Monthly column for youth leaders

Following last month's article about planning an assembly, here are two outlines for assembly talks aimed at different ages. Both have been tried and tested, and have a Christmas theme. Both are condensed for reasons of space. So each should be expanded to suit delivery style and the occasion. The second 'Why bother?' is taken from a script for a fairly straight talk; it is therefore less interactive, but is adaptable.

Title: Christmas: The Four 'J's
Age group: Years 5-8
Aim: The joy of Christmas because of a Saviour sent from heaven
Bible verses: Luke 2.8-20

Opener: Christmas 'blockbusters'. Play 'Blockbusters' or any similar guessing game concerning Christmas. Make sure the game is not too long.

Linking in: Announce that you are going to give four more 'blockbuster' letters that tell us something about Christmas. These should be displayed. They are:

Jolly: Christmas is a great time of year, there are presents, good things on television, good things to eat and drink, family and friends to see, and so on.

Joule: this is the unit of energy or work. Sometimes Christmas can be hard work. You may have to put up with relatives, write thank you letters, argue with brothers and sisters, and there is inevitably miserable weather.

Joke: or is it all a bit of a joke? We have Christmas because of the church calendar and tradition. It means nothing to you. There's Jesus, meek and mild, a little baby in a crib, but it's really all a bit of a laugh, something for 'the kids'.

Crunch Time: There is certainly an element of truth in some of the things we've said about Christmas. But that's not what the Bible says about Christmas. (Display the final 'J' - Joy along with Luke 2.10).

Joy: The Bible says Christians celebrate Christmas because it is a time for Joy. Joy sent from heaven to earth. Joy because a Saviour has been sent to rescue us. Joy because of a king who is to rule over all things. Joy because now all things can be set right. The gospel can be explained clearly, with depth appropriate to the situation. The Bible sets the tone whether the whole passage or just one verse is used. The reactions of the shepherds, the angels and Mary can be mentioned.

Ending: Challenge the young people to consider their own behaviour, which might be quite self-centred at this time of year. They can be encouraged to bring more joy to others by being less self-centred. They need the challenge to take the opportunity to look further into what Jesus coming as a Saviour means. Compare their reactions with reactions of people in Luke 2. Perhaps offer opportunities when the assembly can be followed up at church or a youth club.

Title: Why bother?
Age group: Years 8+
Aim: To answer why Jesus bothered to come to our world and why we should bother with Jesus.
Bible verses: Philippians 2:6-11

Opener: You've got mail. Hold up two bits of post that suggest what Christmas means to us. One is from an old friend, the other a charity request for donations.

Linking in: Are you, like me, better at receiving than giving? Giving usually means some level of personal sacrifice. Give some examples of those who rescue others sometimes at cost to themselves e.g. firemen or mountain rescuers. But what if their reaction to an emergency was 'Why bother?'. They would rather take the phone off the hook, relax, and get on with their own lives.

Crunch Time: The Bible tells us that Jesus was with God when the world was created and saw the way in which creation was spoilt. For Him to rescue humans means leaving the comfort and glory of heaven, suffering and dying. To rescue us means sacrifice, so 'Why bother?'

After this general Bible background now the text can be explained. Philippians 2 tells us that Jesus did think it was worth bothering to leave the glory of heaven. He did come to earth as a baby. Christmas is about God's rescue plan for his world being put into action, and not primarily about warm-fuzziness or renewing 'auld acquaintances'.

After the events on earth, the first Christmas and the first Easter, when Jesus went back into heaven, this passage tells us that he was given a place of honour again. The Bible says one day everyone will see the baby boy from Bethlehem and will call him Lord.

Ending: When this talk was first given there was an accompanying sketch. Several shepherds couldn't be bothered to go and investigate the angel's report, one did. This was used to give a choice of possible reactions to the Bible passage; saying something like 'Are you going to be like the shepherds in the sketch and not believe it or are you going to investigate further like the other shepherd?'
It is a sacrifice to take things further and investigate. But is the reaction of 'Why bother?' good enough?

Tried and tested assemblies

Roger Fawcett

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