1. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys

2. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys Where is Bethlehem? Bethlehem is in the Middle East

3. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys Many Christians travel to Bethlehem to visit the place where Jesus was born. When people make a journey for religious reasons it is called a pilgrimage. Other places of pilgrimage are: Walsingham Makkah Varanasi Lourdes What do you think the reasons for going on a pilgrimage are?

4. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys Think about Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. How did they travel? How far did they have to go? How do you think Mary felt about going on such a difficult journey? How do you think they felt when they arrived, and there were no rooms left to stay in?

5. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys Think about the story of the Angel appearing to the shepherds Imagine you are one of the shepherds. How do you think you would feel when you saw the angels appear? Can you think of other words to describe the feelings of the shepherds? Sad Happy Calm Excited Afraid Surprised Confused Angry

6. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys The wise men brought gifts for the baby Jesus. Can you remember what they were? Gold Frankincense Myrrh Why do you think they brought these gifts? What sort of gifts would you bring for a new-born baby? What do you think the gifts symbolise?

7. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys Think about the story of Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt. Do you know where Egypt is? Egypt is in North Africa

8. Unit 4b: Celebrations: Christmas Journeys Find out how far it is from Bethlehem to Egypt How would Jesus, Mary and Joseph have travelled? How long would it have taken to get to Egypt? How do you think Mary felt at having to make such a long journey? What do you think Joseph and Mary would have been worried about? Can you think of examples nowadays when people have to make long journeys because it is too dangerous to stay where they are?