The birth of Jesus
key words
bible reference
Luke 2:1 - 20
lesson objective
To help the children learn that God fulfilled his promise when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
memory verse
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16a, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
With the birth of Jesus, all the promises that God had made to send a Redeemer to the world were fulfilled. Luke helps us understand the historical and political significance of this event.
Cyrenius, governor of Syria, decreed that all people travel to their hometown to be counted. This first census was carried out so that the prophecy would be fulfilled; Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Joseph was a descendant of King David. For that reason, he and his wife Mary traveled to Bethlehem in Judea. The Gospel of Luke also tells us that the birth occurred in a humble manner - Jesus was placed in a manger, the box for food for the animals. What a humble beginning for the Son of God and Savior of the world! Now you have the opportunity to tell the good news of the birth of Jesus to your children. God manifests his love to us, offering us the gift of salvation through his Son. Show that love to your children as they study the Bible story.
adaptation
The excitement of Christmas fills the minds of preschoolers during these days. You will notice them to be a little jumpy and joyful during the next few weeks. This lesson provides you with the opportunity to talk about the real meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. This way they will learn that, above the gifts and celebrations, Christmas is a time to give thanks to God for the salvation he offers us through his Son.
It is likely that because it is the Christmas season, you will have more visitors in your class. Help them understand the wonder of the birth of Jesus. Remember that your actions and words are fundamental to what preschoolers will learn.
introduce the lesson
A stable
Look in advance for a drawing or photograph that shows what a stable (barn) looks like. Perhaps your children have never seen one.
If you do not have an appropriate illustration, draw one on paper or use clippings from magazines.
Show the drawing and describe how it is a stable. Tell them that the story speaks of something wonderful that happened in a humble stable.
teach the lesson
Before the session read Luke 2:1 – 20 and be ready to tell the story.
What did the angel say?
To review the last lesson, ask some children to come forward and say what they remember about the story of Mary and the angel, Gabriel.
Fill in anything they may have left out and prepare them for this week’s lesson.
Remember that most preschoolers learn through their senses. That’s why we suggest you illustrate the story with visual aids.
The birth of Jesus
The Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar gave a special order. He wanted to know how many people lived in his kingdom, so he ordered all the people to go to the place where they had been born to be counted.
Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because Joseph was born there. Mary was probably riding on a donkey with Joseph walking beside her.
It was a long way to Bethlehem, but finally, Joseph and Mary arrived. Although Joseph tried to find a room in an inn, they were all full. Mary needed rest. She was overwhelmed by the trip and it was almost the time of the baby’s birth.
“Sorry, everything is full,” the innkeepers told Joseph. “The town is full of people who have come for the census; everyone is tired and there are no rooms left.”
“But, my wife is going to have a baby and she is very tired. I just need a place for her,” Joseph said, very distressed.
At last, an employee of one of the inns said to them, “Come with me.” Joseph and Mary followed him. They could hear the cows mooing and the braying of the donkeys as they followed the man.
“This is the place where we keep the animals; it is the only thing we have,” the employee said. “The straw is soft. If you want, you can stay here.”
Mary and Joseph accepted because they were very tired, but something special happened later. That night Jesus was born! Mary wrapped the baby in cloth to protect him. Then, they made a crib in a manger so that the baby could rest. Mary and Joseph were happy for the birth of their baby and they thanked God. Then they said that the baby’s name would be Jesus. It was the name the angel had told them to give him. That night the promise of God was fulfilled. Jesus had come to this world to save mankind from their sins.
connect the lesson
Jesus is born!
Prepare in advance Student Activity Sheet #102-A, #102-B and 102-C. Cut out the picture of baby Jesus from Student Activity Sheet #102-C for each child.
Give Student Activity Sheet #102-A and #102-B to each child. Ask the children to trace the word of faith and write their name on the sheet. Then, while coloring the figures of Mary, Joseph and the animals, ask them: “Who is missing in the illustration?” (The baby Jesus) Give them the picture of Jesus and allow them to glue the picture where it belongs.
Cut the bottom strip by following the dotted line. Help them fold forward the triangles on the four corners of the sheet (see example). When they open this, they will discover the baby Jesus in the manger.
Encourage the children to take home their activities and share the lesson with their families and friends.
practice the memory verse
Ask the children to form a circle. Then tell them to bend down and place their hands on their knees. Walk around the circle and, when you touch someone’s back, they should stand up, raise their hands and say the memory verse with you. Continue the exercise until everyone has participated.
wrap-up
Pray
Have a special time of prayer. Ask two volunteers to pray loudly thanking God for keeping his promise and sending his Son, Jesus to the world.
Encourage
Encourage them to tell their family and friends the message of Christmas.
Invite
Sing a song or chorus about God’s love and invite them to the next session.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™