BABY JESUS IS BORN. BffiLE BASIS. Luke 2:1-7 LESSON AIM. That the child will understand that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus.

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2 BABY JESUS IS BORN BffiLE BASIS Luke 2:1-7 LESSON AIM That the child will understand that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. SCRIPTURE INSIGHT In a crude stall surrounded by animals Jesus was born. We wonder why God selected such a humble site for the birth of His Son, the King of Kings. In fact, we are amazed that Jesus chose to leave Heaven and all its attendant riches and glory to come to Earth to dwell with sinful men (Philippians 2:6-8). We can imagine how the presence of Jesus and the supernatural events surrounding His birth - the star, the angels and the shepherds - transformed that stable into a place of wonder. We are reminded by Scripture that the same transformation takes place in us when Jesus dwells in us and our lives are yielded to Him. We are changed from sinful beings unfit for anything but condemnation into the temples of God as His Spirit lives in us (I Corinthians 6:19). Our lives then reflect His glory (II Corinthians 3:18) just as the manger and stable did so many years ago. GREETING Put a Baby Jesus in the manger (from your Nativity Set) or a Baby Jesus in the manger on a stick (use craft pattern) in your pocket. CONVERSATION: " (Child's name), look what I have! It's a baby! This baby was born at Christmastime. What do you think His name is?" 1. "The Story in Action" Game CENTER TIME Using your Nativity Set (do not use Wise Men and Shepherds until later in the month), let the children roleplay Jesus' birth. They will be learning the Christmas story as they pretend to be the various characters. First spend time identifying each character. Then lay each out across the table and ask each child to pick up a specific character to see if he knows the characters. Show the children the stable and say, "The stable is where animals live (see story conversation). Mary and Joseph rode the donkey to the stable to have Baby Jesus." Let the child who l;1asmary and Joseph walk them into the stable. Then let some children put the animals in the stable. Last put the manger in place and lay Baby Jesus in the manger. Repeat and see how much they can do by memory. If the children are responsive, stop and pray a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus' birthday at Christmastime. Remember to begin or stop in the middle to show the children the story in the Bible. Let them put a book marker in the Bible and close the Bible. 2. "Baby Jesus is Born" Mural Tape dark blue butcher paper to wall. Using the Nativity Mural patterns (exluding shepherds, sheep and Wise Men), tell the story of Jesus' birth. (See story conversation.) Remember to have the children tape the pieces onto the background in order beginning with the stable, animals, Mary and Joseph, baby and Star. 3. The Baby Jesus Thble Have a variety of baby things on the table (refer to Center Time for First Sunday in December). Sp~nd a few minutes talking with the children about what babies need. Have a shoe box and fill it with hay. Let the children put the "Baby Jesus" in and out of the manger shoebox as you remind them that Baby Jesus was born at Christmastime. Using stuffed animals and building blocks, let the children create their own Nativity Scene with the shoebox manger and baby as the center. ' Have a prayer of thanksgiving for Baby Jesus.

3 4. Nativity Peep Box Place nativity Christmas stickers that you can purchase in Christian bookstores in bottom of small, shallow box. Put top on box and turn on its side. The box may be decorated on the outside to be attractive to the children. Encourage children to remove top from peep box and look inside. This is a nice idea to have on your Bible table during the month of December. This can also be done with the craft and mural patterns if the stickers cannot be found. Shining a flashlight into the box adds extra excitement. FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER 1. Baby Jesus, Oh, So Small The pu1jjose of this octivity is to guide the child in placing Baby Jesus into the bax os you remind that Baby Jesus WtlS so small Place a small blanket into a shoebox or any box. Let the children take turns putting "Baby Jesus" into the "bed" and covering him up. Some of the children may enjoy giving Baby Jesus a bottle or feeding him with a spoon as you have the following conversation: "Baby Jesus was a special baby. The Bible tells us so. Night, night, Baby Jesus. Let's cover Baby Jesus with the blanket." him 2. Baby Jesus in the Stable Draw a large stable onto a sheet of butcher paper that has been taped onto the wall. (This can also be done on a table.) Tape 6-7 flaps onto the stable. Cut out 6-7 baby Jesuses in a manger (see craft pattern). Place double back tape onto the back of each baby Jesus. As each child approaches, guide him in lifting the flaps and placing baby Jesus behind the flap. Remind the child that Baby Jesus was born at Christmastime. D ODD Nativity Peep Box The center can be done as explained in the Center Time for older children. You will need to hold the box as each child peeps in. Shining a flashlight into the box will add interest. Ask the children where Baby Jesus is and where the animals are. *Note: The above centers may be used throughout the month. 1. Supplies Needed STORY TIME Bible; felt board, felt figures or nativity scene figures with felt on back or standing up; mangers on a stick; fold-out pictures. "The Birth of Jesus" Bible Picture Fold-Outs by The Child's World, Standard Publishing.

