Happy Birthday, Jesus Celebration

Arrival When Kids arrive, give them a party hat to wear and have a coloring contest of the manger scene (provided in this celebration). Post these and have a winner for each age group. Give top winners a blue ribbon. Give all completed pictures a green ribbon for effort. They should put their names on the back of their coloring sheet. Background Music Play some Christmas music in the background as kids are arriving and coloring their manger scene pictures. Birthday Cake Make or purchase a large sheet cake(s) that will feed the amount of children that you will have. Place one candle on the cake(s) (for Jesus). Select someone to blow it out like the pastor, or some special choice that you have. Serve with ice-cream.

Happy Birthday Gift Exchange Have each child bring a wrapped gift that will go for either gender. Number these gifts. If the kids cannot afford this, maybe your church will pick up the cost. Cut out numbers and place in a Christmas stocking to match the numbers on the gifts. Santa will (someone will need to dress as Santa) select a gift from the tree and call out the number that is on the gift. That child will receive that gift. Refrain from anyone opening their gift until all gifts have been distributed. Say a pray thanking God for his Son Jesus and for the gifts of love given to each other today. Open the gifts. Provide some extra gifts if needed for those who did not bring a gift or who came as a visitor. Every child should receive a gift. Share the Christmas story. Provide costumes for the kids to wear to pantomime the story while creating the manger scene as you read the story to the group. (A story is included for you to use if needed). Games Pin on the Object Game. Play a game of pin the tail on the donkey. Alternatives: Pin the bell around the cow. Pin the star in the Christmas tree. Pin the Baby in the manger. Christmas Ornament Game Have every child write the name of a Christmas tree ornament on a piece of paper provided. Collect all these and place them all in a

stocking. Lay out about 20-30 small item gifts (examples: piece of candy, pencil, miniature bouncy ball, bubbles, ect) Draw out slips of paper one at a time and read what is on the paper. If you say star anyone who wrote that word will select a gift. Allow them to choose. Continue until all slips of paper have been drawn from the stocking, and all kids have selected a gift. This is a fun game! It would not be good for a large group of kids unless you can provide a small gift for all to select something. Sharing Time Sit in a circle and ask each child to share something they like best about Christmas. Close in a prayer Hold hands and pray slowly so kids can repeat your prayer with you as you encourage them.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011. All rights reserved.

Christmas Story Pantomime Caesar Augustus called for the people of the land to pay taxes. Joseph and Mary want o pay their taxes. (Jospeh and Mary walk together across the platform or designated area) Mary who was pregnant with Baby Jesus was very tired. Joseph went to find her a room. He went to one innkeeper who turned him away. (Innkeeper shakes head to indicate no room) Joseph looks and looks for a room for Mary to rest. He tries another place. (Innkeeper shakes head to indicate no room) Finally, Joseph found an innkeeper who said he could have a place in his barn with the animals. (Animals arrive to sit beside the manger. Make cow, sheep and donkey ears for these kids to wear) Mary was grateful that she would soon be able to sit down. (Innkeeper takes Josephs arm while Mary follows as Joseph is led to where the animals are gatherd around a manger stall) This place sure smells thought Joseph. Mary was looking for a place where she could lie down. She saw was a bale of hay, and Joseph led her over to the hay making it comfortable for he as possible.

(Joseph can spread out a blanket over the hay before Mary sits down on it) That night Mary had Baby Jesus. (Mary will pick up Baby Jesus from the manger and hold him) There were some shepherds in the field watching the flock that night. (Shepherds will stand together away from the manger scene) Suddenly the Shepherds heard a most amazing sound. (Angels stand near shepherds now) The angels said Do not be afraid, we bring you good tidings of great joy, A Savior has been born in Bethlehem who is the Messiah for the whole world. Go and find the Baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger. (Shepherds walk to the manger slowly) The shepherds hurried to see this Child and told everyone they met along the way the good news. (Angels join the manger scene and stand behind Mary and Joseph) The angles sang a beautiful song that night. It went like this, Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to all people Mary kept all these things that she heard to herself. She took good care of Jesus feeding him and changing his diapers. The shepherds had a good visit, and left greatly filled with joy in their hearts.

(Shepherds leave) One day, some very special kings came to see the Baby. These were wise men from far away. (Wiseman arrive at the manger scene) These wisemen brought gifts for Jesus and gave them Him. (Wise men lay their gifts down in front of Jesus) These wise men were warned by God not to return to the King of the land where Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus was living. The King was up to no good. He wanted to harm Baby Jesus. The wisemen left and went home another way. (Wise men leave) Mary and Joseph loved Jesus and were good parents. They took him to church (the temple) and he obeyed what they told him to do. Jesus came as a Baby to be our Savior. He came to forgive us of our sins so we could go to heaven some day. If we accept Jesus into our hearts and make room for him, he will take us to heaven some day. He is preparing a place right now and will return again one day for all those who have confessed their sins and repented. Christmas is a special time of love! (All Exit)

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011. All rights reserved.