Suggestion 1: God loves me

From the top of my head
(Touch head)

to the tips of my toes;
(Touch toes)

from the lobes of my ears
(Touch ear lobes)

to the end of my nose;
(Touch nose)

from my back, to my front
(Turn round)

to my wiggly fingers,
(stretch out arms and wiggle fingers)

God loves me!
(jump up and down)

Suggestion 2: God loves...

Leader: God loves
Child 1: (say name)

Leader: and God loves
Child 2: (say name)

Go round the circle until all the children have been named (the leader or accompanying adult can say the name of pre-verbal or shy children)

All: Thanks be to God!

Storytelling

Use simple actions (see italics) and repeat the story so the children can join in.

Jesus said, ‘God loves the world so much,
Draw a circle in the air.
that he sent his only Son,
Move hands down.
so that everyone who believes in him
Put hand on heart.
will live with God for ever.
Point up.
Light has come into the world.
Twinkle fingers.
God says, “Come into the light!’’’
Beckon.

Play

Invite the children to help you build a dark cave. Drape some dark cloths over chairs, pews or a play tent, then place reflective objects inside, e.g. aluminium foil, hologram card shapes, and take it in turns to shine torches into the darkness to reveal the objects.

Create

Invite the children to use silver and gold pens, shapes or stickers, to decorate pieces of dark paper.

Dance

Give each child a glow stick (try Poundland or www.glowsticks.co.uk) then darken the room and invite them to dance to some music , e.g. Royal Fireworks Music, Handel; ‘Light of the World’ (Here I am to Worship) Tim Hughes; ‘Shine Jesus Shine’, Graham Kendrick; ‘Endless light’, Hillsong.

Pray

Give each child a battery tealight. Invite them to switch it on and place it on a map of the world. Think about places that especially need prayer, then say together:

Dear God, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, into the world. Amen.

Additional activities
These activities are from this week's Explore & respond page and can be adapted for Under 5s:

Seek the light                      10 mins W E
Play a game to symbolise living in the light.

You will need: a very bright torch.

• If possible, darken the room. Shine the torch around the room and on the floor.
• The children have to follow the beam of light, wherever it shines.
• Talk together about what it means to live in the light of Jesus. How would other people know that you were living in the light?

Edible candles                     10 mins S
A delicious reminder that Jesus is the ‘light of the world’

You will need: a bowl, icing sugar, water, spoons, small disposable bowls, mini swiss rolls (non-chocolate), edible ‘lips’ (from packets of Teeth and Lips sweets).

• Beforehand, make up some thick white icing, enough for each child.
• Talk about Jesus being the ‘light of the world’, as he brings the light of God’s love and shows us how to live in this light.
• Give everyone a bowl and help them to spoon some icing into the bottom of it.
• Give each child a swiss roll to stand upright in the icing, then cover the swiss rolls completely in icing.
• They can pour some runnier icing over the top to look like melted wax dripping down, then add a pair of lips on the top of each candle, so they stand up like a flame.

Colouring sheets
English version 
Welsh version

Sing

This little light of mine
Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory (chorus)

A sending out prayer

Young children love repetition. Using the same prayer to end your session each time you meet will create a sense of familiarity and expectation.

God bless you,
(Point to others)

and God bless me.
(Point to self)

Amen. (Wave arms)

Leader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Children and parents: In the name of Christ, Amen.

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