The Birth of Jesus
The child will be able to describe how Jesus’ birth is a fulfillment of God’s promises to people in the Old Testament.
Bible Story Reference: Luke 2:1-20
Memory Verse:
Luke 2:10 & 11 (NIV)
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Introduction
In the last lesson, we learned about how angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would be used by God.
Bible Story
When Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem, there was a celebration that topped all celebrations. God had been planning it for all eternity.
Imagine that you’re part of the planning committee for the Very First Christmas Celebration. Everything you need to know about this special event is in Luke 2:1-20.
Jesus’ birth itself wasn’t all that fancy. He was born in a barn. But the angels and shepherds made a big show of it! Like them, we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Nobody wants to miss a great party, right? If you’re invited to your best friend’s birthday party or a fun holiday celebration, you really look forward to it.(Invite the child to share their favorite parties or family gatherings that they’ve attended)
When we go to a friend’s party, we’re ready to have fun and celebrate. But at Christmas, we celebrate the most exciting birthday of all. We celebrate Jesus’ birth.
When the angels announced Jesus’ birth, they shared the message we just sang. They wanted everyone to know that Christmas is about bringing glory to God. That’s why we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Today we celebrate Jesus’ birth by remembering that first Christmas. Believing in Jesus gives us the gift of eternal life in heaven. I can’t think of a better Christmas present than that!
Jesus’ birth brought joy to the world! That’s why we celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Review
- What makes Jesus’ birth worth all that celebration?
- What do you think of the way God chose to celebrate Jesus’ birth?
- What are your favorite ways to celebrate Jesus’ birth?
- How did people show joy the night Jesus was born?
- Why did Jesus’ birth bring joy to the whole world?
- What have you done to show Christmas joy?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for keeping your promise. Amen
Songs
Crafts
Jesus is Born
What You Need
- Different colours of hard paper e.g. Manilla or carton (brown, white, yellow)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Marker
- Crayons or coloured pencils
Steps
- Fold shorter edges of dark brown paper in 2 inches (two sides). (See picture)
- With black crayon or marker, draw lines to resemble boards on dark brown paper. (See picture).
- Unfold edges.
- Without cutting into two pieces, cut snips of yellow along one side of paper to resemble hay, leaving 1/4″ all along the opposite edge uncut.
- Crumple hay slightly.
- Fold back 1/4″ uncut edge.
- Glue ‘hay’ to top inside panel of dark brown paper. (See picture).
- Draw Joseph and Mary on a piece of brown paper and color Joseph and Mary apart from each other. (See picture.)
- Glue Joseph and Mary on bottom of inside edge of panel of dark brown paper. (See picture.)
- Fold dark brown paper one edge 1/2″. This is the manger.
- Glue largest side of folded dark brown paper to bottom of large dark brown paper in the middle of Joseph and Mary.
- Glue left over ‘hay’ to the top edge of manger and inside the manger.
- Draw two sheep and one cow and glue to outer brown panels. (See picture).
- On a piece of paper, write “Jesus Is Born!” and “Luke 2:1-12” and glue it to the middle of dark brown paper. (See picture).
- Add eyes ears to sheep and cow.
- Cut out a small white rectangle. This is Jesus’ swaddling clothes.
- Glue in the middle of the manger.
- Cut out a small circle. This is Jesus’ head and glue head to swaddling clothes.
- Draw face on baby.
- Make dark brown paper ‘stand up’ on a table. Crease folds more if it falls down.