“Tree of Life” Ornament Craft & Acts 7:54-60 (Stephen the Martyr )

“Tree of Life” Ornament Craft & Acts 7:54-60 (Stephen the Martyr )

One way to honor our faith’s martyrs has been through the planting of trees. Such came with the famous expression, The blood of the martyrs waters the soil.

Making a tree ornament craft in honor of St. Stephen will give you something nice to do with your left-over Christmas craft ribbon (or Holiday ribbon available at 75% off at craft stores on Friday and Saturday!). It will also allow you to talk about heroics for Christ.

Materials

– Twigs that are pretty straight, about 8 inches long, one for each child
– Craft and Christmas ribbon, with a green theme if possible (note: paper ribbon and curling ribbon do not work out well)
– Scissors

Scripture Reading

ACTS 7:54-60 (STEPHEN THE MARTYR )

54 WHEN
THEY HEARD
THESE
THINGS
THEY WERE CUT
TO THE HEART,
AND THEY GNASHED
AT HIM WITH THEIR
TEETH.

55 BUT HE,
BEING FULL OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT,
GAZED INTO HEAVEN
AND SAW THE GLORY
OF GOD, AND JESUS
STANDING AT THE RIGHT
HAND OF GOD,

56 AND SAID, “LOOK! I
SEE THE HEAVENS OPENED
AND THE SON OF MAN
STANDING AT THE RIGHT
HAND OF GOD!”

57 THEN THEY CRIED
OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE,
STOPPED THEIR EARS,
AND RAN AT HIM WITH
ONE ACCORD;

58 AND
THEY CAST HIM
OUT OF THE CITY
AND STONED HIM.
AND THE WITNESSES
LAID DOWN
THEIR CLOTHES A
T THE FEET
OF A YOUNG
MAN NAMED SAUL.

59 AND THEY STONED
STEPHEN AS HE WAS
CALLING ON GOD
AND SAYING, “LORD JESUS,
RECEIVE MY SPIRIT.”

60 THEN HE KNELT
DOWN AND CRIED
OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE,
“LORD, DO NOT
CHARGE THEM WITH THIS SIN.”
AND WHEN HE
HAD SAID THIS, HE FELL ASLEEP.

Discussion

What is a martyr? Someone who dies for a worthy cause.

Did you know that there are tens of thousands of martyrs for Christ throughout history? Why would people give up their lives for Jesus?

Because they are filled with the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ gives them peace; because Jesus is such a great friend to them and they want to go be with him; because they totally, totally believe he will gather them for eternity with him.

You have to love somebody a whole, whole lot to give up your life for them. Or you have to totally believe what they stand for. Can you imagine loving Jesus more than you love your mom or dad? Lots of people do. We teachers hope you feel that way someday, and that is why we work with you. Jesus is even a better friend than any mom or dad, but the love of parents is how kids often understand how much Jesus loves them. There is a saying, “The blood of the martyrs waters the soil.” Obviously, blood does not water soil and grow plants and bushes. That’s gross. This is a metaphor – one thing that means something else. What do you think it means, “The blood of the martyrs waters the soil?” Let them guess.

This means that when bad guys kill people because they believe in Jesus, their love for Jesus spreads, and it just makes others believe more. This is why, at times, people have planted trees and bushes to celebrate the great acts of martyrs.

Today, we’re going to make a little tree in honor of St. Stephen.

Instructions

1. Give the ten strips of ribbon to each child.

2. Show children how to tie a box knot, which is what will make the ribbons stand out straight and not turn up and down:

– Tie the first knot around the branch in what feels like backward: Instead of the left side going over top of the right to make the knot, you go underneath. Pull it tight.

– Then, to tie the second or top knot, have the left side go over the top of the right side (the normal way), and pull tight. The sides of the knot should stick out straight.

3. Continue up the trunk, tying knots.

4. Once all ten ribbons are on the branch, use sharp adult scissors to cut the triangle shape of the tree into the ribbons.

You might also be interested in these other wonderful tree crafts & activity ideas!

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