Jesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20)

video LEADER GUIDE Jesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20) Age-Level Overview Age-Level Overview Open the Bible Activate Faith Lower Elementary Workshop focus: God meets us in the most surprising way as a baby! Look who s here!: Kids watch a video clip that portrays the transforming love of a baby in her mother s life, and the miraculous difference one child can make. : Spark Story Bibles : None : None : DVD player, monitor, I Love You Like Crazy Cakes (the title clip of the Scholastic Video Collection DVD) or Make Way for Ducklings (the title clip of the Scholastic Video Collection DVD) Upper Elementary Workshop Focus: God meets us face to face. The boy who brought joy to the world: Kids watch a video portraying how life, even at its most fragile, can inspire others and give them hope. : Spark Bibles, Spark Bible Stickers : None : None : DVD player, monitor, 3 flashlights (tiny, medium-strength, and 1 very powerful), A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 TV show, 2008 remastered deluxe edition), or WALL-E (2008, G) All Kids Workshop Focus: Jesus comes to bring hope and change and a brand new start. The child will lead: Kids watch a video portraying how a very small character makes a very big difference. : Spark Bibles, Spark Story Bibles : Pictures of a mule, a barn, hay, and a doctor : None : DVD player, monitor, Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966 TV show, 2006 edition) or Babe (1995, G) Visit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that will prepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will also find a downloadable Family Page for this rotation s story filled with ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home. Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 129

video LEADER GUIDE Jesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20) Lower Elementary Workshop Focus: God meets us in the most surprising way as a baby! Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story together. Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for some kids it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop! If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again! Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story in a slightly different way. Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany kids each week. Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for this story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up. Open the Bible (10 minutes) Jesus Is Born Storytelling Welcome! Today we ll hear about the birth of Jesus. Have you ever been around a newborn baby? Allow time for kids to respond. How do people act when they see babies? Allow time for kids to respond. How do adults talk around a baby? Allow time for kids to respond. In our Bible story we will hear about Jesus birth and the events leading up to it. Now Jesus could ve come to us any way he wanted! But he chose to appear as a baby. Isn t that incredible? He was a young child once, just like you. Spark Story Bibles None Lead the children in singing a verse or two of Jesus Loves Me, each time followed by the Yes, Jesus Loves me refrain. Jesus sure picked an unexpected way to arrive! What other king was born in an animal stall? Yet all those angels and miracles before Jesus birth tell us something very special is about to happen. Distribute copies of the Spark Story Bible. Help kids find Angels Visit, and Jesus Is Born (pages 196-201 and 212-217). Read the story, inviting kids to follow along. VIDEO Who told Mary she was going to have a baby? And who told Joseph to stay with Mary? (angels) Who else get to see the angels when Jesus is born? (shepherds) Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 131

Activate Faith (25 minutes) Look Who s Here! Set Up: Prior to the lesson, preview and select the DVD clip you would like to use. Set up the monitor and DVD player in your space, making sure that everyone in the room will be able to see it. If desired, you can prepare a snack for kids to enjoy while they watch the DVD. Before serving food check with caregivers for kids with food allergies. Provide an alternative if necessary. Video Option 1: I Love You Like Crazy Cakes (the title clip of the Scholastic Video Collection DVD; 2006 animated, not rated) Start and end cue: Under episode selection, choose the I Love You Like Crazy Cakes episode (title 2, chapter 1 in its entirety as it appears on the DVD. Running time: 8 minutes). None Option 1: I Love You Like Crazy Cakes DVD player and monitor Option 2: Make Way for Ducklings DVD player and monitor Scene set-up: A mother who wants a baby goes all the way to China to adopt a little girl. The girl has a profound effect on the mother s life as they bond with each other. Activity Instructions for I Love You Like Crazy Cakes Show the video. Following the clip, use the following questions to discuss the video. Allow time for kids to respond to each question. How far does the mother go to meet the little girl? Where did Mary and Joseph have to go? What bad things happen to them along the way that they overcome? Like the mom who adopts the Chinese girl, Mary and Joseph went through a lot to prepare for and protect baby Jesus. But he gave them hope and love, just as he does for people everywhere. Video Option 2: Make Way for Ducklings (the title clip of the Scholastic Video Collection DVD; 2004 animated, not rated) Start and end cue: Under episode selection, choose the Make Way for Ducklings episode (title 2, chapter 1 in its entirety as it appears on the DVD. Running time: 11 minutes). Scene set-up: The Mallards are looking for a safe place in Boston to raise their babies. Once they re born, the ducklings have the power to stop traffic and turn people s heads. Activity Instructions for Make Way for Ducklings Show the video, using the cues above for starting and stopping points. Following the clip, use the following questions to discuss the video. Allow time for kids to respond to each question. How did you feel when the ducklings started 132 Workshop Leader Guides Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School

