Jesus Birth: The Christmas Story - Sunday School Lessons

So many Christmas traditions surround the holidays that often the true meaning of Christmas gets lost in the shuffle. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Christmas? Is it the lights, the presents, the hustle and bustle of Black Friday deals, getting together with family, Santa Claus, Christmas music, or old Christmas movies?

The list could go on and on, but the first thing that should pop into our heads (and stay there) is the birth of Jesus.

 

Stop right now and sign up (to the right) to receive FREE Sunday school material!

 

Photo courtesy of Malene Thyssen
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Malene

 

Before beginning the Christmas story with your kids, set the scene a bit. Maybe you could say something like this:

Imagine, it's a dark night and you are alone in your bed. You are awoke by a bright light. As you look around, you see someone in your room whom you've never seen before - an angel. You are scared. What should you do? Should you run or scream?

The angel begins to speak to you and you calm down and know that this angel is bringing you a message from heaven - a message from God.

This is what happened to Mary, Jesus' mother. She was scared, but thankfully she didn't run away.

The Christmas Story

Just like the scene above, Mary received a surprise visit from the angel Gabriel. The angel had come with a message from God.

Gabriel first told Mary, 'Don't be afraid. I have good news for you'.

You see, Mary was very special to God and needed her to be the mother of Jesus. Gabriel had come to tell her the news. Imagine - out of all the women (or girls) in Israel, Mary was the chosen one.

Mary didn't understand how she could have a baby right now.

Gabriel said, 'For with God, nothing shall be impossible!' (Luke 1:37 KJV)

Mary didn't argue or say she didn't want to right now. Instead, she said, 'Whatever you say, I'll do.' (Luke 1:38 KJV)

If only we would say, "Yes Lord, whatever you say, I'll do it." It can be hard especially if it means being nice to another child at school, minding mom or dad, or even not arguing with your brother or sister. We should all try to be more like Mary and do what God needs us to do.

Gabriel also told Mary that her cousin, Elisabeth, was also going to have a son. This was also a miracle because Elisabeth was old and had never had any children. The bible tells us that Elisabeth's son was to be called John (later known as John the Baptist). His job from birth was to tell others about the coming Messiah (Jesus).

Mary wanted to visit her cousin Elisabeth and set out on the journey to see her. Mary stayed three months before journeying back home to tell Joseph about the coming baby.

Get Christmas coloring pages...

What Will Joseph Do?

When Mary told Joseph about the angel's message from God and about the coming baby, Joseph was unsure of what to do.

Should he still marry her?

Joseph worried. One night while Joseph slept, Gabriel came to him in a dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to make Mary his wife. This dream was all it took for Joseph to marry Mary. You see, Joseph was to help Mary raise Jesus.

The Road to Bethlehem

During this time, Caesar Augustus decided that everyone that was under his rule should come to Bethlehem to be counted so that they could be taxed. (Be prepared to explain this if children ask what taxing or counted means.)

Inside Bethlehem
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

So, Joseph and Mary set off on their long journey to Bethlehem.

When they arrived at the city, it was crowded because of all the other people who had traveled there to be counted. Every place was full. The bible tells us that there was no room for them in the inn.

Where would they sleep? It was time for Mary to have baby Jesus. There were no hospitals. There wasn't even a room inside a house where she could lay. What would they do?

Because there was no room in the inn, Mary delivered baby Jesus, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. We don't know if she was in a stable or a cave of some sort which was where stables normally were in those days. We believe this may have been the case, but the bible does not say. She may have given birth out under the stars.

What We Can Learn

The story of the birth of Jesus is surrounded with many wonders which goes along with the wonders of the Christmas holidays. There is so much we can learn, but for younger kids stick to the basics (below). For older kids, you can dig a little deeper into the story.

We learn that no matter how scared we are if God needs us, we should be willing to obey - just like Mary. We also find that Jesus wasn't born in a fancy house or expensive hospital. He was born and laid in a manger. A manger is a place where the animals eat their food. It probably was dirty and smelt bad.

Mary didn't have a warm soft blanket to wrap Jesus in either. Instead, she wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Swaddling clothes are strips of cloth that often were used to wipe down the animals with. Jesus didn't have expensive clothes. We often think we have to have the best clothes or the newest styles. If Jesus didn't have to have expensive clothes, we sure don't either.

