Jesus Is Born

READ IT talk about it live IT

For families to do together This Rotation’s Bible story is Throw a birthday party for Jesus! Have a Jesus is Born Family Conversations birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday!” What do you think angels look like? from Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-58; 1 Play games and sing songs. Invite members 2:1-20. of your church family, and bring presents to How has Jesus been a gift in your life? donate to people who need them. Share the 2 God has given us the gift of Jesus! love of Jesus! Ask each other what you remember about: The angels told the shepherds of Jesus’ birth. 3 • Jesus • Joseph Who can you tell about Jesus? • Immanuel • Mary For younger kids • Stable • Star Get out your nativity set—or make a simple Donate a birthday package to your local food 4 one with craft items or dolls and stuffed ani- shelf — a gift bag with a cake mix, candles, Mary and Joseph were obeying Emperor mals. Take turns retelling the story of Jesus’ and some decorations can bring joy to lots of Augustus’ command that everyone had to go birth using the nativity characters. people! back to their hometown to be counted. This census was taken so that the emperor could tax the people. Eye Spark For older kids When you see a baby wiggle, wiggle your Find out about different Christmas traditions Read the whole story together fingers against your stomach and think about all over the world. Ask different families from in the Bible! what it would feel like to have a baby in your your church about their traditions, too! tummy. Spark Story Bible pages 196-207 and 212-223

Spark Bible pages 1058-1059 and 1127-1130 Ear Spark When you hear singing, shout “Glory to the Family Prayer Lord!” and remember the angels singing to the shepherds. Thank you, God, for Jesus! Help us to cel- ebrate his birth a little every day! AMEN.

Art Video Music Make an Advent wreath to use at home. What are your favorite Christmas mov- Go Christmas caroling! Invite your church Place the wreath in a place where your whole ies? Have each member of your family pick friends. Use chenille craft stems and store- family will see it. Take time to light a candle a favorite and over the four weekends of bought jingle bells to make jingle bell shakers and say a prayer every Sunday night before advent, watch all of them once. Wear your for your family and all the kids. Print off lyr- bed. Dear God, we anxiously await the pajamas, eat popcorn, and enjoy movies from ics for everyone to see. Make sure you have arrival of your Son, the light of the world. two or more generations! some good bell-shaking songs! Amen.

Bible Skills and Games Science Computer Lab Play hide and seek with the baby Jesus from Mary traveled a long way with a baby in her Create your own Christmas greeting card! your family’s nativity set. Take turns hiding belly! Make your own belly by placing 2 sacks Search for your favorite Christmas images on the holy baby in unexpected places around of flour in a plastic grocery bag. Take turns the internet, and make a collage of pictures your home for your family members to stum- putting your arms through the holes to wear for the front of your card. Put your favorite ble upon, like in the fridge, a box of tissues, or the bag in front. Sit on the arm of a chair like Christmas Bible verse on the inside of the a shoe. you’re riding a donkey to Bethlehem. card. Print and send!

Cooking Creative Drama Start a family Christmas tradition. Find a Use an inexpensive nativity scene to tell the marshmallow recipe, and make marshmal- story of Jesus’ birth. Each person chooses lows together. Float them in hot chocolate to be one or two characters and holds those and sing Christmas carols or read Christmas pieces in their hands. Take pictures of each stories together in your pajamas. scene, then develop the pictures and make your very own Christmas storybook!