BIBLE REFERENCES: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 7:4
PRAISE AT THE GATES (CLASSROOM ENTRANCE):
- Do you remember what the Angel said to Mary and Joseph in last week’s story? The Angel told them that Mary’s baby was from God… He was the SON OF GOD and His name would be called JESUS! Jesus is also called EMMANUEL which means GOD WITH US! (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:4)
- Let’s declare it together: JESUS IS EMMANUEL
WORKTABLE: worksheet
- Printing: JESUS IS EMMANUEL
- Coloring: Nativity Scene
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)
- God Sent a Savior for the World
- Jesus is Emmanuel… God With Us! (Sung to the tune of “This is the way we brush our teeth”)
BIBLE LESSON:
- Let’s recall last week’s story:
- In today’s story, Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem
- Read: THE BIRTH OF JESUS by LDF pdf
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but where did He come from? He came from God in Heaven! JESUS is EMMANUEL, God with us! Let’s sing it one more time.
TRUTH vs LIE CHALLENGE: pdf
- JESUS was an ordinary baby?
- JESUS was GOD WITH US?
- .
- Baby Jesus was GOD WITH US!
FREE PLAY IN CENTERS:
- Release children one at a time, with their play cards, to choose a center.
- Call children one or two at a time to work on an art/craft: Christmas Tree Ornament (Beaded name E-M-M-A-N-U-E-L) 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: Nativity worksheet; E-M-M-A-N-U-E-L 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
