Christmas Resources 2021
Last year we put together a compilation of suggested resources for Advent and Christmas on our 2020 Christmas Resources page. Those resources will still be great to use this year and there are ideas for online and video alternatives for those still unable to physically access schools, and also ready-to-use resources for the staff in school. We recommend you have a look at that page written last year.
For those still unable to visit schools, take a look at our ‘How Can I do Christmas in Schools This Year?‘ page from 2020 for some other ideas as well.
In addition to our compilations last year, this year we have some updates and extras to add to the list. Here they are:
Scripture Union Scotland’s ‘Light Up Christmas’ cross-curricular, RME video resource for schools and churches, for P5-P7s, has been updated and added to since last year. lightupchristmas.org.uk has sections for schools, parents and churches. As last year, the videos are free to download after registering.
Youth For Christ’s Re:Quest resource site has a section specifically for teachers in Scottish schools and many different types of resources for pupils in Primary and Secondary schools. Search for ‘Advent’ and ‘Christmas’ in the search bar and filter by year-group category.
The Bible Society has produced a short booklet for ages 6-11 year olds; ‘The Impossible Promise‘ written by Bob Hartman. There is also an Instant Nativity script based on ‘The Impossible Promise’.
Out of the Box (Scotland) has a virtual video Advent Calendar on its homepage and Cosmo and friends will release a short video early each morning on Facebook and YouTube to countdown to Christmas. Out of the Box (Scotland) also has some fun Christmas song puppet parodies.
For older teens and young adults, the Scottish Bible Society has published free, downloadable Bible study notes and questions for use with larger and smaller groups: Conversations – Advent Study.
For young people who are already Christians, Missional Generations’ ‘12 Revelations of Christmas‘ could be a novel pack you’re looking for, which includes a booklet, craft activities and cards with links to an Augmented Reality experience. These could be used in a range of settings, including in churches, schools (e.g. prayer space) and personal use. Some have used it to run a geocache style hunt or a Christmas journey across a town. There are lots of ‘how to’ videos and help via the website!
For resources for parents and families, the Godventure website is a treasure trove of ideas, especially for those with younger children. However, many of these ideas can be used as gifts and activities on your own, with schools and other groups with (and without!) children. ‘50 Faith at Home Ideas for Christmas‘ is a great place to start reading and has links to download or purchase relevant bits from there (e.g. sticker Advent Calendars, Advent party packs, thankfulness posters, Christmas card prayer bingo cards). The Godventure site also has details on how to hold an outdoor Christmas party, written this winter for use with Covid restrictions.
Other good lists of Christmas activities to use in the home can be found on the Hope-Filled Family, God Space Light and Strong Catholic Family Faith websites. Parenting for Faith have some thought-provoking articles around some issues at Christmas which are worth a browse.
If it’s video clips that you’re looking for, to tell, explain or encourage thought of the Christmas story, then gochattervideos.com has a huge collection suitable for children and young people at different stages of their faith journey.
The Archbishop of York Youth Trust, which last year produced ‘Sacred Spaces at Advent’, is this year making available ‘Community Matters at Christmas‘. This is a free, four-week resource which celebrates how community can bring us joy, acceptance, generosity and love. Made for KS2 & KS3s in England, it could be used for similar age-groups in Scotland (7-14 years old), in a variety of settings.