Kids Alive! 10 December 2022

BBC pictures

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It's Panto Time! Panto

t’s panto time! (Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is!) CBeebies are once again taking to the stage with a pantomime featuring some of the channel’s biggest stars. Justin Fletcher, Ben Cajee and Alex Phelps are three of the cast taking part and this year they’re performing in a unique adaptation of Dick Whittington and His Cat. Expect loads of singing, plenty of dancing and a bundle of laughs. Viewers can join the heroes as they travel to London for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas parade. Once there, Dick and his cat, Lucky, soon discover a trio of cheeky rats are determined to ruin everyone’s fun. Can the heroes save the parade with the help of their CBeebies friends? You’ll have to watch to nd out!

Dick Whittington and His Cat is showing in UK cinemas this weekend (10 and 11 December). There will even be extra sing-a-long songs only shown in cinemas and some cinemas will have more showings later in December. If you miss the panto on the big screen, don’t panic! It will also be shown on CBeebies on 17 December and be available on BBC iPlayer.

CBeebies aren’t the only people getting stuck into panto season! Pantomimes will be happening in theatres all over the UK. They’re perfect festive fun for all the family, so why not see if there’s one taking place near you?

When my family went to see the pantomime Cinderella, we discovered our seats were on the front row. So when audience, I was very worried! Sure enough, one of them chose me. Whenever she came on stage, respond quietly or be bold and loud. I chose bold and loud!

friendship with him. He wants us to be bold, telling and showing everyone we can how good it is to be a follower of Jesus. If

Oh no it isn't!

BBC pictures

Impossible? Him-possible!

Have you ever watched someone do something and thought, ‘How on earth did they do that?’ That’s how I feel when I watch a footballer score a jaw-dropping, curving, swerving, rising, dipping free kick. To me, what they do seems impossible!

I sometimes feel like that when I read the Bible. Something amazing happens, such as the walls of Jericho tumble down at the sound of some blaring trumpets, and I nd myself thinking, ‘Unbelievable!’

The Nativity story is full of unbelievable moments: angels popping up left, right and centre with messages from God; a pregnant teenager and her pregnant older cousin; a new-born king with an animals’ feeding box for a bed; scruffy, stinky shepherds as the baby king’s rst visitors; wandering

by Justin Reeves

wise men trekking miles after a shining star… If one of your pals told you that was the story of their birth, would you believe them?

The thing is, unbelievable stuff that seems impossible to you and me – like crazy free kicks – is possible for others. So, doesn’t it make sense that things that seem impossible to people are possible for God? After all, he created the world that we live in, didn’t he?

I know that sometimes it can feel like God’s not listening or doing anything to sort out your problems or the worries of the world. But God is there and he is listening. Remember, Jesus’ birth was all part of God’s plan to make everything OK and bring us peace. Nothing’s impossible for him.

Impossi-Puzzle

Cut out the coloured shapes on the left and fit them into the white shape on the right, but without the white square that appears at the bottom of the pattern on the left. If you don’t want to cut up your copy of ‘Kids Alive!’ trace the pattern and shapes below or go to salvationist.org.uk/kidsalive and click on this week’s issue and download and print this page.

Name:

A d ve n t Re f l e c t i

During Advent, we look forward to the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. This Advent season let’s welcome God’s peace into our hearts.

Peace and Prayer

Luke 1:26–56 and 2:19

When Mary found out she had been chosen to be Jesus’ mother, she responded by worshipping God through praise and prayer. Mary thanked God for taking an active role in her life and for his plan to save the whole world. Remembering how good God was, gave her the peace of mind and con dence to face the future.

Most people nd it easier to pray when they need help, but the Bible encourages us to pray all the time. This includes when we’re happy too! As we thank Jesus and invite him to be with us each day, God responds by lling our hearts and minds with his perfect peace.

P ra ye r

Dear Jesus, Thank you for caring about me and being involved in my life. Help me to remember to thank you for all the good things that happen to me. Amen.

KA! JAM is the coolest Bible activity club around. As a member you’ll go on amazing adventures through the Bible learning about Jesus. Each activity sheet is filled with lots of great stuff about being a Christian. You’ll also receive our mini-mag, Chatterbox, which is filled with jokes, games and much more. And to top it off, there are loads of awesome prizes to be won!

