More of what we used to do!
Teddy Bear by Kit (Reception).
Mary, Mother of Jesus by Daniel (Y6)
Mary was born in Jerusalem, a war-torn land. She was the daughter of Joachim and Ann and lived in a small house made out of stone and mud. She lived as they did, her daily toil included grinding wheat and barley into flour, preparing food dishes and making clothing from wool. There were even small children to look after.
Mary was a woman of rural Galilee and, just as other women, the seasons and times of harvest determined what work had to be done. Sometimes harvest were bountiful, but the unpredictable land could also give nothing.
Nazareth had little wealth, culture or learning. Few strangers visited the town. It had a strong Jewish faith and was quite insular but the Jews found that the cleanliness prevented disease, so frequent washing became part of their religious practice.
At the age of 15, as was the custom, Mary got engaged to a carpenter called Joseph, whom her parents had chosen for her. It was a full year later before she married and went to live with him.
Then a strange event occurred.
Mary was born in Jerusalem, a war-torn land. She was the daughter of Joachim and Ann and lived in a small house made out of stone and mud. She lived as they did, her daily toil included grinding wheat and barley into flour, preparing food dishes and making clothing from wool. There were even small children to look after.
Mary was a woman of rural Galilee and, just as other women, the seasons and times of harvest determined what work had to be done. Sometimes harvest were bountiful, but the unpredictable land could also give nothing.
Nazareth had little wealth, culture or learning. Few strangers visited the town. It had a strong Jewish faith and was quite insular but the Jews found that the cleanliness prevented disease, so frequent washing became part of their religious practice.
At the age of 15, as was the custom, Mary got engaged to a carpenter called Joseph, whom her parents had chosen for her. It was a full year later before she married and went to live with him.
Then a strange event occurred.
Teddy by Rosie (Reception)
Ruth and Naomi by George (Y4)
Naomi lived in Moab but she grew up with her family in Bethlehem. Her husband and two sons died, so she shared a house with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Because of Namoi's old age, she longed to go back to Bethlehem. Orpah and Ruth wanted to come with Naomi so they started the long journey to Bethlehem. Naomi told the girls to stay in their own country and find new husbands. Ruth didn't want to go home, Orpah agreed to go. So Orpah went back home. So Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem. To get food Ruth had to go to the fields every morning and pick up the barley the harvester left. She ground it into flour to make bread. She didn't know that the fields belonged to Naomi's rich relation, Boaz. Boaz spotted Ruth in the fields and asked her who she was. When he heard how kind she had been to Naomi, he told her she would be safe in his fields and she could drink all the water she wanted from his servant's water jars. That evening, Ruth told Naomi about Boaz. Naomi was very pleased for she knew Boaz was a good, kind man. Naomi knew that Boaz slept near his barley harvest so that it wouldn't be stolen. "Go in quietly when Boaz is asleep and lie down near his feet," Naomi said to Ruth. When Ruth crept in Boaz heard her. "Who's there?" he asked. "It's Ruth. I've come for your protection," she said. "There is a man who should look after you and marry you," said Boaz. "I'll talk to him tomorrow." The next day, the man told Boaz that he already had a wife. So Boaz married Ruth and, later, they had a son. Naomi was delighted and was very happy that God had given her a grandson.
Naomi lived in Moab but she grew up with her family in Bethlehem. Her husband and two sons died, so she shared a house with her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Because of Namoi's old age, she longed to go back to Bethlehem. Orpah and Ruth wanted to come with Naomi so they started the long journey to Bethlehem. Naomi told the girls to stay in their own country and find new husbands. Ruth didn't want to go home, Orpah agreed to go. So Orpah went back home. So Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem. To get food Ruth had to go to the fields every morning and pick up the barley the harvester left. She ground it into flour to make bread. She didn't know that the fields belonged to Naomi's rich relation, Boaz. Boaz spotted Ruth in the fields and asked her who she was. When he heard how kind she had been to Naomi, he told her she would be safe in his fields and she could drink all the water she wanted from his servant's water jars. That evening, Ruth told Naomi about Boaz. Naomi was very pleased for she knew Boaz was a good, kind man. Naomi knew that Boaz slept near his barley harvest so that it wouldn't be stolen. "Go in quietly when Boaz is asleep and lie down near his feet," Naomi said to Ruth. When Ruth crept in Boaz heard her. "Who's there?" he asked. "It's Ruth. I've come for your protection," she said. "There is a man who should look after you and marry you," said Boaz. "I'll talk to him tomorrow." The next day, the man told Boaz that he already had a wife. So Boaz married Ruth and, later, they had a son. Naomi was delighted and was very happy that God had given her a grandson.
