One of my favorite times of the year to teach Sunday school for children is at Christmas time. It is a time when children are so interested in the baby Jesus and the story of His birth. It is fun to tell the Christmas story to children and then give them a quiz to see how many details they can recall. I am always amazed at the answers the children give; sometimes they are spot on and other times they simply repeat things that they have learned – not necessarily from the Bible. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the birth of Jesus and what we know as Christmas. Here is a Christmas Sunday school lesson that you may use with your children.
Memory Verse Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”
Read to the children:
Did you know that the Bible never uses the word Christmas? Even so we have come to know it as the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus. In the Bible we read about things that happened many thousands of years ago. The birth of Jesus was actually more than two thousand years ago so as time goes on some things in the story get added or completely forgotten. This is why it is so important that we read the story from its original book – The Bible. The Bible is made up of many, many stories that different men of God wrote. God actually told these men what to write so we can say that another name for the Bible is the Word of God.
(Ask the children if they have any questions about what you have shared so far – answer their questions, if necessary.)
The Nativity
A great prop for this lesson would be a nativity scene that includes Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, some shepherds and a few animals (and maybe even some angels). The wise men were not present for the birth of Jesus, nor were there any gifts on His birthday – they came later bearing gifts. (Matthew 2:1-12) Show the children the nativity scene (either a drawing or an actual nativity set with things they can touch, with your supervision). Allow them to ask questions about the scene.
Read to the children:
It is fun to tell the Christmas story to children and then give them a quiz to see how many details they can recall.
Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the birth of Jesus and His family. I am going to read from the Bible now — Luke chapter 2, verses 1 through 20 (show the children what the words in your Bible look like). This is what God says about the birth of Jesus:
Luke 2:1-20 ( KJV ) 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And 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. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which isChrist the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Quiz Questions & Answers (this should be an oral quiz)
Q1. Who were Jesus’ Mommy and Daddy?
A. Mary & Joseph
Q2. What was the name of the place where Jesus was born?
A. Bethlehem (city of David is also a correct answer)
Q3. Did baby Jesus have a crib?
A. No, Mary laid him in a manger because they were not in a hotel or house
Q4. What exciting thing happened right as Mary laid Jesus down?
A. Many angels and heavenly hosts began to praise God and say “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”.
Q5. Where did the angels go after they were finished?
A. They went into heaven
Q6. Who came to see the baby after He was born?
A. The shepherds
Q7. How did they know to go to Bethlehem?
A. The Lord made it known to them
Q8. What two things did the shepherd do after they saw Jesus?
A1. They went and told everyone about Jesus
A2. They returned to their flocks glorifying and praising God.
Q9. Did Jesus get gifts on his birthday?
A. No
Q10. Can you finish this Bible verse from Luke 2:11 “For unto
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
______ ____ ________”
A. Christ the Lord.
Coloring pages
If you have time after your story with questions and answers, have the children color some Christmas pages. I found a lot of great printables at http://www.calvarywilliamsport. com/christian_
christmas_coloring_pages.html. Be sure to choose pages that accurately show the Christmas story that you just read from the Bible.
Looking for more Sunday school lessons? Check out these articles:
Resource:
The Holy Bible, King James Version
YouTube “Away in a Manger”
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