THE GIFT OF JESUS. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

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1 THE GIFT OF JESUS BIBLE VERSE But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people. (Luke 2:10) BIBLE STORY REFERENCE Luke 2:1-20 PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations Written by: Barbara Bruce Creative Consultants: Betty Armstrong, Margie Bradley, Mark Burrows, Jenni Duncan, Sandy Mabry, Linda Ray Miller, Sally Wizik Wills, Keri Wolfe-Guess Editor: Larry Beman Development Editor: Daphna Flegal Production Editors: Julie P. Glass, Betsi H. Smith, and Karen Williams Designer: Paige Easter 2001 Abingdon Press. All rights reserved. With the exception of music, Abingdon Press hereby grants permission to reproduce the materials contained in this publication for purposes of Christian education in the purchaser s own local church provided the fol lowing copyright notice appears on the photocopies: Permission granted to photocopy for single local church use Abingdon Press. This material may not be reproduced and distributed to other churches. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today s English Version Second Edition. Copyright 1992 American Bible Society. Used by permission MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Main Idea Objectives Bible Story Bible Background For Leaders Shepherd Tips Check Your Facts Gathering Time Stations at a Glance Resources Art Station Computer Station Creative Cookery Station Game Station Music Movement Station Science Station Storytelling Station Video Station Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

3 THE GIFT OF JESUS BIBLE VERSE But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people. (Luke 2:10) BIBLE STORY REFERENCE Luke 2:1-20 MAIN IDEA Christmas is really about God s great gift to us in Jesus. We can share this wonderful story with others by our words and actions. OBJECTIVES Younger and older elementary children will: experience the Christmas story from Luke s Gospel. create and re-create the story through a variety of age-appropriate activities that will incorporate all their intelligences. discover ways they can share this good news as a gift to others. Photocopy these sections for ALL your volunteers: Main Idea; Objectives (page 3) Bible Story; Bible Background for Leaders (page 4) Shepherd Tips; About the Children (page 5) Check Your Facts (page 6) 3 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

4 BIBLE STORY Luke 2:1-20 Luke s Gospel tells the Christmas story through the historical event of a census which links Joseph s lineage to King David. The message of this wonderful birth is given to the lowly shepherds in the fields and, through them, to the world. BIBLE BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS Luke told the story from the standpoint of Mary. She was a young woman, probably in her early teens, visited by an angel who told her the Lord had blessed her and she would give birth to a son. Mary was at first amazed and then obedient (see the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55). Shortly afterward, Mary traveled to be with her much older cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. (Elizabeth s son was John the Baptist.) Mary was engaged to Joseph at the time, but was not married. Joseph, faced with a difficult decision, chose not to abandon her and married her (Matthew 1:18-24). As the time of birth approached, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem in Judea to be counted in the census since Joseph was descended from the house and family of David (Luke 2:4). Because there were so many people traveling for the census, lodging was impossible. When Mary gave birth, she wrapped Jesus in bands of cloth and placed him in a manger, a feeding trough for animals (Luke 2:7). An angel of the Lord made the birth announcement to shepherds tending their sheep in a nearby field. Shepherds had very little status in Jewish society. The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see for themselves, and then returned home to spread the news of this special birth. This birth story begins the theme of Luke s Gospel. Christ came for all people, even those of lowly estate, even you and me. Caution: Much of what we believe to be scriptural about Jesus birth actually came to us through Christmas cards and carols. There is no reference in Scripture to a stable, animals, or the magi visiting at the same time as the shepherds. You may want to read the story again and check the Gospel records against your suppositions. Suggestion: Read Luke 2 in several translations in order to capture the different flavors of the story. 4 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

5 SHEPHERD TIPS Pray each week for the children under your care. Model the behavior you want from the children. Assist the station leader as needed. Make sure the children use tools and equipment in a safe manner. If your group does not use the Gathering Time activities, consider them as suggestions for discussions with the children in your group as they arrive each week. Greet the Children Help with nametags. Thank the children for remembering to bring their offerings. Have the children place their offerings in the offering basket. Take attendance. Note any children who are absent. Make plans to send absent children a note or card. Record names, addresses, and phone numbers for any children who are attending for the first time. Read the Talk Tips in each of the station plans, and support the station leader in helping the children explore the story. About the Children Younger Children Children can become confused with the overlapping of secular traditions with Christian traditions. Give the Christmas story center stage. Christmas provides an excellent time for children to share the good news of Jesus birth. Encourage the children to bear witness to the birth of Jesus in ways that are appropriate for their community. This can be a stressful time for everyone, including children. Find ways to affirm the children. Help them see themselves as important to you, to the church, and to God. Older Children This season can be over-stimulating for all of us. This is often a time of heightened pressure for families. Be sensitive to different family situations and to students who show that they are under pressure. Offer the children opportunities to share and to give to others, but do not make them feel guilty for being excited about Christmas presents. Remind your students that giving and receiving presents is one way we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus. 5 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