to cross the street? Who protects them? (the policeman) Do the ducklings act scared? (no) Even though they were babies, the ducklings had lots of faith in themselves. They knew where and how to waddle! Later in his life, Baby Jesus knew what he was here for, too. He was here with a special purpose: to love us all. Send (5 minutes) Wrap Up Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven t already received it, and come together for Wrap Up. Jesus comes to us as no one expected God would come: as a baby. If we had to guess how God would visit us, we might guess that God would come as a powerful, big, strong, mighty king. But Jesus came as a baby. As we watched the movie, we learned that babies have the power to make us change and grow and learn about love in ways we never would have. God helps us change and grow and learn about love too. Family Pages None Prayer Time Ask all the kids to form a circle and invite them to watch your actions and imitate you with each line. Baby Jesus, here at last! (cradle your hands in front of you) You will grow up strong and fast. (raise your hands up) We pray you ll help us grow up too (cross your hands over your chest) To love our friends and neighbors too. (give yourself a hug) Amen. VIDEO Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 133

video LEADER GUIDE Jesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20) Upper Elementary Workshop Focus: God meets us face to face! Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story together. Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for some kids it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop! If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again! Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story in a slightly different way. Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany kids each week. Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for this story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up. Open the Bible (10 minutes) Jesus Is Born Storytelling Welcome to Video! Today we ll learn about the birth of Jesus and the events that led up to it. Jesus surprised people all the time as a grown man. But even before birth, he surprised people too! So did his birth. As you hear the story, picture all the people reacting to the miracles and angels. About the only person not surprised is baby Jesus himself! Spark Bibles Spark Bible Stickers None Invite kids to take out their Spark Bibles. Direct them to find Matthew 1:18-25 and 2:1-12, then Luke 1:26-58 and 2:1-20. Start reading the story, pausing at the points indicated below to ask the questions provided. After Matthew 1:18-25: How does Joseph react to the news of Mary being with a baby? Then what happens? (He wants to dismiss Mary. Then an angel tells him to stay with her.) After Matthew 2:1-12: Once the wise men have seen Jesus, how do they change their travel plans? How do angels protect the baby? (They avoid King Herod and take a different road home. The angels tell Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt until Herod s death.) VIDEO Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 135

After Luke 1:26-58: How does Mary first react to the angel visiting her, and the news that she will be mother to Jesus? (She s greatly troubled and confused.) Who else does the angel say will have a baby? (Elizabeth, Mary s relative) After Luke 2:1-20: Who gets to see the angels here? How do they first react? (The shepherds, and they re terrified!) Allow kids to choose a sticker to place in their Bibles. Suggest they invite the younger kids to help them choose an appropriate sticker. Activate Faith (25 minutes) The Boy Who Brought Joy to the World Set Up: Prior to the lesson, preview and select the DVD clip you would like to use. Set up the monitor and DVD player in your space, making sure that everyone in the room will be able to see it. If desired, you can prepare a snack for kids to enjoy while they watch the DVD. Before serving food check with caregivers for kids with food allergies. Provide an alternative if necessary. Video Option 1: A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965 TV show, 2008 remastered deluxe edition) Start cue: (Chapter 4, 0:19:14) Charlie Brown walks in with his dinky Christmas tree and says, We re back. End cue: (Chapter 5, 0:25:24) The END appears at end of credit roll. Scene set-up: Charlie Brown is depressed because the Peanuts gang makes fun of him and his tree! Linus reminds him of the Christmas story, a Luke passage kids are studying in this lesson. None Option 1: A Charlie Brown Christmas DVD player and monitor Flashlights, 3 (tiny, medium strength, and one very powerful) Option 2: WALL-E DVD player and monitor Flashlights, 3 (tiny, medium strength, and one very powerful) Activity Instructions for A Charlie Brown Christmas As we turn out the lights for this video, I want you to clap when the light gets your attention. Pause once the lights go out. Then in succession, with a break between each, shine the tiny, medium, and powerful lights allowing kids a chance to clap for each. OK, which light is the winner? Why? Jesus had to shine very brightly to get people s attention. He not only had the most powerful star in the sky, but also the light of his love. Jesus lit up a dark world. Let s watch a video about the light and hope that come with a new life. Show the video, using the cues above for starting and stopping points. 136 Workshop Leader Guides Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School