This holiday season, don't focus on how many toys or clothes you get. Instead, focus on the birth of Jesus and how many people you can tell the story to.
 

Continue

Woman at the Well and Living Water Sunday School Lesson

No matter what age children you teach in Sunday school, they need to understand the importance of asking Jesus to be their Savior and living a life for God. While sharing bible stories is an important part of teaching God's word, our main goal is to lead these children to Christ and to teach them how to lead others. So, as you teach each and every lesson from here on out, do it with one goal in mind - winning souls for Christ!

Woman at the Well
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Carl Heinrich Bloch

Introduction - Sunday School Lesson

Begin your Sunday school lesson by recalling Jesus' birth. Children need to understand Jesus didn't have to leave heaven to come to earth as a baby. He chose to. He wanted to.

Jesus left his beautiful wonderful home in heaven where there was no sin, no sickness, no hurt, and no sadness to come to earth where all of this existed.

He grew up just like all children do. He was a toddler, a young boy, a pre-teen, a teenager, and then a young man.

He obeyed his mother, Mary, and his earthly father, Joseph. He learned how to work with wood because Joseph was a carpenter. He also got hungry and tired. He needed sleep just as we do.

For around 30 years, Jesus lived as any of us would have except for he never sinned. Try to imagine never doing anything wrong. It's impossible! Some people believe they have never did anything wrong, but we all do.

When Jesus was 33 years old, he died on the cross for our sins. Of course, he didn't stay dead. Praise God! After they placed Jesus' body in the tomb, it stayed there for 3 days and then a miracle happened!

He arose from the dead!

It was because Jesus died on the cross for our sins that one day we can live with him forever in heaven.

Now, here is where you will begin telling the bible story of the woman at the well.

Woman at the Well - Bible Story

Today's bible story is about a Samaritan woman who came to a well to draw water out of it. Jesus disciples had went into town to buy meat, but Jesus decided to rest beside the well. Of course, it wasn't by accident he was sitting by the well. He knew a woman would soon be approaching.

John 4:6-15 KJV

⁶ Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
⁷ There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
⁸ (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
⁹ Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
¹¹ The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
¹² Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
¹³ Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
¹⁴ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
¹⁵ The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Leather bucket drawing water from a well.

What Happened in the Bible Story?

When the woman came to the well, Jesus asked her to give him a drink of water.

She was a bit taken aback that he even spoke to her because she was a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew. In those days, Jews were not very fond of the Samaritan people.

Jesus said to her, "If you only knew who I am, then you would have asked me and I would have given you living water."

The woman didn't understand what Jesus was talking about. Jesus had no bucket or rope to get water with, so how could he give her 'living water'?

You see, wells were often very deep and without something to draw up water with, you couldn't get to the water.

Think about it: Water was often hard to get. Women and children would have to work hard each day to get the water needed to cook and to drink. What about the water for animals? It was no easy task!

Jesus wanted this woman to understand that the water she drank would only keep her from being thirsty for a little while. As the hours passed, she would become thirsty again. The next day, she would have to come to the well to get more water to drink, wouldn't she?

Have the kids think about that for a minute.

Say to the kids, "When it is in the middle of summer and you are outside playing, you like to drink water, right? (wait for answers) But, just because you get one drink of water, it doesn't mean that you won't need another drink. After you play for a while, you'll get thirsty again, won't you?"

Of course they'll get thirsty again.

The living water Jesus was talking about was eternal life!

Only Jesus could offer this woman a way to live forever. Salvation is referred to as living water and only through Jesus Christ can we have eternal life - a life where we can live forever in heaven with him!

The woman wanted this 'living water' and ran to get others in the town to come to hear what Jesus had to say!

We should be like the woman at the well and bring others to church with us to hear about the Word of God!

If you'd like to read a bit more about 'living water', visit the website Got Questions.




Photo of well courtesy of Neogeolegend, Wikimedia Commons


 

Continue

A Christian Children's Christmas Play with Free Script

Yes, it is a bit early, but Christian children's plays can be hard to find, especially free ones. It can also be hard to find a play to suit younger and older children together. Use the free Christmas play script below alone or add to it to incorporate older children. Following the simple steps will have children on the stage and performing in no time.

