Curriculum
Don't Miss Chritmas
Memory Verse:
“She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a manger.” Luke 2:7
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Christmas is all about how Jesus came to earth as a brand-new baby. In order to reconcile the world to Himself, God sent His one and only Son to be Immanuel, God with us.
Scripture Summary
During this time, Rome controlled Palestine. Augustus gave the order for a census to be taken to help with collecting taxes. The Jews were exempt from serving in the Roman army, but they still had to pay taxes. This was all to fulfill God’s plan of where Jesus was to be born.
Joseph headed to Bethlehem to pay his taxes because he was a descendant of David. Mary, Joseph’s fiancé, was already well along in her pregnancy with the Messiah. Together they made the long journey of 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. As they arrived, Mary’s time came for her baby to be born, and they couldn’t find an inn with any spare rooms.
Joseph and Mary found room in a stable, which was often a cave with a feeding trough carved out of the rock walls. It was a dirty and smelly setting, not the expected setting for a royal birth of the Messiah King.
The first birth announcement of Jesus was truly a majestic one. A huge crowd of angels appeared to shepherds who were working protecting their flocks of sheep at night in the fields. Their fear of such a spectacle quickly turned to joy as they were invited to greet the newborn Messiah.
Why Is This Important
Not only did the story of Jesus’ birth fulfill the Old Testament prophecies, the story marked a significant shift in God’s overall story. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the Messiah, had come to earth to save the world.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
The Christmas Story
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
Each family has its own Christmas traditions. From specific foods and dishes to who gets to open a present first, Christmastime is deeply steeped in ritual. As I was growing up, my family opened one present on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, we opened stockings, enjoyed a breakfast (complete with quiche and cinnamon applesauce), read the Christmas story, and opened presents. As the youngest in the family, I was glad to open the first present.
I love that it was important to my parents to pause in the middle of a hectic morning to read the Christmas story. It had become a familiar story, but we all experienced the series of events and the grand excitement anew each year.
The reading of the Christmas story was always age-appropriate for the children in the family and looked different each year. Young readers took turns reading the story aloud. Grandma read a children’s book, complete with engaging images, depicting the Christmas story. The adults watched an animated video of the story along with the grandchildren. The Christmas story was the backdrop as children played with their own personal set of nativity figurines.
We can always share the wonder of the Christmas story with the children in our lives. It’s a story that never grows old. Be creative as you engage with it anew this year. And as you do, ponder your answers to these questions.
- What is something new I noticed or that stood out to me as I read the Christmas story this year?
- How can seeing the Christmas story through the eyes of a child impact my own interaction with Jesus this season?
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for your beautiful and creative Christmas story. Please help me remember You, Your Son, and the true meaning of Christmas in the midst of such a busy holiday. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: A Bible, A doll, A blanket
“She gave birth to her first Son. There were no rooms left in the inn. So she wrapped the baby with cloths and laid Him in a box where animals are fed.” Luke 2:7 (ICB)
Lead children in saying today’s Bible memory verse with the actions in parentheses.
“She gave birth to her first Son.” (Imitate holding a baby.)
“There were no rooms left in the inn.” (Cross arms across chest to say “no.”)
“So she wrapped the baby with cloths” (Pretend to wrap up a baby.) “and laid Him in a box where animals are fed.” (Pretend to lay a baby in a manger.) Luke 2:7
Continue saying the verse so children can learn it. Encourage children to show their families the motions as they say the verse at home.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bible, Stuffed animals, Basket, Small blanket or towel, Baby doll, Paper, Crayons, A flashlight
Get Ready: You don’t need costumes for this skit, but if you have them, kids will enjoy them. In a corner of your room, set up a “barn” with stuffed animals and a basket to serve as the manger. Choose children to play the following roles:
- Joseph
- Mary
- Baby Jesus
- Angel
- Host of Angels
- Shepherds
As you read this “script” from Luke 2:1-20, follow along to help prompt the children to say or do things.
At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order to all people in the countries that were under Roman rule. The order said that they must list their names in a register. And everyone went to their own towns to be registered. (Everyone gets up and walks to the other side of the room.)
So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee. He went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (Mary was now pregnant.) (Joseph and Mary walk across the room. If a volunteer wants to play the donkey, Mary could ride on this person’s back.)
