Christmas. Overview of the Material and Lesson Ideas

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1 Overview of the Material and Lesson Ideas Christianity Unpacked is a complete toolkit for teaching the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. The purpose of this section is to look at the beliefs, facts and traditions surrounding and its importance to Christians today. Below is an index of key material for use within this topic, please note that there is further material available on the RE:quest and RE:start sites that you may also find helpful. FILMS and MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES Title Aim Content overview Introduction to What makes special? A Biblical Account of The Nativity Story An interactive introduction to To compare the commercial with the Christian festival To look at the biblical account of To challenge preconceptions about whilst looking at the story. This introduction to outlines the biblical account of the story whilst also exploring the history of some of the more common traditions Rachel and her family are busy getting ready for trees, presents, food and TV. But is this really what is all about? This film compares the hassles and disappointments of the commercial with the true festival. A short film that retells the biblical story of. Gran and Mark are getting ready for. As they do so Gran begins to tell Mark what is really about, at the same time answering his questions such as

2 The Nativity Story Joseph Mary The Great Big Quiz Traditions Timeline To challenge preconceptions about whilst looking at the story. To consider the events of the first from Joseph s view. Gran and Mark are getting ready for. As they do so Gran begins to tell Mark what is really about, at the same time answering his questions such as whether angels are all girls and if the wise men were really that wise. This film considers what Joseph may well have been thinking when he discovered his fiancé was having a baby and it wasn t his. To explore the character of Mary Set in modern days, this film considers who Mary was and her possible thoughts and feelings as she discovers that she is going to have God s son. Test, and possibly expand, your knowledge of To look at the origins of some of the well-known This fun quiz is an easy way of testing what the class actually knows about the real and what common falsehoods they have picked up along the way. This image based timeline offers a short introduction to some of the most well known traditions WORKSHEETS AND PRINTABLE RESOURCES Title Aim Content overview Talk about sheet Discussion Aid This very simple sheet can act as a recording sheet for any group discussions. Diamond Nines A discussion starter Diamond Nines is always a good way to help start and encourage any discussion this sheet particularly focuses on what are the key elements of Photo and Activity Pack To aid discussion and encourage in depth discussion The pack contains 8 images that can be either downloaded and printed off or used in an electronic format. To accompany the images there is a table of

3 ideas and discussion questions. The combination of the images and the activity ideas are designed as a tool for pupils, individually or in groups, to engage at a deeper level with the story. Advent Calendar Sheet Craft activity A simple template for a traditional advent calendar Samaritan s Purse Resources Additional material This resource comes from the creators of Operation Child and offers alternative activities and lessons for any school. Traidcraft Advent Calendar Challenge pupils on the true meaning of Advent Calendar with a difference - for each day of Advent it shows how we can pray for the world and help the people in some of the poorest countries in some practical ways.

4 Medium Term Plan Aim Key Questions Activities Resources 1. To begin to separate the Christian festival from the commercial. 1. What is so special about? 1. Brainstorm what the pupils associate with you may want to use cards / advent calendars or other prompts to aid the discussion. The pupils could write their ideas on the! "Talk about sheet. Without letting the class know your thinking separate the biblical and non-biblical ideas into two sets. Once you have finished the discussion ask the pupils if they recognise anything about the two sets you have created. This should begin a discussion that can continue through the weeks, on the real meaning of. Establish the fact that apart from the commercial side - is one of the most important festivals for Christians. 1. Talk about sheet. What makes special? Film Watch the film What makes special? 2. To begin to look at the real. To continue separating the fact from the fiction surrounding. 2. How do Christians view? 2. Begin with Diamond Nines working in groups allow the pupils time to discuss what they see as important about. Give a chance for whole class feedback. You could change this to include some of their ideas from the previous lesson. Next do the Big Quiz, the quiz is a fun way to begin to look at the facts around and to strip away the traditions and customs that have built up around the festival. Re- 2. Diamond Nine Sheet Big Quiz The Nativity Story

5 emphasise the fact that for the most part you will be looking at the Christian festival and not the commercial. Watch the Nativity story this is good as it presents the story in a fun way that challenges some traditional views surrounding the festival. Revisit the Diamond Nine sheet this time ask the pupils to prioritise the things from a Christian perspective. 3. To recognise that the Christian view of comes from two sources the gospels of Luke and Matthew. And to recognise that they have different aims in writing. 3. What is the biblical account of? a. Luke s account b. Matthew s account 3. Before you begin the next part read two differing accounts of one incident but from two very different viewpoints. (Can be factual or fiction). E.g. a football game from the losers and the winners especially if there was a dubious decision made. Or a car accident from a driver s view and an onlooker s. It could be that there was a fault with the car that the onlooker wouldn t necessarily realise. The aim of this is to get over the idea that two people writing about the same incident may write very different accounts. Depending what they know and the audience they are writing for. This is the same with Luke and Matthew. 3. Bibles The Biblical Account of Photo Pack Split the class into two groups have one half looking at Luke s version of the story and the other half looking at the version found in Matthew. Establish what is the same in the accounts and what is different. Ask why this would be the case. Luke wants to emphasise that Jesus had come for all people even the outcastes and the women. This is why his genealogy goes back to Adam and he emphasises Mary s role and the shepherd s

6 place in the account. Matthew on the other hand wants to emphasise Jesus Jewish background this is why he traces Jesus family back to Abraham he also wants to show Jesus link with authority and prestige. Emphasise the gifts that the wise men bring GOLD kingship, FRANKINCENSE religious leader, MYRRH death. Consider: 1. Does the fact that there are 2 different accounts make one right and one wrong? 2. Why may it be seen as important that both accounts were kept in the Bible? The Photo Pack can be used to help develop discussion. Conclude by watching The Biblical Account of. 4. To explore how Mary and Joseph reacted to the events of Jesus birth. To encourage pupils to empathise with the historical figures of Mary and Joseph. 4. Who were Mary and Joseph? 4. Begin by discussing different ways of communication. Move on to discuss ways that God communicates in the Bible. Watch the films as background. Read the passages Luke 1:26-45 and Matthew 1: How would Mary and Joseph be feeling? Why? Either write a letter / from Mary to Elizabeth describing what has happened or write diary entries / blogs from Joseph representing how he felt before the dream and after the dream. The photo pack could be used to help discussion. 4. The Joseph and the Mary films Bibles Photo Pack

7 5. To explore the traditions that have grown up over the years 5. How is celebrated? 5. This would be the ideal time to become creative. The aim of the lesson is to look at the history of some of the most famous traditions and discuss why they have come to be associated with this festival. The traditions timeline has great pictures, short explanations but also links to more detailed resources for such traditions. 5. Craft Material Traditions Timeline Advent Ring Mince pies Whilst it is fun to make, bake and create some it is also important to come back to the teaching point that for many Christians all these things are only really important at if they actually point to Jesus and the incarnation. cards other artefacts.