The Twelve Days of Christmas-Day 1:The star of Bethlehem.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS-

Day 1: The star of Bethlehem.

A Christmas scene. 12 days of Christmas series icon.

Welcome to my 12 Days of Christmas Series Year A. 

During Advent, our local supermarket put their magazine with recipe ideas and of course how we can spend our money at their store in preparation for Christmas. One of their articles the 12 days of Christmas disappointed me because they had used the carol' The Twelve Days of Christmas' and used it to mean the twelve days before Christmas. Not the twelve days after Christmas- Christmastide.  Obviously, there is more money to be made before Christmas than after for a supermarket.

In my twelve days of Christmas series, I quote from their article 'Fresh Food Kids' and then add a spiritual connection to help us remain in the season of Christmastide.  Christmas is not just a day as the shops would like us to believe.  Jesus is the reason for the season.

DAY 1:THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM

ACTIVITY: TO MAKE A STAR TREE

"To make a Christmas inspired fruit desert, cut 1 cm thick slices from watermelon and pineapple. Using Wiltshire Little Chef Star Cutters, cut out shapes.  Arrange on top of each other starting with the largest. 

Top with a cherry.  The fruit stars can be frozen and added to punch as edible ice cubes.'

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: Matthew 2:1-12.

Either before or after the children make the star tree, we may wish to help them to reflect on the real meaning of the star and why it is important at Christmas. Here we can turn to Scripture- Matthew 2:1-12 to help us.

The star guided the 3 Wise Men from the East to Jesus and as both scripture and the carols say

'stopped right over the place where Jesus lay'.  

The wise men did Him homage. These wise men were highly intelligent and knew from their studies about astronomy and stars.  They knew that this star was different- important and special.We too need to be aware of the signs given in our life.

We might like to offer the following prayer or a spontaneous one of our own on the theme of the star of Bethlehem.  We might even like to sing the Carol ' the first Nowell' and/or 'We three Kings' 

Jesus, in  this season of Christmastide, help us to be a star- 

a light shining the way to You for others in our family, friends, neighbourhood and parish. 

Help us to be like the Wise men of the East 

and give You fitting homage.

As the carol says 'on the first day of Christmas, my true love said to me' . I hope that Jesus is our true love and that we are listening to what He says to me.