Use this Christmas lesson to help children celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
1. News Sources-Ask kids to name ways we send and receive news (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, mail, faxes, computer networks, phone, and person to person.)
Ask: Is the news you hear about usually bad or good? Do you believe everything you hear on the TV news or read in the newspaper? Which do you trust more: news from a friend or news from a stranger? Why?
Say: Today’s Bible story contains some pretty unbelievable news that was delivered by a very unusual source. If the birth of Jesus happened today, how do you think the media would cover the story?
2. Tonight’s Top Story-Read aloud Luke 2:1-20. Have kids prepare and present a TV news broadcast about the birth of Jesus. Select reporters, anchors, and eyewitnesses to interview. Have kids work together to prepare interview questions and responses, and then present the broadcast.
Kids LOVE these Sunday School resources!
Afterward, reread Luke 2:17-18.
Ask: If Jesus were born today, do you think people would believe the story? Would you? Why or why not?
3. Good News Spreads Fast-Say: See how quickly you can get the word out. Grab hands with two other people and say, “Jesus is born! Spread the news!” Then quickly grab hands with two others, hold hands as a group of four, and repeat the message.
Continue until everyone is joined together in one circle.
Then pray: Thank you, God, for sending us your Son. What good news it is for everyone! Amen.
4. Good News Greeting-Have children make patchwork angel cards for friends and family. Give each child a 4´6-inch piece of dark blue poster board. Have them trace around an angel cookie cutter or draw an angel outline freehand. Then have them each cut bits of shiny or homespun fabric and glue them inside the design in a patchwork fashion. After the fabric is glued on, have them squeeze on fabric paint to conceal raw edges, outline the angel, and add facial features. When dry, have them each write a Christmas message on the back of their card.
5. Snack-Food for Thought: You’ll need: Plain sugar cookies cut in a variety of Christmas shapes, ready-to-spread icing, decorator sprinkles, and blunt knives.
Directions: Let children frost and decorate a cookie in whatever way they wish. As they spread the icing, talk about spreading the news of Jesus’ birth. As they add the sprinkles, talk about the joyful celebration of Christmas. Before they eat, encourage them to exchange cookies. Talk about sharing gifts of love.
Designed for use with Grades 4 to 6
Cindy Nelson is a 14-year-veteran of Christian education in