Encounter Christianity: In Questions about Jesus lesson plan 2

Lesson two - Giving thanks for Jesus’ birth (pages 4-5)

Aims for the book

To introduce pupils to key events from the life of Jesus and the way in which these raise questions about the person of Jesus.
To enable pupils to understand the importance of these events at the time of Jesus.
To enable pupils to reflect on the relevance of these events for Christians today.
To encourage pupils to raise questions about these events in the light of their own experience.

Learning objectives

Pupils will;

recognise the power of light as a symbol for people of faith
know that, for Christians, light is used as a symbol for Jesus.

Text from the book

Why did Simeon describe Jesus as a light for the whole world?

Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to give thanks for his birth. There was an old man there called Simeon. He had been told by God that, before his death, he would see the Messiah. He took Jesus in his arms and gave thanks to God. He recognised Jesus as that Messiah. He said Jesus was like a light brought into the world. His parents were amazed.

Background

Christians are concerned to show that Jesus’ coming was the fulfilment of God’s promises. Simeon, an old and revered man, is the person who recognizes this very special baby for what he is and give thanks to God, knowing he can now die happily in peace. He prophesies that Mary and Joseph will experience pain and suffering in the years to come. Luke, the Gospel writer, emphasizes that Jesus came for all people, not just for the Jews. This is remembered at Candlemas (2 February) and ends the Christmas season.

Ways of using the picture

Is there something special about babies that makes people think about the future and what life they will have?
What might Mary and Joseph have felt about being given warning of suffering on such a happy day?

Bible reference

Luke 2.25-35

Key words

Reflections
Shining
Hope
Power
Presence

Activity

Challenge pupils to suggest ways of completely filling a room using very little money.

Exchange ideas and wait for the suggestion of a candle, match etc. – some form of light. Demonstrate this in a darkened room.

Discuss how some people have a presence that enables them to fill or light up a room. Explore how they do this. Possible ideas might be laughter, physical attributes, song, joking, gentleness, calmness.

In relation to the stories known about Jesus, why might Christians consider that Jesus would light up a room or the world?

Learning outcomes

Pupils will;

develop a greater understanding of why light is a symbol used by people of faith.
have a greater understanding of the way in which Christians use symbolic language when they describe Jesus as a light for the whole world.

Extension work

Make a Christingle and explore the use of symbols, (see Teaching Christianity at Key Stage 1, Owen G and Seaman A, The National Society, 1999, page 25). Make links with the prophecy of Simeon that Jesus would be a light to the world. Pupils can create their own symbols to represent Jesus using a variety of media.

Web site links

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03245b.htm
The event of the purification of Jesus at the temple is also known as 'Candlemas'. The Catholic celebration of Candlemas is explained at length in this excerpt from The Catholic Encyclopedia. A simpler explanation of the origins of the festival is provided at http://www.holidayorigins.com/html/candlemas.html

Other versions of this scene can be viewed at http://www.j30ad.org/Simeon.htm and http://www.abcgallery.com/G/giotto/giotto18.html (Giotto's famous painting from the Capella degli Scrovegna in Padua).

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