BIBLE REFERENCES: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38
PRAISE AT THE GATES (CLASSROOM ENTRANCE):
- Do you know what special celebration is just around the corner? CHRISTMAS! The 4 weeks before Christmas Day are called ADVENT, which means we are getting ready to celebrate the birth of JESUS!
- Who is Jesus? God sent His Son Jesus down from His throne in heaven to be the Savior of the world!
- Declare together: JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
WORKTABLE: worksheet pdf
- Printing: JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
- Drawing: An Angel pdf
CIRCLE SONGS FOR DECEMBER:
- Transition: Criss Cross Applesauce
- Call to worship: I Hear the Blowing of the Shofar Calling me to Worship God!
- Joseph and Mary Had a Baby Boy (Instrument: Jingle Bells) / songsheet pdf
- God Sent a Savior for the World / songsheet pdf
- Jesus is Emmanuel… God With Us! (Sung to the tune of “This is the way we brush our teeth”)
BIBLE LESSON:
- We will be celebrating Christmas soon. What is the most important thing to remember about Christmas as we prepare? (discussion with children)
- Use a NATIVITY SET as storytelling props (Joseph, Mary, Angel)
- Read: THE BIRTH OF JESUS (PART 1) by LDF pdf
- The Angel told Mary and Joseph that the baby was from God… the Son of God! His name would be JESUS!
- We will continue the story, the next class!
TRUTH vs LIE CHALLENGE: pdf
- The most important thing about Christmas is the new toys?
- The most important thing about Christmas is JESUS?
.- JESUS is the most important part of Christmas! Tell me why. What can we do to make Jesus the real reason we celebrate Christmas?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS (PICK ONE OR CREATE YOUR OWN): pdf
- THANKSGIVING: “When you hear today’s story about Joseph and Mary getting ready for the birth of Jesus, what do you want to say to God?”
- RECALL: “What is your favorite part of today’s story?” (lay out picture sequence cards to remind students of story details)
- BLESSING OVER STUDENTS: “Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your Son JESUS to be our Savior. Help us to remember Your Gift to us this Christmas.”
FREE PLAY IN CENTERS:
- Release children one at a time, with their play cards, to choose a center.
- Call children one at a time to work on an art/craft project: Christmas Tree Ornament (Beaded name J-E-S-U-S) pdf
CLEAN-UP:
Students must tidy up the centers where they were playing when the timer rang. Teachers/Helpers oversee this activity. Students learn to sort and return items to their proper place. In so doing, they are learning to take care of the classroom. It also helps them be prepared for dismissal. Once the centers are tidy, students move to the BOOK NOOK and quietly look at books.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLASSROOM BOOK NOOK:
GAME:
If parents have not arrived after 5 minutes of quiet reading, lead the children in a game (such as Bean Bag Toss, Duck Duck Goose, Doggie Doggie Who Has My Bone, I Spy, etc). Featured Game: Memory using Advent Cards (print 2 and cut) pdf
DISMISSAL:
Assign an adult to greet parents/guardians.
Call students ONE AT A TIME when families arrive. Prompt the remaining student to call out, “GOODBYE (student’s name).”
Families check mailboxes. Today’s TAKE HOME: angel worksheet; J-E-S-U-S art project; Christmas Storybook (gift from Children’s Ministry).
INVITE FAMILIES TO PERUSE THE CHILDREN’S BIBLE DISPLAY IN THE HALLWAY. IF FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A CHILDREN’S BIBLE IN THE HOME, SUGGEST A VERSION THAT THEY COULD PURCHASE ONLINE OR OFFER THEM A FREE BEGINNER’S BIBLE
