Get Their Attention (5 min)

INTRODUCE yourself and the series using the Series Overview.

SAY the following to the group as kids pass and wear Party Hat:

After everyone has introduced themselves and had their hand stamped, SAY the following:

Large Group Worship Time (15-20 min)

Use the DVD, Week 3, to lead large group time on the classroom rug.

Make It Matter (15 min)1.Pass out Green Cone Hats.

2.Hold up one plain Green Cone Hat and tell kids we are going to pretend our hats are Christmas trees.

3.Point to the TOP of the Green Cone Hat and SAY:

Red/Yellow BirdsWeek 3

Series Overview:

We’re jumping in to Joy FM to join Rudy Reindeer & his crew as we discover what Christmas is truly all about!

Materials:

• Party Hat

• The Beginner’s Bible

• Christmas Party Hats (from craft)

• Green Cone Hats

• Ornament Stickers

• Star Stickers

• Present Stickers

• Hand sanitizer

• Snacks

• Coloring Sheets

• Crayons

Need to Know:Happy (clap)Birthday (clap)Jesus! (point up)

Bible Story:Baby Jesus Is BornLuke 2:1-7

Welcome to Reindeer Radio at JOY FM! What is your name? (allow response) What is your favorite thing to do on your birthday--open presents or eat cake? (allow responses and give child stamp for their response)

Birthdays are so exciting! Does anyone know whose birthday we celebrate at Christmastime? It’s Jesus’ birthday!!! Today we are going to have a birthday party for Jesus! Let’s start the party by telling Jesus happy birthday! Everyone repeat after me: ! Happy (clap)! Birthday (clap)! Jesus! (point up)

Which way does a Christmas tree point? Christmas trees point up to remind us that God (point up) sent Jesus at Christmas.

4.Place Ornament Stickers on the MIDDLE of your hat (leave room at bottom).

5.SAY the following, as you place ONE Star Sticker at the TOP of your hat:

6.Place several Present Stickers around the BOTTOM of your hat, then SAY:

7.Tell kids that it’s time to eat birthday cake! 8.Have kids put on their party hats as you SANITIZE hands. 9.Open and pass out the Christmas Tree Cakes. Before eating, SING “Happy Birthday” to Jesus together!

Wrap It Up (20 min)

REMEMBER VERSE: Say the verse and do the motions together.

PRAY with your group, having them repeat the following after you in short phrases:

SHOW & READ p. 271-276 from The Beginner’s Bible (“Baby Jesus Is Born”) to your group.

PASS OUT coloring sheets and crayons. Use this time to get to know your kids.

STAY at the tables or have children do a quiet activity until parents arrive. Use “Filler” activities if needed.

Application Summary:Kids will have fun playing games to celebrate Jesus’ birthday as they are reminded that Jesus is the Savior of the world!

Remember Verse: “God (point up)

sent his son, (rock baby)

to be the Savior (arms reach wide)

of the world.” (make circle with arms above

head)

1 John 4:14

Filler: • Sing J-E-S-U-S

(sung to the tune of “B-I-N-G-O”)

I know my Savior by His nameAnd Jesus is his name ‘o! J-E-S-U-S J-E-S-U-S J-E-S-U-SAnd Jesus is his name ‘o! Repeat FIVE times, replacing a new letter with a clap each time. LAST time singing, say ALL letters, just like first time.

• Reindeer Pokey (to the tune of “The Hokey Pokey”):

You put your antlers in.You put your antlers out. You put your antlers in and you shake them all about. You do the Reindeer Pokey and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about! --right/left hoof in...--red nose in...

We decorate and have fun at Christmas to celebrate! And what do we celebrate at Christmas? Let’s all put some Ornament Stickers on the middle of our Christmas Tree Hats to remind us that we decorate at Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

What do you put at the top of your Christmas tree? Let’s all get ONE Star Sticker to put at the top of our Christmas tree hats. It will remind us of the Star that appeared in the sky when Jesus was born.

The gifts around our tree remind us that God sent us the BEST Christmas present ever. Do you know what it was?

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to be our Savior! He is the best Christmas present ever! I love you! Amen!

Craft Sample:

Christmas Tree Hats:

Supplies:

Green Cone Hat (1 per craft)

Ornament Stickers (several per craft)

Star Stickers (1 per craft)

Present Stickers (several per craft)

Pens (1 per craft volunteer)

Instructions:

1. Write name on inside of Green Cone Hat.

2. Place ONE Star Sticker at the TOP of the Green Cone Hat.

3. Place Ornament Stickers on the MIDDLE of the Green Cone Hat,

leaving space at the bottom.

4. Place Present Stickers around the BOTTOM of the Green Cone

Hat.

Conversation Questions:

Which way does a Christmas tree point? (Up)

Yes! Christmas trees point up to remind us that God (point up)

sent Jesus at Christmas.

What do we celebrate at Christmas? (Jesus’ Birthday)

We put gifts around the tree to remind us that God sent us the

BEST Christmas present ever. Do you know what it was? (Jesus)

Craft Instructions & Samples

Week 3