4 2. Preparation for Story Ease the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated, sing "Where is ", act out monthly ~hyme, ~onthly Bibl~ verse and begin the story with prayer. "Dear God, thank you for Baby Jesus, born at ChristmastIme. In Jesus Name, Amen." BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and read (repeat after you while he is holding the open Bible) "Mary has Baby Jesus in Bethlehem." 3. Outline for Story Show the Bible. "Our story for today comes from the Bible. It is a true story." P~ck up Mary. "Mary is going to have a baby: Jesus." Pick up the donkey. "Mary and Joseph ride a donkey to a stable; A stable is a place where animals live." "Mary and Joseph are so tired." Place. them in the stable. "The stable has animals in it." Place animals in the stable. "There was no bed for the Baby Jesus. Joseph and Mary put the Baby Jesus in the manger" (show manger). "A manger is a box with hay in it" (put a little piece of hay in the box). "Let's put Baby Jesus in the manger now." Place baby in manger. -"Jesus was born at Christmastime." Show fold-out pictures of Mary and Joseph's trip and birth of Jesus.. Say action rhyme together. Sing 'Rock a Little Baby Jesus" or "Away in a Manger" together as the children hold their mangers on a stick and wave them back and forth.. Close with prayer. "Dear God, thank you for Baby Jesus, born at Christmastime. In Jesus's Name, Amen." FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER 1. Supplies Needed Bible; large doll for Mary; small doll wrapped in blanket for Jesus; any stuffed animals (some large) for stable animals; 2 or 3 mangers on a stick; any pictures of the Christmas story; adult rocking chair. 2. -Preparation for Story Ease the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated, sing "Where is. ", act out monthly rhyme, monthly Bible verse and begin the story with prayer. "Dear God, thank you for Baby Jesus, born at Christmastime. In Jesus' Name, Amen." BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and read (repeat after you while he is holding the open Bible), "Mary has Baby Jesus in :Bethlehem." 3. Outline for Story Open your story sitting in a rocking chair rocking the small doll. Have your Bible beside you. "Does Mommy ever rock you in a rocking chair? Does she ever sing to you?" Sing part of "Jesus Loves Me" as you rock the baby. "Mommy loves you." "A long time ago, the Bible says that a special baby was born." Open your Bible. "The baby's name was Jesus." Place big doll in rocking chair. Drape towel or head piece over doll's head. "Baby Jesus had a Mommy. Her name was Mary."."Let's let Mary hold her Baby Jesus." Place small doll in Mary's lap and rock the chair. "Sh, Sh, Mary is rocking Baby Jesus." Show any pictures of the nativity scene you may have. Let 2 or 3 children come up and hold the mangers on a stick as you sing "Rock a Little Baby Jesus" (see Music Section).. End your story time in prayer thanking God for Baby Jesus. Have one of the children sit in the rocker ~ and hold Baby Jesus as you pray.

5 MUSIC TIME Today, use your manger as the center of the music circle. Let several children put the baby in the manger as you sing the songs.. Sing the same songs as listed in the lesson for the First Sunday.in December. You may let the children wave mangers on a stick as you sing. CRAFf TIME 1. Before Sunday cut out the manger, baby cind star. 2. Guide the child as he glues the manger, then baby and last, the star onto the blue background. Say, "Thank you, God, for Baby Jesus, born at Christmastime.". *Children under 24 months old will only glue on the manger with baby. NOTE TO PARENTS The following points might be included in your note to the parents. 1. Advise them of the story and activities taught that day. 2. Remind the parents to practice Christmas songs and action rhymes with the children. 3. Encourage the parents to use the December crafts as a continuing story. It can even be made into a Christmas book which includes the special nursery Christmas song book. 4. Remind the parents to use ideas from the Advent Book.