Gifts for Jesus. Focus on Matthew 2:1 12. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION. WHAT is important to know? WHERE is God in these words?

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1 January 6, 2019 Epiphany of the Lord Isa. 60:1 6 Ps. 72:1 7, Eph. 3:1 12 Matt. 2:1 12 Goal for the Session Third- and fourth-graders will join the magi in worship of the young king and reflect on the gifts they might offer to Jesus. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Matthew 2:1 12 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Paul J. Achtemeier The account of the magi announces at the beginning of Matthew s story of Jesus that he is the king of the Jews (v. 2), the Christ (v. 4), and the promised ruler of Israel (v. 6). The assembling of the Sanhedrin here anticipates such action on the part of Jesus enemies at the time of his passion (26:3, 57; 27:17, 27, 62) and serves with the Great Commission (28:16 20) to bracket the story of Jesus with the acknowledgment of his universal import. Astrologers from a foreign land are the first to acknowledge Jesus as God s anointed king, and the final command of the risen Jesus is to carry the gospel to all nations, including them via baptism into God s new chosen people. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, William J. Danaher Jr. In the Gospel of Matthew discipleship is often likened to a kind of shining, which recalls the light from the star that shined on the Christ child. Jesus tells his disciples, You are the light of the world.... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (5:14, 16). That disciples are called to shine is important to remember in the season of Epiphany, for now that Christ has ascended and the Spirit has been given, we are the ones through whom this light shines forth. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Stephen Bauman Everyone who happens to worship on Epiphany has their own idiosyncratic story to tell concerning their pathway to the manger. Some may have no idea who lies there. Others have mistaken ideas about the swaddled child. Nevertheless, all are present due to the prompting of God, who initiates our asking, our seeking, and our finding. The magi s journey to Bethlehem exposes God s intention to welcome everyone into the joy of [God s] home not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens, and, remarkably, on earth as well. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, Barbara Brown Taylor Preachers will ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten them, helping them recall the ordinary and extraordinary ways in which the light of Christ has appeared to them in their own lives and the lives of those they love. They might also think of four or five people they would like to ask the same question: by what light do you see God? The church has a word for this. When we tell the stories of our encounters with God in community, in nature, in relationship, in the chambers of our own hearts we give testimony to the ongoing revelation of the Word made flesh. 1

2 FOCUS SCRIPTURE Matthew 2:1 12 Focus on Your Teaching Third- and fourth-graders are growing in awareness of their talents and interests. They also are beginning to realize that each person s gifts are unique. Such concrete thinkers will not fully grasp that God has given them these abilities, but they can delight in seeing how they are able to make positive contributions to life at home, school, and church. Adults offer children a great gift by encouraging the children to use their unique abilities in worship and serving. Encourage these young disciples to offer their best, just as the wise men brought fine gifts to Jesus. YOU WILL NEED white cloth white batterypowered candle Bibles Color Pack 11, 12, 28 scissors, glue stick poster board nativity-scene figures from Color Pack 4 Singing the Feast, ; CD player recording of The Little Drummer Boy and music player (optional) copies of Resource Sheet 1, crayons For Responding option 1: rhythm instruments; Singing the Feast, ; CD player option 2: copies of Resource Sheet 2, colored pencils option 3: small glass jars with lids, water, foil star confetti, spoons, blue food coloring, hot glue gun Generous God, thank you for the mercies of your love. Inspire me to use my gifts in ways that shine more brightly than any star. Amen. n LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, cut out the figures of the wise men and camels from Color Pack 11, and glue them to poster board. Then cut the figures out and fold the flaps so they will stand on their own. Also cut the three squares from Color Pack 11. Find a recording of The Little Drummer Boy, if you want to use that option in Exploring. As children arrive, greet them by name. Ask volunteers to arrange the white cloth in the center of your meeting space and place the candle and the nativity scene made from Color Pack 4 (prepared in the December 9 session) on the cloth minus the shepherds and angel. Gather the group and welcome them to the day of Epiphany, which celebrates the visit of the wise men to young Jesus. This is the last day of the Christmas season. Light the candle to celebrate Jesus presence. Play We Three Kings (Color Pack 28; track 19 on Singing the Feast, ), inviting children to sing along with the chorus. Offer this prayer: Loving Jesus, light of the world, shine on us as we pray and learn today. Amen. Invite children to tell about a time they traveled to a place they had never visited before. Ask: P How did you find your way to that place? P What is something new you learned when you visited there? 2