Following the clip, use the following questions to discuss the video. Allow time for kids to respond to each question. How does Charlie Brown feel when this scene begins? (He s dejected.) Why? (His friends insult him and his tree.) What does Linus do? (He recites a passage from Luke.) What do Charlie Brown s friends do at the end? (The wish him Merry Christmas and decorate the tree.) Linus reminds us that no matter how complicated Christmas holidays get, the Christmas story is simple. It s about a baby and the love and peace he brings to humankind. Video Option 2: WALL-E (2008, G) Start cue: (Chapter 20, 56:08) WALL-E follows Eve through the spaceship Axiom. She tries to send him back to Earth for his protection. End cue: (Chapter 22, 62:15) WALL-E and Eve fly back into the Axiom after their dance scene. Scene set-up: WALL-E knows Eve is looking for plant life to tell her it s safe for the Axiom passengers to return to Earth. When WALL-E recovers his fragile plant in the boot, he fights to protect it and get it back to Eve. Activity Instructions for WALL-E As we turn out the lights for this video, I want you to clap when the light gets your attention. Pause once the lights go out. Then in succession, with a break between each, shine the tiny, medium, and powerful lights allowing kids a chance to clap for each. OK, which light is the winner? Why? Jesus had to shine very brightly to get people s attention. He not only had the most powerful star in the sky, but also the light of his love. Jesus lit up to a dark world. Let s watch a video about the light and hope that come with a new life. Show the video, using the cues above for starting and stopping points. Following the clip, use the following questions to discuss the video. Allow time for kids to respond to each question. What does Eve do when WALL-E gives her the little plant? (She kisses him!) What would a live plant prove to the Axiom s captain? (That there s life on Earth.) How do WALL-E and Eve celebrate? (They dance.) In God s world, the littlest life can make a big difference. God can do big things in big ways. But the story of Jesus birth also shows how God loves to start small... very, very small! VIDEO Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 137

Send (5 minutes) Wrap Up Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven t already received it, and come together for Wrap Up. Jesus birth reminds us of that some gifts can t be wrapped in foil paper and sealed with a bow. As we go around, name one gift a special person, a kind word, a blessing from God that you re thankful for in this Advent and Christmas season. Start with yourself and say, Thank you Jesus for. Go around and ask kids to respond in a similar fashion. Family Pages None Here s another Christmas miracle: Jesus treats you like a gift, too! Prayer Time Dear Lord, we thank you for the light in our lives that the following people shine: (Go around and invite each kid and shepherd to mention the name of one person). Thank you, Lord, for these people who reflect the light of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for giving us Jesus, the Light of the World. Amen. May we always make room for you in our hearts. Amen. 138 Workshop Leader Guides Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School

video LEADER GUIDE Jesus Is Born (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-12 Luke 1:26-58; 2:1-20) All Kids Workshop Focus: Jesus comes to bring hope and change and a brand new start. Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story together. Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for some kids it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop! If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again! Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story in a slightly different way. Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany kids each week. Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for this story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up. Open the Bible (10 minutes) Jesus Is Born Storytelling Welcome to Video! Jesus birth is incredible because of who s coming to be with us. But it s also incredible because of how Jesus got here! It wasn t easy for him or his parents. We ll hear about it in today s Bible story. If your group is primarily younger kids, distribute copies of the Spark Story Bible and read Angels Visit (page 196) and Jesus Is Born (page 212) (pages 212-223), inviting kids to follow along. If your group is primarily older kids, distribute copies of the Spark Bible. Read Matthew 1:18-25 (page 1058), followed by Luke 1:26-38 (page 1127-1128); 2:1-20 (page 1130). Invite older kids to assist with the reading and to allow the younger ones to help them use their stickers. Spark Bibles Spark Story Bibles Spark Bible Stickers Pictures of a mule, a barn, hay, and a doctor After the readings, walk the kids through the pictures: This is a mule. If you re a baby about to be born, is it safer to ride to the hospital in a nice car? Or bounce up and down on a bumpy mule? This is a barn. Where do you think is the least comfortable place for a newborn: a hospital, a bedroom, or a barn? VIDEO Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 139

