December 25th – The reason for the season
December 24th – A Star Shining in the Night
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men[a] from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,[b]and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,[a] the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12)
Have you been following the Star and finding the Stars and other things across Kings Hill this December?
Today, 4pm in the Discovery School we will be finding out what it all means, what the words, the Journey and the stars are all about.
The Wise Men and Shepherds went to worship a King, a Saviour, someone who transformed the world – what are you worshipping this Christmas?
December 23rd – A New Star
The Final Star is out, and there is something different about this one, can you find it and spot the difference?
To complete the puzzle and collect your prize, come along to our Scratch Nativity on Christmas Eve to find out what it’s all been about.
But where is the star? The final star is back to where it all began, but if you turn around you will see me hanging in a window!
December 22nd – Joseph
Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him;
(Matthew 1: 19-24a)
What have you done, that you were uncertain about to begin with, but then turned out amazing?
Joseph faced disgrace, and ridicule when Mary got pregnant. In those days being pregnant outside of wedlock would have been a terrible thing. But Joseph stood by Mary, took the flak, stood up for something he believed in.
When have you stood up for those being ridiculed, or how can you stand up for those who face hardship today?
A New Star
A new star is out, find it somewhere along Milton Lane, don’t forget to note down the word and come along on Christmas Eve to find out what it all means. The Final Star tomorrow.
December 21st – Mary
But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”[c] The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
(Luke 1:29-38)
Mary was shocked and surprised at being chosen by God to fulfil his plans on earth.
What have you been shocked and surprised at this last week?
What do you know about your future now, that you didn’t know at the beginning of Advent?
Talk to the people around you and then give thanks to God for his continued surprise in your life.
December 20th – Angel
This week as well as the final stars and the angels making an appearance, we will be reflecting on the Nativity story.
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.
(Luke 1:26-28)
The Angel’s announced Christ was to be born to Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds. Think back over your day what has changed in your life this week, in a way that you never thought it would? Tell someone about it!
December 19th – Give Away
Have you been collecting your advent box? Well it’s time to give it away. Take a picture of your box and send it to us, the go and donate your box to the food bank or charity shop so they may be able to use it for Christmas.
We’re not done yet, this coming week lots of stars to find, a nativity service to explain what it all means and some daily reflections.
December 18th – End of Term
For many today is the end of school term, for many teachers it means a period of rest and preparation, for children, rest, home work, and maybe a lie in or two.
Think back over the last six weeks – what has changed in your life? What have been your thoughts and prayers as a family about what may or may not happen? Where have you seen signs of hope in your lives? Talk about it as a family or to friends.
December 17th – Let’s get Social
Have you been following the star? Have you been taking part in the challenges or collecting a box together? If you have why not tell someone what you’ve been unto and what it has meant. Or even tweet us a picture, post a picture to our Facebook wall or email a picture to us. Let us know what you’ve been doing.
Get your box ready to give away on Saturday (and why not take a picture of it and send it to us as well!)
December 16th – Shhh!
Today’s challenge is to become anonymous and give a gift without anyone knowing it was you who gave it. It doesn’t have to be anything big or special, a chocolate bar in someone’s pocket, an encouraging note on someone’s desk or maybe just paying forward for a persons drink two behind you in the coffee shop line.
Add a message saying Jesus is the reason.
Do you dare?
December 15th – Help?
Later a new star, but a question or challenge to start the day, how can you help someone today?
The Star is out!
The new Star is out now, for just 48 hrs, but where and what does it say?
Hanging in a window, near a bus stop on Beacon avenue is where you have to search.
December 14th – Joy!
Yesterday was the third Sunday of Advent, a Sunday of Joy because all the bible readings were Joyous. The central message of Christmas is God bringing joy to the world through the birth of the baby Jesus (that why we sing carols such as ‘Joy to the world’).
Talk about and ask people around you, what brings you joy, or what makes you joyous and how can you spread joy to others this Christmas (and presents are not the only way!)
Did you find the Kings?
They’ve moved on in their journey and gone for the time being, but tomorrow another star to find.
December 13th – Quality Time
Do you feel that you never have any time to spend with people that matter?
Quality time is important with friends and family is important, Jesus used to spend quality alone time in prayer alone and also with his closest friends the disciples.
Todays challenge is to switch off and spend quality time with those around you.
Switch off your emails*, your Facebook, twitter account, put down your smart phone and spend quality time with your family or friends, not being distracted with what’s going on in other places. Do something different, without your phone glued to your right hand.
