Preparation: Bring a large blanket or dark-colored sheet.
Have any of you heard about a man named Jonah? (Let children respond.) Jonah was a prophet of God; he would listen to God and tell the people what God said. One day, God told Jonah to go to a big city and tell the people who lived there that they were being very wicked and that they needed to change their ways. Jonah did not want to do this. He didn’t like the people in that city, and maybe he was afraid of them. Jonah decided to run away and hide from God, so he caught the first ship out of town and away he went.
Do you think Jonah was able to hide from God? What if Jonah hid way down deep inside a ship? Could he hide from God there? (Let children answer.) Well, Jonah did hide in a ship. But God sent a big storm and tossed that boat around so much that the other sailors thought they were going to drown. They found out that it was Jonah’s fault that their ship was being blown about, so do you know what they did? (Let children respond.) They tossed him overboard, and the storm stopped.
Did God let Jonah drown? No! What did he send to save Jonah? (Children may answer.) A great big fish. And what did the fish do? It swallowed Jonah, and Jonah sat in the belly of the fish. Was it a good hiding place from God? No. God can always see us.
(Here you may offer your own story about hiding. My example follows.) I know a little girl who would tiptoe past me with her hands over her eyes. She figured that if she couldn’t see me, I couldn’t see her. Does that work? No. I could still see her. There are people today—even grownups—who think that if they can’t see God, that God doesn’t exist. Is that true? No. That’s like tiptoeing around with your hands over your eyes.
Should we try hiding this morning? Let’s all close our eyes and try to hide from the congregation. Everyone close your eyes. (Now speak to the congregation.) Can you still see us? That didn’t work too well. But I brought a big blanket with me today. I bet if we all get under it, we’ll be able to hide. Let’s try it! (All get under blanket.)
Now the congregation can’t see us, can they? But can God still see us? Yes. We can’t hide from God. He is always watching over us because he loves us and wants to protect us.
Do you know what finally happened to Jonah? The big fish brought Jonah to shore, and Jonah did finally go to that big city. The people listened to Jonah and stopped doing the bad things. Their lives changed because Jonah finally brought to them the message from God.
Lord God in heaven, we can’t hide from you. You know what we do and what we think. Give us the strength and courage to do all the things that you want us to do.
Preparation: Bring an ink pad and small squares of smooth, white paper for making children’s fingerprints; or you may use your own pre-made thumbprints to hand out. You may also bring magnifying glasses to help the children study their fingerprints.
The Psalm for today is beautiful. Psalm 139, verses 13 and 14 read, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it†(nlt). God knew us even before we were born. He knows our every detail. He knows us inside and out.
Have you ever thought about what an amazing creation a human being is? There are so many parts to our bodies, and they usually all work together just the way they are designed to work. Our brains send the right signals to control the many functions in our bodies. Our bones support us, our muscles move us, and our skin protects us. We are wonderfully made!
What do you think is the best thing your body can do? Is the best thing being able to taste food with your tongue, or maybe to sing with your voice? (Let the children talk about what they think is the best.)
Our sense of touch is an amazing thing. Have any of you felt a fly or a mosquito land on your arm? That’s an extremely light touch to be able to feel. Our fingers are especially sensitive. Your fingers can feel the slightest little scratch on a smooth glass surface.
Look at your fingertips. Can you see your fingerprints? A fingerprint is the pattern of tiny bumps and ridges on the tip of your finger. Your fingerprints are unique; no one has the same fingerprints as anyone else. Up close, they are amazing. Some are swirls, some are circles or waves. And God knows every detail of each of us, down to the last fingerprint.
I’d like to give you each something to take home with you to remind you that you are wonderfully made and very special. (If you have a small number of children, you can let each do a fingerprint. Have someone help with the process, making sure they wipe their hands afterward.) I brought an ink pad and paper so that we could make fingerprints. (If you have a large number of children, you could quickly pass out pre-made thumb prints and encourage the kids to do their own prints at home.)
