C h r i s t m a s 9:30-10:20 The Christmas Story (music by Michael W. Smith) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc61wxmn_xy Please watch the YouTube video before this lesson. Following is a transcript of the video. About 2000 years ago, in the city of Galilee named Nazareth, the angel Gabriel appeared to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to a man named Joseph. Then the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Joseph and Mary started a long journey to Bethlehem to register in the census since Joseph was of the lineage of David. Joseph and Mary journey many days and nights. Since there was no place at the inn Mary brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger with the animals. Hence the Savior was born in a Manger in the city of Bethlehem. The angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds with the announcement of the Savior s birth. The shepherds travelled to Bethlehem and found Joseph, Mary, and the Babe lying in a manger. The shepherds returned after worshipping and glorifying the Savior. Behold, wise men from the East travelled following a star. The star stood over Bethlehem where Christ was born. When they saw the Child, they fell down and worshipped Him. They presented the Holy Child with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Newspaper Headline: Birth of Christ Marks the Beginning of Christianity AMEN Jesus Christ was born as an ordinary man under extraordinary circumstances to save all mankind. 1
Merry Christmas! Vocabulary Match the word on the left with the definition on the right. 1. manger 2. frankincense 3. Holy Spirit 4. myrrh 5. census 6. conceive 7. worship a. official survey of the population of a country b. stable c. incense; something that makes a very good smell when it burns d. show respect and honor to God; praise e. become pregnant f. third person of the Trinity; God the Son (Jesus), God the Father and God the Holy Spirit g. perfume Comprehension Questions 1. Why was Mary not afraid? 2. Why was Joseph, her fiancé, not afraid to wed Mary? 3. Where was Jesus born? 4. How did the shepherds learn of the Savior s (Jesus ) birth? 5. What did the shepherds do after traveling to Bethlehem? 6. Who else came to worship the Christ child? How did they know which way to travel? 2
7. What gifts did they bring? 8. What event marks the beginning of Christianity? 9. What miracle is associated with the birth of Christ? 10. Do you believe in miracles? If so, tell about one you think really happened. 11. What is another name for Jesus? Why does he have that name? Season s Greetings around the World Practice saying Merry Christmas in different languages. Wish the people at your table a Merry Christmas in their first language and in your first language. English: German: Spanish: French: Swedish: Hawaiian: Greek: Merry Christmas Froehliche Weihnachten Feliz Navidad Joyeux Noel Glaedelig Jul Meli Kalikimaka Kalla Christoughenna Your language: 3
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10:20-10:45 Discussion Questions Discuss the questions below. It is not necessary to discuss all the questions. From the pictures above, in which of these 14 ways do you celebrate Christmas in your country? For example, do you give gifts to each other? Sing Christmas songs? Do you enjoy Christmas time? Do you ever think about the real meaning of Christmas? Whose birthday is celebrated on Christmas? Pretend that you are dressed up as Santa Claus to give out gifts at a party for hospitalized children. What are you wearing? How do you feel in the costume? Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child? Do people behave differently during Christmas? Do they try to be better? Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities? Do you give something to homeless people? Do you attend any special religious ceremonies during the Christmas season? Do you enjoy singing Christmas songs? Do you exchange presents with your family? Do you have a Christmas tree? If so, how do you decorate it? When do you put it up? When do you take it down? Is it real or artificial? Does your family have any special Christmas traditions? Does your town get decorated at Christmas? What kind of decorations? Have you already finished your Christmas shopping? If you are not a Christian, does the intense focus on Christmas in the U.S. make you feel bad in any way (e.g., ignored, dismissed, angry, etc.)? If you could go anywhere during Christmas vacation, where would you go? What are some popular foods for the Christmas season? What do you eat on Christmas Day? What are you going to buy your husband/wife for their Christmas present? What do you usually do for Christmas? What is the weather like in your country around Christmas time? What is your attitude toward the commercialization of the Christmas season? What is your favorite Christmas song? When do you give Christmas presents? (On what day? At what time?) If you could change something about Christmas time, what would it be? Trivia: In what 1942 movie was the song 'White Christmas" first sung? 6
10:45-11:00 Christmas Songs Below are two famous Christmas songs. Practice singing them with your whole class. Silent Night Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, All is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, Holy night, Shepherds quake At the sight, Glory streams from Heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Jingle Bells Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way, O what fun it is to ride In a one- horse open sleigh, O Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way, O what fun it is to ride In a one- horse open sleigh. Dashing through the snow IN a one- horse open sleigh 7
O er the fields we go Laughing all the way. Bells on bobtail ring, Making spirits bright, What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight. Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way, O what fun it is to ride In a one- horse open sleigh, O Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way, O what fun it is to ride In a one- horse open sleigh. 8