Now, some hay. Is hay soft? Or is it scratchy? Is it clean, or can it get dirty? Do you think it makes a good surface for a baby to rest in? And finally, we have a doctor. How do you think she d react if your mom were having a baby in a barn? Activate Faith (25 minutes) The Child Will Lead Set Up: Prior to the lesson, preview and select the DVD clip you would like to use. Set up the monitor and DVD player in your space, making sure that everyone in the room will be able to see it. If desired, you can prepare a snack for kids to enjoy while they watch the DVD. Before serving food check with caregivers for kids with food allergies. Provide an alternative if necessary. Video Option 1: Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1995, G) Start cue: (15:30) Boris Karloff narrates: And the Grinch took the tree, as he started to shove... End cue: (25:05) The words THE END appear on the screen. None Option 1: Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966 TV show, 2006 edition) DVD player and monitor Option 2: Babe DVD player and monitor (Note: There are no chapters on this DVD.) Scene set-up: The nasty Grinch, having stolen the Christmas trimmings from the citizens of Whoville, starts to have second thoughts after an encounter with 2-year-old Cindy Lou Who. Activity Instructions for Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Jesus comes as a baby. In our Bible story, wise men and shepherds view him with wonder, like a king, even in his first hours of life. Though he ll do great things as a man, this baby already has folks talking long before he can talk himself! Let s watch a video about a very young character who has the power to win over hearts with love. Show the video, using the cues above for starting and stopping points. Following the clip, use the following questions to discuss the video. Allow time for kids to respond to each question. Does Cindy Lou Who let her age stand in the way of standing up to the Grinch? (no) How does the Grinch react? (He s nervous and tells a lie.) Who gets the first slice of roast beast at the end from the Grinch reach? (Cindy Lou.) What does she do with it? (She passes it along to her dog.) 140 Workshop Leader Guides Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School

Are there times when you ve felt or acted like the Grinch, at Christmastime or anytime? How do you think meeting baby Jesus would change your Grinchy self? Like Cindy Lou Who, Jesus can melt cold hearts. He loves us, even when we act like the Grinch! The Christmas present he gives is himself, a gift that makes our hearts come to life. Video Option 2: Babe (1995, G) Start cue: (Chapter 15, 1:20:15) Babe and Farmer Hoggett come out to the sheep herding competition. People are laughing at him. End cue: (Chapter 15: 1:26:45) The words THE END appear on the screen. Scene set-up: Babe the piglet wants to herd sheep. Because he knows the secret sheep code words baah, ram, ewe he is able to herd them at a big competition and win a prize. Activity Instructions for Babe Jesus comes as a baby. In our Bible story, wise men and shepherds view him with wonder, like a king, even in his first hours of life. Though he ll do great things as a man, this baby already has folks talking long before he can talk himself! Let s watch a video about a very young character who has the power to win over hearts with love. Show the video, using the cues above for starting and stopping points. Following the clip, use the following questions to discuss the video. Allow time for kids to respond to each question. How do the people in the stands react to the sight of a pig herding sheep? (They think it s funny and impossible.) When Babe pulls it off, what do they do? (They are stunned and silent. Then they cheer.) Are there times when you ve thought you were too young, or too different, to do something special? How do you think Jesus would react to an impossible idea, like a pig herding sheep? Jesus is God in the flesh, as a baby. A helpless baby! Does that sound impossible? But in God s world, nothing is impossible. The Christmas miracle unveils a Savior who sees possibilities in everything including you and me. VIDEO Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School Jesus Is Born 141

Send (5 minutes) Wrap Up Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven t already received it, and come together for Wrap Up. Think about the symbols of Christmas today: the tree, presents, lights, songs and carols. Now, let s go back to a time before any of that. Close your eyes and imagine the very first Christmas. Cue up the recording of wind and/or farm animals. Imagine a drafty barn. Mary and Joseph try to wrap their baby in strips of cloth. They don t even have a new blanket for him. Animals chatter next to Mary and Joseph. The hay feels scratchy beneath their feet. They re both exhausted from hours of travel. They ve been up all night. Mary is drained from the ordeal of giving birth. Family Pages A recording of wind and/or farm animals But a beautiful star blazes above them. And, somehow, Mary and Joseph feel a love just as bright, one they cannot explain. Prayer Time As we end in prayer, keep your eyes closed. Feel the spirit and wonder of that first Christmas. Jesus is here! And guess what? This baby came just for you... and for anyone who needs love. Dear Jesus, You are born! Praise you! Your new life on Earth gives us new life in heaven. Thank you for the first Christmas gift. Amen. 142 Workshop Leader Guides Video Workshop, Jesus Is Born Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School