23rd December: The Mini Ministers gathered around the stable to see what all the commotion was about. Mini Dave didn’t remember the Christmas Chickens being part of the story, but they were in the bag of knitted things & Mini Jon reminded Mini Dave that EVERYONE was welcome to come & worship the new King.
Mini Lisa was excited to see the new baby everyone had been talking about (Mini Lisa loves babies). When they saw Jesus, they were speechless and they fell to their knees and worshiped him with all the other visitors. “So this is why we celebrate Christmas, I want to share this special story with everyone” said Mini Lisa. The Mini Ministers really hope you can join us at 10.30am on Christmas Day to be a part of the wonderful celebration and share in the miracle of the birth of Jesus.
Croxley Green Baptist Church hope you’ve enjoyed our version of the Christmas Nativity Story. We and the Mini Ministers would like to wish you all a very Blessed Christmas and we hope to see you at one of our Christmas Services.
20th December: Everyone arrived in Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was lying in a manger filled with straw as they had been told. When they saw him, they told everyone what the angel had said and everyone who heard the story was astonished. The shepherds praised God for sending his Son to be the Saviour.
19th December: When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in sky. The Wise Men saw the star and knew what it meant. They followed it to find the new king and to bring him their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
The Mini Ministers, the sheep and the shepherds and everyone else who wanted to worship the new King set off towards the new bright star. It was a long way to go (especially when you’re as small as the Mini Ministers).
Children, why don’t you come and see the Mini Ministers at our Christingle Service on Christmas Eve at 4.30pm.
The Mini Ministers will be busy making Christingles too (whilst keeping their wool well back from any lit candles!)
18th December: Suddenly an angel appeared before them and the glory of God shone around them. The shepherds and their sheep were very, very scared, but the angel said, “Don't be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone. Today in Bethlehem a Saviour has been born for you. You will find the baby lying in a manger.”
Mini Lisa, Mini Dave and Mini Jon were all taken aback by the angel. The front of the Church was getting quite busy with all these people and the story was getting very exciting.
Then many more angels appeared, lighting up the sky. The shepherds heard them praising God singing: “Glory to God in highest, and peace to everyone on earth.”
17th December: Two shepherds appeared in the front of the Church. They were looking as though they’d lost something. “Are you looking for your sheep?” said Mini Jon, “they’re over here”. The shepherds were relieved to have found their missing flock. The sheep were relieved to have found the shepherds. Mini Lisa was relieved the Shepherds would soon be taking the sheep outside; she was tired of clearing up the mess.
16th December: “There’s another one”, said Mini Dave. A second sheep had appeared at the front of the Church and was making as much mess as the first (Mini Lisa pointed out that sheep are supposed to be kept outside). The thing is children, we need the sheep to tell the Christmas Story; everyone has a special part to play and we can’t do it without the sheep and shepherds. We’ll just have to put up with the mess for a bit and try our hardest to find the missing shepherds and reunite them with their sheep.
13th December: “Oh dear”, said Mini Dave “Have you been buying sheep now Mini Jon?” A young sheep has appeared at the front of the church and it’s making a real mess. Mini Jon promised the sheep wasn’t anything to do with him. “Let’s get some smarties out of the Quench tuck box and see if we can lure him outside” he said. “Sheep don’t eat chocolate Mini Jon. They eat grass.” said Mini Lisa. She explains “The Bible tells us there were shepherds grazing their sheep in the fields just outside Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born. I think the sheep is here to join in with our Christmas Story. I expect he’s looking for a shepherd”.
“We’ll have to be very careful at our Carols by Candlelight Service this Sunday at 6.30pm with all those candles and all that wool floating around” said Mini Lisa.
12th December: “Look!” they all gasped, there it is, the Star of Bethlehem. A truly bright and golden star had appeared in the sky. “As the Bible tells us”, said Mini Dave, “This is the star that will guide the wise men to baby Jesus. The star is a heavenly sign of a prophecy fulfilled long ago and the shining hope for humanity”.
It truly was a beautiful sight children, and it shined brighter than any other star in the sky. “Well”, said Mini Lisa “the Wise Men will know exactly where to go to find baby Jesus”.
11th December: “Before you go, why are you looking for a new star?” said Mini Jon, “There are lots of stars in the sky”. The Wise Men explained that they were very clever men, who studied the stars a lot. They had read in very old writings that a new star would appear when a great King was born. They said it would burn very brightly. When they found that star, they would follow it to find the new King. “It’s so important that we come and worship the new King” said Casper, “that we have travelled from countries a very long way away just to worship him and give thanks”. The Mini Ministers now understood just how important the new star would be.
10th December: The Wise Men are very pleased with the camels Mini Lisa and Mini Jon have managed to buy – Pets at Home sure have a great Christmas selection of animals this year.
The Wise Men load all their belongings onto the camels who they decide to call Alan and Richard (Richard’s the one with the green blanket). Mini Lisa raids the Lite Lunch supplies and sends them on their way with plenty of food for their long journey to where the new King and Saviour will shortly be born.
Having made friends with the Wise Men, Mini Lisa is a bit sad to see them heading off on this long journey, but Mini Dave explains that the Bible says they have something really important and special to do that just can’t wait.
