Lesson Learned: Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Materials Needed: egg carton, small item like pom pom or raisins for counting, marker
Bible Verse:
Luke 2:1-7
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Talking Points: Before Jesus was born, a greedy and mean king ruled much of the world. He wanted to know exactly how many people lived in his kingdom and he ordered that every man and his family return to the place that he had been born to be counted. Joseph, Jesus’ step-dad, had been born in Bethlehem so he had to take Mary, Jesus’ mother, all the way back to Bethlehem even though she was very pregnant with Jesus. When they got to Bethlehem, Jesus was born.
Questions: Where was Jesus born? Who were Jesus’ parents? Why did they go to Bethlehem?
Activity: Using the marker write the numbers 1-12 on the bottoms of the egg carton. Let the child put the correct number of pom poms (or raisins) into each slot.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You knew that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem long before He was even born. You even knew that we would be born in the United States. You are so mighty and everything happens to Your plan. Help us to always do Your will. Amen!