Happy New Year

Happy New Year, Kids!

The morning of the first day of every year we enter into a contest. We see who will be the first to give that day's greeting. Before I was awake this morning, my boy ran into my room shouting, "Happy New Year! Happy New Year!"  He won the contest.

Now, however, you are in Church and it is not proper for you to speak out loud, so I am able to get ahead of you. A Happy New Year to you, every one.

Well, what will make this year a happy year for you? I will tell you. Let us take this word Happy, and instead of writing it across the page let us write it straight up and down.

H stands for Helpful. You cannot have a happy year unless you are helpful. He who does not try to be helpful is never very happy.

A for Active.  I want your year to be full of activity. I hope you will be able to skate and slide downhill many days this winter, and that you will enter into all the spring and summer sports with zest and joy.

P for Playful. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. You will want to do something other than play, of course. You will have some home responsibilities, but sandwiched in with the work, may there be a good measure of play.

P for Purposeful. Yes, early in life you should form a purpose. Two questions will help you gain that purpose. 1st—What is it that I want to do? 2nd—What is it that God wants me to do?

Y for Youth.

Helpful
Active
Playful
Purposeful
Youth.

COMPLIMENTARY BIBLE LESSON:  Read  Luke 2:40.  Discuss with the kids how Jesus as a child was described.  What do they think Jesus did as a child.  Then read Luke 2:41-52 or tell the story of the boy Jesus being at the temple.  Discuss why Jesus was at the temple.  Why he did not leave the temple? What was his purpose?  As an application, ask the kids how can they be like Jesus?

MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 19: 14

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."



KIDS CRAFT:  Create a Calendar

• Print a custom Ten Commandments Calendar.  Choose one with picture which the kids can color.  Or you can choose the no picture version to allow the children to draw their own images to go with the commandment.
• The children can also draw on a piece of bond paper to show some ways how they can be HAPPY - Helpful, active, playful and purposeful youth.

Photo credit:  Anika39