What is the best gift you received as a kid? Do you remember how you felt when you realized what it was? Did the joy and excitement make you want to dance, jump up and down, or maybe even cry? As great as that gift was, there is another gift that is even greater: Jesus!
John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” God gave us Jesus. It is through Jesus that we can have everlasting life but, unfortunately, not all of us have unwrapped this amazing gift. God gave it to all of us and I remember the joy I felt when I unwrapped and accepted this amazing gift. Have you accepted this gift yet? If not, my hope is that you will join us in-person or online for our Christmas Eve service where we will share more about this amazing gift. In the meantime, enjoy this story with your children as we introduce them to the reason for the season: Jesus!
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: Jesus Is Born • Luke 2:1-7
Memory Verse: “God has given a son to us.” Isaiah 9:6, NCV
Key Question: How do we know God loves us?
Bottom Line: God gave us Jesus.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – Jesus Is Born (link)
Worship – What Christmas Is About (link)
Worship – Oh What a Special Night (link)
Extra Worship – Little Drummer Boy (link)
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. We will continue to practice this verse all month. Be sure to use the hand motions as it helps the kids to remember. Also, think of a fun reward you can give them at the end of the month when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions (link)
Bible Story Activity (link)
Coloring Page (link)
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Today’s Bible story was about when Jesus was born! ‘J’ is for JESUS! Mary and Joseph looked and looked and finally found a stable to stay in. And it was in that stable that [Bottom Line] God gave us Jesus, because He loves us SO much! How do we know God loves us? (Together.) [Bottom Line] God gave us Jesus!
“Yes! And the Bible verse we’re learning will help us remember that [Bottom Line] God gave us Jesus. It says . . . ‘God has given a son to us,’ Isaiah 9:6. That verse is talking about Jesus! (Practice this verse several times with your kids.)
“Today, we’ll tell Jesus ‘Happy Birthday!’ I will write ‘JESUS’ real big on this paper. Then we’ll take turns saying, ‘Happy Birthday, Jesus!’ (Encourage each family member to say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus,” and be sure to do so yourself.)
“That was so special! We all told Jesus ‘Happy Birthday,’ because Christmas is all about when Jesus was born!Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give each family member who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)
Prayer: “Dear God, Thank You that we get to learn about the true story of Christmas. Thank You that Jesus was born and He wants to be our friend forever. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6, NLT
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
