January 6, 2008 Puppet Show Matthew 2:1-12 Wise Men Visit Jesus Leader---some discussion about Christmas gifts & the gifts the wise men brought.

Ribbit: Are you all talking about Christmas gifts? Leader: Yes, we are. Did you get any gifts for Christmas? Ribbit: Oh, yes! I got so many great presents! I got a new lily pad to sit on, a coloring book, chocolate covered flies, some extra springy shoes for jumping, lots of green Legos … I like green …, caramel covered grasshoppers, a tricycle that works in the water, peppermint covered beetles, and the video game “Frogger”. I’m really good at playing Frogger. Leader: Wow Ribbit, that’s a lot of great gifts. Ribbit: I know, I know! I’ve already played with all of them! And now I want to write thank you notes to all of the people who gave them to me. My grandmother and my grandfather, my mommy and my daddy, my aunts and my uncles and my cousins and my friends. I want to let everyone know how much I really liked their gifts and I’m so thankful that they gave them to me. There’s just one problem. Leader: What’s that? Ribbit: I don’t know how to write very well. We’re just learning how to write in school. I can write my name, but I can’t write all the words in a thank you letter. Leader: I understand, Ribbit. But you know what? That doesn’t meant that you can’t still make something that will show everyone how thankful you are. Like, you could draw a picture that shows how happy you are with your present! Or you could have your Mommy or Daddy take a picture of you playing with your present, and you could write your name on the picture. Then your Mommy or Daddy could help you send them to everyone. Ribbit: Hey, that’s a great idea! I can draw really good pictures, and it would be fun to draw my new toys. Hmmm. There’s one more problem. I think I should thank God, too for the best Christmas gift of all – his son Jesus. Do I need to draw a picture for God too? Leader: You can if you want to, but you can also just pray to God and thank him that way. I know God would like that. Ribbit: OK, that’s what I’ll do. Thanks Miss Becky! See you guys later, I’ve got pictures to draw! Leader: Goodbye Ribbit!

Written by Scott Wilkinson