CHRISTMAS CRAFT - CHILDREN CAN SHARE THEIR FAITH

IDEA FROM: Sharlene Pritchett Wade (Solutions Unlimited)

When crafts are used in children's ministry, I try to be sure they will have a lasting impact.

Recently, I took the concept of the HisStory bracelets, wrote a rhyming verse and then selected beads to go with each CAPITALIZED word.

The children made bracelets on stretchy cording.

Challenge your children with incentives to memorize the poem.

This craft becomes a tool children can use in sharing their faith with friends, as they follow the bracelet bead by bead.

It also serves as a constant reminder of what Jesus has done for them.

A holy STAR shone in the sky so bright
To lead 3 WISE MEN to a marvelous sight
A babe in a manger, JESUS there laid
A boy then a man, a CARPENTER by trade.
A FISHER of men, TWELVE DISCIPLES He led,
Spreading GOD’S WORD, the people He fed.
‘Til one BLACK day on a CROSS He was hung,
His BLOOD shed for us, God’s will it was done.
To save us He died, now in HEAVEN He lives,
Our HEARTS to indwell, eternal life He gives.

(Poem copyrighted by Sharlene Pritchett Wade; may be reproduced for local church use only.)

Find beads to represent each of the items in bold. Here's what I used:

Star -- bead that had a star on it.
Wise Men -- 3 different, yet similar beads rather earthy-looking to depict the wise men.
Baby Jesus -- an oblong clear, crystal looking bead
Jesus as carpenter -- wooden cylinder looking bead
Jesus, Fisher of men -- glass fish bead
Disciples -- 12 jump rings
God's Word -- shiny gold bead
Black day -- square black bead
Cross - colored cross bead with rhinestones embedded
Blood - red bead
Save us -- crystal bead to reflect Salvation
Heaven - beautiful gold speckled bead
Heart -- heart-shaped bead