking at the clues, can you identify the country the nativity set came from?
Session 5 How can we think more deeply about incarnation using Christmas Carols?
KEY WORDS - Message; Carols; Community; Incarnation; Bethlehem; Pilgrims
What Christmas Carols or songs do you know?
Which do they think people will be singing in 50 years’ time, 100 years or even 500 years?
What is the difference between a Christmas song and a Christmas Carol?
We are going to be encountering some sacred songs as we look at each one, make a note of any descriptions of Jesus or words which are about Incarnation.
You will need A5 paper, a pencil and some colours! Good listening ears!! Great recording skills!!!
Can they find any references to the Trinity?
• 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’?
It is 400 years old. Now sing it with your eyes closed pretending you were singing it 400 years ago.
Listen and sing ‘Once in Royal David’s City’. This carol is from 1849 and is often sung at the start of a Carol Service.
History and facts about Once in Royal David’s City.
The lyrics to Once In Royal David’s City is a poem written by Cecil Frances Alexander.
The poem was published in Hymns for little Children in 1848.
Music to the Christmas carol was composed by the organist Henry John Gauntlett a year later.
Pick one of the four verses and draw an accompanying illustration.
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.
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?
Think back at the songs we have looked at this lesson...
Which ones have helped us to learn more about Incarnation?
Which have you preferred?
Which have made you wonder?
TEACHERS NOTES -
For guidance on making a Christingle https://shop.childrenssociety.org.uk/how-to-make-a-christingle-video-digital-download.html
Check with SLT as to whether you can light your Christingles and use of knives in the classroom for cutting the oranges.
What Is Christingle? | The Children's Society
The incarnation of Jesus - The nature of God and Jesus in Christianity - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - AQA - BBC Bitesize
Resources - RE:quest (request.org.uk)
30 Bible Verses About the Birth of Jesus (With Commentary) - Scripture Savvy NOT FOR PUPILS - too many adverts
Nativity is taken from the Latin “nativus”, which means “arisen by birth.” A nativity scene is a representation of the night of Jesus’ birth. Nativities can be painted in pictures, models, live demonstrations, or even carvings, but they usually contain the same elements set inside a stable, which includes Jesus in a manger, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, various barn animals, a star, and the three wise men with their gifts.
MUSIC for the following weeks
Bing Videos Modern Christmas songs
Danny Gokey - Mary, Did You Know? (Live Acoustic Sessions) - YouTube
Christ centred songs
Bing Videos Christmas carols
Session 5 song links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xtpJ4Q_Q-4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7mAzAUzSLU
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
Year 3/4 Christianity B Why do Christians think about Incarnation at Christmas? |
|
1 |
How do different Bibles tell the story of the Nativity? |
2 |
What is a Christingle and how does it help us develop our understanding of the Incarnation? |
3 |
Why is the incarnation an important concept in Christianity? |
4 |
How do Christians around the world celebrate the Incarnation? |
5 |
How can we think more deeply about incarnation using Christmas Carols? |
6 |
How do Christians worship at Christmas? which words from the Bible about incarnation may be read in church at this time? |