WELCOME TO WEEK 2

Have you ever seen a newborn baby? It’s a very exciting time. Everyone is anxious to meet and hold a new baby. When Jesus was born, his parents were even more excited because they knew He would be the long awaited Messiah. We can also celebrate Jesus’ birth, his life, his death and his resurrection. We can live with him forever because He came as the lamb who was slain for our sins.

Luke 2:1-7

BIBLE STORY

What is your favorite gift you’ve ever received? What did you like about it? Was it a surprise? Think about what kind of gift you would like to give Jesus. Draw a picture of the gift you would like to give him. 

God gave us a gift as well, and it was the gift of Jesus sent to earth as a baby. Last week we read about Mary and Joseph being chosen as the parents of baby Jesus. God told them Jesus would be the savior of the world. They may not have known exactly what God had planned, but they trusted that Jesus would save them from their sins. What a gift to receive! God gave Jesus as a gift to us! When we receive a gift, it is free! We don’t owe anything for the gift and it doesn’t cost us anything. We can celebrate Jesus’ birth because it was a gift from God to show us how much he loves us and wants to be in relationship with us.

Read or listen to the scripture story in Luke 2:1-7

What did Ceasar Augustus want to be taken? (A census)

What is a census? (A count of all the people)

Where did every person have to go? (To their own town to register)

Why did Joseph need to go to Bethlehem? (He went to Bethlehem the town of David because He was of the house of David)

When was the baby born? (The baby was born while they were in Bethlehem.)

What was the problem they faced while in Bethlehem? (Every guest room was full and they had not place to stay)

Where did they place the baby? (In a manger)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Jesus is our gift of salvation. We can not earn it by doing good works or earning enough points. God has given us this gift for free, we just need to accept it! Jesus came as a baby to dwell among men. We can celebrate Jesus birth because it means more than just an ordinary birthday, but a part of the fulfillment of God’s plan for our salvation.

Activity

Jesus was a gift God gave us for our salvation. We can give gifts as well. Make a gift or purchase a small gift to give to a friend, neighbor or stranger. Wrap the gift nicely and write a simple note, “Jesus gave the gift of salvation”.

Materials: homemade or store bought gift, wrapping paper or gift bag, notecard or gift tag

Alternate

Retell the story of Jesus birth, as your child acts out the story. Use props you can find around your house like a baby doll and blanket. Create a small stable using chairs and blankets, then add stuffed animals.

Materials: dress-up props such as: doll, blankets, chair, sheets, towels

Independent activity:

Complete the following activity sheet. Color the pictures and decide which animals belong in the manger with baby Jesus.

Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil, crayon

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Jesus was born in a stable and placed in a manger. Create a popsicle stick stable scene.

Materials: popsicle/craft sticks, glue, construction paper, 

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?

Why was Jesus placed in a manger?

What about Jesus’ birth should we celebrate?

Why do you think Jesus came as a baby?

How does knowing the story of Jesus’ birth help us to trust God?

Have you held a baby?

Do you think it was hard for some people to believe that a baby would save them?

Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was the messiah because the angels told them what was to happen. God made a promise to save his people from their sins and this was a step towards that fulfillment. God’s people waited for this moment and were excited to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Practical Application at Home

Sometimes, time feels like it is moving really slow and other times it seems as though time is moving very quickly. Do the following activities and record the amount of time it takes to do each one.

-Pouring ketchup from a glass bottle 

-Run around the outside of your house

-Watch the second hand of a clock go around once

-Sing one verse of your favorite song

-Bring a kettle of water to a boil

-Count 100 grains of sugar

Some things actually take a long time to do and some things simply feel like they take a long time to happen. Waiting to pour a tablespoon of ketchup from a bottle or counting 100 grains of sugar can feel like it takes forever. Singing a verse of your favorite song may not seem to take as long. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. Isaiah is speaking to a people who were waiting for a savior to come because God promised it. They had waited for generations in expectation that He would rule over everything and establish a kingdom on earth, right then. Jesus came as a baby to one day die on the cross for humanity so that all who believe can live with him for eternity. He started from humble beginnings of being born in a manger, to dying and being resurrected, and then taken to heaven. No ordinary person could do such a thing. Isaiah describes Jesus as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus’ birth was no ordinary birth because He was the long awaited Savior of the world. We can celebrate Jesus birth, because His birth was part of God’s plan for our salvation.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Go to a park and spend time in worship and prayer. Ask God to show you ways to trust him and listen to his voice.