Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
A CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA
NAZARETH
SEA OF
GALILEE
SYRIA
JORDAN RIVER
JERUSALEM
BETHLEHEM
DEAD
SEA
JORDAN
EGYPT
ISRAEL
2
NOTES FOR ADULTS
Hello amazing adults! Just a few notes for you:
- Don’t feel pressure to have to do all
so many in this booklet so that everyone will be able to find
something for
- We are catering for a wide age and ability range in one booklet,
so depending on your child, you may want to alter, skip, or add
things as you go along.
- You are allowed to have fun too! Don’t hold yourself back from
baking, crafting, playing, and making memories your children will
cherish for
3
Each session starts with a part
of
through
For each week,
small family devotional
and Bible reading. Do
Use
your kids and to help
deeper into
what it means for
Each session, as a family, decorate an ornament with a
picture or words to remind you about what you’ve learned!
If you do not have
your own by cutting a shape out of cardstock and punch a
hole in
else you can see
Some stories are accompanied by small,
no-prep activities like coloring, drawing,
writing, or solving a maze. Kids will enjoy
doing
These are bigger, more involved
activities that will require involvement
from a grown-up.
4
Although most people only seem to notice donkeys when
tail on
A donkey can live
to be more than
50 years old!
There are more than 40 million
donkeys worldwide. China,
Ethiopia, Pakistan, Egypt, and
Mexico have
of any area in
and loving creatures.
Some people call
livestock world!
Sometimes donkeys are
used as "guardians" for
livestock —
defend against a dog,
coyote, fox, bobcat, or
even mountain lion
that's bo
of sheep or goats.
They are picky about
sometimes even
refusing water for
being too dirty.
Some donkeys are even used
for rescue missions when a
hiker or climber goes
missing in
A donkey’s sense of
hearing is so well
developed
hear
ano
from 60 miles away!
oats and barley straw. Domesticated
donkeys are usually fed hay, but
enjoy special treats like apples, pears,
beets, bananas, bread, and molasses.
close friendships with one
ano
In developing countries,
donkeys take
of cars and trucks.
intelligent. They have
excellent memories
and can remember
places very well.
5
6
Last night was very strange. I had just finished eating my hay, and was
very much looking forward to laying down after a long day (it had been a
long day of carrying Joseph's tools, back and forth, back and forth — that
man needs a break), when I heard Mary let out a scream. I jolted and
galloped to
of
brand-new maximum energy candles we saw in
I inched closer and saw a person, but
ever seen before —
I'm not sure if my eyes were deceiving me but I think
even been hovering above
Mary looked scared, terrified even, and Joseph was nowhere to be seen
— what on earth is going on in this house?! The very bright person (I later
learned
sent me to tell you that you're going to have a baby, and He is going
to save
is going to save
a special baby? Surely it should be
baby of poor and unknown Mary and Joseph? There were so many
questions running through my head that I didn't notice
to go back to wherever angels come from.
The next day as we went to market for
was looking and whispering. I trotted a little bit faster than normal; Mary
is having a baby by a complete miracle! But she's not married to Joseph
yet (
olden day culture, people think that having a baby before you are married
isn't such a good idea. This could be an interesting few months...
7
Each of us is God's masterpiece. That means that he spent time,
love and energy making us exactly how he wanted us to be.
When God creates a masterpiece, he thinks about much more than just how we look. He made
us as we are for a reason, so that we can do all
Sometimes life can be like a puzzle. Before a puzzle is put toge
that we don't know what
like. We don't know what our lives will look like in
trust that God knows because he made us! We can trust
when it doesn't make sense to us.
1. What does it mean to be a masterpiece?
2. Do you always feel like you are a masterpiece?
3. How do you think Mary felt when
Gabriel appeared to her?
4. Have you ever been afraid to do something?
Even if it might turn out well?
5. Can you find any examples in
using unlikely people to do great things?
6. What do you think God might be calling you to do?
7. Look up Luke 1:37. How does this make you feel
about following God?
Draw or write
something on your
ornament to remind
you that you are
God’s masterpiece
and that we can trust
in His amazing
plans for us!
8
You’ll need: paper plate, silver pipe cleaner,
sequins & decorations, scissors, glue
1. Cut your paper plate in half.
2. Fold one half into a cone and ask a
grown up to staple it in place. This is
angel’s body/dress.
3. Use
you have at home to decorate it.
