Sometimes there is a need for other children’s talks at Christmas. Here are some new and some old favourites which can be used or modified. Whichever hook is used the primary purpose of the talk must be to explain the Christmas story and to give praise to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Hook 1: Christmas cracker
It is possible to get an extra-large Christmas cracker or have a cracker for each child.
Initially pull only one cracker then talk about each part of the cracker. The bang to signify something special at Christmas. The joke to give us fun. The hat in the shape of a crown to symbolise the kings or to symbolise Jesus as a king. The gift to remember the gifts which the wise men brought for Jesus.
Conclude by letting everyone pull a cracker.
Hook 2: Santa-sack
Tie together a series of objects preferably using tinsel or attractive Christmas ribbon. The objects should each refer to a different Christmas celebration (a bauble, a Christmas card, a mince pie box, a Christmas cracker). Then place the objects into a Santa-sack. As you explain why each one of these objects helps you celebrate Christmas, gradually pull out the objects form the Santa-sack. Get a child to help you by holding the other end of the tinsel. The last object should be a Bible or a picture of the nativity scene so that you can conclude by explaining the real meaning of Christmas.
Hook 3: Biblical or non-Biblical?
Stick a series of pictures, some of which represent things to do with Biblical Christmas (an angel, shepherd, gifts, star, crown) and some which are non-Biblical (Disney characters, Christmas tree, Christmas pudding, Christmas cards, decorations). Have the children sort them in turn into two columns under headings saying ‘In the Bible’ and ‘Not in the Bible’, display them Blu-Tacked to a board.
Do emphasise that there is nothing wrong with things like Christmas cards, but it is useful for us to know which things come from the Bible and which ones don’t.
Hook 4: Christmas around the world
If you have people in your church who have lived in different parts of the world, get them to come out in turn to share something different about how Christmas is celebrated in different countries e.g. in Australia they might have a barbecue on Christmas Day, in Spain, presents would not be given until January 6th. It would add to the talk if each person brought out an object to refer to like an apron for the barbecue.
In conclusion you can then point out the thing which people in all parts of the world would have in common, the celebration of Jesus’ birth.