Class 1 drew and painted. Can you spot anyone you recognise?
ESTHER
1-2
Long ago during the reign of a king called King Ahasuerus there was a young girl called Esther. She lived in Susa, Persia. Her parents died when she was little and her cousin Mordecai, who worked for the King, looked after her.
During the third year of the King?s reign, the King decided to have a big feast for all his princes, which lasted for six months. When this was finished he had another feast for all the people of Susa, which lasted for one week. During the feast the King asked Queen Vashti to show off her beauty but she refused. The King went to his advisors to see what they thought would be a suitable punishment for the Queen. They said the Queen had done wrong and that if the women in the kingdom heard of this they would disobey their husbands. The King made a new law that Queen Vashti could not be the queen any more and she would have to be taken away.
The King told all the princes to get the most beautiful women in the kingdom and to bring them back to him so he could choose one for a wife. Mordecai sent Esther because he thought she was beautiful. Before he sent her to the King he told her not to tell anyone she was a Jew because the people in the kingdom did not like Jews.
When all the beautiful women had been brought to the palace, they lived there for a while and one by one were brought to see the King. When Esther?s turn came, the King fell in love with her straight away.
They married and Esther moved into the Palace and because of this she could not see Mordecai as much as before and they had to send letters to each other. One day Mordecai heard of a plan to kill the King and he sent a letter to Esther so that she could tell the King. The King sent out his guards to catch the men and kill them. Because Mordecai was so brave and saved the King?s life his name was entered in the official records for bravery and he was rewarded.
Esther 3
One prince called Haman got promoted and the King ordered everyone who saw him to bow down in front of him. Mordecai who was a Jew refused to bow down to him because he only bowed down to God. He worked as a guard in the palace and the other guards told Haman about him to see what he would do. Haman was really angry. He decided to not only punish Mordecai but to kill all the Jews.
The next day Haman went to see the King and to get what he wanted he lied and said people living in your kingdom are disobeying all your rules and you should make a law to kill these people. The King agreed and Haman had succeeded. The King gave Haman a cygnet ring, which was the seal of the kingdom. All the laws had to have this seal. The King told Haman to deal with all the people who disobeyed the laws. Haman took the secretaries of the kingdom and told them to write letters to all the princes to kill all Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month and all belongings should be taken from them.
The Jews were extremely shocked because they did not know what they had done wrong. They had to put on rough clothes and throw ashes over their heads. When Mordecai heard, he did this too. At the front gate to the palace he prayed all day.
Esther 4-5
Esther?s servants told her that Mordecai was crying. She sent some clothes but Mordecai refused to put them on. Esther?s servants asked Mordecai what the matter was and he told them everything about the new law and gave the servant a copy to show Esther. Mordecai asked the servants to ask Esther to beg for the Jews to the King. When Esther heard she was very scared. She sent a message to Mordecai saying that she could not go to the King as he had not called her and she would die if he did not want her. Then Mordecai replied back saying, ?do you think you will be spared, save the Jews.? Esther agreed and asked the Jews to fast for three days, which means you do not eat or drink, and it is a sign to God that you need help.
At the end of the three days Esther went to the King in her best robes. If the King put out his sceptre her life had been spared, luckily for Esther he did this and the King was pleased to see her. ?What can I do for you my dear?? he said, ?I will give you half the kingdom if you wish.? ?I do not wish for that but for you come to my banquet tomorrow with Hamah? said Esther. So it was agreed.
At the banquet with the King and Haman, the King asked again, ?what would you like my dear? You may have half the kingdom if you wish,? and again Esther replied, ?you and Hamah must come to my second banquet that is where I shall tell you.? That was agreed.
