Aim to review the story of the birth of Jesus: to discuss the meaning of Christmas
Aim
* To review the story of the birth of Jesus
* to discuss the meaning of Christmas
Materials
* Children’s Bible story of Jesus’ birth
* picture cards of the story
* Christmas tree outline, objects to decorate tree
* Glue, scissors, coloured pencils
Lesson Outline
1. Review the story of Jesus’ birth
2. What does Christmas mean?
2. Story – A Visit from Santa
3. Activities – memory game, decorate Christmas tree
4. Conclusion
5. Prayer
1) Review the story Jesus’ Birth
Ask the children to tell the story of Jesus birth in their own words. How much do they remember?
Use the picture cards. Ask the children to put the pictures in the correct order and explain what is happening in each picture.
2) What does Christmas mean?
What does Christmas mean to the children? Ask them. Here are some ideas
* The birth of the Messiah
Jesus was a special person chosen by God to establish God’s ideal, a world of peace and happiness
* Jesus message
Christmas is a time to remember the message Jesus gave. He taught most of all about God’s love and about the right and wrong way to live.
* Giving Gifts
Christmas is about giving gifts and remembering the gift of Jesus. If you could have given a gift to Jesus what would it have been?
* Joy
When you give and receive presents we feel a lot of joy in our hearts
* Peace
Christmas is not only about giving gifts. It is a time of peace, of goodwill to all men.
* Families
It is a time for families to be together joyfully
* The calendar
Christmas reminds us that the calendar is counted from Jesus’ birth.
3) Story – A Visit from Santa
One night Santa visits. He says “Teach the children the old meaning of Christmas.” He takes different objects from his bag. For each one he explains what it symbolizes.
FIR TREE – Green leaves all year round represent man’s everlasting hope of heaven. The shape symbolizes man’s thoughts turning towards heaven
STAR – a sign of God’s promise to send the saviour
CANDLE – Christ is the light of the world
WREATH – the real nature of Gods love which has no beginning or end
SANTA – generosity and kindness
HOLLY LEAF – It represents immortality. Thorny leaves represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and the red berries represent Jesus’ blood that he shed.
GIFT – God’s gift of Jesus and the wise men’s gifts
SUGAR CANE – the shepherd’s crook that helps to bring back lost sheep to the flock.
ANGEL – angels announced the news of the Jesus’ birth
BELL – lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell. The sound remind us that we should return to God
Before he goes Santa says “Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center. I am a humble servant of God.
Put Jesus at the center.
4) Activities
* Play the memory game
* Decorate Christmas tree outline
5) Conclusion
Ask each child what they could learn from today’s lesson. Refer to the lesson aims:
* To review the story of the birth of Jesus
* to discuss the meaning of Christmas
6) Prayer