9th December: “What’s this?” said Mini Dave, a little shocked and worried there’d been another mix up. That looks like a donkey. That’s not big enough to carry all the Wise Men’s things. Gold is very heavy don’t you know - the donkey just isn’t suitable for the task”. Mini Jon feels a bit sad and embarrassed. He was sure they needed a donkey for the Christmas Story. “Don’t worry” said Mini Lisa, “The donkey's perfect, just not for the Wise Men. The donkey has a really important part to play in this story. The donkey carries Mary all the way to Bethlehem”. Mini Jon was very relieved. He wasn’t fancying his chances of getting a refund and he was pretty sure he'd lost his receipt.
The Mini Ministers give the donkey some hay and water and soon it's ready to set off to carry Mary on that important journey to where Jesus will soon be born.
Mini Jon and Mini Lisa go back to Pets at Home to see if they can get a bigger animal to help the Wise Men. Children, can you guess what it might be?
6th December: The Wise Men have so much luggage. That’s what happens when you need to pack for a long trip children. Mini Lisa knows exactly what to do. She suggests a trip to Pets at Home in Watford is in order. Mini Jon volunteers to go and get something suitable to carry the Wise Men and all their belongings.
Well children, they’re really going to have to get their skates on if they’re going to be able to get there and back in time for the Family Carol Service here on Sunday at 11am aren’t they?!
5th December: Mini Jon spots a third traveller. “Are you a shepherd? The Bible tells us about shepherds playing a big part in the Christmas story.” The traveller replies “Are you kidding? Dressed like this!? I’m the third Wise Man.” Mini Jon agrees that shepherds don’t dress in such finery and says “Ahh, I see, well in that case, what is your name and what is the gift you are bringing for the new King who will soon be born?”
“I am Melchior” replies the third wise man, “and I am the King of Persia. I am bringing the gift of Gold for the new King who is soon to be born.”
The Mini Ministers introduce Melchior to Casper and Balthazar and the three Wise Men gather their belongings ready to set off in search of the new King. The trouble is, there’s quite a lot for them to carry. What should they do children? Can you think of something they need to help them on their travels?
4th December: “Look” said Mini Jon, “There’s another wise man. Let’s find out who he is and tell him about Balthazar.”
Mini Lisa felt quite shy and taken aback by these two powerful men, but she also sensed they were good and kind and that they had a sense of peace and knowing about them. She asked the second traveller “Are you a Wise Man too? What’s your name and what gift are you bringing for the new King who will soon be born?”
“I am one of the Wise Men” said the traveller, “My name is Casper and I am the King of India. I am bringing Frankincense for the new King who is soon to be born.” The Frankincense smelt amazing.
The Mini Ministers tell Casper about Balthazar and the two Wise Men prepare to set off in search of the New King.
3rd December: “The Bible tells us about three wise men and look over there” said Mini Dave, “I think he might be one of them.”
Mini Lisa asks the traveller “Who are you and what’s that you’re carrying?”
“I am one of the Wise Men” said the traveller, “We are sometimes called Kings, or Magi. My name is Balthazar and I am the King of Arabia. I am bringing Myrrh for the new King who is soon to be born. Have you seen any more Wise Men? We are getting ready to make a very special journey. We are going to follow the new star that will appear in the sky.”
We’ve seen the star haven’t we children. It’s coming in the East window of the Church.
2nd December: “The Bible tells us that God sent the angel Gabriel to a young woman who lived in the northern town of Nazareth. The girl's name was Mary and she was engaged to marry Joseph” said Mini Dave.
The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “Peace be with you! God has blessed you and is pleased with you.” Mary was very surprised by this and wondered what the angel meant. The angel said to her “Don't be afraid, God has been very kind to you. You will become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a baby boy and you will call him Jesus. He will be God's own Son and his kingdom will never end.” Mary was very afraid but she trusted God. “Let it happen as God chooses.” she replied to the angel.
Mini Lisa thought this was great. Mini Lisa also thought Gabriel's hair accessory was great and that it would go very nicely with one of her outfits...
28th November: "Right" said Mini Dave, "That's all the toys bagged up. Now to find the Christmas Star. Mini Lisa, have you seen Mini Jon?"
Oh dear children, I think we can see what's happened here. Mini Jon's been playing hide and seek. I don't think he'll be able to see the Christmas Star from in there, do you?
Check out the Mini Ministers at the front of the church. They're going to be telling you the Christmas Story from next week!
27th November: Children, the Mini Ministers are busy sorting the toys for Ivy Street into bags. Mini Jon wants to try some of the toys himself, but Mini Lisa has said he can’t as they just don’t have the time. They are so busy (it’s a really busy time of year isn’t it!) – we’re going to have to make sure they slow down so that they can really take in the special Christmas story that’s coming.
Come and see them at the front of the Church!
25 November: Children, the Mini Ministers have arrived to help tell you a special story. Mini Lisa wanted to be super organised with the online delivery for items they’ll need. Mini Jon forgot to tick “no substitutes” and Mini Dave says the “gold” that was delivered just won’t do. Still, they still have until December 1st to get it right. The trouble is, they still haven’t seen the star; if you see the Mini Ministers, tell them to look in the East window, it is definitely coming!
22nd November: Children: Have a look and see if you can see something in the window when you come past the church office. There’s some very special characters coming soon from 1st December with a really important story to tell...
