You will need: a crown template; lightweight coloured card; a set of ‘word diamonds’; blank diamonds, scissors, sticky tape.

• Beforehand, print a copy of the crown template, preferably on lightweight card. This will be a crown of thorns so choose a suitable colour.
• Cut eight slits in the crown to the width shown.
• Print out and cut out the eight ‘word diamonds’ template, ensuring the diamonds fit into the slits in the crown. The children could use bright jewel colours to decorate these.
• Join the two ends of the card crown, forming it into shape, and slot the diamonds into the spaces. Display the crown.
• Note each of the decorated word diamonds that describe things a king might be expected to have. Looking at each word in turn, decide if this is something Jesus had. If it isn't, remove it from the crown and discard it.
• When all the words have been removed, look at the crown of thorns that remains, and sing together the Taizé chant, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom’.
• You could print out enough crown shapes and diamonds for all group members and invite them to each make and decorate their own crown. Provide blank diamonds for members to add descriptions of the qualities of Jesus.

Sing

We have a king (C 5 mins)

What kind of king is Jesus?

You will need: a copy of the song ‘We have a king’ or a recording for the children to sing along with.

• Ask the children what kind of king Jesus is.
• Sing ‘We have a king who rides a donkey’, replacing the words ‘rides a donkey’ with some of the children’s ideas.

Model

For this I was born (C+YP 10 mins)

Consider the purpose of our creation

You will need: modelling clay, Plasticine^TM or dough; small cards; pens.

• Jesus says, ‘For this I was born, to testify to the truth.’ Ask the youngsters to think what they were born to do. What things are they good at? What things do they do that make other people smile?
• Ask them to make a model out of dough to represent their purpose. Give them a small card with the words, ‘For this I was born, to...’ written on it, and invite them to complete the sentence.

Think

Jesus rules (C+YP 10 mins)

Consider the values of the kingdom of God

You will need: pens; access to the graffiti wall you prepared throughout November.

• As this is the end of the Church year, take this opportunity to ask the youngsters what they can remember that they have learned about Jesus this year, from last Advent through to today.
• Write these on the graffiti wall around the heading ‘JESUS RULES’.
• Discuss what it means to let Jesus be our king – what is life like under Jesus’ rule? How do the rules written on your graffiti wall fit in? How should we be good citizens of Christ’s kingdom?

Imagine

Lord of Misrule (YP 10 mins)

To imagine what it would be like to be king

You will need: paper and pens.

• The ‘Lord of Misrule’ (known as the ‘Abbot of Unreason’ in Scotland) was a peasant selected to be in charge for the duration of the Christmas celebrations.
• Ask the young people to imagine that the tables could be turned like this for them, and that they could rule over their parents/carers/teachers/leaders. What would they do?