Happy Tuesday! We’re just 11 sleeps aways from the big Christmas Day and right now I am in the midst of preparing for our Kid’s Church Happy Birthday Jesus Party. On Thursday, I plan to share all the fun stuff we did, but for today’s post, I want to share the brief lesson I’m teaching.

Since our party includes preschoolers (ages 3 & up). I want to make sure the lesson I’m teaching hits from the youngest to the oldest. I decided the best approach includes three elements: funny interaction, storybook, and scripture. To teach this lesson you’ll need a second person to either act as a puppet or just be okay acting silly (have them wear an elf or Santa hat for added silliness).  You’ll also need a copy of “What is Christmas” by Michelle Medlock Adams.

Happy Birthday Jesus Lesson

Teacher 1: Hi Friends! It’s been such a fun party tonight. I just love Christmas time, don’t you? You know Christmas is about a lot of things, but the most important thing is (gets cut-off)

Puppet/Teacher 2: Presents! It’s all about the presents!

Teacher 1: Ms. Puppet/Teacher 2, no, that’s not what I was going to say at all. The most important thing is (gets cut-off again)

Puppet/Teacher 2:  Gifts and presents! I’m not sure what the difference is, but I like ‘em both! I actually brought my Christmas list with me today. First, I want an Apple Watch, cause those things are just cool. Then, I want Santa to bring me a some cute boots and a purse that matches. Third…

Teacher 1:    Ms. Puppet/Teacher 2, wait just a minute. I know presents are super fun, but that’s not what Christmas is all about.

Puppet/Teacher 2:  I know, I know. I can’t forget about cookies and Christmas lights and Christmas carols and candy canes and parties and ugly Christmas sweaters and the beautiful decorations and, of course, the presents.

Teacher 1:    Um, that’s all really fun stuff and I like all of that too, but I think that’s missing the big, huge, major point of Christmas.

Puppet/Teacher 2:   Are you sure? I mean i covered all the fun stuff.

Teacher 1: You know what? I have a book that I want to share that I think will help all of us. This book is called, “What is Christmas?” (read What is Christmas)

Puppet/Teacher 2: Duh! Of course Christmas is all about baby Jesus! If He wasn’t ever born there would be no Christmas at all! And, we wouldn’t have anyone to rescue us from our sin and fix our relationship with God. I think I just got distracted by all the fun stuff and just forgot.

Teacher 1: Yes, it’s so easy to get distracted by the fun things of Christmas. None of those things you talked about earlier were bad, they just aren’t the most important thing. Jesus’ birth is the most important part of Christmas. It’s why we’re having a party for him tonight, to celebrate his birthday!

Puppet/Teacher 2:    It’s been such a fun party! I wonder what it was like the night He was born? Do you  think the angels had a big party celebrating his birth too?

Teacher 1: I know they did! Let’s read about that celebration in Luke 2: 8-20 (ICB).

8 That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. 9 An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and suddenly they became very frightened. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing you some good news. It will be a joy to all the people. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ, the Lord.12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding box.”

13 Then a very large group of angels from heaven joined the first angel. All the angels were praising God, saying: 14 “Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please God.”15 Then the angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. We will see this thing the Lord told us about.”

16 So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph. 17 And the shepherds saw the baby lying in a feeding box. Then they told what the angels had said about this child. 18 Everyone was amazed when they heard what the shepherds said to them. 19 Mary hid these things in her heart; she continued to think about them. 20 Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything that they had seen and heard. It was just as the angel had told them.

Puppet/Teacher 2:  They did have a big party! And they praised God for what He had done. Even the shepherds got to come and party.

Teacher 1:  It was a big celebration and we’re going to keep that party going tonight! We have a special birthday cake to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

Puppet/Teacher 2: Can we sing Happy birthday too?

Teacher 1: Yes we can! Bring on the cake! 

I hope you can use this lesson in the next two weeks. I’ve included a printable pdf version below as well as links to the books and some other fun things for this lesson.

Printable Resources

Printable Happy Birthday Jesus Lesson

Thanks for letting me share,