While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth to her first son. There were no rooms left in the inn. So she wrapped the baby with cloths and laid Him in a box where animals are fed. (Joseph and Mary walk to the barn area. Hand Mary a baby doll and she wraps it up and puts it in the manger.)
That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and suddenly they became very frightened.
(Shepherds sit and an angel appears to them. Shepherds act afraid.)
The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing you some good news. It will be a joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know Him: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding box.” (Angel says, “Jesus is born!”)
Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel. All the angels were praising God, saying: “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please God.” (Group of angels joins the one angel and all say, “Glory to God!”)
Lead everyone in applause for the actors. Then ask children:
- What do you think it would’ve been like to have your baby in a barn?
- Why do you think the shepherds were scared of the angels?
- What would you have done if an angel appeared to you?
SAY: God’s Son coming to Earth for us is the real meaning of Christmas.
Jesus was born and we don’t have to be afraid. We can praise God like the angels did.
Snack
Manger Snack
You’ll Need: “Don’t Miss Christmas How-to Video Instruction”, For each child, you’ll need: one Rice Krispies Treat (homemade or store-bought), one thin apple slice, ½ grape, two marshmallows, Paper plates, Napkins
Tell children they can create a manger with baby Jesus. Help them follow these directions.
- Place the Rice Krispies Treat on your plate to serve as the manger.
- Lay the apple slice on the manger to serve as baby Jesus’ body.
- Lay the grape half on the body to serve as baby Jesus’ head.
- Place the marshmallows around the manger to serve as sheep.
- Enjoy.
While children enjoy their snack, have them watch the “Jesus Is Born” video.
Game
Swaddling Relay
You’ll Need: Baby doll, Baby blanket, Music, Something to play the music on
Get Ready: Watch a video about how to swaddle a baby. For each team, place a set of the following supplies at the other end of the room for the relay: baby doll and baby blanket.
Read Luke 2:7. (Or see if kids can recite it from memory with the actions.)
Then show children how to swaddle a baby with these steps:
- Spread out a blanket and fold down one corner.
- Place the baby’s head above the fold.
- Wrap one side of the blanket over the body, arms inside.
- Tuck it underneath.
- Now fold up from the bottom. Make sure your baby’s legs can bend and that the blanket isn’t wrapped too tight.
- Finally, wrap the other side of the blanket across the body. Tuck it under. You’re done!
Form a circle. Play music and pass a swaddled baby around the circle. When the music stops, that child will unwrap the baby and try to swaddle it again. (Swaddling does not have to be perfect.)
AFTERWARDS, ASK:
- What was it like to swaddle the baby?
- What other things do you think Mary did to take care of baby Jesus?
SAY: We had fun with our game and we didn’t have to be as careful with the doll as we would be with a real baby. Christmas is about Jesus coming as a baby. Maybe one of the reasons Jesus came as a baby is so He can understand everything we go through as children. God’s Son was an actual baby and a toddler and a child and a teenager before He was a grown man.
Craft
Christmas Triptych Craft
You’ll Need: “Christmas Triptych” handout for each child, Colored pencils, Scissors, Red or green card stock paper (optional: construction paper), Glue stick
A triptych is a three-panel scene that is typically hinged together side by side and used as an altarpiece. In this lesson, children will make their own version of a Christmas triptych.
Help children follow these steps:
- Color the “Christmas Triptych” handout.
- Cut out the picture along the cut-lines.
- Lay a sheet of cardstock in landscape mode.
- Fold the paper into thirds from left side in to right side in.
- Glue the picture onto the center of the cardstock paper.
- Set up your Triptych for viewing and enjoy.
Invite children to retell what happened using their craft as a prop.
Prayer
Thank You, Jesus, Prayer
You’ll Need: Baby from the Swaddling Relay game
SAY: As we think about the real meaning of Christmas, we think about how much Jesus loved us to come as a baby and grow up here on Earth. Let’s focus on that Christmas love now. And let’s give thanks for Jesus.
Have children pass the baby around the circle and one at a time complete this prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for .
Remind children that the reason for Christmas is in this verse: read John 3:16.
Close by praying that every child would know Jesus’ love this Christmas season.
