Kids Alive! 24 December 2022

The Smeds and the Smoos

Magic Light/BBC pictures

a week (and healthier too!). And this way,

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that lasts all year long!

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On a far-off planet live the Smeds, who are red, and the Smoos, who are blue. That’s not their only difference, though. The Smeds live by a loobular lake, the Smoos on a humplety hill. The Smeds sleep in beds, while the Smoos snooze in holes. Because of these differences, Grandfather Smed and Grandmother Smoo refuse to let the two groups mix. So when a Smed called Janet and a Smoo called Bill meet in the Wurpular Wood and become friends, their grandparents are furious! Bill and Janet realise their two families won’t allow them to be together, so they zoom off in the Smeds’ red rocket. Thankfully, Grandfather Smed had forgotten to lock it! That means that Grandmother Smoo and Grandfather Smed must scramble into the Smoos’ blue rocket and start a search for the runaways. As they travel through the galaxy to all kinds of planets, the two grandparents start to understand each other a little better. But there’s still no sign of Bill and Janet. After heading for home feeling sad, they soon discover a surprise waiting for them! It’s one that brings the Smeds and the Smoos together for ever.

Based on the book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, ‘The Smeds and The Smoos’ will be shown on BBC One at 2.30pm on Christmas Day. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Magic Light/BBC pictures

One More Sleep ’Til Christmas

We’re nearly there. The big day has almost arrived. In fact, if you’re reading this on the same date as the one on this week’s cover, there’s just one more sleep until Christmas! Wahoo!

Last week, one of my daughters persuaded me to rewatch The Muppet Christmas Carol. There’s a lovely song in the lm called ‘One More Sleep ’Til Christmas’. It talks about the excitement of Christmas Eve and mentions how there’s magic in the air, the whole world’s aglow, no one’s a stranger and everyone is family. A couple of lines in the middle of the song say that ‘It’s the season … to spread the news about peace and to keep love alive’.

The shepherds watching their ocks in this week’s

by Justin Reeves

Bible cartoon didn’t have Christmas to look forward to – well, not that they knew of. Then whoosh! The air was aglow, not with magic, but with a whole load of angels. After the shepherds had listened to the angels’ message they rushed to see the new-born king. Once they’d seen him, they shared his message of peace and love with everyone they met – as though everyone was family.

I’m sure you’re excited about Christmas, but I hope you’re excited about the meaning of Christmas too – celebrating the birth of Jesus. If you are, I hope you’re ready to share that excitement with everyone you know (I’d leave sharing it with strangers to shepherds and other grown-ups, though). Have a peaceful and loving Christmas, readers.

There are lots of sheep hidden on this page. Count all of them and find the special ones with letters. Once you have all the letters put them together in the right order to spell out something to share at Christmas.

Steve English

Name:

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

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.

Prince of Peace!

Luke 2:4–7 and Isaiah 9:6

Through the prophets of the Old Testament, God promised to send a king to save the world. God kept his promise through Jesus’ birth. God had said exactly where Jesus would be born and the type of leader he would be – the Prince of Peace. Jesus lived a perfect life of love and sacri ce. He xed our relationships with God and made it possible for us to receive his perfect peace.

As the Prince of Peace, Jesus wants to be rst in our hearts. He promised in John 14:27 to give us his peace so we wouldn’t have to worry about anything. As your friendship with Jesus grows and his peace lls your heart, you’ll also be able to enjoy God’s peace in your relationships with others.

P ra ye r

Dear Jesus, Thank you for coming as the Prince of Peace to the whole world. May everyone know your peace and love this Christmas. 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.

Crossword Clues

by Neil Locker

I

Match the muddled up lettered tiles with the correctly arranged numbered tiles to find the odd tile out

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ha, ha, he, he!

Crossword Clues

He, he, he, he!

Ho, ho, ho, ho!

What do you get if you Christmaseat decorations? Tinsellitis!

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

across: 1 Christmas carol, ‘_ _ _ _! The Herald Angels Sing’. 3 Seasonal carol, ‘God _ _ _ _ Ye Merry, Gentlemen’. 7 Heavenly messenger who appeared to the shepherds. 8 Item of neckwear. 9 Celebration following Christmas on 1 January (3,4). 13 Paddle for a rowing boat. 14 Christmas carol, ‘Silent _ _ _ _ _’. 16 Reflection of sound. 17 Make a wish when you _ _ _ _ the Christmas pudding mixture. down: 1 Warmth. 2 Mat. 4 Spare. 5 Traditional yuletide decoration. 6 ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ gift: six geese _-_ _ _ _ _ _. (1,6). 10 Christmas greeting: ‘Peace on _ _ _ _ _ and goodwill to all’. 11 Snowman’s facial feature that is a carrot. 12 Celestial body followed by the wise men. 15 Acquire or receive.

What do aliens like to eat? Unidenti ed Frying Objects!

Why don’t reindeer like penguins? Because they can’t get the wrappers off!

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

on Page 2

What’s an alien’s favourite part of a computer? The space bar!

Why did the scientist cross a turkey with an octopus? So everyone could have a leg for Christmas dinner!

Games Bundle Competition Games Bundle Competition

H G

Do you love playing games with your family and friends at Christmas? It’s a great way to have fun and in this week’s competition we have an amazing games bundle to give away.

Included in the bundle is the brand-new Lex Match. It’s a ve-letter word game that’s the newest addition to the current word game craze. Presented in a handy carry case, Lex Match is perfect for when you’re on the go, maybe travelling to see family and friends during the festive season.