4. Cut
three pieces - use two of
Decorate!
5. Ask an adult to staple
to
6. Use
circle for
cleaner through
cone and staple or tape it in place!
Turn on some Christmas music and have fun
doing a jigsaw puzzle toge
know that many libraries lend puzzles?) Use
this opportunity to talk about how
individual puzzle pieces come toge
make a whole puzzle, just as
happenings and events contribute to
unfolding of God’s plan for our lives.
With your parents, look through your
baby pictures. Talk about
plans that God has had for you since
you were a little baby. Read Psalm
139:13-18 and take a few moments to
thank God for all
and plans He has for your life.
9
ANGELS
Did you know that
those who are going to be saved? Read it for yourself in Hebrews 1:14.
Bring food to
(see 1 Kings 19:5-8)
Warn Joseph to
escape to Egypt
(see Mat
Protect Daniel
from
(see Daniel 6:22)
Roll back
tomb stone
(see Mat
Make it possible for
Peter to escape
from prison
(see Acts 12:17)
Ask your parents and
grandparents if
when God’s heavenly agents
were sent to serve
10
What was
to Mary? (HINT: See
Luke 1:26-27)
A. Gabriel
B. Michael
C. Nathaniel
D. Raphael
If your book
came with
(plush toy),
take turns
hiding
around
house and
looking
for him.
Turn on your favorite Christmas music, fire
up your oven and have fun baking and
decorating angel cookies. Scan
for
or find a different one online. You may also
want to look for non-baking ideas: Veggie
Snack Angels or Sugar Cone and
Marshmallows Angels.
Have everyone ga
Appoint one person to be
Angel). Let
Turn off
find a spot in
The Angel
and without moving will start looking for
people. Once
everyone take turns sharing something good
about
Keep going until everyone has had a chance
to be an Angel and to enjoy
• Ask a parent to tell you
about something that seemed
impossible, but turned out to
be possible with God’s help.
• Talk to Mom or Dad, or a
grandparent about what he
or she has learned about
God’s plans.
• Ask a parent about a time
he or she trusted God’s plan
even though it didn’t seem to
make sense. What happened?
11
12
There is hustle and bustle everywhere; everyone is
getting packed up —
corner of
on this journey. It looks heavy and I’m
is going to have to carry it. I guess I should explain...
The Big Boss of
Augustus, has sent out an announcement across
all of
place
that he can know how many people he is
ruling and where
It’s all right for him to say from his big palace in Rome,
but this means that thousands of people have to pack
up
countries, over hills, and through many towns.
And today is
13
So we set off. Mary is now very pregnant and she sits on me
along with all of
painful journey. We’re hoping Mary manages to make it
before having
midwifery skills and I have hoofs not hands...). We go through
deserts, forests, over hills, and through many valleys.
After quite a few days, my feet are very sore, it’s been a bumpy
ride for Mary, and Joseph is starting to get tired.
14
But
hill we can see Bethlehem, our final
destination. The town doesn’t look
like much, but it is
Mary and Joseph. We are all very
relieved to finally be
Now, to find somewhere to stay.
15
The emperor decided he wanted to count everyone that
was in his kingdom.
Mary and Joseph had to go to Bethlehem (where Joseph was from) so that
and travel a long way on a donkey even though Mary was about to have a baby. When
arrived,
of people have to leave
people aren't very kind to
How do you think Jesus would welcome
Draw or write something
on your ornament to remind
you of
journey that Mary and
Joseph took and to remind
you to pray and think of
many people who also have
to take long and difficult
journeys in
world today.
1. What’s a census? Why were
2. How would you feel if you had to leave your home
unexpectedly?
3. How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when
couldn’t find anywhere to stay?
4. If you could only bring one thing from home with you
on a long journey, what would you bring?
5. How would you want someone to treat you if you
were a long way from home in a strange place?
16
What do you know about refugees?
A refugee is someone who needs to leave
and
stay
be able to go to school or work. So
country that is safe like
Why do refugees leave
What do you think it feels like to have to leave
To find a safe place, people often have to travel really
far. They might have to walk through whole countries
or travel across
can be very difficult, tiring, and painful.
What’s
Can you imagine trying to get to ano
country without a car or airplane?
Different things can happen once
live in camps. They sleep in tents even in
can’t easily go to school or work.
Can you imagine living in a tent for a whole year?
