Bible Text: Matthew 1:18-2:12
Read with Me Bible Reference: Pages 252-259, 270-276
Key Point of Passage: The wise men worshipped baby Jesus, the Son of God.
Memory Verse: God loved the world so much that He gave His Son (John 3:16).
Questions for Discussion:
1) What was the name of the baby born in this story?
2) And what was special about baby Jesus?
3) How did the wise men find Jesus?
4) When the wise men did find Jesus, what did they do? Let’s worship Jesus together now.
Bible Text: Luke 2:1-20
Read with Me Bible Reference: Pages 256-265
Key Point of Passage: Angels and Shepherds praised God because Jesus the savior was born; the shepherds found baby Jesus lying in a manger, just as the angels said.
Memory Verse: A Savior has been born; He is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Questions for Discussion:
1) Jesus is our Lord and Savior. But when He was first born, He wasn’t born in a castle with a nice warm crib. What was Jesus’ first bed?
2) What was the good news the angels told to the shepherds?
3) After the shepherds saw baby Jesus, they praised God. Let’s praise God and thank Him for sending His Son Jesus on Christmas.
Bible Text: Isaiah 9:2-7
Read with Me Bible Reference: 256-259 is the actual birth story (not the prophecy).
Key Point of Passage: God gave us the wonderful gift of His Son to rule forever and bring us joy.
Memory Verse: God loved the world so much that He gave His Son (John 3:16).
Questions for Discussion:
1) Who is this Bible passage talking about? Who is the Son of God who was born as a little baby?
2) But the words that we read today were written 700 years before Jesus was even born! That is why we call it a “prophecy”. Does anyone know what “prophecy” means?
3) This prophecy says that Jesus is the kind who will rule over everyone. How long does it say that Jesus will rule the world?
4) The prophecy also says that Jesus is the light for a dark world and that He will bring us joy. Does Jesus bring you joy? Let’s worship Jesus now!
Filed under Preschool-Kindergarten, Sunday Sneak Preview
Bible Text: Luke 1:26-38
Read with Me Bible Reference: Pages 252-255
Key Point of Passage: The Holy Spirit came upon Mary so that she became pregnant with King Jesus, the Son of God.
Memory Verse: A Savior has been born; He is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Questions for Discussion:
1) Who did the angel visit in the Bible story today?
2) Why do you think Mary was afraid at first?
3) What did the angel tell Mary?
4) The baby to be born was the Son of God. What was His name?
5) Did Mary trust God? Can we trust God too?
There are lots of wonderful ideas for celebrating Advent and Christmas with your children. Here are some ideas that we’ve found– but don’t try to do it all. Find what works for your family and create meaningful traditions that will help you and your family treasure Christ more this season.
See also our recommended Christmas picture books!
Advent Activities & Traditions
Bake a Birthday Cake For Jesus!— this site has an idea for a simple three-layer cake which helps to retell the gospel.
The Story of Christmas Advent Wall Calendar — displays 24 board books telling the story leading up to Jesus’ birth.
Online Advent Calendar— this is a free online tool that helps organize devotionals and activity ideas for families.
Advent Coloring Pages— print out some free advent coloring pages for your children.
12 Symbols of Christmas– free coloring pages and devotional guide explaining the true meaning behind common Christmas symbols.
What God Wants for Christmas— This is a resource from FamilyLife Ministries. It’s an interactive nativity set that you open over seven days and use with your children to retell the Christmas story.
Adornaments— These are out-of-print, but can sometimes be found used through Amazon or ebay. There are 12 different ornaments and each one teaches about a name of Jesus. A companion book provides a devotional for each ornament. If you can’t find this, try this Names of Jesus Advent Chain.
Truth in the Tinsel— this is a PDF ebook that is perfect for younger children (toddlers/preschoolers). It has 24 days of activities which help retell the Christmas story. Each day you read part of the Christmas story with your child and you make a homemade ornament to help you remember the story.
Hubbard’s Cupboard is a Christian website with ideas for celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with your preschooler or lower elementary-aged child.
Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree is a tradition in which you trace the lineage of Christ and the promises of God in the Old Testament throughout the season of Advent. Each day you read a passage with your family and make or hang an ornament on your tree.
Free Jesse Tree devotionals and ornaments can be downloaded from the blog Reformed Church in America.
If you are looking to purchase a Jesse Tree, Christian Book Distributors has an Jesse Tree Activity Kit.
Filed under Parents' Tool Box
This list has been updated– see the updated listing here!
Christmas Picture Books for Children
Read some of these each year to make some fond family memories and teach your children about the real meaning of Christmas!
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergen
A Star for Jesus by Crystal Bowman
J is for Jesus: The Sweetest Story Ever Told by Crystal Bowman
Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree by Crystal Bowman
My Christmas Gift by Crystal Bowman
‘Twas the Night: The Nativity Story by Melody Carlson
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs
The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt
My Merry Christmas and the Real Reason for Christmas Joy by Sally Lloyd Jones
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd Jones
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
Santa, Are You For Real? by Harold Myra
The Legend of the Christmas Tree by Rick Osborne
Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer
The Best Thing about Christmas by Christine Tangvald
The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell
Mary’s First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.
Filed under Book Reviews, Parents' Tool Box