God made each one of you unique. There is no one in the world just like you. And God loves you for who you are. He knows everything about you down to your fingertips. Let’s thank God for doing such a wonderful job in creating you.
Prayer: Thank you dear Lord, our awesome Creator, for making us in such a wonderful way. Thank you for all of our senses and for making each one of us different and unique.
Can anyone tell me what the word repent means? (Child may offer a definition.) If you are doing something bad and you repent, what do you do? You stop doing the wrong thing and begin doing the right thing. The word repent means “to turn around and go the other way.†Could I have a volunteer to help demonstrate the word repent? (Pick a volunteer.)
I would like our helpful volunteer to walk down the center aisle toward the back of the church until you hear me say, “Repent!†That word is almost the same as “About face!†When you hear “Repent!,†you turn around and come back. Let’s try it. (Let the volunteer get partway down the aisle and then call them back with the word repent.) Did this person repent? Yes, they turned around and came back. If only we all could repent as quickly as that!
Before Jesus began preaching, a man named John the Baptist told people to repent. He told them they were going the wrong way; they weren’t thinking about God at all. He wanted them to stop walking away from God, to turn around and walk toward God. And when someone had repented, John the Baptist would baptize him or her in the river.
Was this the same kind of baptism that happens here in church on some Sundays? Was this the same kind of baptism that you had when you were a baby? No, not quite. John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism were different. John was sent by God to get people ready for Jesus. He turned them around and got them to face the right direction. John baptized with water to show that the people had repented and were now living good, clean lives. When you are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, your sin is washed away and something else happens: you are brought into God’s family. In baptism, you become a child of God.
But even though we belong to God and have been baptized into God’s family, we sometimes go in the wrong direction. We sometimes turn away from God and do bad things. That’s when we need to remember the word repent. Then we can turn around and face the right direction. And God will help us repent and turn around.
(After the prayer, you may have all the children practice “doing†the word repent by having them face forward and then turn around to face their parents before returning to their seats. You may say something like the following.) Let’s have everyone face me. Now I’m going to ask all of you to repent and turn to face the other direction. You can all turn around and face your families, and go join them once again.
 Prayer: Forgive us, Lord Jesus, when we go the wrong way. Help us to repent, to turn around and walk with you down the right path. Thank you for forgiving us and walking with us.
Scripture Reference: Luke 2:22-35 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvationâ€
Have any of you ever waited a very long time for something? (Let children answer.) How long did you have to wait? A week? A month? Maybe even a year? Have any of you waited your whole life for something? (Children may respond.)
Simeon was a man who lived a long time ago in Jerusalem, and he waited his whole life—eighty or ninety years—for something very special to happen. He was waiting to meet somebody very important. Do you know who that important person was? (Someone may volunteer the name.)
Simeon was waiting to meet Jesus, the Savior of the world. God had let Simeon know that before he died, he would get to see Jesus in person. Simeon waited his whole life for that moment, and finally when he was an old, old man, it happened.
When Jesus was just a baby, his parents brought him into the temple in Jerusalem. They came to thank God for sending them a special son. They came to thank God for sending them the Savior of the world. That same day that Jesus was brought to the temple, Simeon felt that God was telling him to go to the temple. Simeon knew something very special was going to happen. He was even more excited than the way we feel on Christmas morning. Even though Simeon was an old man, he may have run all the way to the temple.
And when he got there, he knew right away who that little baby was. He took that precious baby in his arms and he burst into song. Simeon, without hesitating, without planning what he was going to say, began to sing a beautiful song.
Have you ever felt like bursting into song? Sometimes you just can’t help yourself. (You may ask one who responds what they might sing when they burst into song. If you like, you can give your own impromptu song.) Mary and Joseph must have been surprised, don’t you think? A dignified old man comes up to them, asks to hold their baby, and then bursts into song.
Actually, I think that was a good thing—in fact, just the right thing—for Simeon to do. We should burst into song more often when we think about Jesus. God sent us a Savior. God sent Jesus! So if you feel like singing today, you go ahead and sing. God will be listening.