Sunday School Ideas for Christmas Play

An older child can be the narrator while younger children can speak their parts into a microphone. If several older children will be in the play, add Bible verses for them to read. Have children dress in Bible time costumes and act out the play as they go. Another alternative to acting out the play is to have the children line up on the stage. Each child can walk to the microphone to say their parts, then return to line.

Often, parents buy their children a new holiday dress or suit which could also be an alternative to costumes. Have children hold items instead such as: a large star, a shepherd's crook, gold, frankincense, myrrh, a kings crown, and so on.

Download Music Online

Several songs can be used during the play. Download music online and make several copies to hand out to children who will be singing solos. The children can learn the songs at home which will make it easier to concentrate on lines and directing of the other children during practices.
During the songs have children use motions such as: holding a baby, putting their hands together by their heads for sleeping, and, so on. The motions do not need to be elaborate. Keep it simple and fun for the kids.

Find Costumes for the Play!!

Christmas Play Script

Sing "Away in a Manger" to open up the Christmas play*.

Narrator:
Our story begins long ago.
An angel tells Mary she will have a baby.
The baby will be God's Son.
Mary is to name the baby, Jesus.

Child One: Mary and Joseph must travel to Bethlehem to be counted. They will have to walk around 50 miles to get there.

Child Two: Mary and Joseph couldn't find a place to stay. There was no room for them in the inn.

Child Three: The only place for them to rest was a stable where the animals were kept.

Narrator:
It was time for baby Jesus to be born.
Mary and Joseph made their way to the stable.
Most stables were not barns in those days, but caves.
There Mary gave birth to a baby boy named Jesus.

Child Four: The shepherds were watching their flocks by night in a field.

Child Five: An angel appeared to the shepherds telling them of Jesus' birth. The shepherds went to the stable to see the young king.

Child Six: Mary did not wrap baby Jesus in a warm blanket. She wrapped him in strips of cloth called swaddling clothes.

Child Seven: Mary laid baby Jesus not in a bed, but in a manger. A manger is where the animals eat their food.

Sing "Silent Night"

Narrator:
A wicked king heard about Jesus' birth.
He wanted to kill all the baby boys who lived near him.
An angel came to Joseph in his dreams to warn him.
The angel told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt until it was safe.
When the bad king died, Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth.

Child Eight: The wise men did not come to the stable. The star led the wise men to Jesus' house.

Child Nine: The Bible says that wise men came to see Jesus. It does not say there were only three.

Child Ten: The wise men who did come to worship Jesus brought gifts. The gifts they brought were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Child Eleven: Jesus grew up with his brothers and sisters. Joseph taught Jesus how to be a carpenter.

Child Twelve: When Jesus was 33 years old he died on the cross for our sins. Now, we can go to Heaven to live forever.

Finish the play by singing one last song, "Joy to the World". After all, it is an amazing miracle that happened that night so long ago in Bethlehem.

Read the story of Jesus' birth. It is found in the book of Luke chapter 2 to get a better grasp on the play. Use the verses to add to the play, if needed.

Tips for a Stress Free Christmas Play

Rehearse the play in a room that will not be used for the play several times before moving the children to the main area. This will keep it new to them and will hold their attention longer. Once the play is over, remove costumes and hang them up. If the children are allowed to wear their costumes out into the audience after the play, the costumes may be damaged or worn home.

A Pre-teen could say the part of the narrator. If more parts are needed, break-up the narrator's parts. Use these parts for other children. Take pictures before the play and during the play while the children are more focused.

If parents wish to have pictures, send them pictures through e-mail or set up a slide show to be shown at a later date. Avoid giving the children a sweet treat before the play. Instead, feed them a nutritious snack. If treats will be given, save them until after they perform to take home.


Merry Christmas!!

 

Continue

Christmas Craft Ideas - Sunday School Crafts

Every Christmas my kids come home from school with crafts that are designed for the Christmas holiday. Of course, none of these Christmas crafts show the true meaning of the holiday season. For instance, we have Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer, Santa, elves, sleighs, bags of toys, and Christmas trees.

