Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: nativity set pieces (shepherds, sheep, angels), blocks for a field or hillside.
- Table: coloring page of shepherds seeing angels or visiting baby Jesus, plus crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear about angels and shepherds.”
- “The angels brought good news.”
- “They said, ‘Jesus is born!’”
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: shepherd figures, sheep, angel figures, baby Jesus.
a) Shepherds in the field
Place shepherds and sheep on a “field” (green cloth or just the floor).
“The Bible tells us that on the night Jesus was born, some shepherds were out in the fields. They were taking care of their sheep, watching them at night.”
“It was dark and quiet. The shepherds were just doing their job.”
b) Angels bring good news
Bring in an angel figure near the shepherds.
c) Shepherds visit Jesus
Move the angels away and the shepherds toward the manger.
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Hands out and up like shining light on “angels said.”
Rock arms like a baby on “Jesus is born.”
Point to self and smile on “I am glad,” thumbs up on “Jesus came.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) Shepherds in the field
Place shepherds and sheep on a “field” (green cloth or just the floor).
“The Bible tells us that on the night Jesus was born, some shepherds were out in the fields. They were taking care of their sheep, watching them at night.”
“It was dark and quiet. The shepherds were just doing their job.”
b) Angels bring good news
Bring in an angel figure near the shepherds.
- “Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and God’s bright light shone all around them. The shepherds were very scared.”
- “The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for everyone. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.’”
- “The angel told the shepherds, ‘You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’”
- “Then many angels appeared, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.’ The sky was full of angels praising God.”
c) Shepherds visit Jesus
Move the angels away and the shepherds toward the manger.
- “When the angels went back to heaven, the shepherds said, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what God has told us about.’ They hurried and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger.”
- “The shepherds were so happy. They thanked God for Jesus and told other people the good news they had heard and seen.”
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “The angels said, ‘Jesus is born!’ I am glad Jesus came.”
Motions:
Hands out and up like shining light on “angels said.”
Rock arms like a baby on “Jesus is born.”
Point to self and smile on “I am glad,” thumbs up on “Jesus came.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
d) Jesus connection
Hold baby Jesus carefully.
“The angels called Jesus ‘a Savior’ and ‘Christ the Lord.’ That means Jesus came to save us and be our King. God sent His Son Jesus because He loves us. Jesus would grow up, teach, help people, die on the cross for our sins, and come back to life. This is why the angels were so happy—Jesus had come!”
Hold baby Jesus carefully.
“The angels called Jesus ‘a Savior’ and ‘Christ the Lord.’ That means Jesus came to save us and be our King. God sent His Son Jesus because He loves us. Jesus would grow up, teach, help people, die on the cross for our sins, and come back to life. This is why the angels were so happy—Jesus had come!”
Craft – “Angels Tell the Good News”
Goal: Angel-and-shepherd craft with a simple good-news sentence.
Steps
When finished, have kids hold up their crafts and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper.
- Help them glue an angel in the sky area and a shepherd on the field.
- Let them draw sheep near the shepherd and a small stable or manger near baby Jesus (or just a star above the stable area).
- Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “Angels said, ‘Jesus is born!’ I am glad Jesus came.”
Children can add stars in the sky and hearts near the manger.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work) - “Your picture shows an angel and shepherds. The angels brought good news: ‘Jesus is born!’ The shepherds went to see Jesus and were very happy. We can be happy too because Jesus came for us. When you look at this picture, remember: ‘Angels said, “Jesus is born!” I am glad Jesus came.’”
- “Angels said, ‘Jesus is born!’ I am glad Jesus came.”
When finished, have kids hold up their crafts and say:
- “Angels said, ‘Jesus is born!’ I am glad Jesus came.”
Supplies
- Paper with a simple hill/field outline and stable at one side, or blank paper.
- Pre-cut angel shapes (simple robe + wings) and shepherd shapes, or kids draw them.
- Star stickers or small stars to draw.
- Glue sticks.
- Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “Angels said, ‘Jesus is born!’ I am glad Jesus came.”
