The Nativity: Jesus' Birth

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2nd/3rd Grade – Dec 16

Prepare the Way  Lesson 3

The Nativity: Jesus’ Birth Bible Verse And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Teacher Enrichment This is the third lesson in the Prepare the Way series. Occurring during the season of Advent, this series prepares children’s hearts for Christmas by teaching the story of Jesus’ birth. Each week will examine how different Biblical characters prepared the way for Jesus to enter the world and how their experiences reflect the four aspects of Advent: Joy, Hope, Peace and Love. Jesus was born in a very humble, simple place – a stable. He was born to a simple girl, Mary and a simple carpenter, Joseph. He was born far from his home. This reminds us that God chooses the most unexpected places, people and times to show us His love. God loves all people regardless of their status, where they live or where they are born. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born into our weary and broken world for everyone. We are called to bring that same peace into our own lives and relationships. We are called to show love to everyone just as God showed His unconditional love to us through His son. In this lesson children will review the events leading up to and including Jesus’ birth. Many of us find the Christmas story so familiar because we learned it as children. This lesson is intended to establish that familiarity and help children understand the importance of Jesus’ birth.

Before Class Begins  Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival.  Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival.  Check that you have supplies for this lesson: - Arrival Activity, Jesus’ Birth activity sheet – 1 per child - Stable Poster Board – 2 - Build Your Nativity Characters - Build Your Nativity Questions & Answers - Build Your Nativity Category Cards - Angel Craft – beads, paper clip, ribbon with glitter bead  Place an arrival activity at each place on the table.

Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, pens, Jesus’ Birth activity sheet, pencils, markers  Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name.  Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child  

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with a sticker to place in today’s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to complete Jesus’ Birth activity sheet. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships.

Prepare the Way  Lesson 3

Children’s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards  The Children’s Worship Leader will direct your class to come to Ruth Hall at 9:20 or      

11:05. Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the Joy & Concern cards to the Children’s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 105. Encourage children to participate in Children’s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children’s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children’s Worship, have children line up and return to Room 105.

The Lesson SUPPLIES: Build Your Nativity characters, category cards and questions/answers, Stable poster board, Angel Craft bags

SAY: Over the past three weeks, we’ve learned about Jesus’ birth story. Today we are going to play a game and see how well you’ve been paying attention! It’s called Nativity Jeopardy.  Create two teams by having children count off by twos.  Decide which team will go first.  Explain the Build Your Nativity game. - Each team is assigned a “Stable” and provided a set of Build Your Nativity

characters (Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Shepherd, 3 Wise Men, Angel) - The first team chooses a question category: People & Places, Fun Facts or In the Stable. - The leader reads a question from the selected category. If the team gets the question correct, they add a Build Your Nativity character to their stable. Prepare the Way  Lesson 3

- Teams take turn selecting categories and answering questions. - Once all questions from a category are asked, the category card is removed

and cannot be selected. - The first team to complete their Nativity wins.  If all the questions are asked before a team fully completes their nativity, the team with the most characters in their stable wins.  If a team completes their nativity before all the questions are asked, you may choose to ask the additional questions to the class as a whole.

If the game is completed prior to the end of class, provide each child with an Angel ornament packet. If there is not enough time, the craft can be reserved for another time.

Teacher Tip There will always be children who want to answer every question and others who silently stand with their team. Encourage teams to collaborate and include all children in their answers. If a child is hanging back, bring them into the game by asking if they agree with their team’s answer.

Craft Directions (pictures will be added)

Closing  Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the

children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, Prepare the Way  Lesson 3

Thank you for sending Jesus into the world. Help us spread the good news of His birth to everyone. Amen  If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their Jesus’ Birth activity sheet if they did not complete it. Also encourage conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom.

Prepare the Way  Lesson 3

Prepare the Way  Lesson 3

Build Your Nativity Questions & Answers People and Places

1

2

What town did Mary and Joseph travel to for Jesus’ birth? What Roman Emperor required Mary and Joseph to be counted in the census?

Bethlehem

Caesar Augustus

A. Caesar Augustus, B. Julius Caesar or C. Caesar Salad

3

Who allowed Mary and Joseph to stay in his barn?

4

The place where Mary and Joseph lived (but not where Jesus was born!)?

The innkeeper

Nazareth

A. Nazareth, B. Cana or C. Egypt

5

Who was the first person Mary visited after hearing from the angel that she would have a son?

6

Who was the forerunner for Jesus?

7

Who was John the Baptist’s mother?

Elizabeth

John the Baptist

Elizabeth

8

9

Fun Facts

1

Why did Mary and Joseph have to travel to Bethlehem?

To be counted in the census

2

What was the name of the angel who visited Mary and told her she would have a son named Jesus?

Gabriel

3

What was Joseph’s occupation?

Carpenter

4

How did Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem? A. Camel, B. Donkey or C. Horse-drawn chariot

Donkey

5

Why was Jesus born in a stable?

All the inns were full

6

What animals did the shepherds take care of?

Sheep

7

In the Stable

1

2

What did Mary lay baby Jesus in?

Mary wrapped baby Jesus in what? A. Swaddling clothes, B. a diaper or C. a blanket

In a manger

Swaddling clothes

3

Who came to visit Baby Jesus after he was born?

Shepherds and Wise Men

4

How many wise men visited baby Jesus?

Three

5

How did the wise men find baby Jesus?

Followed a star

Angelic Greeting Card

People & Places Fun Facts In the Stable

Prepare the Way  Lesson 3