Talking about Christmas: The giving of gifts
(KS2)
Introduction
The theme is the visit of the Magi (wise men) to the baby Jesus, the gifts
they bring and their possible meanings. The intended learning outcomes are that
children will be able:
- to retell the story of the Magi accurately, according to Matthew chapter
2.
- to recognise the differences between the original story and later
traditions
- to explore the beliefs expressed in the story and explain why this story
is important to Christians
- to look at the idea of symbolism and explore some possible meanings for
each of the gifts
Preparation
You will find the following Barnabas titles from BRF useful:
God sent a Baby King – a hard cover book with little flaps to open
and full-colour pictures to talk about.
Knock Knock! Who’s there? – a lift-the-flap board book with
full-colour illustrations telling the Christmas story.
Nursery Rhyme Nativities – a simple play for Foundation and Key
Stage 1 using popular nursery rhyme tunes to tell the Christmas story.
Christmas Fun – fifteen episodes from the Christmas story in colour
with simple activities, puzzles, thought-provokers and a Christmas card to make.
Christmas Make and Do – stories to read and crafts to make.
Step by Step Christmas Crib – A story and craft book with
characters to make which form a special classroom Christmas crib.
The life of Jesus through the eyes of an artist – evocative and
contemporary art work of the story of Jesus including four pictures from the
Christmas narrative. A CD of the artwork is also available.
Development
1. What do we already know?
Show a model of one of the Magi from a nativity set.
Ask: what is it? where would you find it? what occasion would you see it? why is
it special to people? This could be discussed in groups.
Explain that the figures are an astrologer and a religious leader, who was
considered to be very wise. They were called Magi (we derive the word ‘magic’
from this title). There are Magi in the Christmas story. Have the children
brainstorm all the things that they already know about the Magi/wise men.
2. Where do we find information about the Magi?
Recap on the brainstorm from the previous session. Ask the children to
suggest where they could find information about the Magi (the bible, carols,
pictures, books).
From a carol:
Play a tape or look at the words of the Carol ‘We three Kings’. The children
should record a picture of what the words/ music suggest to them after listening
to the carol several times.
Look at the children’s pictures. Ask the children where they might expect to
find other information about these ‘kings’?
From the Bible:
Read the story from the Bible (Matthew chapter 2 verses 1-12). Can they find
references to kings? How many? Camels? Names? Or a stable? The children should
record individually or as a class what they find from the Bible.
From pictures:
Look at a variety of Christmas cards and artists’ pictures depicting the Magi.
Discuss what the artists convey about the Magi and the significance of them
within the story of Jesus’ birth.
What do they think the people are saying? What is particularly cultural about
these pictures? What is surprising? What do they like? What do they think is the
most important part of each picture? What don’t they like? What would they leave
out? What makes the image look special?
Children could write a caption for the pictures, answering some of these
questions.
As a group decide which picture is most/least accurate, referring back to the
Bible story. Then decide which is most/ least liked and which is most/least
special? Share this with whole class.
From a story:
Tell another story, which features the Magi – Baboushka or the video story ‘A
Lion for a King’ (available from CMS –Church Mission Society) or ‘The brave
little camel’
3. Discuss the findings of these
investigations.
Children can now do an individual sorting activity on a Venn diagram. Give
the children a selection of statements (below) and have them sort them into
whether they are Bible-based or part of tradition.
There were three wise men
They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
The visitors were kings
They visited Jesus and the family living in a house
They visited Jesus in the stable
The visitors were known as the Magi
The visitors came from three different continents
They came from the east
Their names are Melchior, Caspar, Balthazar
They followed an unusual star
The three wise men travelled on camels
They were looking for a new King
The visitors are called wise men
We do not know how many visitors came
The children could write their own version of the Magi story, using the
evidence they have uncovered.
4. How can gifts be symbolic?
Show the sequence from the ‘Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ or read the
appropriate extract where Father Christmas gives the children gifts in
preparation for the battle.
Discuss with the children the significance of these gifts. How are they
symbolic? Discuss what Father Christmas means when he says ‘These are not toys
but tools’.
5. What might the Magi’s gifts mean?
Remind the children of the Magi but focusing now on the gifts they are
carrying – gold , frankincense and myrrh. If possible show pictures of these
gifts or some small examples. Some shops sell tea lights with the aroma of
frankincense and myrrh. Talk through how these gifts might carry a secret
meaning, i.e. be symbolic. How might they be ‘tools’?
Discuss a range of possible meanings and allow each child to
develop their own ideas, which can be recorded. What new meanings to the
Christmas story might each child’s chosen symbolism bring?
~Martyn Payne |