What kind of things might be difficult living in a camp?
After a while,
it is still not easy. They might not understand
much money. They might not feel like
homes. They have to start new jobs and new schools and that can
be really difficult.
Have you ever been new somewhere?
How did it make you feel?
How can we welcome people and make
17
Have you ever met somebody from a different country? Did
a different language? We want to be able to welcome everybody!
How many languages can you learn to say hello in?
What about languages that use a different alphabet?
What about sign language?
Make a poster of all
say hello and put it in your window to greet everybody
that walks by. How colorful can you make it?
18
1. Use a teabag dipped in water to
make your paper look really old (do
this before you start drawing!) and let
2. Draw a map of a journey around
your house. Think about what
obstacles you might come across on
your journey. Are
mountain stairs to climb or a crocodile
filled carpet lake to cross? What will
you find at
3. Make drawings and labels on your
map so you remember where to go.
4. Can you challenge someone else in
your house to follow
Can you find Bethlehem and Nazareth on
know what route Joseph and Mary took
from Nazareth to Bethlehem, but we do
know that Mary was pregnant and that
journey would have been between 80 to 100
miles. Ask your mom... riding 80 miles on a
donkey while pregnant would not be fun!
Parents, pull out a map to help your
children understand
miles. Identify a couple of familiar places
that are about this distance from your
home. Talk about what it's like to take this
journey in a modern vehicle versus what it
must have been like for Mary to ride
donkey and for Joseph to walk
distance beside her.
Then take your family on a one mile walk
and talk about Mary and Joseph's journey
that would have been at least 80 times as
long! Let
what
Which emperor ordered
census? (HINT: See Luke 2:1)
A. Tiberius
B. Galerius
C. Augustus
D. Claudius
Talk about a time…
1) Someone showed you
unexpected kindness
2) You were kind to someone else…and
3) A time you could have been kind but
weren’t
Pray as a family that
show you someone you can surprise by
kindness in
making specific plans.
Ask each family member to share.
Ask a parent to scan this code with
smartphone or tablet so you can travel
with
Look up
about God’s kindness to us: Ephesians
4:32; Romans 2:4; and Psalm 116:5.
Think about one way you can imitate
God’s kindness to someone in your
family this week. Then do it!
Holy
Bible
19
20
When we finally reached Bethlehem, things didn't go very
well. As it turns out, Joseph in all his hurry forgot to book us
a hotel room. Every place we went was full to
people who had returned home for
was not pleased. They knocked and knocked, but everyone
said
It was starting to get cold and dark when we got to
house on
A short man peeked around
Joseph asked if
to stay.
The man looked at Joseph’s tired face, pregnant Mary, and
me with my aching back. “My rooms are full, but if you are
really desperate, I can make space in my stable with
animals. It’s a bit smelly, but
Mary raised her eyebrows, but Joseph was
already following
21
Mary and Joseph were struggling to find somewhere to
stay in Bethlehem.
They might have felt unwelcome and that nobody wanted
though
has a place for everyone in His house! There’s always room for one more! Everyone can be a
part of
Write or draw
something that reminds
you that
room in God’s house and
that everyone is
welcome!
1. How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when
couldn’t find anywhere to stay?
2. What’s a stable? What’s a manger? Are
places for a baby?
3. Check out John 14:2. What does this tell us about
where we belong?
4. In 2 Corinthians 5:1, it says that we will have “a
home in heaven that will last forever.” How does
this make you feel?
5. How do you think you could help o
at home in church?
22
1. Find a shoebox or o
and take
2. Lay
cardboard in
levels in your house if you like!
3. Use items you can find around your house to make some furniture. Can you make a
small box into a bed or a bottle top into a stool? Use your imagination and go wild!
4. Now to decorate! Do you have
some fabric to make a carpet? Or use
paint or paper to decorate
5. When you have finished, pray
over your house. Pray that
those who need safe houses will
be able to get one and thank
God that you have a safe home.
How many people can you fit in one space?
Using a newspaper or towel on
try and fit as many people (or stuffed
animals or o
sure that at least one body part is always
on
Keep folding it in half until you can’t fit
anyone in
What makes
home feel
like home?
On
23
Answer each of
in
might make you feel at home.
You could write
next to
pictures in
Why does your house
feel like home?
What is your favorite
thing in your room?
Draw it in this window!
