Part 2: Activities for schools, children and young people
Discussion, Reflection and Prayer Activities
1. Prayer Candles
Preparation
You will need:
l C
ard discs
l W
ax candles
l P
ens, crayons, paints etc. to decorate the discs.
Activity
Invite the children to colour their card disc orange.
On one side write or draw the things they want to
pray for. If you have access to the internet, look
at the kids zone section of The Children’s Society
website www.childrenssociety.org.uk/kids_zone
and ask the children to pray for the children that
we support. On the other side of the disc, draw
all of the elements of the Christingle. Insert the
candle in to the disc, light them and join together
in prayer.
2. The Sun, the Light
Preparation
You will need:
l A paper plate
l Strips of yellow and orange paper
l Glue/stapler
l Pens, crayons or paints.
Discussion Activity
In life it can sometimes feel as if dark places are
all around e.g. when we’re frightened or lonely,
when bad or painful things happen to us or
those we love.
Jesus sometimes referred to himself as a light.
John wrote this down (John 8:12) ‘I [Jesus] have
come as light into the world so that whoever
believes in me would not stay in darkness’
(Kidsbible.com NCV). Jesus also promised that
when we ask him questions, he will hear us and
help us. Because of this promise we can ask Jesus
to shine as a light into the dark places we feel
or see around us knowing that his promise is to
bring light.
Ask the children where they feel Jesus’ light
needs to shine i.e. in their own life, for someone
they know, for others in the world or for the
children and young people supported by
The Children’s Society.
18 | Christingle order line 0845 600 8585
Craft Activity
The aim of this activity is to make a sun with
prayers on the ‘rays’ asking Jesus to shine as a
light in dark places that you have talked about.
Paint a paper plate yellow or cut out a large
yellow circle. Have strips of yellow and orange
paper or card ready to stick or staple onto the
circle as rays. Write or stick the prayer below
onto the circle or plate. Invite the children to
write names, places on rays and stick them
around to make a shining sun, praying the
prayer for each name, situation or place as
they stick. They can add as many ‘rays’ as they
need to. Be aware that this activity may reveal
particular difficulties or issues faced by a child.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you that you promise to be a light in the
darkness.
I pray for [N]. They really need your light.
Your light, that helps us feel less frightened.
Your light, that brings warmth and comfort.
Your light that helps us feel love.
Please could [N] feel your light around them
now and know you love them and are with them
in the dark places.
Please bless them.
Thank you Jesus,
Amen.