Winners will also receive seven different Top Trumps games, including the exclusive Women’s European Football Champions Top Trumps that celebrate the Lionesses’ big win earlier this year. The other six Top Trumps making up this mega prize package are Marvel Universe Who’s Your Hero?, Disney Princess, Roald Dahl, Dinosaurs, Awesome Animals, and Horses and Ponies and Unicorns. There’s something for everyone and all that is bound to keep the whole family entertained for hours!

For your opportunity to win this amazing games bundle, answer the question below and email your full name, age, address and answer to kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk

Remember to put ‘Games Bundle Competition’ in the subject box. Your entry needs to reach us by Friday 20 January when the winners will be chosen. You can also enter by lling in the details on the coupon below and posting it to: Games Bundle Competition, Kids Alive! 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN.

A

F P R WIN!

C D E

Lex Match and Top Trumps are available from winningmoves.co.uk

Where would you go if you could zoom off in a rocket into space? In The Smeds and The Smoos, Grandfather Smed and Grandmother Smoo visit all sorts of different planets. There’s Grimbletosh, which is coated in grime, and Glurch, which is covered in slime! While you think about your space adventures, why not add some colour to the Rocket Colouring below? If you’d like to share your artwork with other readers email your colourings to: kidsalive@salvationarmy.org.uk. Make sure you write ‘Rocket 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 youare. We send a gift to everyone whose colouring we publish, so don’t miss out!

salvationist.org.uk/kidsalive

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

G i v e Y o u r s e l f a n ‘E l f’ C h e c

Are you on Santa’s nice list? Have you been good this year? We’re sure you have, but if you want to check how you’re getting on take our ‘elf’ check quiz to see if you’re a Christmas angel or a bit of a Grinch!

1

It’s a snow day! What do you want to do first?

Build a big snowman with friends.

Make snow angels on your own.

Throw snowballs at people who walk past.

A B C

What’s your favourite Christmas song? ‘Last Christmas.’

A Salvation Army band is playing carols on the high street. What do you do?

A B C

Go over to give some money and sing along.

Walk past without giving, but smile at them. Hurry past to spend your money on a treat for yourself.

The person making Christmas lunch for everyone is getting a bit stressed. What do you do?

A B C

Dive straight in to help.

Offer to help, but hope they’ll say no.

Ignore them. You’re too busy watching The Grinch on TV anyway.

‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.’

I don’t have one. They’re all rubbish!

How do you feel about presents at Christmas?

A B C

I love planning and making my family special gifts that I think they’ll love.

I’ll probably grab something cheap last-minute.

I prefer to receive the gifts myself!

If you were an elf, what would your name be?

A B C

Jingle Tinseltoes.

Sprinkle Sugarnose. Grumpy Frownyface.

on your street that’s covered with Christmas lights. How does this make you feel?

A B

Full of joy – it’s so pretty!

You hadn’t really noticed to be honest, but they’re kind of OK.

10

It’s the last posting day before Christmas and there’s a big queue at the Post Office. What do you do?

A B C

Wait patiently for your turn and hum Christmas carols while you wait.

Try to convince the person in front to let you go ahead of them.

Push your way to the front. You don’t have time to wait.

On Christmas morning you get two presents that are the same. What do you do?

Give one to charity.

Keep it and give it to someone else next Christmas.

Sell it to buy an extra present for yourself.

What is the real meaning of Christmas?

A B C

Celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Spending time with your family.

Getting presents – loads of them!

Mostly A’s Mostly B’s

Well done! You’re a Christmas angel! You’re full of Christmas spirit and de nitely on Santa’s nice list this year. Keep up the good work!

You’re a little in the middle. You sometimes throw yourself into the festivities, but there’s still a bit of work to do to make it to angel level.

Mostly C’s

Uh-oh! It seems you’re a tad Grinchy. There’s not much time to turn things around, but nothing is impossible, especially at Christmas!

Cool Colourings

Leo, age 5, sent us this cool Christmastime Colouring. Leo fractured his arm and still managed to complete this amazing piece of artwork. Well done, Leo, we hope your arm is better soon!

Check out this beautiful Teddy Bears’ Picnic Colouring from Eve, age 8. It’s made us look forward to summer. Then we can enjoy delicious picnics too!

New Junior Soldiers

A junior soldier is a young member of The Salvation Army Gael, Katy, Lillian, Birmingham Citadel; Shamisu, Tinashe, Newport Citadel; Mikhayla, Yolanda, Slough.

This super Street Dancer Colouring was coloured by Samuel, age 8. We love the black outline details!

Jacob, age 5, also sent us a fab festive colouring. It looks great. Well done, Jacob!

This awesome Aeroplane Colouring was sent by Ella, age 7. We love the blue sky and beautiful red owers.

Chatham’s Bags of Hope

Here’s a photo of Major Ian Payne from Chatham Salvation Army receiving donations from the head boy, headteacher and head girl from Lordswood Primary School. The groceries were part of Chatham Salvation Army’s ‘Bags of Hope’, which are used to support people and families who need help.

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

Ruby

Age? 7.

Favourite colour? Purple.

Favourite food? Noodles.

Favourite sport? Swimming. Favourite bit of Kids Alive!? The competitions. Favourite Bible story and why? Jonah and the whale, because the big fish swallows him and spits him out. Favourite TV programme? Aladdin.

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

Pets? None.

Hobbies? Swimming and dancing. Tell us a joke. Why can’t you trust Elsa with a balloon? She will let it go!

What special skill or talent do you have? Swimming. Tell us something interesting about yourself. I have swum two metres. Is there anything else you would like to tell us? I love RE at school.