To join KA! JAM and complete the Bible activity courses online, go to salvationist.org.uk/kajam.

Or if you would like to receive the postal version, simply fill in the coupon below.

To join KA! JAM just ll in the application form and send it – along with two rst-class stamps – to: KA! JAM, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Applicants must be between 7 and 17 years old to join.

Date of birth: Address:

Postcode: Boy or girl: Do you attend a church, and if so, which one? apply for membership of Kids Alive! Jesus And Me. I understand that joining KA! JAM doesn’t mean I have joined The Salvation Army and that it is not a free subscription to Kids Alive!

I, (signature) PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS.

Why are cats good at video games? Because they have nine lives!

What’s a cat’s favourite dessert? Chocolate mouse!

He he, he he!

Crossword Clues

by Neil Locker

Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha!

Why is a pantomime often just called a panto? Because a mime is silent!

Ho ho, ho ho! He he, he he!

Why is Cinderella so bad at football? Because her coach is a pumpkin!

Why does Dick Whittington have a beard? Because nine out of ten owners know that their cats prefer Whiskas!

Ho ho, ha ha, he he!

Ho ho, ha ha, he he!

across:

3 Group of games in tennis. 5 Santa’s laugh (2,2,2).

6 Christmas treat: mince _ _ _. 7 ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ gift: _ _ _ _ _ maids a-milking. 8 Popular Christmas film: The _ _ _ _ _ Express. 11 Perceive with your eyes. 12 Body of water parted by Moses (3,3). 13 Christmas carol: ‘_ _ _ Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen’. down:

Crossword Clues

Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha!

1 Home of Santa Claus: North _ _ _ _. 2 Christmas song, ‘O _ _ _ _, All Ye Faithful’. 3 Carol or hymn, for example. 4 ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ gift: two _ _ _ _ _ _ doves. 6 ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ gift: eleven pipers _ _ _ _ _ _. 9 ‘The little _ _ _ _ Jesus asleep on the hay’ (‘Away in a Manger’). 10 ‘Oh what fun it is to _ _ _ _ in a one-horse open sleigh’ (‘Jingle Bells’). 11 ‘Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle _ _ _ _’.

Ho ho, ho ho! He he, he he!

What did the librarian say when the child asked for a pantomime book?

‘It's behind you!’

Did you hear about the lady who resigned as the front end of the pantomime horse? She wanted to quit while she was a head!

What do you call a huge pile of cats?

A meow-ntain!

Ho ho, ha ha, he he!

Why would Snow White be a good judge? Because she’s the fairest in the land!

b x s g n o l a g n i s j s o n g s q y z c h d f t e s e m u t s o c f a a g k j s k l u m d l m r i v o w e t h e A u i c v r c j i m o d n f l a b k y n y n a y c r y s l h g t m s n d i u f t w o y z a v e o n o u x u d c b s l r e g l n t h e a t r e e q h o u g f a n i m a l s p c

by Neil Locker

Batman has been ghting his nemesis The Joker for years and now the Caped Crusader is taking on the Crown Prince of Crime on the Scalextric

With the battery-operated Micro Scalextric Batman vs The Joker set there are two character cars modelled on Batman and The Joker. There are also wired controllers, a trackside graphic and four metres of track with nine track layouts. There’s even a loop-the-loop and half pipe! Set up your track in whatever formation you choose and experience a selection of heartracing tracks with the bene t of the new speedlimiting hand controller. Perfect for easy speed adjustment. Ready, get set, race! Which of Gotham City’s characters will come out on top?

For your opportunity to win a Micro Scalextric Batman vs The Joker set, answer the question below and email your full name, age, address and answer to kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk

Remember to put ‘Scalextric Competition’ in the subject box. Your entry needs to reach us by Friday 6 January when the winners will be chosen. You can also enter by lling in the details on the coupon below and posting it to: Scalextric Competition, Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN.

