Added on 15 Dec 2008
Aim
To explore the nature of peace and to think about where it can be found
Welcome
The theme for your assemblies this month is ‘Peace’ – that’s a really good theme, but I wonder what it really means? We thought we might go on a bit of a journey to find out – not far
So – what things do you think about when you think of peace? (peace and quiet, war and peace, peace and love, ? safety, ? trust…)
Meanwhile one of the players has walked to entrance corner and hidden himself, SILENCE board prominently posted there, the others walk in that direction chatting loudly -see sign, choose to ignore it. he then emerges, bawls them out at which point they are completely quiet but jumpy – not at peace. he walks over to next corner and comments – out of role – that that really wasn’t peace, was it – they’re still twitchy and nervous, even if they’re not making any noise.
The others follow to next corner.
Exploring The Meaning of Peace
We thought about peace being the opposite of war – can any of you think of places you’ve heard of where people are fighting at the moment?
(Take suggestions)
We all hope that war will come to an end in these places, and, as Christians, that’s what we pray for. We have got a story about peace in war time that might interest you.
Introduces and briefly relates story of ceasefire, carols and football match at Christmas between trenches in 1st World War.
Point out that it was not real peace because it was only temporary.
Mother and Child
In the next corner, one of the players picks up baby(doll!) and starts to soothe it. Another member comments about babies being loud and needing lots of attention, but when they are settled they are settled they have the knack of being wonderfully peaceful.
One of the others comments that the love between a mother and her baby is usually very special and the baby should feel very safe and secure in its mother’s arms.
Moves back to front of hall, and invites children to remember a time when they felt completely happy and at ease – picture in head or use hands as a ‘screen’. Think about how good it felt, enjoy the sensation.
Christmas
We believe that God sent Jesus at Christmas to help us find that special peace inside, in the middle of all the stuff that goes on in our lives, a peace that comes from trusting him.
I expect some of you know the carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’? It starts off talking about Bethlehem just as we sometimes see it on Christmas cards, calm and peaceful – actually, that’s a load of nonsense as Bethlehem was a very noisy town – but, in the middle of all that..
Let’s join in together to sing the carol now
Carol
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Prayer
Thank you Lord that you know and care about every one of us in the middle of all the rush at Christmas. Help us to remember that this is a celebration of your birthday, and take time to be still with you. Amen