Make an Indian Christmas Star

Martyn Payne

Introduction:

Large paper 3-D stars are a popular decoration in India, particularly for the Hindu festival of Divali, the festival of lights. Between mid-October and mid-November houses and streets are aglow with earthen lamps and coloured lights on verandahs, rooftops, walls and windowsills. Children wear new clothes for the festival and families gather to let off fireworks.

As this is also close to the time of year when Christians begin their Advent and Christmas preparations, they too hang up colourful stars to remind them of the star-light that led the wise men from the east to Jesus, who later described himself as ‘the light of the world’. Christians are called to shine as lights in the darkness and these stars are one way in which the Christian minority in India can witness to their faith among their neighbours.

Preparation:

This is a craft idea to accompany Joy to the World, which contains activities from around the world to celebrate Christmas.

Development:

1. You can use this template to make one of these Indian stars.

2. Photocopy the template onto card. You will need 5 cards to make one star.

3. Cut out each shape, adding some decoration. With a hole punch create a number of holes in each ‘arm’ of the star to let the light through.

4. Fold along every dotted line and draw the sides together to make each section. For this use glue, double-sided tape or a stapler.

5. Finally join together the five sections. This can be fiddly and it is best to work with a group or a partner. Younger children will need a lot of help.

6. Hang the stars up as a reminder of how Christians in India will be celebrating the festival of Christmas.