3 We Three Kings Chorus (Repeat after each verse) O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to the perfect light! We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. Born a King on Bethlehem s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign. Frankincense to offer have I: Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, voices raising, Worshiping God Most High. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Repeat first verse Frankincense and myrrh may be available from a church supply store or a natural foods/herbs store. If possible, show some to children to help them learn through touch and smell. EXPLORING Tell the group that today s Bible story is about the wise men s trip to find young Jesus. In the song you just sang, these wise men are called kings. In some Bibles, these men are called the magi. Display Color Pack 12. Invite the children to imagine what it was like for the wise men to travel across this desert. Remind the group that there were no vehicles with engines in those days, and wonder together how the wise men might have traveled. Show the figures from Color Pack 11, and ask volunteers to add them to the nativity scene. Distribute Bibles and work together to find Matthew 2:1 12. Ask children to use a finger to follow along as you read the story aloud. After reading the story, ask: P Where did the wise men live? P How many wise men traveled to Bethlehem? P What did the wise men tell Herod about the reason for their trip? P What did Herod ask the wise men to do? P What did God s angel tell the wise men to do? In unison, read aloud verse 11. Pass around the pictures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh from Color Pack 11. As the children look at the pictures, explain that frankincense and myrrh were made from plant sap and used in making expensive perfumes. Frankincense also was used to make incense, which was burned to create a sweet smell in the temple during times of worship and prayer. Gold is a precious metal that was used to make the crowns worn by kings. Refer back to the song We Three Kings, and read aloud the stanzas related to gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Ask: P Why do you think the wise men brought these particular gifts to Jesus? Option: Introduce the song The Little Drummer Boy as a fictional story of a child offering a gift to Jesus. Play the song, inviting children to drum on the tabletop with their fingers each time they hear rum-pum-pum-pum. Discuss why this young boy s gift was special. Discuss the gifts that each one in your group might offer to Jesus. Recall how Jesus taught that we give him a gift each time we show our love for God or care for others in loving ways. Describe a talent or gift you have that you like to offer in this way. Invite children to list gifts they might offer. (For example, singing in worship, praying for a person who is sick, helping a younger child, making food for someone who is hungry) Ask: What does it mean to offer your best? Distribute crayons and copies of Resource Sheet 1 (The Gift I Offer). Read the page together, and then allow a few quiet moments for children to draw a picture of what they could offer as a gift to Jesus. Ask children to place their drawings around the nativity scene as a reminder to offer their best to Jesus. 3

4 Joyful, Joyful EASY PREP Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day. RESPONDING Mark the options you will use: 1. Gifts of Worship Children will practice offering their best to Jesus through worship and prayer. Review Matthew 2:11. Invite children to pretend they are wise men and to demonstrate what the wise men might have said or done as they adored or worshipped Jesus. Comment that one way we worship and adore Jesus is through singing and praying. Play Joyful, Joyful (track 9 of Singing the Feast, ). Invite learners to use rhythm instruments or create actions to accompany the music. Before you play the song a second time, ask children to choose a prayer posture, such as kneeling or lifting up their hands, and then listen to the lyrics as a prayer. Afterward, take a moment to talk about what it might mean to offer your best in worship. 2. Seeking Jesus Learners will reflect on the journey of the wise men as they solve a puzzle. Distribute colored pencils and copies of Resource Sheet 2 (Seeking Jesus). Ask children to solve the maze, helping one another as needed. If they choose, they can color the figures on the puzzle. When all are finished, engage in conversation: What helped the wise men find Jesus? Who has helped you learn about Jesus? How can you be like a star that guides others to Jesus? How might telling another person about Jesus be like giving a gift to that person? 3. Star Jar Making star snow globes will encourage children to recall and respond to the story of the wise men. Distribute small glass jars with lids. Have children complete the following steps after you demonstrate each one: (1) Put 1 small spoonful of foil star confetti in a jar. (2) Pour water into the jar, filling it. (3) Put in two drops of blue food coloring. After they have done this, go to each child s workspace to put a line of hot glue around the top edge of the rim, put the lid on the jar, and twist it tight. Do not let children handle the glue gun or touch the hot glue. As the glue dries, ask children to tell their favorite parts of the story of the wise men. Wonder together what each one in the group might do or say to help another person come to know God s love in Jesus. Invite children to shake the jars and watch the stars sparkle and float as they offer each idea. CLOSING Gather around the nativity scene and sing We Three Kings (Color Pack 28; track 19 on Singing the Feast, ). Invite children to hold up their work on Resource Sheet 1 and name the gifts they will give Jesus. Offer this prayer: Dear God, thank you for the gift of Jesus, your perfect shining star. Help us shine brightly with your love. Amen. As the children leave, bless each one: (Name), shine like a bright star this week. God bless you! 4

5 January 6, 2019 Grades 3 4 Resource Sheet 1 The Gift I Offer They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11, Common English Bible 2018 Westminster John Knox Press

6 January 6, 2019 Grades 3 4 Resource Sheet 2 Seeking Jesus Help the wise men find young Jesus. What do you think they said when they finally found him? 2018 Westminster John Knox Press