6 CHECK YOUR FACTS The Bible stories about the birth of Jesus are found in the New Testament books of Matthew and Luke. The angel Gabriel told Mary she would have God s Son. Mary was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for the census. The census was ordered by the Roman Empire to organize tax rolls. This census required families to return to the home of their ancestors. Because Joseph was a descendant of David, Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to register. When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they could not find a place to stay. The inn at Bethlehem was probably built out of stone or sundried brick. It would have been surrounded by a wall. The stable may have been part of the inn s courtyard or could have been inside a cave. After baby Jesus was born, Mary would have washed him and rubbed his body with salt. Then she would have wrapped him in swaddling cloths. The Book of Luke tells us that the angels told the good news of Jesus birth to shepherds first. When the shepherds heard the angel s message, they responded at once. They went immediately to find the baby. When the shepherds saw the baby, they praised God and told everyone they met the good news that Jesus was born. The shepherds remind us that the gift of God s Son is for all people, both rich and poor. 6 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

7 GATHERING TIME optional but highly recommended If you use Gathering Time each week, plan a way for the children to form groups as they arrive. Ask the shepherds for each group to sit in the same area of the gathering place each week. Each group should have a different color flag, sign, or carpet square for identification. Ask the shepherds to visit with the children as they arrive, making them welcome and reminding them to stay with the group. If you do not have a Gathering Time, review the activities suggested for these times as possibilities for additional activities in your stations or in other settings. SETTING THE STAGE Have a wooden manger or make a manger from a box. Fill the manger with hay or excelsior. EACH WEEK Recruit a person who enjoys doing dramatic presentations to portray the angel, Gabriel, each week. Provide a costume and the suggested props. Lead the children in singing the song suggested ( CD, lyrics, and sheet music). Say a brief prayer or invite a child to pray about learning about God s Son this day. Dismiss children to go to a prescribed station each week. Resources The Gift of Jesus CD sheet music and lyrics Supplies angel s costume flashlight shepherd s staff strips of cloth or gauze stuffed toy sheep baby doll paper scroll drum wooden manger or box manger straw or excelsior 7 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press.

8 Week 1 Sing the song Away in a Manger (The Gift of Jesus CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is shining a flashlight over the children. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. I have come to tell you good news! Mary will have a baby, and he will be named Jesus. The angel places the flashlight inside the manger so the manger glows. Angel: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light... for a child has been born for us (Isaiah 9:2, 6). Week 2 Gathering Activities Sing the song Away in a Manger (The Gift of Jesus CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is holding a scroll. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. Caesar Augustus has made a decree. All the world must be counted! Mary and Joseph must travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The angel places the scroll beside the manger. Angel: Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David (Luke 2:4). Week 3 Sing the song He Is Born ( CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is holding a shepherd s crook. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. Tonight I will go to the shepherds. They will be the first to hear the good news, God s Son is born! The angel places the shepherd s crook beside the manger. Angel: Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10). Week 4 Sing the song He Is Born ( CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is holding strips of cloth. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. I have come to tell you good news! Mary s baby is born in Bethlehem. The angel arranges the strips of cloth inside the manger. Angel: This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger (Luke 2:12). 8 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

9 Week 5 Sing the song Sing Noel ( CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is playing a drum. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. I have come to tell you good news! The good news about baby Jesus is for all people. People all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. The angel arranges the drum beside the manger. Angel: I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10). Week 7 Sing the song Sing Noel ( CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel stops and shakes the children s hands as he or she walks to the front. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. I have come to tell you good news! God s Son is born. Tell everyone you know. The angel stands beside the manger. Angel: When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them (Luke 2:17-18). Week 6 Sing the song Sing Noel ( CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is holding a stuffed toy sheep. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. I have come to tell you good news! The shepherds left their sheep and hurried to Bethlehem. They wanted to see baby Jesus. The angel arranges the stuffed sheep beside the manger. Angel: So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger (Luke 2:16). Week 8 Sing the song Away in a Manger (The Gift of Jesus CD/sheet music/lyrics). the back of the room. The angel is holding a baby doll wrapped in a blanket. loves you! I am the angel Gabriel. I have come to tell you good news! Baby Jesus is God s gift to each of you. The angel places the baby in the manger. Angel: And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:7). Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. 9