Who lives in your house? Draw
What do you
most look
forward to
about coming
home from
school?
Do you think Mary and Joseph had any
of
home in
24
What town did Mary and Joseph travel to?
(HINT: See Luke 2:4)
A. Be
B. Bethany
C. Bethuel
D. Bethlehem
Ask each family member to share:
1) Is
thoughts, dreams, calendar, schedule,
bank account, home?
2) What could you do if Jesus came to visit
your house?
3) What would you show Jesus in your house?
4) What food would you serve Jesus?
Make a knocking sound on a
table, and lead children in
saying, “Come in, Jesus!
There’s room for You in our
heart…mind…home…day…
etc.” Repeat
several times.
• God’s heart has room for everyone. How
do you decide what kind of people to
accept and what kind to reject?
• Have you ever been rejected/left out?
What did it feel like?
• Ask your mom or dad about how
welcomed/became friends with someone
unpleasant.
• Is
accepting or getting along with? Pray and
ask God to help you see that person like
Jesus does.
• Think of someone in school who no one
seems to like. What can you do to welcome
that person and make
The first person says, "I'm taking a trip
and I am going to pack... " and
in
It could be a piece of clothing or
a toy or a person or whatever
Each person
what
and adds
selection to
and so on.
25
26
I guess this is it for
night. The man was right,
There were goats, sheep,
cows, and camels all
mooing and baaing
toge
happy that
going to have to share
space with us tonight.
Joseph cleared some space in
quickly fell asleep. I lay down to
sleep next to
could hear were
“Who are
are
They are taking up all of our
space!”
They were being very unkind. I
turned over and did my best to
tune
fast asleep with dreams of
carrots and fresh grass going
through my head.
27
I woke up to see Joseph all flustered. All
backed up against
Mary was lying on
The baby is going to be born today!”
28
Finally! We’ve been waiting for that kid for such a long time! The
innkeeper’s wife sent Joseph out to get some towels and knelt down
next to Mary. I stood back and kept control of
sheep in
excited...
After what seemed like ages,
born! Now, I thought this was meant to be a very special baby, sent by
God to save us all. But
seen. He cried a lot, wanted food a lot, slept a lot, and needed his
diaper changed A LOT. He could do nothing by himself — how is he
meant to save
They gave him
doesn’t seem very special right now, but just you wait — his name
goes on to become one of
world. Pretty crazy to
think about when you’re
looking at
baby lying in a cow’s
manger!
29
Do you have a best friend? How did you get to know
do you have in common? When Jesus was born, lots of people
were expecting an impressive king, but Jesus came as a baby.
He cried and slept and ate just like we did when we were babies. Jesus came to earth as a
person so that we could get to know him. God became like us so he could get close to us.
If you want to get to know somebody, what do you do? You spend time with
you spend time with Jesus?
Color in
How shiny can you
make it look?
30
1. What’s
2. Check out John 3:16. What does this tell us about
why Jesus came to earth? How does this verse make
you feel?
3. People were expecting God to come to earth as an
impressive looking king. Why do you think God chose
to come to earth as a baby?
4. How does it feel when somebody knows you really
well? How do you get to know somebody?
5. Jesus loves us so he wants to spend time with us!
How do you spend time with Jesus?
Draw or write something
that will remind you that
Jesus
world as a baby, just like you
and me. Do you have a photo
of yourself as a baby that
you could put on your
decoration?
Have everyone sit in a
circle. Begin by rolling a
ball to a child. Then have
imitate an animal sound
that might have been
heard in
night Jesus was born.
Encourage
what animal it is.
Then have
roll
player. Continue until
everyone’s had a turn.
Snuggle up with your child and look
through his or her baby album (or
Gotcha album). Talk about
your child was born (or adopted)
and compare (and contrast) your
child’s birth with Jesus’ humble birth
in
manger, compare
hospital delivery room with
sounds of a stable, and so on. Point
out that Jesus was a gift from God,
and so is your child!
Jesus was born in a stable and slept in
a manger because
for his family in
inviting someone who is alone to
celebrate Christmas with your family
this year—perhaps a child from a
children’s home, an elderly person
living alone, or a college student far
from home. Along with a good meal
and loving company, provide a few
presents so your guest can be
completely involved.
Jesus was born a human just
like you and me. Can you
bake some gingerbread men?
Decorate
yourself and your family!
Recipe on
next page!
