Leven Valley School

Following the assembly at Croftlands school I went down the road to Leven Valley school and did it all again for them.  Each time whenever I ask the children about what there best present would be it is amazing the range of things the children either have or want.  The video clip was a big surprise to all the children particularly the ending.  Once again the laughs came as the box fell open then they realised that it was a cross.  I ended the assembly with Rejoice with us followed by a prayer.

Croftlands Juniors

This morning I went to do Croftlands Junior School assembly.  As per the rest of this week I did our Christmas assembly with the questions about what this time of year is and then showed the John Lewis video clip.  This led into the talk about it being better to give than to receive, I displayed the bible verse from Acts 20:35 then talked about just how much God couldn't wait to give us Jesus.  This led to the best present ever being opened and again as the box fell open the was a bit of a laugh from the children until I explained what it was about.  We finished with our Christmas song followed by a prayer.

Broughton School

This morning Sarah and I went over to Broughton School to do a Christmas/Advent assembly.  We started by Sarah asking what time of year it was - Christmas, winter, December came the answers then Advent.  Sarah then asked the children if they knew what advent was a few hands went up - it is the time that leads up to Christmas, a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas.  We then showed a video clip from a John Lewis advert about a little boy waiting for Christmas day to come.  He looks at the clock and tries to make it move on then rushes to finish his meal before running upstairs to bed on Christmas Eve.  When he wakes up in the morning he walks past all his presents and gifts and instead of opening them goes to get a present to give to his parents.  Sarah asked a few questions about what the children had just watched and asked if they expected the ending to be as it was.  She then talked about presents and the best presents we have had and asked a few children what they were.  I then took my present with it's red ribbon and bow and told the children that this was the best gift ever.  As I opened it up there was NOTHING in side it so the children laughed but then as I let the box fall open it showed a cross.  I explained that Christmas is the time of year when we think about God giving us Jesus - the greatest gift of all why because he died for us.  Sarah then introduced the song Rejoice with us  and afterwards said a prayer to close.

St Peters

This morning Sarah and I went to St Peters to do our Christmas assembly for the children.  We had a great time with them as we asked them about what time of year it was and what they thought was their best ever gift or present.  We once again showed the John Lewis advert with the boy who waited and waited until it was Christmas Day then forgetting all his gifts went and got a gift out and took it to his parents.  The point was simple it is better to give than to receive which is taken from Acts 20:35.  I then took a present that had a nice red bow and ribbon on it and told the children that it was the greatest gift ever in the box.  But opening it up there was NOTHING inside it so as the children laughed and as I went to scratch my head I let the box fall open to reveal a cross.  Pausing for a moment I wrapped the red ribbon on to the cross and explained that Jesus is God's special gift to us and reminded the children about what Jesus did for us.  Sarah then introduced the Christmas song Rejoice with Us and to close said a prayer.

Croftlands Infants School

This afternoon we went to do the Christmas assembly idea at Croftlands Infants School.  We took with us the video projector and a screen to that we could show the video.  Sarah again asked the children what time of year it was and asked the children what Advent was all about, then we showed the video and again Sarah explained a little about the clip and handed over to me to show my box that had nothing in it but was the greatest gift ever given because as the boxes drops it opens out flat to make a cross shape and I reminded the children that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus - God's greatest gift to us.  Sarah then introduced our Christmas song Rejoice with us and after the sing she closed off the assembly with a prayer.

Low Furness School

This morning Sarah and I did our Christmas assembly for the children of Low Furness School.  As we wanted the children to watch a video we didn't start with a song instead Sarah talked about the time of year and what it is all about - advent.  Then we showed the John Lewis advert from 2011 about a boy waiting for the arrival of Christmas Day.  He counts down the days looks at the clock several times is seen rushing his food on what is Christmas Eve.  Then it happens Christmas Day, he gets up runs past the pile of presents which are at the foot of his bed and instead collects a big present that he has been keeping safe and walks into his mum and dad's room to give it to them.  Sarah then talked about the clip and asked the children questions like - did you expect that to happen?, what was the boy waiting for? She then explained that it is always better to give than to receive and we displayed a verse from Acts 20:35 about giving.  Sarah then handed over to me and I took a box that had a nice red bow on it and as I held it I explained that this was the greatest gift ever, then as I opened it and looked inside there was nothing in it - expect a piece of paper that said NOTHING.  But as I went to scratch my head letting the box fall it made into a cross.  I then placed the red ribbon over it and explained that the greatest gift is Jesus and it was given to us a Christmas by God - and that is why we celebrate Christmas.  Sarah then concluded and linked into our Christmas song Rejoice with us this Christmas,  At the end I closed in prayer.

Church Walk

This morning Sarah and I went along to Church Walk School to do the first of our Christmas assemblies of the year.  We didn't start with a song instead Sarah asked the children what day it was - Monday, 1st December were the sort of answers she got back until someone said the start of advent.  She explained that advent is the time of year just before Christmas and it is a time of waiting.  This linked to the 2011 John Lewis advert about a boy who waited and waited for Christmas to come and when it did eventually come he got up on Christmas morning ran past all his presents that were at the foot of his bed and went instead to the cupboard were he was hiding a present which he took and gave to his mum and dad.  Sarah explained to the children about the advert and asked a few questions about it she then linked in the bible verse ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35.  She then handed over to me and I showed the children a present that had a red bow on it and as I started to open it I was asking what was inside it.  Then I revealed that there was nothing inside it well there was a note saying NOTHING.  But I said Christmas is about God giving us the greatest ever gift in sending Jesus to be born on the earth and as I said this I dropped the sides of the box open to show a cross - Jesus the greatest gift.  Sarah then concluded and linked to the song Rejoice with us this Christmas.  After the song Sarah closed with a prayer.