RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23354, 20 November 1937, Page 23

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

By Amplius

LIFE Ideals make life, not fame nor gold; And love sings low with fragrant breath; All else but soul and love grow old, But souls and love bewilder death! Give love to life, give love to man, Give love to truth’s eternal call. The hasting world may go its span, But soul and love shall vanquish all! F. H. Law HE MAY BE SICK In many a bus'n«tween success and fai'ure is a matter of stopping Uie .. none the less, in the Sunday School. Pupils are lost because of laxity in attendance. If present they are thus marked. Absences are noted, but often forgotten. What good is the notation if it fails to start some ' nullify nr set machinery in motion. 4 follow up the absentee in the interest ol a perfect attendance Record? Many a pupil is lost to the school and to the kingdom because of failure just here. The time to act is on the occasion of the initial absence. Often it is the first symptom of the pupil's ultimate elimination from the school and his divorce from religious influences. The pupil may be sick Then is the opportunity to show interest and touch chords of appreciation in the hearts of both pupil and family circle This may be done eithei bv letter i a card —better still by a visit accompanied by a few flowers or a choice morsel of food: it matters little what, so long as it spells love and interest. Such attention often proves to be an “ open sesame” to the home when

other ministries fail. Hearts are tender when sickness and sorrow invade the family circle. A BRIGHT IDEA In a suburban primary group recently a visitor was much impressed by the manner in which the leader prepared for an uninterrupted story period. Before the story, news items were asked for. and the little people were told that now was the time to tell them. Only about three points of interest wege mentioned. Later, dur ing the story, one girl did recollect a matter of importance, and attempted to impart it. She was gently reminded that the opportunity to tell it had passed, and the story was continued without any further interruption Because the leader was really interested in her pupils, she inquired about the “ matter of importance.” at the conclusion of the session. CHRISTMAS IN THE PRIMARY DEPARTMENT Drawing near, is the crowning festival of the Sunday school year, Christmas, inexpressibly dear to the hearts of the children. To children, birthdays are joyful occasions; Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. How can they give presents to Jesus, and so make Him happy on His Birthday? This should be the aim in the coming programmes The best in art, music, and literature will help through the pictures, songs carols, and stories we shall use, all of which will aid us in creating a joy ous atmosphere of love and goodwill that shall be felt in and through every service. So teachers and children alike will come to realise “ This is Jesus' Birthday; we can have our part in making Him happy as we bring to Him our gifts for others.’ When the children are asked about Christmas, the first information offered is that “we get presents.” We need to help them towards the realisation

that it is not only a time for receiving, and surely Sunday school is the place for helping them to know that it is also a time of giving, and so to make gifts for other people. Even so we must keep in mind the right use of Sunday. While the primaries spend the usual period of expression work in making gifts much of the work is executed during the handwork session in the play hour. This is held during the first week of special lessons, and is separate from the Christmas party. SUGGESTIONS FOR A GIFTMAKING PLAY HOUR It can be held on a week day from 5 30 to 6.30 p.m., or from 3 to 4 on a Saturday afternoon. The room might be arranged with groups of little chairs round low tables or in front of forms; paste pots, brushes, pairs of scissors wallpaper, books, calendars and materials for other work all being set ready It is not necessary to work in the usual das groups Possibly the older girls will make gay little holders, and the boys calendars Or one group may choose to make note books, and another may even make shopping lists. Teapot stands of raffia and cardboard are another possibility, and also raffia bags The small children may make woolly - balls, scrap books, bead chains, and rattles All work is left in the cupboard A teacher would tell one or more suitable stories The Christmas hymns and carols should be sung together and some romping games follow the half-hour of handwork. Conclude the period with a vesper hymn. Careful preparation will make such a play hour a success. Everything must be ready before the children are admitted. First Sunday.—Correggio s picture "Holy Night,” will be found indispensable with this programme. The aim is to give the simple reason for the joy and purpose of Christmas, and

to help our ■ children to understand something of the happiness that came to Mary and Joseph and the world because of the birth of the Baby Jesus. Through songs and prayers the service leads to the story of “ God’s Best Gift." After a few minutes, the children join in singing. Then comes a period of busy planning before the closing worship. The two succeeding Sunday services should centre around the thought of gifts to make Jesus happy on His birthday. The stories of the Shepherds and the Wise Men would be used. The fourth Sunday is the great day, when each worker brings the object O', his own creation. What delight is seen in the faces of those who have produced something by individual skill and patience. These gifts are recognised in a special Christmas service, when parents and friends are wel; corned. All „ preparations for this service centre round the bringing of gifts by the children. Just as the Shepherds and Wise Men brought their gifts and worshipped the Christ Child; so to-day the primaries may bring their gifts am. worship at the manger Simple costumes add to th effec* 1 tiveness of the service, and the pleasure of the children, but are not essen-, tial. Crooks for the shepherds to carry and head pieces correctly tied; crowns and gift boxes for the Wise Men, a veil for Mary, a white dress for the angel; a small wooden manger and a light therein; these simple accessories are all that are strictly necessary The “Spirit of Christmas” should wear a soft white robe, girdled at the waist, with a gold band encircling her hair. This service needs but brief rehearsal. The reader provides the narrative, and the music may be ihe carols. familiar and loved by the children. The characters required are two adults, the reader and the spirit of Christmas, and children as shepherds, wise men, Joseph. Mary. Innkeeper and Angel.

After the processional, the reader explains the Birthday of Jesus, the children’s Friend, and the desire to make Him happy. In His Name they will tell the story of His birth. As the reader continues, the children take their parts in the way best suited to the surroundings. Carols are sUng during and between the sections. A third year child would recite verses from St. Luke, chapter two. When the narrative has been played, the Spirit of Christmas draws near and listens silently to the singing. She then states her mission and looks towards the other children who are now coming up the aisle bearing the gifts they have made, and singing. At the conclusion of the carol, the children are questioned in such a manner as' .< “Where are you going, children’ “We seek the Baby Jesus." v “What will vou do when you find Him? " “We want 10 bring Him our gifts, It is His Birthday." “ Your gifts? May 1 see them? The children display gifts made for parents, sisters, brothers and babies and for others. Also the special gift, perhaps a poster for the department, an honour roll, a work-book, and the gifts given by parents for distribution in the district or further afield. The Spirit of Christmas comments on the gifts iz, turn, then leads the children to the Baby Jesus. They kneel at the manger, offering their gifts. The Spirit of Christmas stands behind the manger with Joseph, the Angel, shepherds and wise men. Mary is seated at side. . I The service concludes by all singing with bowed heads, the last verse of “Away in a Manger,”