Before going on - sign up on the right to get FREE ideas and lessons!

 

While these are fun to think about and even enjoy in small quantities, the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus.

Photo Courtesy of 4028mdk09
Wikimedia Commons
I personally like the curled arms in the video below!

Christmas Craft Ideas

Kids love to make crafts especially if they can give them to a parent, grandparent, sister or brother as a gift. This year, let your Sunday school class make a few crafts - one for the tree and another to wrap as a gift for under the tree.

Here are a few Christmas craft ideas to help get you started. I've added a few links and some videos to help with your Sunday school crafts this holiday season.

Easy Foam Pop-Up Stars

These are great to use as Christmas ornaments when they are small or make them bigger as a wall decoration!

Nativity Foam Craft

If you have large foam squares or even construction paper, kids can use the foam nativity stickers below to create their own Bethlehem scene. Each child can interpret what they think Jesus' birth may have looked like. The set below comes with 500 pieces which is great for larger Sunday school classes. We have a small class and just put the unused stickers away and use them again year-after-year.

Make Your Own Nativity Scene

This Christmas craft idea can be made by each individual child using the smaller version in the video below or you can make a larger one for the Sunday school classroom. If you choose to make a larger one, let all the children participate in the making of it.

I've added links to some of the items you may need if you will be making this Sunday school craft idea for Christmas. It's best to prepare the popsicle sticks for smaller children before the day you will be making them.

 

More Christmas Craft Ideas

 

Just in case you'd rather have a ready-to-go craft for all different aged children, we've added the crafts below. They are simple to put together and can be made in a short amount of time.

 

Cheap and Adorable Christmas Craft Idea with Pasta

Remember the days of working with pasta? I used to go to church camp and every year we made something out of pasta. So, not to break the tradition - here is an angel pasta craft idea. Have fun with this one and use your imagination. I love the solid gold one!






 

Continue

Jesus Birth - The Christmas Story | Sunday School Coloring Pages

The Christmas story is one of the most important bible stories a child can learn right next to Jesus dying on the cross. While a lot of hype is focused on what toys kids want (and that part of it can be fun) for Christmas, we must remind and remind again that Jesus is the reason for the season.

=>=>=>Sign up to get FREE Sunday school stuff!=>=>=>

Without Jesus Christ, there would be no reason for living. Living a life without Christ is a life without a joyous ending. Those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior know that when our work on earth is done, we have a home prepared for us in glory - praise God! It is our job to instill that same message inside our little ones whether they are one or 101 years old.

Below are some Sunday school coloring pages you can print off to use for your classes this holiday season.

Teach the Christmas Story Sunday school lesson...

May God bless you and have a very merry Christmas!

The Christmas Story Coloring Pages

 

 

Click to print.

 



 

 

If you don't want the yellow in this coloring sheet,

simply print it off in black and white.

 

 

The wise men followed the star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue

Do You Hear What I Hear Lyrics and Song - Sunday School Christmas Play

Do You Hear What I Hear is a fabulous Christmas song for Sunday school kids to perform around Christmas whether it is in the church play or just for the congregation. It talks about the star above to the baby Jesus to how that small baby will one day bring goodness and light to the world.

=>=>=>Sign up to get FREE Sunday school stuff!=>=>=>

 

There is a whole Sunday school lesson that can be taught just by using this one Christmas song.

Below is a video with young girls using sign language to perform the song. We have young children (ages 1 - 7) who will be performing this song this Christmas and have chosen to use only the basic motions from the video below.

Follow along and do all of the signs or just pick out the motions you like best. The Christmas season is all about celebrating the birth of our Lord and savior, so make that the focal point this holiday.

If you'd like to download the song, you can download it here. Or, if you'd like to have it on CD, you can get it here.

Do You Hear What I Hear Song Motions

Here is the video. The lyrics to the song is below.

 

 

Lyrics to 'Do You Hear What I Hear'

Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see
Way up in the sky little lamb
Do you see what I see
A star, a star
Dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
Ringing through the sky shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
A song, a song
High above the tree
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know
In your palace wall mighty king
Do you know what I know
A child, a child
Shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

The child, the child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light

Continue