Why not see what happens and what you talk about when you do.
You could always find where the Kings are heading!
*of course if you are working they maybe a problem, so why not nominate a day this week when you will switch off.
December 12th – Kings!
The Kings have started their journey following the star, but where are they going?
Can you find them and find out where they are going?
In phase 1 is where they are, near a green, under a star, but we will be gone Monday morning!
December 11th – Rest
How do you Rest?
Do you play sport, chill out in front of the TV, cook or bake, go out for walks as a family?
Christmas is a really busy time, and sometimes we forget to rest in all the rushing around.
Talk to people around you about how you will rest this Christmas time.
Tomorrow, something to find
December 10th – Make!
Have you found the new star yet?
All through the Christmas build up we search for something. The perfect present, food, table decorations or that one present that seems to be out of stock everywhere.
The Wisemen were searching for that special gift, the gift of a new born King, but first they searched in the wrong place, the palace of King Herod (you can read about it here)
What are you searching/looking for this Christmas?
Make
Rather than hunting for that special present, why not make something special for someone close to you. Make it personal and see their reaction on Christmas day – a cake, a picture, a photograph of a great day out, whatever it is create it with love.
Why not show us your creation by tweeting us a picture of it @CofeKingsHill
December 9th – A New Star!
It’s out, the second star is in the community now, for 48hrs only, can you find it?
Use the clues below to help, collect the word, and enter it on to the sheet to continue your collection. They will be coming quick and fast over the coming week, so on’t delay hunt today!
‘Ames Way’ at a crossroads, In a tree, sparkling at night, is where you will find me.
December 8th – Blessed?
Blessed: bringing happiness and thankfulness
How have you been blessed today? How have people brought you happiness or made you thankful? Think about the past day and discuss with some one how you have been blessed or were a blessing to others?
December 7th – Contact
Who do you miss? Christmas can be a great time, but also sometimes lonely, do you miss someone, or have you lost contact with someone?
Today’s challenge, is to write a card to someone you have lost contact with or who you miss. If that person is no longer in your life, because maybe they have died, maybe write things that you would like to say to them now. However if you still have an address why not put the card in the post and make contact again. You never know it could just cheer their day up!
December 6th – Pause
Do you pray? Prayer is talking to God, not just asking but listening, and the simplest prayer is the one Jesus taught his disciples, known to us as the Lords Prayer.
Cinema’s have banned the advert below, but you can watch it below!
As a Church we believe prayer can change lives, so if you are comfortable to take a risk why not take a chance, and pray the prayer that cinemas banned, and is prayed by millions of Christians across the world every Sunday, and see where it leads you!
Have you prayed? Share you thoughts on our Facebook page!
The first star is only available for a few more hours, quick find it before it goes!
December 5th – Be Kind
Have you found the Star yet?
Whilst you are still looking, today’s challenge, is to do something kind for someone.
Smile at someone, Pay a compliment, carry someones shopping, give someone your place in the supermarket or coffee shop queue, bake a cake and give it away, cook a meal, make a drink, buy a drink?
Whatever you do, don’t tell them why, just do it and see what happens.
Go, Go, GO!
The first star is up!
For 48hrs only
But where?
If you take an ‘odd’ walk up Alton Avenue, you may find, hanging in a tree, watching golfers play, a word on a star for you to collect today.
When you have collected the word, add it to the trail sheet below, and discuss what brings or gives you, what the word says.
December 4th – When and Where?
Today is the day, the first star is being hung in the community, check back throughout the day for the clues of where you will find it!
Magi[a]from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
New International Version (NIV)
December 3rd – Be Prepared
The hunt starts tomorrow –
the first star will pop up on Kings Hill for you to find. But before you go on the hunt, you need a sheet to add what you collect to it.
So download and print off the Follow the Star Trail Sheet, get your torch ready and come back tomorrow to find out where to look!
December 2nd – Advent Box Challenge
This advent, instead of just taking chocolate, lego or something else out of your advent calendar, why not put an item in a box each day to give away?
- You could fill the box with an item of food each day to give to the food bank
- You could fill your box with unwanted clothes or presents and pass them on to a charity shop
- or put a coin in each window of your advent calendar after you’ve taken out to give to a local charity
Or you could do a mixture of all of the above.
Filling a box could and giving it away could give another person or family a Christmas to remember this year!
December 1st – An Introduction and a Question
Discuss: What’s something you’re looking forward to?