The Nativity
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this module is to introduce the New Testament. In kindergarten, you will go over the Annunciation, the Nativity, the entrance to the Temple, and the Epiphany. The students will also learn differences between the Old and New Testaments. In this lesson, the students will learn the Biblical story of the Nativity.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes
Guide the children in singing To Mary Came Gabriel and feel free to pick and choose particular verses or the whole selection, depending on the time and attention span of your students. This song is a good review of last week's lesson on the Annunciation, as well as an introduction to this week's lesson of the Nativity.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes
Read the story of the Nativity in Luke 2:1-21 to the kindergarteners. Be sure to read with emphasis and inflection in your voice. It is important to make the reading come alive to keep them engaged with the story.
Memory Verse
"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes
After repeating the memory verse with the kindergarteners, ask them who "you" is? Why did our Lord Jesus Chirst leave the glories of Heaven to come on Earth and become Man?
He came for each of the students. The angel is talking to each of the students, as well as the shepherds in the field. Our Lord Jesus Christ became Man to die for our sins and open the doors of Heaven for us.
The kindergarteners should be familiar with this story, so allow them to tell the story to you. First, ask them who the main characters are and write them down on the board. Next, go through their list and have them tell you the role of those characters in the story. Make sure every student has a chance to participate and share in the telling. Fill in any holes that they missed, giving them lots of praise for knowing their Bible.
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
Our Lord Jesus Christ came down from Heaven and became Man to save us from the punishment of our sins. He loves us so much that He left Heaven to be born in a dirty stable and suffer and die on the cross All so He could open the doors of Heaven for us We must show our love and worship to our Lord Jesus Christ for this great gift of love
The angels were sent by God our Father to the shepherds to share in the joy of our salvation. Shepherds were very humble people, just like us. We don't have to be grown-ups or kings to praise and glorify our Heavenly Father. Let's always remember that God loves our prayers and sends His angels to encourage us to worship and praise Him.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes
Once the Biblical story is very well understood, ask your students for elements of Christmas that have nothing to do with the Bible. For example, elf on the shelf, Santa, and jingle bells are all associated with Christmas traditions, but have nothing to do with the Nativity. Ask the kindergarteners why they think it's important to remember the differences between what's in the Bible and what's not. The Bible is always the truth
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
There are two options for the craft of this lesson.
- Sequence the story of Nativity
- Baby Jesus in a Manger Handprint
Sequence the story of Nativity
Download and distribute the attached worksheet below to your students. Have the students color each box, make sure they can identify what is happening in each box. Then the students put the appropriate number in the empty square to put the story in order. Make sure each student puts their name on their work.
Baby Jesus in a Manger Handprint
Materials: white sheets of paper, brown paint, yellow paint, glue stick, black pen or marker, crayons
- Paint your child's hand with brown washable paint. Push it against a white piece of paper and let dry.
- Finger paint some yellow paint to make a circle with outward strokes. This is going to be the hay that the baby will lay on.
- Cut out an oval and a circle from white paper. Color the face skin color and the body with a blue crayon.
- Draw the eyes and a mouth with a black marker.
- Glue them on top of the yellow paint and you're done
SERVANT RESOURCES
Nativity Story, copticchurch.net
His Holiness Pope Kyrillos' Nativity Sermon
Feast of Nativity, by His Grace Bishop Angelos
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
Review the story of the Nativity with your children. Encourage your children to pray through the intercessions of Saint Mary during your prayer routines at home. Be sure to read the Bible with your child every day. During the week, you can quiz your child by naming a Bible character and asking them if they belong in the Old Testament or the New Testament.