A Gift for Jesus

Activity Objective

To help the children imagine what gift they would give to baby Jesus if they were at the first Christmas

Lesson Outcome

The children will identify how the shepherds may have felt at the first Christmas.

Materials

  • Large box wrapped like a birthday gift with a tag on it that says, To Jesus
  • Finding God CD 1, Track 1, "Jesus Is Born"

Directions

  • Invite the children to form a circle.
  • After using the CD for "Jesus Is Born" and discussing how the shepherds visited Jesus, ask the children how they would have felt to be present in the stable when Jesus was born.
  • Take out the wrapped gift box and tell the children that they are going to pass it around and think of what they would place in the box to give as a gift to the newborn baby Jesus. For example, you might start by saying, In this gift box, I would give Jesus a blanket so he would always feel warm and loved. Be sure to remind the children of the gift of the drummer boy who played his drum for newborn Jesus.
  • Continue to pass the box around the circle until everyone has had a turn.

Learning Styles

People Smart, Self Smart

Approximate Time

15 minutes

Hints

Guide the children to think of things that are not monetarily expensive to give, but can be given from their hearts.

Sensitivities

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.