Shepherds with Candy-Cane Crooks

To recognize the shepherds as the first people to welcome Jesus

The children will be able to identify the shepherds as the first people to welcome Jesus.

• Colored paper
• Glue
• Crayons, markers, and pens
• Small candy canes (enough for each student)

• Take a moment to talk about the many symbols of Christmas.
• Tell the children that the shepherd's crook is representative of the shepherds who were the first to visit the newborn Jesus. Ask the children if they can think of a certain candy that is eaten a lot during this time of year and looks a lot like a shepherd's crook.
• Explain that the crook inspired the shape of the candy cane, and that's why it's so popular at Christmas time.
• Now that the children have been thinking about the shepherds and their crooks, invite them to illustrate their own interpretation of the shepherds' visiting baby Jesus or hearing the good news from the angels.
• Provide the children with coloring materials and colored paper.
• Give each child a few candy canes to glue on their drawings to act as crooks.
• Say to the children: Let's remember the good news of Jesus' birth as we celebrate this Christmas season. Enjoy your candy canes!

Art/Space Smart, People Smart, Word Smart

Consider alternative crooks for the children with certain food allergies.