28 December 2025

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Bible readings for today

Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148:1-14
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23

Liturgical Colour: ​WHITE

Collect

Jesus, you saw the world through the eyes of a child. Save us from the pride that would refuse your command to live like you in simplicity and joy. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake. Amen.

E Īhu, i kite koe i te ao pērā i te tamaiti.
Whakaorangia mātou i te whakahīhī kei kuare mātou i āu tohutohu kia noho pēnā i a koe i roto i te ngāwari me te hari koa.
Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha.
​Āmine.

Over the summer

You may have fewer services or regulars over the summer months, but its always a great idea to anticipate that children will be present in your Sunday gatherings.

Quick checklist: 

• Is your website up to date for visitors?
• Do you have signage on the church doors or noticeboard for your summer services?
• Are you ready to welcome new faces who are visiting or exploring new churches over the summer break? Think about your space, and how you can help families feel welcome in your time of worship.
• How can your services accommodate all ages? 
• Have some things printed out and a creative station available for kids who want an interactive space. 

Summer Holiday ideas >>

Head over to our Holiday Page to check out ideas for Activity Bags (to use in the service) and Summer Packs for families.

Download our Strandz 2026 wallplanner

Check out our planning and leadership resources

Jesus the refugee (Matthew 2:13-23)

In today's gospel reading, Mary and Joseph flee Egypt to protect Jesus from Herod. The reading order is a little out of sync this week, as the story next week is about the wisemen finding Jesus, which happened just before this passage! You may like to consider how you tell these two weeks as a shared story of Jesus' life. 

Input for leaders

Gospel Conversations 2025 / Christmas 1 Chat (Dio of Dunedin) 

Gospel Conversations (Feb 16) 2025 (Diocese of Dunedin): Sometimes it can be challenging to stick to our commitment to finding a challenge, good news and "so what?" in every Gospel passage. There are plenty of challenges in the story of the massacre of hundreds of innocent children. Where could we possibly find good news, or inspiration to live by?

Intergenerational Worship

When Reality Sets Back in… – Beauty out of chaos ​(Intergen Australia)
Christmas 1: Year A 2022

Written and compiled by Alison Knox. Bible references: Hebrews, Matthew.

Kid's Talks

Matthew 2:13-23 (Gary Neal Hansen) - a paraphrase retelling of this week's verses.

God directs Joseph and Mary (RFour) - God will show us the right way to go if we listen to him.

Escape to Egypt (Kids Church Ideas) - a great selection of ideas and activities for teaching about this passage. Includes lesson plans for various ages (at bottom of page).

God is in control (Ministry to Children) - Even when life is challenging or things appear evil, God is in control and has a plan for our lives.

Escape to Egypt (Sunday School Works) - God is our guide, and we see how He leads us when we look at the stories of the Bible.

Jesus was a refugee - Lost Sheep

Australian author and illustrator, Andrew McDonough, has written a wonderful story for this gospel reading: Jesus was a Refugee. 
Watch the story (see right)
Illustrations and digital files (Lost Sheep)
Bookmarks (Lost Sheep)
Maze (Lost Sheep)

Games & Activities

Printable mazes (Picklebums)

(Kids Church Ideas)

• Active comparisons - Divide the room so one wall is King Herod and the other wall is King Jesus.  Then call out some facts about one of them and let the kids guess which wall they need to go to. (Facts: Born in a palace; Born in a stable; Murderer; Died for others; Has 5 letters in his name; Had an army; Served others; Served himself)
• Feeling scared - Grab a large piece of paper and ask the kids to draw or write down things that scare them.  Flip the paper over, and talk about all the ways that God helps us when we are scared.  (e.g. He sometimes takes us out of situations, He is always with us and will hold our hands when things are scary, He gives us words to speak etc).
  
• He cares for us - Talk about all the ways God took care of Jesus in the story.  Talk about all the ways God takes care of us. Make a list of each of these things side by side. Talk about all the similarities in the lists and all the differences.

Questions

Tell a story about when you were scared, how did God help you?

(Gary Neal Hansen)

• I wonder how Mary and Joseph felt about being told they had to move again and again? 
• I wonder what would have happened if Joseph had said he wouldn’t go to Bethlehem, or Egypt, or Nazareth?
• I wonder if you’ll ever move—and what God will have in store for you when you get there?

Preschool Play

Tell the story - Try this simple version. You may like to act it out with a child friendly nativity.

• After Jesus was born, an angel came to Joseph in a dream.
  The angel said, “Get up! Take Mary and little Jesus and go to Egypt. It’s not safe here.”
  So Joseph got up right away, and Mary and Jesus travelled to a new place.
  They stayed in Egypt until God said it was safe to go home again.
  Later, another angel told Joseph, “You can go back now.”
  So Joseph took his family to Nazareth, where Jesus grew up.
  Jesus had a family who kept Him safe.
  God looked after them all the way.

​Safe places

• Materials: Blocks, Duplo, boxes, soft toys
• Invite children to build “safe places” — a home, a shelter, a cosy corner.

Things to chat about: the story and what happened in it. I wonder what helps Jesus feel safe? I wonder what helps you feel safe?
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Journeying / role-playing

• Materials: Play silks/cloths, toy animals, a doll family, baskets
• Set up a “road” for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to travel. Children can help move the family from one place to another.

Things to chat about: I wonder what they took with them? I wonder what it felt like to travel together?

Messages from God. 

• Materials: Paper angels (printed or simple folded shapes), crayons, stickers.  Try these 3D paper angel templates (Messy Little Monster) or various 2D angel templates (Monday Mandala)
• Children can decorate an angel while leaders quietly say things like: “God sent an angel to help Joseph know what to do.”

Things to chat about: I wonder what messages God gives us? I wonder how God talks to you? 

Quiet Nesting Play  

• Materials: Blankets, baskets, soft toys
• Children can tuck dolls or toys into “beds” or “nests.”

Things to chat about: I wonder how it feels to be looked after? I wonder who looks after you?

Tactile Prayer

• Sit in a circle with a soft star or cloth to pass around. Say “When the star comes to you, you can hold it and say, "‘Thank you God for being with us even when things are scary' or you can just hold it quietly.” Move slowly around the circle until each child has had a turn.

Pray it!

​Prayer is an opportunity to encounter God. It can involve words spoken in a group, art we hang on our walls, or a stroll in the park. Try this prayer from the Methodist Prayer Cards which offer 52 different prompts for creative prayer.

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Psalm 148

Visual Commentary

The BibleProject have some amazing videos and resources to unpack scripture, and in this video, they explore Psalm 148 and God’s promise to raise up a king who will bring victory to Israel and rescue the world.

Worship Songs

Sons of Korah have a song about Psalm 148, which sets these beautiful words to music. You can use this song for:

• Worship  times
• Prayer reflection (it's quite upbeat!) but this youtube video has some great visuals. Play the song and then encourage the church to think of other things they want to praise God for. 
• Background music to set the scene or introduce today's learning, or using a game such as musical statues
• A song of celebration -- give children streamers, instruments and flags to dance and sing along
• A song for families to play at home during the week to reflect on the Psalm 148

Bible Explore in 2026

We're excited to keep sharing ideas and resources to support the church across Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad. If you are creating material, writing prayers, coming up with fun games for kids... let us know! Email us at [email protected]