31
2/3 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup molasses
1 large egg (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1. In a large bowl, beat
creamy. Add
high spead until combined and creamy looking. Add
vanilla and beat on high speed until nicely combined.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk
spices toge
in
3. The dough will be quick thick and
slightly sticky. Divide it in half.
4. Wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill
for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
5. Remove one half of
Generously flour a work surface, your hands, and a
rolling pin. Roll out until 1/4 inch thick.
6. Cut out
apart on baking sheet lined with
parchment paper. Repeat with second
half until all dough is used.
7. Bake cookies at 350ºF
for 9-10 minutes.
8. Allow to cool
completely and
decorate!
What did baby Jesus sleep on in
manger?
A. Cabbage leaves
B. Rose petals
C. Grass blades
D. Bird fea
Ask each family member to share:
1) If Jesus is king, what does that make us?
Prince and princesses? Servants of
2) Where were you born?
3) Why do you think God allowed Jesus to be
born in a stable?
4) If you could’ve been
born, who would you have wanted to be?
Why?
Let’s pretend to hold baby Jesus while we pray
and thank God for Jesus. Have every family
member pretend to rock a baby in
and invite
one-sentence prayers after you. Ideas:
• Welcome to
• Thank you for coming to be with us.
• We’re so glad that you’re always with us.
Sing “Away in a Manger” as
It can serve as a lullaby to your imaginary
baby Jesus.
Choose a non-breakable ornament from
your tree, or get a ball.
Toss
family.
Everyone, grab a piece of paper and a
pen. First, draw letter g. Now, draw
Mary and baby Jesus from
Say one thing you know about Jesus each
time you catch
your family members do
Play ano
time have everyone share
what gift
| Jesus.
33
Now at
this was happening, o
things were taking place in a field
far away. Actually, my friend
Sofia (a sheep I had met on
vacation once) was
witness
I’ll let her tell it:
34
Oh my goodness, we were just minding our own business,
eating some grass here and
angels just showed up. There was music,
choreographed dancing, trumpets, singing —
The shepherds who were
watching us were terrified;
all
shepherding, and as far as
not a part of
description.
35
They looked at each o
and
“Shepherds, do not be afraid — we have
been sent here by God to tell you some
amazing news. There is a new king being
born in
wants you to go and visit him.”
“Why us?”
poor and dirty shepherds. A king would never want to
see us!”
“Well this King is different,”
wasn’t chosen by people but by God. He wants to
get to know everyone, it doesn’t matter if you are
rich or powerful or have great clo
to help everyone.”
So
made our way to Bethlehem. We were all very excited!
37
The shepherds were some of
world to be told
God didn’t choose
important big-boss jobs. He chose shepherds. In
being very unimportant and
hear such important news? God chose
Anybody who wants to can learn about God and have his love and hope in
1. What is
2. Why do you think God chose
shepherds to be
3. How do you think
born?
4. What do you think
find when
5. How does
6. In
you have that you can bring to God’s family.
“What gifts and talents do
you have and how do you use
Write or draw
something that
reminds you that
everyone is important
to God and that
Good News of Jesus is
for everyone.
38
Ask a parent to scan this QR
code and toge
story of when
Jesus Christ.
1. Go outside and look at
2. Try drawing your own cloud — make sure
extra fluffy!
3. Once you’ve drawn your cloud, add a head by
making a circle on
4. Add ears, eyes, and a mouth!
5. Draw a little tail on
(Can you see a sheep yet?)
6. You can also color in
your sky be?
For this game, you will need:
• Balloons
• Newspaper
• A stopwatch or timer
1. Roll your newspaper into a shepherd’s staff.
2. Blow up
represent sheep.
3. Make a pen (like a section of your living room, a hula hoop, etc)
behind a dining room chair.
4. Use your shepherd’s staff to round up
you’ve created. How quickly can you do it? Who can do it
quickest? Who can round up
39
40
Now at
that a King had been born in a stable in
Bethlehem. “Bethlehem? In a stable?” he
started chuckling to himself, “Can’t be much
of a King, he wasn’t even born in a palace!”
But over
started to hear more and more about this
mysterious baby King. Lots of people came to
his palace saying, “Have you heard, a new
King has been born? Does this mean you’ll be
replaced soon?”
Herod was a very jealous man. He did not like
King in town and that he didn’t know
anything about him, so he ga
advisors to figure out what he should do
about it. They needed a plan...
