Christmas stories

Supports RE syllabus teaching about the Christmas story, Christmas as a special time and the meaning of Christmas.

Full day: 6 classes.  Half day: 3 classes (Class sessions last 45 minutes and can be repeated to suit school timings, or combined with another Christmas workshop)

Pupils are drawn into a magical storytelling world on the hills above Bethlehem as the shepherd tells the tale of the night the Angel Gabriel visited him on the very first Christmas.  The session concludes with time for pupils to reflect on why Jesus is special for Christians and the opportunity to make an angel.

Supports RE syllabus teaching about the Christmas story, Christmas as a special time and the meaning of Christmas.

Full day: 6 classes.  Half day: 3 classes (Class sessions last 45 minutes and can be repeated to suit school timings, or combined with another Christmas workshop)

Gather round as an old astronomer tells of the time he spotted a brilliant star in the sky.  Hear how he set off on a journey to bring gifts to a king and found the most amazing baby.

This dramatic telling of the version of the nativity in St Matthew's Gospel takes pupils on a wonderful journey with the wise men.  The session concludes with time for pupils to consider the symbolism of each of the gifts given, to reflect on why Christians believe Jesus to be a gift and the opportunity to make a star.

Supports RE syllabus teaching about the meaning of Christmas, why Christians call Jesus the Light of the World and the themes of Christmas.

Full day: 4 classes.  Half day: 2 classes.

This workshop is a reflective look at the birth of Jesus.  The nativity story is told in 13 stages; starting with the world and ending with love.  Each stage is unpacked as a symbol from a box, along with a corresponding bead, which pupils thread onto a wire to create their own Christmas story beads.  The story beads are an effective tool to encourage pupils to re-tell and reflect on the Christmas story and its meaning for Christians.

Supports RE syllabus teaching about the meaning of Christmas and the themes of Christmas.

Full day: 4 classes.  Half day: 2 classes.

Hear the nativity story from key witnesses to the events: the innkeeper describes his shame at not offering the Holy Family a proper bed; Joseph expresses his fears about being a father to the Son of God; Mary talks about the angel's visit and her big decision; the shepherds leave their sheep long enough to describe their fear when the sky filled with angels; and Gabriel tells of God's big message.

The session concludes with time for pupils to reflect on the themes and meaning of Christmas and the opportunity to develop one of the character stories in their own words.

Supports RE syllabus teaching about how, and why, Advent is important to Christians.

Full day: 4 classes.  Half day: 2 classes.

Hear the story of how God prepared his people for the coming of His son.  Starting with Adam and Eve and ending with Jesus, Tales from the Jesse Tree introduces pupils to the stories of key figures from the Old Testament and encourages them to reflect on the historical family tree of Jesus.  As each tale unfolds the family of God in scripture comes vividly to life.

Jesse Trees carved in wood, stone and in stained glass were once found in many churches and cathedrals and served as the family tree of Jesus.  These stories are a perfect way to help pupils understand the importance of Advent for Christians.