Haman thought it was great being invited to see the King and Queen again. But as he started to walk out the palace he saw Mordicai did not bow down to him again Haman was furious. When he got home he started to boast to his friends and family about being taken to the banquet. But Haman was upset. His family and friends said to build some gallows and hang Mordicai from them before the banquet. So they were built they were 25 meters high!
It was the night before the banquet and the king could not sleep. He thought God was trying to tell him something but he could not work it out. So the King had his record books brought in and read to him by his servant. When he heard Mordecai?s story he asked what reward did he get? Nothing replied the servant. ?Who is the court?? asked the King. ?Haman? replied the servant and at that moment Haman came in. He was going to ask if he could hang Mordecai but before he could say anything, the King said, ?What can I do to honour a man?? Haman, who thought the King was talking about him for being so brave, said ?you should have your royal servants bring him: a royal robe which you have worn, a horse with a crest on its head you have ridden, then give them to one of your most noble princes who will then present the gifts to the man.?
The King thought this was a great idea and told Haman to go at once and do this to Mordecai, and not to forget to do everything he had said. Haman was surprised and angry; he had to be nice to his own worst enemy. But yet he did every thing and ran back home ashamed where he was reminded about the banquet.
At the banquet the King asked, ?What is your request?? Esther told the King ?Please save the Jews or I and my people will die.? At once the king said ?Who is trying to kill them?? Esther pointed at Haman. The King was furious and went to the palace garden to calm down and control his temper while Haman begged for mercy, falling onto the queen?s couch. When the King had calmed down, he came back and saw Haman on the couch, which made him even more upset because it was the Queen?s couch and men were not allowed to sit on it. Once again the King called his guards who told him about the gallows. Haman was hung immediately on his own gallows. Esther told the King that Mordecai was a relative of hers and then the King made him the second most powerful man in the kingdom.
There was still trouble for the Jews. In Susa once a law was made it could not be changed so the King asked Esther and Mordecai for help. Mordecai had an idea and told the King to command a day when people had to defend themselves, which was the day that all the Jews were going to be killed. When the day came many Jews were killed including 10 sons of Haman who were exactly like their father and wanted to kill the Jews. When the fight had finished Mordecai told everyone there were going to be two days when people would remember the great victory of when God helped to save the Jews.
God knew what he was doing and the number of Jews increased, and Jesus came from the Jews. To this day Jews celebrate this day with a feast called Purim.
Esther's Story by Hannah (Y6)
1-2
Long ago during the reign of a king called King Ahasuerus there was a young girl called Esther. She lived in Susa, Persia. Her parents died when she was little and her cousin Mordecai, who worked for the King, looked after her.
During the third year of the King?s reign, the King decided to have a big feast for all his princes, which lasted for six months. When this was finished he had another feast for all the people of Susa, which lasted for one week. During the feast the King asked Queen Vashti to show off her beauty but she refused. The King went to his advisors to see what they thought would be a suitable punishment for the Queen. They said the Queen had done wrong and that if the women in the kingdom heard of this they would disobey their husbands. The King made a new law that Queen Vashti could not be the queen any more and she would have to be taken away.
The King told all the princes to get the most beautiful women in the kingdom and to bring them back to him so he could choose one for a wife. Mordecai sent Esther because he thought she was beautiful. Before he sent her to the King he told her not to tell anyone she was a Jew because the people in the kingdom did not like Jews.
When all the beautiful women had been brought to the palace, they lived there for a while and one by one were brought to see the King. When Esther?s turn came, the King fell in love with her straight away.
They married and Esther moved into the Palace and because of this she could not see Mordecai as much as before and they had to send letters to each other. One day Mordecai heard of a plan to kill the King and he sent a letter to Esther so that she could tell the King. The King sent out his guards to catch the men and kill them. Because Mordecai was so brave and saved the King?s life his name was entered in the official records for bravery and he was rewarded.
Esther 3
One prince called Haman got promoted and the King ordered everyone who saw him to bow down in front of him. Mordecai who was a Jew refused to bow down to him because he only bowed down to God. He worked as a guard in the palace and the other guards told Haman about him to see what he would do. Haman was really angry. He decided to not only punish Mordecai but to kill all the Jews.