10 STATIONS AT A GLANCE Stations Focus Preferences Activities NOTE: Children will be asked to keep journal records of their experiences in the stations. If you do not already use journals, you will need to make them (or let the children make their own). Art Children will learn the Bible story through art experiences. Computer Children will learn the Bible story through computer experiences. Station Focus: Children will focus on the angel s message of good news through a variety of age-level appropriate art projects. Station Focus: Children will use (or develop) their skills with a computer as they use technology to make discoveries about Jesus birth. Visual Logical Independent Visual Physical Logical Musical Golden Paintings Scratch-Art Life-sized Angels Angel Piquage Make Mobiles Watercolor Wash An Amazing Christmas Adventure The Land Where Jesus Was Born Computer Storytelling Computer Art Show Play & Learn Children s Bible Cooking Children will learn the Bible story through experiences with food preparation. Station Focus: Children will make treats, some of which they will eat. Some of their treats will be given to others, and the children will tell the Christmas story as they offer their gifts. Logical Physical Social Candy Cane Capers Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cane Bark Gift Bags Candy Cane Ornaments Good News Angel Cakes Game Children will play a series of learning games. Music Children will learn the Bible story through musical experiences. Science Children will learn the Bible story through science experiences. Storytelling Children will retell the Bible story. Video Children will hear and see the Bible story. Station Focus: Children will connect the sacred and the everyday by experiencing Luke s Christmas story through games and activities. Station Focus: Children will experience the Christmas story through music and movement. Station Focus: Children will practice giving at Christmas in recognition of God s gift of Christ to us. NOTE: Check out local hospitals, children s centers, women s shelters etc. to discover the needs and wants of children in your specific area. Station Focus: Children will use props to retell and act out the Christmas story. Or, they will rewrite the Christmas story using a current theme. Or, they will do an Improv drama. Station Focus: Guided viewing and follow-up questions will help children watch a Christmas video and make connections to the Luke Scripture. Visual Physical Social Independent Musical Physical Visual Logical Social Logical Physical Visual Physical Social Visual Logical Independent Who Am I? Toss n Tell Fishing Expedition Story Relay Christmas Charades Holiday Hopscotch Story Scramble He Is Born Dance Go Caroling Drum a Carol Away in a Manger Tone Poem Name That Tune Twelve Days Shepherds n Swaddling Touch and Feel What Can I Do? Act Out the Story At the Improv Storyboard Script It Script It Too The King Is Born Veggie Video The Real Story of St. Nicholas Select Your Own Video 10 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations

11 Resources Plan Ahead Supplies CD The Grumpy Shepherd, by Paddie Devon Recording of Handel s Messiah Teaching with Computers in Christian Education, by Neil MacQueen Walking in Their Sandals 2.0 CD-ROM Print Artist or similar software program Fluffy & God s Amazing Christmas Adventure CD-ROM The Play & Learn Children s Bible CD-ROM CD CD lyrics and sheet music hymnals CD player pictures of Christmas scratching tools Scratch-Art paper or plain paper wax crayons computer printer computer paper word-processing program Christmas wrapping paper, paper for large gift tag, ribbon (optional) apron for candy maker medium-size candy canes resealable plastic bags ingredients for recipes (see station) utensils for food 3 three-pound coffee cans foam balls child s pool (empty) self-adhesive magnets string or yarn CD player scarfs trims, stickers, markers, or paper scraps or rhythm instruments (see station) tissues dark blue or black mural paper, gold wrapping paper, or aluminum foil (optional) corrugated cardboard preparation (see station) lunch-size paper bags recycled plastic trays or foam innersoles box or tray blocks or empty thread candy cane decorations; or two-foot sticks, red and white tape basket or can coin or stone clean, empty cans newsprint or posterboard Christmas wrapping paper piano or keyboard pushpins yarn or string dowels or sticks watercolor paint; paper water; sponges paintbrushes spools red nonpermanent ink pads cookies and candy table knife Christmas gift bag CD player chairs small treats or gifts (optional) a variety of papers such as wallpaper, tissue paper, and construction paper CD The Give-Away: A Christmas Story, by Ray Buckley CD player pictures of children cloth (see station) dolls olive oil salt sheep s wool or fleece towels leather belt sandpaper rock piece of burlap straw fake fur muslin or gauze plastic star cotton balls or ball of wool fabric or large cardboard manger bale of straw Bible-times costumes Nativity figures basket videotape equipment puppets puppet stage box with hay or paper red and orange tissue paper paper-towel tube stuffed toy sheep The Animated Stories From the New Testament: The King is Born DVD VeggieTales: The Toy That Saved Christmas DVD Nicholas The Boy Who Became Santa video popcorn television or video projector VCR DVD player Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. 11

12 RESOURCES These resources may be ordered through Cokesbury ( ) and other Christian bookstores or online through (unless noted otherwise). Storytelling Resources For All Ages The Give-Away: A Christmas Story, by Ray Buckley. $ The Grumpy Shepherd, by Paddie Devon. Check your local public library. Music Resources music. (Compact disc, , $10.50.) sheet music lyrics Handel s Messiah (available at music stores and public libraries). Computer Resources X Fluffy & God's Amazing Christmas Adventure CD-ROM. $ X Teaching with Computers in Christian Education, by Neil MacQueen. (book) $ Walking in Their Sandals 2.0 CD-ROM. $ Print Artist or similar software (available where computer software is sold). The Play & Learn Children s Bible CD-ROM. $ Order from software.com Video Resources The Animated Stories From the New Testament: The King is Born. $ Order from VeggieTales: The Toy That Saved Christmas. $ X Nicholas The Boy Who Became Santa. $ Prices are subject to change without prior notice. Resources are constantly changing and going out of print. Websites are also constantly changing. Although all websites were checked at the time this unit was developed, you should double check each site to verify that it is still live and that it is still appropriate for children before using it in an activity. Go to for any updated information and alternative activities. 12 Permission granted to photocopy for local church use Abingdon Press. PowerXpress! Bible Experience Stations