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The Nativity

Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan.   Visit the Christmas Section for further ideas to supplement this.

Introduction:

This is a summary of the previous three lessons on Christmas. It will reiterate the Christmas message, and help the children to understand that the rest of the year is special too.  I've said this before, but it's worth mentioning again.  When instructing young children, repetition is a positive thing.  Everything is so new at this age that it is helpful to repeat important messages multiple times.  

The message:  Christ has come.   The story is just beginning.

The message is that the story doesn't have to stop here, Jesus grows up, and He heals the sick, walks on water, and raises himself from the dead.  Christmas is only the beginning!

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the Nativity Take Home Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week.  It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator. 

Preview of the lesson:

Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around.  I like the first option, myself.

Always consider offering, Coloring Pages (advent coloring pages) for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time).  Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile.  Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons.  You can make a nice little booklet each week with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!