The next day Haman went to see the King and to get what he wanted he lied and said people living in your kingdom are disobeying all your rules and you should make a law to kill these people. The King agreed and Haman had succeeded. The King gave Haman a cygnet ring, which was the seal of the kingdom. All the laws had to have this seal. The King told Haman to deal with all the people who disobeyed the laws. Haman took the secretaries of the kingdom and told them to write letters to all the princes to kill all Jews on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month and all belongings should be taken from them.
The Jews were extremely shocked because they did not know what they had done wrong. They had to put on rough clothes and throw ashes over their heads. When Mordecai heard, he did this too. At the front gate to the palace he prayed all day.
Esther 4-5
Esther?s servants told her that Mordecai was crying. She sent some clothes but Mordecai refused to put them on. Esther?s servants asked Mordecai what the matter was and he told them everything about the new law and gave the servant a copy to show Esther. Mordecai asked the servants to ask Esther to beg for the Jews to the King. When Esther heard she was very scared. She sent a message to Mordecai saying that she could not go to the King as he had not called her and she would die if he did not want her. Then Mordecai replied back saying, ?do you think you will be spared, save the Jews.? Esther agreed and asked the Jews to fast for three days, which means you do not eat or drink, and it is a sign to God that you need help.
At the end of the three days Esther went to the King in her best robes. If the King put out his sceptre her life had been spared, luckily for Esther he did this and the King was pleased to see her. ?What can I do for you my dear?? he said, ?I will give you half the kingdom if you wish.? ?I do not wish for that but for you come to my banquet tomorrow with Hamah? said Esther. So it was agreed.
At the banquet with the King and Haman, the King asked again, ?what would you like my dear? You may have half the kingdom if you wish,? and again Esther replied, ?you and Hamah must come to my second banquet that is where I shall tell you.? That was agreed.
Haman thought it was great being invited to see the King and Queen again. But as he started to walk out the palace he saw Mordicai did not bow down to him again Haman was furious. When he got home he started to boast to his friends and family about being taken to the banquet. But Haman was upset. His family and friends said to build some gallows and hang Mordicai from them before the banquet. So they were built they were 25 meters high!
It was the night before the banquet and the king could not sleep. He thought God was trying to tell him something but he could not work it out. So the King had his record books brought in and read to him by his servant. When he heard Mordecai?s story he asked what reward did he get? Nothing replied the servant. ?Who is the court?? asked the King. ?Haman? replied the servant and at that moment Haman came in. He was going to ask if he could hang Mordecai but before he could say anything, the King said, ?What can I do to honour a man?? Haman, who thought the King was talking about him for being so brave, said ?you should have your royal servants bring him: a royal robe which you have worn, a horse with a crest on its head you have ridden, then give them to one of your most noble princes who will then present the gifts to the man.?
The King thought this was a great idea and told Haman to go at once and do this to Mordecai, and not to forget to do everything he had said. Haman was surprised and angry; he had to be nice to his own worst enemy. But yet he did every thing and ran back home ashamed where he was reminded about the banquet.
At the banquet the King asked, ?What is your request?? Esther told the King ?Please save the Jews or I and my people will die.? At once the king said ?Who is trying to kill them?? Esther pointed at Haman. The King was furious and went to the palace garden to calm down and control his temper while Haman begged for mercy, falling onto the queen?s couch. When the King had calmed down, he came back and saw Haman on the couch, which made him even more upset because it was the Queen?s couch and men were not allowed to sit on it. Once again the King called his guards who told him about the gallows. Haman was hung immediately on his own gallows. Esther told the King that Mordecai was a relative of hers and then the King made him the second most powerful man in the kingdom.
There was still trouble for the Jews. In Susa once a law was made it could not be changed so the King asked Esther and Mordecai for help. Mordecai had an idea and told the King to command a day when people had to defend themselves, which was the day that all the Jews were going to be killed. When the day came many Jews were killed including 10 sons of Haman who were exactly like their father and wanted to kill the Jews. When the fight had finished Mordecai told everyone there were going to be two days when people would remember the great victory of when God helped to save the Jews.
God knew what he was doing and the number of Jews increased, and Jesus came from the Jews. To this day Jews celebrate this day with a feast called Purim.
Esther's Story by Hannah (Y6)