Today we looked at Candlemass, where the baby Jesus is taken to the temple to be presented to God.

“He is a light for the people to see” Luke 2, 25-40

Firstly we started off with some exercises to get us warm as it was a cold morning. We had to remember different actions for each number and ran from one end of the room to the other with Richard calling the numbers. This was great fun, and only with the smallest bit of cheating 😉

 

Then, it was onto the mat for a reading and some prayers. As it was the first time we had met since Christmas we said thanks for our Christmas presents, remembering those in the world who are living in poverty and who may not have received a present. We then asked the children if they wanted to add any prayers, and they took turns. There were some wonderful suggestions including Alex saying thank you for all the food that he eats, and Dominic giving thanks for all his friends which was a wonderful gesture.

We had a look at the story of Simeon.

Simeon (Simeon the God-receiver) at the Temple is the “just and devout” man of Jerusalem who, according to Luke 2:25–35, met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses on the 40th day from Jesus’ birth at the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

According to the Biblical account, Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit and told that he would not die until he had seen the Lord.

This must have required a lot of patience, because he wanted to meet him but had had to wait a long time. We talked about patience, and how sometimes it can be worth waiting for good things. Next, we played a game where we took it in turns rolling a dice and had to wait until we rolled a six (with a prize of three star jumps!). Although Morgan rolled a six at the first time of asking, many of us had to wait a while!

Next, we thought about things where else we might require patience. Everyone had an idea which we wrote onto this Candle to take back into Church with us.

 

Then it was craft time. We had had a lovely Christingle service in December with the candles as the light of the world, and as we are blessed with some beautiful stained glass windows in our Church we looked at making some from some jars and coloured paper. We added a candle and with the lights off they glowed like the windows in the church!

 

 

Then back into Church (avoiding the muddy puddles in the car park) for the final part of the service! We showed the congregation what we had been up to, and helped sing the final hymn.

Afterwards, it was time for chocolate biscuits and orange squash.

 

Join us again next month!

Growing Saints is our Junior Church here at Brixworth. If you would like to know more, please get in touch.  We meet on the third Sunday of each month and offer friendly & fun activities for infant & primary  school children (4+). You are welcome to accompany your child with us if you prefer, or stay and enjoy the main service!