Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: nativity set (baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals), blocks for a stable.
- Table: coloring page of baby Jesus in a manger and crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear the story of when Jesus was born.”
- “Jesus is God’s Son.”
- “God sent Jesus because He loves us.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.
Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions:
Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”
Repeat 2–3 times.
Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
- Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
- Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
- Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.
Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions:
- point to self on “me,”
- hug on “loves,”
- hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”
Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”
Repeat 2–3 times.
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use a simple nativity set or paper figures: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, stable, animals.
a) No room in the inn
Show Mary and Joseph.
b) Jesus is born
Place baby Jesus in a small manger (or small box).
Point gently to baby Jesus.
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Rock arms like a baby on “Jesus is born.”
Point up on “God,” point to self and hug on “loves me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) No room in the inn
Show Mary and Joseph.
- “The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph had to travel to a town called Bethlehem. Mary was going to have a baby—God’s special baby, Jesus.”
- “When they got to Bethlehem, the town was very full. There was no room for them in the inn where people stayed.”
- “So Mary and Joseph stayed in a place where animals slept, maybe a stable or a barn. It was not fancy, but God chose that place for His Son to be born.”
b) Jesus is born
Place baby Jesus in a small manger (or small box).
- “That night, Mary had the baby. The baby’s name was Jesus. She laid Him in a manger, a feeding box for animals, with soft straw. Jesus is God’s Son, the special One God promised long ago.”
Point gently to baby Jesus.
- “Jesus did not come in a big palace. He came as a tiny baby so He could be close to us.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “Jesus is born. God loves me.”
Motions:
Rock arms like a baby on “Jesus is born.”
Point up on “God,” point to self and hug on “loves me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
c) Jesus connection
Hold baby Jesus figure close to your heart.
“God sent Jesus because He loves us. Jesus came to show us who God is, to teach us, to help us, and to save us from our sins. Baby Jesus would grow up, die on the cross, and come back to life. Today we celebrate that Jesus came into our world.”
Hold baby Jesus figure close to your heart.
“God sent Jesus because He loves us. Jesus came to show us who God is, to teach us, to help us, and to save us from our sins. Baby Jesus would grow up, die on the cross, and come back to life. Today we celebrate that Jesus came into our world.”
Craft – “Baby Jesus in the Manger”
Goal: Simple manger craft with a clear line about God’s love.
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
When they’re finished, have them hold up their manger pictures and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper.
- Help them glue brown strips in an “X” or simple box shape to make the manger.
- Glue yellow/orange pieces inside for straw.
- Place the small “baby” shape on top of the straw (they can draw a tiny face).
- Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus is born. God loves me.”
- Children can add a star above or animals around the manger.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your picture shows baby Jesus in a manger. Jesus is God’s Son. He came as a baby because God loves us so much. When you see this picture, you can remember: ‘Jesus is born. God loves me.’”
When they’re finished, have them hold up their manger pictures and say:
- “Jesus is born. God loves me.”
Supplies
- Half-sheet or full sheet of cardstock.
- Brown paper rectangle or two strips to make a manger “X” shape.
- Small oval or circle for “baby Jesus” (or a tiny wrapped paper “bundle”).
- Yellow/orange strips or torn pieces (straw).
- Glue sticks.
- Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus is born. God loves me.”