41
1 CORINTHIANS
1:27-28, 31
Herod was
was very rich, powerful, and important. When he heard that
a baby was going to replace him as king, he was very jealous.
He couldn’t imagine anybody being more important than him, especially not a baby!
Jesus didn’t seem like he was very rich or very strong or very important. He was just a
baby, born in a stable, to a poor carpenter and his wife. But
wise men knew that Jesus was
Write or draw
something that
reminds you that
Jesus is
or to remind you
that we should
not be jealous.
1. What did people expect a king to be like?
2. Have you ever felt jealous? Why? What was it like?
3. Why was Herod jealous of Jesus?
4. Check out Mat
because of his jealousy?
5. What makes Jesus different from Herod?
6. How can we be less like Herod and more like Jesus?
42
1. Find a piece of colorful construction paper or card stock and cut it in half.
Stick
2. Cut triangles out of
3. Decorate your crown! You could
color it in, or stick colorful paper or
stickers around it.
4. Tape
stock toge
circle. You can now wear your crown!
Herod tried to steal God’s gift to
1. One person stands facing a wall with a present
behind
2. Everyone else has to attempt to steal
behind
3. The person facing
4. If
win. If someone manages to get
starting line,
Two players: Jesus and Herod.
The aim of
beat Herod to Egypt before Herod catches him.
Jesus goes first.
Jesus wins if he gets to Egypt first.
Herod wins if he lands on
Jesus or reaches Egypt before him.
Make two playing pieces out of small stones;
draw on
o
ano
43
Oh no! You
went
wrong way.
Follow
arrow.
You’ve been
walking a
long time and
need a break.
Miss a turn!
Challenge: If you
can stand on one
leg for 30 seconds,
move forward
3 spaces!
You found a
shortcut through
a mountain!
Follow
arrow.
You dropped
your keys in
back 6 spaces
to find
You found a lake.
Have a rest and
drink! Miss a turn!
Go back
three
spaces!
Challenge:
Do five
jumping
jacks!
Here’s a
donkey to
help you.
Roll again!
Move
forward
two
spaces!
44
When King Herod heard about
newborn King, he felt... (HINT: See
Mat
A. Jumpy
B. Jazzy
C. Jittery
D. Jolly
One evening this week, go outside with
your children early enough to watch for
child look for
one that twinkles
Remind your children who made
how God put each star in its special place. Then talk
about
announce
Ask:
• What do you like about stars?
• What do you think of how God let people know
about
• On
wise men and
Why might you want to travel that far to see
Jesus?
• Talk about what you’d want to travel far to see.
Ga
Show your family
towel, and tell
game to find baby Jesus, kind of like
men did.
Have your family members close
Place
you’ve hidden
to find baby Jesus.
Let each family member take a
turn hiding
giving clues for
Discuss: Where can you find
Jesus today?
Ask a parent to scan this QR code on
smartphone or tablet, and peek inside
royal palace where
some frightening plans.
After reading
ga
on its rounded side, and cut it into several
slices.
Cut enough apple slices for each child to
have two. You’ll also need a small jar of
cinnamon sugar.
Tell children that
star in each apple slice. Pass out
and see if anyone can find
middle.
Help children remove
sprinkle
slices with
cinnamon sugar. As
children eat
apple slices, talk
about how
men followed
45
Three wise men came to
searching for
obviously
new baby King wasn’t
Herod brought
with a plan. He told
able to congratulate and bring some gifts to
King, but he was far too busy to travel himself.
The wise men would go in his place!
46
Now Herod would be able to secretly know more about
this so-called King, so that he could see what he could do
about it!
The wise men set off with
a long journey. They followed a bright star in
led
I saw
excited to finally see Jesus,
searching for! They pulled some glistening wrapped
presents out of
me a present — even a carrot would be lovely!). Gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. Not sure what
exactly... very shiny and smelly. I think Jesus would have
preferred some Legos to be honest, but everything in
this story has a reason!
Before
not to go back to King Herod because he was a mean
man who didn’t want good things for Jesus. So,
changed
ano
47
The three wise men spotted
Jesus. They thought
Jerusalem but instead
They followed
expected. Sometimes when we follow Jesus, he leads us to places we don’t expect. But he
always leads us to good things, and sometimes
were expecting.
Write or draw
something to
remind you
that Jesus is a
gift worth
searching for!
