Saint Nicholas

During these weeks leading to the celebration of Christmas:

• Guide the children to become familiar with the Nativity narratives, not just as stories from a story book but as prayer experiences from the Gospels, the Word of God.
• You might consider staggering these narratives through the Advent weeks leading up to Christmas (Use a Children’s Bible or the Gospels: Opening chapters from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew).
• Follow with a Christmas Song/Carol. Do not leave the singing of these songs for Christmas Eve!
• Children might enjoy drawing scenes from the Nativity narratives, that when attached to each other, they will present a pictorial sequence of these narratives.
• You may download images for the children to colour in. (Click here for some suggestions).

The legacy of St. Nicholas is tied to the giving of gifts.

What is a gift? It is something given voluntarily to show affection without expecting payment in return. Ask the children what comes to mind on hearing the word ‘gift’. 

Continue to discuss with them that gifts do not have to be wrapped in colourful wrappers and ribbons. Two of the best gifts one can give to another are time and affection. 

We give gifts because we want to be thankful, to show our love, to show that we have thought about that person. These might be people who take care of us: parents, guardians, close friends. These kinds of gifts warm the hearts of those who receive them.

Encourage children to phone grandparents/close relatives or close friends just to say: “Hello/ How are you/ I was thinking of you”. Let them make the call instead of you calling and then passing the line to them.

Christmas is approaching.  Remind the children that Christmas is the celebration of the Birthday of Jesus. What kind of gifts can we offer to the Christ Child?

• Lead them to discover that good deeds, little sacrifices to be carried out during Advent would be gifts that Jesus would appreciate.
• Let the older children write their ‘achievements’ of the day on slips of paper while you write down the ‘gifts’ of the little ones.
• Prepare beforehand (the older ones can do it themselves) a decorated bag/envelope with their name on it.
• Collect their ‘gifts’ and leave the bag in a special place e.g. a Nativity picture/scene/crib.

Dear Parents /Guardians, the best gift we give the children in our care is time and affection. These ‘gifts’ are more precious than expensive toys and holidays. They will remember these moments long after the toys get broken or discarded. Search for these moments as your special ‘gift’. You will be giving them “a portion of your life” because our life is made up of time.