Kids Sermon - "Time for a New Start!"

(Items needed: A Clock or an Hourglass)

Good morning, Children!

I hope you're all excited because something special is about to happen (or has just happened) —can you guess what it is? That's right, a brand new year is just around the corner! It's like we're about to open a brand new book with 365 blank pages. How amazing is that? The old year of 2023 is all finished. Now we are about to start a brand new year!

Today, I brought something with me that I think will help us understand the importance of the New Year. Look at this (show a clock or an hourglass) – what do you see? That's right, it's a clock! It helps us know what time it is, and it never stops ticking. Just like this hourglass, time is always moving forward. (If you use an hourglass you made to do some explanation first)

Now, think about the past year. Can you remember the fun times, the things you learned, and the friends you made? It's like each second, minute, and hour on the clock represented something special that happened in our lives.

But guess what? In just a few days, we're going to get a brand new clock / brand new year! It's like God is giving us a fresh start, a chance to make new friends, learn new things, and do kind and helpful stuff. Thankfully, the things that were not so good last year are in the past now. (You could also use this as a time to talk about forgiveness and putting old sins in the past)

You know, the Bible tells us that God's love and mercy are new every morning. So, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, it's like God is saying, "I'm giving you a new chance to shine bright and make the world a better place."

Just like the hourglass, the sand keeps moving, and so does time. But with each passing moment, we have the opportunity to do good things, to show the love and kindness of Jesus to others, and to grow closer to God.

So, as we step into the New Year, let's remember that God has a special plan for each one of us. Let's use our time wisely, be kind to one another, and make this new year an amazing adventure with God!

Happy New Year, everyone! Let's make it the best one yet!

Childrens Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of time and the chance to start anew. Help us use each moment of this brand new year to love others and grow closer to you. In Jesus’ name - Amen.