1. What were
2. How do you think
found
3. Check out Mat
trick Herod?
4. God used a star to lead
does God show us what to do?
5. What do you think God might be leading you to?
48
1. Glue two popsicle sticks toge
so it looks like a bottomless triangle.
2. Glue a third popsicle stick on
side of an end of one of
sticks that you have stuck toge
3. Glue
make ano
4. Finally, glue
5. Then, turn your star ornament and form
a loop with a small piece of ribbon, glue
loop to
hang your star on your Christmas tree.
6. If you want to jazz your star up even
more, you can use scrunched up tissue
paper to cover
decorate however you want!
1. Write down some Christmas
on pieces of paper, fold
and put
2. Take turns picking a word from
drawing it for
3. Once
next person’s turn to pick a word.
Help
men find Jesus by
completing
on
Maybe instead of drawing
make
49
50
Help
find Jesus by going
through
creating a special shape!
Why did
Jesus? (HINT: See Mat
A. To sing him a lullaby.
B. To take a selfie with him.
C. To play peekaboo with him.
D. To worship him.
Beforehand, hide a doll or nativity piece
representing baby Jesus on one side of
Invite
a line, shoulder to shoulder, at
say: Let’s pretend we’re on a journey to find Jesus
by following
Dim or turn off
flashlight on your feet, you may follow
shining on
turn it off, you must freeze right where you are.
Like
lead you to baby Jesus.
Lead each child one at a time toward
figure. When all
baby Jesus by shining
Jesus. Continue leading
has spotted Jesus. Ask: What are some ways you
can look for Jesus in your life?
Ask a parent to scan
this QR code on
smartphone or
tablet, and follow
along with
men as
Have everyone sit in a circle on
with
child to be
center of
closed. Hand a gift box to someone, and
have that person hold
or her back. Be sure
Have
for
traveling.”
Make a family nativity scene by sculpting
aluminum foil into different characters
involved in
Give
gift. The Wise Man may hide
gift becomes
Discuss:
• What is
wrapped up and given to someone?
• What is
received?
• What one gift can our family
give to Jesus this week?
51
52
STEP ONE: Use
STEP TWO: Color it in!
53
How long ago
did Jesus live?
What was Jesus
like as a child?
Why do some
dates have A.D.
and B.C.?
Was Jesus married?
Did He have children?
Who did Jesus hang out
with? Who were His friends?
Did Jesus have
bro
What miracle would you
like to see Jesus do?
If Jesus came to spend
with you, what would you
choose to do with Him?
Is Jesus in
history books?
Where is Jesus today?
If you could ask Jesus any
question, what would that be?
Is Christ Jesus’
last name?
What is your favorite
thing about Jesus?
What do you think
Jesus thinks about you?
Thank you so much for following me
on my greatest journey. You know,
that special baby boy eventually
grew up and did some pretty
amazing things. Why don’t you take
some time and learn a little bit more
about Jesus by thinking through
questions on this page? If you get
stuck, you may want to ask your
parents or your pastor to help you.
54
Christmas is all about
In
meanness, or death.
God also made people, so we could enjoy His beautiful world and be close to Him.
Unfortunately, people decided
would be better off without Him.
So,
Their sin messed up God’s perfect world and ruined our friendship
with God.
Sin separated us from God, but thankfully God didn’t want to
be separated from us.
That’s why He sent His only son, Jesus—to make a way for us back
into God’s family.
At just
He grew up, lived a perfect, sinless life, and
wrong things we had done.
On
Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to be close to God again. Since Jesus
took
Now anybody can become a part of God’s family! And THAT is
Have you accepted Jesus? If you would you like to
start following Him, pray this prayer:
Dear God, I'm sorry for going my own way and sinning
against You. I deserve to die for my sins and be
separated forever from You. But I believe Your
perfect Son, Jesus, took
dying on
that He won
from my sin and trust Jesus as my Savior. I commit my life
to You and ask You to save me and accept me into Your
family. I want to use
instead of serving myself. Thank You for hearing me.
Amen.
A village girl.
A kind carpenter.
A long journey.
A host of angels.
A bunch of shepherds.
A brand-new star.
A band of stargazers.
A jealous king.
A tiny baby.
The very first Christmas.
56
To obtain more copies of this activity book
and o
please visit www.WeAreKidMin.com/shop.
Change language