You will need: old Christmas cards and pictures of the wise men cut into five or six pieces each and put into envelopes. Place cut-out pieces of a nativity scene into one of the envelopes.

• Give each child an envelope and challenge them to make the picture from the pieces.
• When they have completed the picture, ask them to return it in the envelope and exchange it for another. How many pictures can they complete in ten minutes?
• Invite them to tell the story of the pictures. Did anyone make the nativity picture?

Make

Wisdom in the stars (C+YP 15 mins)

Create shake-up glitter bottles

You will need: small plastic bottles (approx. 500ml), one per child; a selection of small shiny stars, sequins and glitter, glycerine (available from pharmacists or baking suppliers at less than £1 per bottle); tape; water; acetate; permanent markers.

• Using a permanent marker, write ‘Wisdom from God’, ‘God’ or ‘Jesus’ on small pieces of acetate that will fit easily through the plastic bottlenecks.
• Help each child to half fill a clean plastic bottle with water. Put one of the acetate words and phrases into the bottle. Add a selection of sequins, glitter and stars. Finally add two teaspoons of glycerine.
• Top the bottle up with water, replace the lid and tape it in place. Shake the bottle.
• Remind the children that the wise men looked to the star to lead their journey. What they discovered along the way is that wisdom comes from God.

Think

Shine a light (YP 10 mins)

You will need: star stickers; newspapers and magazines.

• Invite the young people to think about the things that help them to look for Jesus in the world.
• Invite them to go through the papers and magazines and find any article about an event or person who might help us glimpse the glory of Jesus; beside the story they should stick a star.
• People might work in groups or alone, but everyone should be prepared to say why they have chosen the articles they have.

Reflect

Quiet space (C+YP 10 mins)

Make space to listen

You will need: large sheets of material or a small tent, cushions or rugs, small lights or Christmas tree lights; CD player and reflective music.

• Create a quiet space in the room by draping the material over chairs or tables (or use a small tent). Fill the space with cushions, add small lights or Christmas tree lights and play some quiet reflective music. If time permits, encourage some of the group to help you create the space.
• Remind the group that Jesus is a source of wisdom and guidance as we journey through our lives. If we are to hear his wisdom, we need to spend time listening. Encourage everyone to spend time in the quiet space, just listening and thinking about Jesus.

Play and read

Envelope story (C+YP 10 mins)

A game that pieces together the reading

You will need: six numbered envelopes; template of phrases, printed or written out on separate slips of paper.

• Before the session, print out the parts of the story from the template. Place each phrase in an envelope numbered according to its sequence in the story, and hide these around the room.
• Tell the youngsters that, over the years, a story was told of a special king who would be born and of a star that would tell of his coming. This is how the wise men knew, when they saw the star, that a special king had been born. In the same way, the story of the wise men has been told and passed on.
• Explain that today you have hidden the wise men's story around the room. Encourage the children to hunt for the envelopes and bring them all together.
• Ask those who enjoy reading to take it in turns to read the six phrases of the story. Encourage the youngsters to retell the story when they get home.