Lesson Learned: Angels tell some shepherds about Jesus’ birth.
Materials Needed: baby Jesus from a Nativity scene
Bible Verse:
Luke 1:6-19
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.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Talking Points: The first Christmas night when Mary and Joseph had their baby in a Bethlehem, many other people were doing other things. Some people were probably sleeping. Some people, called shepherds, were out watching their sheep when all of the sudden a bright light from God’s angels shined down on them. At first they were scared, but when the angels told them the good news about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, they hurried to town to go see Him. After seeing Jesus with their own eyes, they told everyone they saw about what they had seen and what the angels had told them.
Questions: How did the shepherds feel when they saw the angels? What did the angels tell the shepherds? Who did they go see?
Activity:
Before you get started, hide baby Jesus in an obvious spot in another room.
After sharing the story about the shepherds to your youngsters, stand on a stool and shout out the same message the angels did: “
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”