Prayer:Â Dear God, we praise you for filling our hearts with songs to sing. We praise you for sending Jesus to us and giving us something wonderful to sing about.
Scripture Reference: Isa. 9:2 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them has light shinedâ€
Preparation: Bring a flashlight or a candle. Arrange with the ushers to turn off the lights at the appropriate time.
It’s Christmas Eve! It’s a wonderful and magical time. On Christmas Eve, we make our final preparations for the arrival of the Christ Child. Jesus, the Light of the world, is coming! In the weeks before Christmas, there are many reminders that the Light is coming. People string lights around their houses, we light the candles on the Advent wreath, around the world people light lanterns, and luminaries line the pathways to house and church.
(Here you may add your own descriptions of the symbolic use of lights at Christmas. My example follows.) I remember when I was a little girl on Christmas Eve, Mother would decorate the Christmas tree with real candles. Then the family would file into the living room singing and see that glorious tree with all of its glowing lights, and we would all gasp! The tree was a reminder of Jesus, the beautiful Light of the world.
Thousands of years ago, before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah told the Israelites that a special light was coming. Isaiah said, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them has light shined†(Isa. 9:2 nrsv). In much of our world today, even the darkest nights are lit up with street lamps and house lights and car headlights. So our “darkness†often isn’t as dark as that in Isaiah’s world. But even so, when we are in the dark, one light can make a difference.
Now I want everyone to quietly hold someone’s hand and try to sit very still while the ushers switch off the lights. We’re going to pretend that we are the people who live in the land of deep darkness. (Lights off.) Now that it’s dark, let’s see what a difference one light makes. (Light candle or flashlight.)
Jesus comes at Christmas as the light to the people in the dark. And even though we modern people have our electric lights and flashlights and streetlights, we are all born in the darkness of sin. Jesus, the Light of the world, comes to push back the darkness of sin, to shine so brightly in our lives that there is not the tiniest bit of dark sin left.
As the ushers turn the lights back on, I invite you to open your hearts to the coming of Jesus, the Light of the world, while we pray together.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, our Savior, thank you for coming into the world as the great Light. Thank you for pushing back the darkness of our sin and surrounding us with the warmth and healing light of your presence. We praise you for Christmas, Lord. Help us to celebrate your glory.
Scripture Reference:Â Luke 2:8-20 “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Preparation: Bring a picture of a shepherd’s staff, or, if possible, a life-size model of a staff. A picture of a bishop or other church official holding a ceremonial staff may also be used. You may also bring shepherd staff-shaped candy canes to hand out.
A very Merry Christmas to you! Are you happy that Christmas is finally here? (Let children respond.) Have you heard people call out to each other, “Merry Christmas!â€? That is a wonderful sound to my ears. Merry Christmas! Did you ever wonder what the very first Christmas greeting sounded like? Now people send Christmas greetings with cards or phone calls or even e-mail, but they also still call out to each other, “Merry Christmas!â€
Who do you suppose were the very first people to shout out the news that Jesus was born? (Children may answer.) The very first people to shout out the good news that Jesus was born were shepherds. The angels told them where to find Jesus, and they ran to the stable and saw the Son of God lying in a manger. They knew right away that this was important news and they told everyone who would listen about the baby Jesus.
Those shepherds were the first preachers. They told everyone the good news. They couldn’t keep quiet. The shepherds were probably not used to speaking out in public, and they were certainly not used to having people listen to them. In those days, shepherds usually did not have much education. They couldn’t read or write. They might never have gone to church. But God sent the angels to the shepherds. They were the first to hear the good news, and they were the first to shout the good news. They had seen and heard something wonderful! God had come to earth. God was right there, lying on a bed of straw.
Have you seen the picture or symbol of a shepherd’s staff anywhere in the church? (Here you may hold up the staff you brought in and/or point out the staff on the church paraments or on a pastor’s stole.) It makes sense for a pastor to wear, or at times even carry, a shepherd’s staff, because shepherds were the first people to tell the world that Jesus was born.
