Christmas Photograph and Activity Pack

The aim of this resource is to help pupils explore the biblical account of

the Christmas story in a more creative and discussion based way.

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 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 Christmas story.

A good lesson will always delve deeper into the issues being explored.

At the same time, however, there needs to be an acknowledgement that

none of us know all the answers. It is therefore important for the pupils,

when engaging with these activities, to realise that in many cases there

are no right or wrong answers.

Bible references are included within the activity ideas. Wherever possible

using the biblical script adds vibrancy and depth to the lesson as well

as giving authenticity to the work you are doing. Over the years many

myths have been added onto the Christmas story and it is important for

the pupils to separate them from what is actually written in the Bible.

We hope you enjoy using this pack and please do contact us and share

with us the great work you are doing. We want to help celebrate the

success stories.

Image Activity ideas

Mary

• Who or what do you think Mary is looking at?

• How do you think she is feeling – what makes you think that?

• Read Luke 1:26-56. How would you describe Mary – what kind of person is she?

• Write a diary entry for Mary reflecting on the day she saw the angel.

• Write a dialogue between Mary and her mother following the visit from the angel.

• How would you feel if you were Mary?

Joseph

• What is Joseph thinking about? • How is he feeling – what makes you think

that? • Read Matthew 1:18-25. What type of person

was Joseph? • How would you react if an angel spoke to

you in a dream? • Write a dialogue between Joseph and his

best friend where he explains all the things that have happened?

Journey to Bethlehem

• Read Luke 2:1-7. How would you feel if you were Mary and Joseph and you had to make this journey?

• The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about 130 km and would probably take about four days on foot. The Bible says nothing about a donkey, so we can’t be sure if they traveled on one or not.

• There were lots of bandits at that time that would attack travelers, and even lions and bears to be aware of. So traveling alone could be dangerous – maybe they traveled in a group. What would that journey have been like? Where would they have stayed? How would they have eaten? What would the conversation be like?

Image Activity Ideas

Jesus is born

• The media tells us that in the UK the cost of having a new baby and looking after it for the first year is £1000. Why does it cost so much money? What do people buy for the baby? Compare this with Jesus’ birth.

• The Bible tells us that when Jesus was born there was no room in the inn and so Mary wrapped him in cloths and laid him in an animal feeding box (manger).

• Look up the word incarnation – what does it mean? Read John 1:1-18. The Word is another name for Jesus. What does John say about Jesus? It is important to realise that Christians believe that Jesus was no ordinary baby but God in human form. If this was the case how do you think Mary and Joseph felt?

• Christians also believe that Jesus’ birth had been spoken about thousands of years before it happened (this is called prophecy). Read Isaiah chapters 7 and 9 – which verses do you think may be talking about Jesus?

• Write a newspaper report about the birth of Jesus – think about who he was and where he was born.

The shepherds

• Read Luke 2:8-21. The first people to hear about Jesus’ birth were a group of shepherds. These were the tough men who were used to defending their sheep but when faced with an angel they were terrified. What do you think angels look like? What do you think they do?

• The word angel comes from the Greek word ‘angelos’ meaning messenger or envoy. So angels are in fact God’s messengers or representatives. There are many references to angels in the Bible.

• Read Numbers 22:21-31, Matthew 28: 1-3, Luke 1:5-20 and Acts 12: 1-11. Has your idea of what an angel is like changed?

• What would it mean to you if angels were real? How would you feel if you met one?

• Based on what you have learnt draw a picture of an angel.

Image Activity Ideas The Wise Men

• We know very little about the wise men – we don’t even know how many there were. Read Matthew 2 – what can you find out about these people? The story of Jesus and his family fleeing to Egypt, does it remind you of another Bible story?

• Imagine that you are the one of the wise men – what would you pack for the journey? What would it be like having to navigate by just using the stars? How would their journey be different if it took place today?

• Why did Herod behave how he did? What was he worried about? Was he right to be worried?

The gifts

• What gift would you give to a newborn baby?

• Why do you think the wise men gave the gifts they did?

• The wise men presented Jesus with gifts that are understood to be symbols or signs of who he was and the life he would live. Gold points to the fact that Jesus was a king - not of an earthly kingdom but of a spiritual one. Frankincense was a symbol of worship and myrrh was a sign of the type of death Jesus would have to suffer.

• In light of all that you have found out about Jesus what gift would you have given him? Be imaginative – it does not have to be a physical present or one that you could actually give – you might give him a sunset or your friendship. Why would you give that particular gift to him?

Christmas Card

• Now that you have a deeper understanding of the Christmas story design a series of Christmas cards that reflect the real Christmas story.

Christmas card image used with kind permission from Traidcraft.