Dear Messy Family
Please let us know that you will be attending by emailing
nmcmessy@gmail.com
As you know, Messy Church has happened monthly on a Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. for many years. It’s a time for children and their carers to have a fun and creative time together while learning more about the Christian faith and events from the Bible. There is a celebration time in church which is usually led by our minister and this is followed by a meal which we all share together.
December Messy Church
Messy Christmas!
So, what’s Christmas all about?
Snow? There is sometimes snow but not today, so we had some ‘play snow’ instead! Very messy!
Cards? We made some cards for our friends using stickers,
and we coloured in a drawing of the Christmas story.
Games? Here we are with a hoop-la game throwing rings on to hooks for LOVE JOY HOPE and PEACE. So, are these words the meaning of Christmas?
There was a big Christmas Tree in the hall; we made some decorations
and some small trees to take home.
Why do we have Christmas Trees? They are evergreen which reminds us of God’s eternal life and the Tree of Life. Christmas Trees have a star, which is God’s light in the darkness. They are triangular which reminds us of Father God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
And the baubles stand for love, joy, hope and peace – we’ve heard these words before!
In church, we listened to a Christmas song ‘It was on a starry night’
We often see manger scenes with cribs, showing the Christmas story in churches and shops and at home.
Jane told us a story about a crib maker and his journey to heaven.
The whole year round, William, the crib maker thought, dreamed and prepared things for Christmas. He carved more than a thousand crib figures and had built sixty manger scenes. He thought he was the best crib maker throughout the whole land and he was expecting a great welcome in heaven when his time came.
Just the night before Christmas Eve, as he fell asleep, he saw himself trotting up the steep road to heaven. He said to himself ‘Perhaps they need you to fix the heavenly crib scene for them’.
The road to heaven was long, it was cold and the paths were slippery. He thought they should have sent a carriage for him and angels to meet him. He stood before heaven’s gates, and leapt up on the bell rope, swinging as the bell rang loud. Peter stuck his head out the window to see who was there.
William introduced himself as well-known artist and carver of Christmas Figures. But Peter checked the book and said, “You can’t come in!
”William asked,” Why not? I have caused much Christmas joy”
Peter looked in his book “You have been proud of your work and considered other people’s efforts worthless. You have not been patient. When things don’t go smoothly, you are rude and angry. You have had no time for people, and you have had far too little love for your neighbour. “
“You are expecting mercy in heaven, but you’ve forgotten mercy on earth. “
“You have carved so many manger scenes, but you have missed the point of them. It is not the singing angels in the skies, nor the wise men with their camels and treasures. It is that helpless baby Jesus, lying in rough manger in a dirty stable, who came to earth so he could show us the way to heaven.”
William realised that he was shut out of heaven. He was very sad and he cried out from the bottom of his heart, “Forgive me my sins.” Suddenly, everything went dark, he felt himself falling down and down . . .
Then he heard a well-known voice, “What’s the matter? He opened his eyes and saw he was lying in his bed. His wife was shaking him, and he realised that he was waking up from a dream.
“Oh, I have been in heaven” he replied and from that day he was a changed man – more thoughtful of others, generous, friendly with everybody, and patient with all – he had found a friend in Heaven.
He still made Christmas cribs – but now it was that child in the manger that mattered most to him. His trip to heaven was yet to come, and he had found out what Christmas really means – love, joy, hope and peace.
Then we went to celebrate with a shared meal – party food with Christmas crackers today. Merry Christmas everyone and see you in the New Year!