Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Wonderful Welcome: A Program for Children Grades K-1

Activity 1: The Wonder Box

Part of Wonderful Welcome

Activity time: 5 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • If you have not already made a Wonder Box see the directions in Session 1.
  • Place an olive branch, or a branch to represent one, inside the Wonder Box. (Or, print out Leader Resource 1: Dove and Olive Branch and place it inside the Wonder Box.)

Description of Activity

While children are still in a circle around the chalice, show them the Wonder Box. Invite them to guess what gift could be in this big, beautifully-wrapped box. Take some guesses. Then pass the box around for children to open and find the olive branch inside. Tell them the bird is a dove and it is holding a branch from an olive tree in its beak. Ask if anyone has seen this image before, and if so, if they remember where they saw it. Allow some comments and questions. Then say:

A dove with an olive branch in its beak is a symbol for peace. When countries are at war, people who want the war to end will often use the symbol of a dove to stand for their desire for peace. When people are arguing or fighting, and someone wants to offer peace and end the fight, we say they want to give the other person an olive branch. It means you are ready to forgive the other person, and ask them to forgive you, too. Forgiving somebody helps you stop fighting and make peace together. It may seem easy to hand someone a branch and end a fight. But, it only works if you are ready to forgive.

Ask," What words do you say when you want someone to forgive you?" Affirm the responses, such as "I'm sorry."

Ask," What words do you say when you are ready to forgive someone else?" Affirm the responses such as: "I forgive you." "It's OK." "I'm not angry anymore" and "Let's be friends and play."