AGE:
Lower Secondary (Community Schools and Christian foundation schools) |
THEME:
Going Up! Ascension Day |
AIM: |
| To reflect about the meaning of the Ascension of Jesus for Christians. |
PREPARATION: |
| Two readers must practise in advance. The limericks have to be clear and slick in their delivery! |
PRESENTATION: |
| LEADER: |
Religions all have their festivals. We can sometimes join in, even if we don't belong to the religion in question. In this country everybody knows the Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter and many people join in. But only a few know about the Christian festival of Pentecost or Whitsun. When it gets to Ascension Day, very few people know what to say about it, even some Christians, whose religion it belongs to.
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| READER A: |
Because Jesus went up or ascended! Listen to how Luke describes it in his book the Acts of the Apostles:
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| READER B: |
When Jesus had finished speaking, as the disciples were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him out of their sight...
(Acts 1.9,10, adapted from New Revised Standard Version)
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| LEADER: |
This belief was important enough to get into the official Christian Creeds. One of them says:
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| READER A: |
'He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father' - at the right hand of God!
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| READER B: |
The words are simple enough - but what do they mean?
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| READER A: |
Once a year comes a day called Ascension
To which Christians pay little attention -
Jesus soared to the sky
And is seated on high -
He's with God in another dimension.
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(Pause)
| LEADER: |
Let's listen to the very short account again.
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| READER B: |
When Jesus had finished speaking, as the disciples were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him out of their sight...
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| LEADER: |
Here's some clues to explain it.
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| READER A: |
In the ancient world people thought and talked of heaven, God's place, using words such as 'up' and 'above'.
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| READER B: |
In the Hebrew Bible a cloud often refers to the glory of God...
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| READER A: |
So the story is another way of saying...
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| READER B: |
Jesus went to be with God, into God's presence, and he wasn't seen here any more. |
(Pause)
| LEADER: |
Being 'called up' is still a symbol of reward or recognition.
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| READER A: |
In school one can be called up to receive a prize, or sports colours, or a cup or trophy.
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| READER B: |
In university graduation ceremonies students are called up to receive degrees they've worked hard for.
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| READER A: |
God calls Jesus into his presence and awards him the best place...
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| LEADER: |
So Ascension Day isn't really about whether Christians believe Jesus went into a cloud and vanished, but their belief that God called him up for the top award.
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| READER B: |
Jesus did not stick around for a pension,
He did not stay behind in detention,
He went home to his Dad
Like any good lad -
And that's what is meant by Ascension!
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(Pause)
(Dismissal)
NB: Limericks by Terence Copley.
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