Micro Scalextric Batman vs The Joker set is available to buy now

BATMAN and all related characters and elements © &™ DC . (s22)

Pantomime colouring

Have you been to see a pantomime before? They’re fantastic fun. There are loads of cool characters and they’re often based on fairy tales. If you can’t make it to a pantomime show in person, how about creating your own? Use the space below to draw and colour the characters and design the set for your own panto. If you’d like to share your artwork with other readers, email your colourings to: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk. Make sure you write ‘Pantomime Colouring’ in the subject box and give us your full name, age and address. Alternatively you can post your colourings to: Your Space, Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. One last reminder, if you’re sending by post remember to ll in the details below so we know who you are. We send a gift to everyone whose colouring we publish, so don’t miss out!

Living a healthy and an active lifestyle and caring for your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Cracking Christmas

Do you nd Christmas a fantastically-festive time of year? There’s so much to do and enjoy – it’s cracking! So join us as we explore some of the most-loved Christmas traditions and get creative.

Tinsel-tastic Tunes

Christmas songs are one of the best things about the festive season and one of the most popular tunes to belt out is ‘Jingle Bells’. However, did you know this song wasn’t originally written as a Christmas song? It was titled ‘One Horse Open Sleigh’ and it’s believed it was written for American Thanksgiving. There is no mention of Christmas in the song lyrics – have a listen!

Wonderful Words

Some people don’t like using the term Xmas instead of Christmas, as they think it’s taking Christ (Jesus) out of the word and celebration. However, it isn’t necessarily true that Xmas is an attempt to make Christmas sound more modern or less Christian. The X is actually believed to come from the rst Greek letter in Christ, ‘Chi’ or X. So Xmas actually means Christ-mas.

Foody Fact

On 25 December plenty of people will be munching on roast turkey for their Christmas dinner. However, roast turkey hasn’t always been the traditional meal for this special day. During Tudor times the royals loved to tuck into Christmas Pie – made of a pigeon, placed inside a partridge, which was inside a goose, stuffed inside a turkey and covered with pastry! Now that’s a mouthful!

As time went on, goose became the rst choice for the Christmas meal. Because turkey was very expensive, only very rich people could afford it. Most Victorian families ate goose, but Queen Victoria is known to have enjoyed roast swan as well!

Cool Colourings

Brooke, age 10, sent this magni cent colouring of Dr Maggie. Lovely choice of colours, Brooke, and we love Dr Maggie’s necklace!

Reuben, age 8, sent us this super Street Dancer Colouring. The colouring is fantastic, but we love the speech bubbles and crowd even more!

New Junior Soldiers

A junior soldier is a young member of The Salvation Army Theadora, Bath Citadel; Barakat, Chiamaka, Chinyelu, Deborah, Farouk, Hattie, Neive, Noah, Simba, Tymon, Liverpool Walton; Amelia, Penge; Margaret, Plymouth Exeter Hall Whitleigh; Lucas, Stapleford.

Check out this awesome drawing Finley, age 8, did. It’s a design for his own superhero! We wonder what superpowers this hero has.

Freya, age 7, sent us this beautiful colouring. The rainbow stripe top looks fantastic and the stars and hearts are a great way to add some colour to the background.

This cool colouring of Jack Leslie was sent to us by Ruby, age 8. The green kit looks superb and is perfect as Jack played for Plymouth Argyle!

Remembrance Wreath

Here’s a photo of Sam and Jayden. They represented the Salvation Army church they attend at the Remembrance Service and laid the wreath.

Jemimah, age 8, sent us this wonderful colouring to celebrate International Day of Friendship. It looks fab!

G e t I n T o u c h !

The Kids Alive! team loves to hear from its readers. And guess what –other readers love reading your news! So why not get in touch?

You can email or post your own colourings, drawings and letters. Or you could ask your Sunday school, church or corps leaders to email us or write to us with any news about the fun stuff you’ve been doing at your church or corps.

Email: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk

Post: Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN

Sharon

Age? 7.

Favourite colour? Pink. Favourite food? Nuggets.

Favourite sport? Basketball.

Favourite bit of Kids Alive!? Quizzes.

Favourite Bible story and why? Noah’s ark, because he saved the animals.

Favourite TV programme? Alexa and Katie.

What do you want to be when you’re older? Doctor.

Pets? None.

Hobbies? Gymnastics and keyboard. Tell us a joke. Why are football stadiums cool? Because each seat has a fan!

What special skill or talent do you have? Gymnastics.

Tell us something interesting about yourself. I can touch my head with my feet. Is there anything else you would like to tell us? No.