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Canfield church hosts Christmas for kids
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Children received a warm welcome to the Canfield Christian Church’s The Story of Christmas program from church members. The welcome included an opening prayer and songs in the sanctuary Dec. 8.
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Andrea Jones (center) portrayed Mary for the Canfield Christian Church’s The Story of Christmas program Dec. 8. The program was geared toward children three through seven.
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Robert Ranson, 5, proudly showed off the angel craft he made at the angel scene during Canfield Christian Church’s The Story of Christmas program Dec. 8.
By ABBY SLANKER
Members of the Canfield Christian Church wanted to offer young children an alternative Christmas event this holiday season, therefore the church presented “The Story of Christmas” Dec. 8.
Children 3 through 7 were invited to the church to hear the telling of the true Christmas story from Mary, an angel and one of the Wisemen, all told in first person.
As the children arrived, they were given angel name tags with different colored string and were later divided into groups, according to the color. The program began with a welcome, which included an opening prayer and songs in the sanctuary.
“We wanted to start with the little ones so they could learn about love and kindness. Our goal is for the kids to have fun and enjoy themselves. We plan on continuing the event next year, so we would like them to tell their friends how much fun they had today and would like to grow that way,” said Jan Pumphrey, a committee member.
Pumphrey, along with fellow committee members, Brenda Hernan and Youth Minister Fred Lamb, and several volunteers guided the children through the program.
The groups of children were led downstairs in the church where three ‘scenes’ were set up with Mary, an angel and one of the Wiseman waiting for them. At each scene, the character told his or her story of Christmas.
The children also created a craft at each station. The children decorated the front of a journal with the manger scene while visiting with Mary and they made halos and pictures of angels when they visited with the angel. At the Wiseman’s station, the children made gold crowns. When time was up at each station, the children followed the stars on the floor to their next scheduled station.
Each child was given a homemade tote bag to carry their crafts and journal and were able to take it all home with them. A Bible reading activity was in the back of the journal and the children were encouraged to complete it at home and bring it back to the church for a special biblical gift.
After the children had visited all the scenes, they were called together for a wrap-up, which consisted of a recap of the Christmas story and the story’s conclusion. A closing prayer was also said.
When the wrap-up was completed, the children were treated to a special lunch geared toward them, which included several child-friendly finger foods, such as chicken nuggets, veggies and dip, small potatoes, and of course, cupcakes and ice cream.