All of you can be honorary shepherds, too. You have heard the good news. You know what Christmas is all about. You can shout out to the world that Jesus is born—just as loud as those shepherds did two thousand years ago. Let’s all be shouting shepherds together, shall we? Let’s all shout, “Merry Christmas! Jesus is born!†(Try it with the children. Afterward you may hand out candy canes for a treat to take home. Show the children how the canes are shaped like shepherd staffs.)
Prayer: We shout and sing, Merry Christmas, dear Jesus, because you have come to earth. Help us to spread the good news far and wide that you were born for all of us.
Preparation: Prepare a distraction of some type to use later in the sermon. For example, one year, I arranged for a helper to drop colorful confetti from the balcony to catch the children’s attention.
Today is the first Sunday in Advent. (You may, at this time, take note of the Advent wreath and other Advent decorations.) Advent is a time of waiting and getting ready for the arrival of Jesus at Christmas, but it is also a time when we think about watching and waiting for Jesus to come again.
Jesus told his disciples very plainly that he was going to return to earth again, but he did not tell them exactly when that would happen. Jesus said that only the Father in heaven knows the exact time. Jesus explained that his return to earth could be compared to a man who left to go on a trip and told his workers what to do while he was gone, but did not tell them when he was coming back. In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13, Jesus said, “Keep a sharp lookout! For you do not know when the homeowner will return—at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak. What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return!†(vv. 35–37 nlt).
Can anyone tell me what it means to keep a sharp lookout? (Let children respond.) You keep a sharp lookout when you watch carefully for something. If you are the lookout, do you have to pay close attention? Do you have to keep awake and alert? (Children may answer.) How many of you are good lookouts? Raise your hand if you think you could keep a sharp lookout.
Well, I have a test for you. I’m going to go out that door (indicate a nearby exit), and I will return through that door. I want everyone to keep a sharp lookout and have your eyes on that door when I come back. Can you do that? I might come back right away, or it may be a little longer, but don’t take your eyes off that door. (You exit and soon after, the “distraction†enters from the opposite direction with a yo-yo or ball, etc. You may return while children are distracted.)
Hello! I’m back! How many of you were still watching the door when I entered? (Pause for response.) Sometimes it can be very hard to keep a sharp lookout, especially when there are other things trying to get your attention. This world is full of distractions, especially as we get close to Christmas. There are decorations and toys and cookies and so many things that keep us from watching and waiting for Jesus. During this season of Advent, let’s try to keep our eyes on the reason for the season. Keep a sharp lookout for Jesus!
 Prayer: Dear Jesus, as we wait for your return, help us to keep our eyes on you. We want to be doing the things that you want us to do while we are waiting.
Here’s a video recording of the children’s sermon puppet skit “The Stuff of Thanksgivingâ€Â from the November 20th, 2011 worship service at West Tokyo Union Church (WTUC) in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Cast: Milo & Mercy (Muppet-style puppets), and Lioness (lion puppet)
Props: Costume jewelry and a sparkly tiara for the lioness; a battered old hat for Milo
Lioness:Â (Enters swathed in jewelry and rich decorations.)
I have lots of stuff, loads of stuff…oodles of stuff. How I love my stuff. I have jewels and money and crowns and robes and really expensive toenail clippers.
Milo:Â (Enters holding a tattered or hat or some other pitiful object.)
What a beautiful day! I have sunshine and fresh air and good friends and red hair! It’s a great day to be alive.
(Milo and Lion bump into each other. Lion drops some of his riches. Milo drops his hat.)
Milo: Oh, excuse me. I didn’t see you there.
Lioness: Hey! Watch where you’re going! You made me drop my stuff!
(They each accidentally pick up something that belongs to the other.)
Milo: Here. This must belong to you. It sure isn’t mine.
Lioness: It certainly does belong to me. Hand it over.
Milo: You sure are a grumpy lion. I would think you’d be happy with all that stuff.
Lioness: My stuff is none of your business. (Holds up hat.) What is this pathetic little object? It does not belong to me.