Jesus Was a Special Baby
Luke 2:1-7
Our true story comes from the Bible. It is in the part, or book, of the Bible called Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wrote about Him so that others could know Jesus and love Jesus, too.
A new law was made by Roman Emperor Caesar August. Emperor is another word for king.
Everyone in the Roman world had to put their name on a list. All the people had to go to their home town (the place where they were born and grew up). So, Mary and Joseph traveled to a small town named Bethlehem, the town of the family of David. Joseph belonged to the family of David, the shepherd boy who became a king.
Mary and Joseph were very tired. They had traveled for many days. Bible people often walked or rode on donkeys when they traveled. Joseph probably walked. And Mary probably rode on a donkey because she was going to have a baby. Ka-plod, ka-plod. Ka-plod, ka- plod. Finally, they reached Bethlehem. Now they could find a place to rest.
Joseph looked for a place where they could stay. He asked at the inn (today, we call it a hotel), but there was no room. Many other people had traveled to Bethlehem to have their names put on the list. Where could Mary and Joseph rest? It was almost time for the baby! But not everyone knew the baby was special. Not everyone new Jesus was God's Son.
Finally, Joseph found a place where he and Mary could stay—a stable, which is a place for animals. Mary and Joseph traveled a little farther to the stable. Mary and Joseph were happy to have a place to rest.
During the night something special happened—the baby boy was born. It was Jesus! Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was special because Jesus was God's Son!
Mary hugged her new baby and wrapped Him in large, clean strips of cloth. When Jesus was tired, she laid Him in a manger, which is a box that held the animals' food. Mary and Joseph were so happy! Jesus is born! But not everyone was happy. Not everyone knew Jesus was God's Son.
Bible Paraphrase: God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. – John 3:16, GNT
Text Truth: Not everyone knew Jesus was God's Son.
We all need love and affection. We all want other people to value, accept, and love us. We know someone loves us by their actions and words.
God chose you and lavishes you with His glorious grace. That is something to celebrate.
As you celebrate God's love for you, look for ways to share His love with others in your life, including your family and those with whom you work every day.
Sing the words of the Bible phrase to the tune of "O Christmas Tree."
You’ll Need: 1 cup butterscotch chips, ½ cup milk chocolate chips, 1 package of chow mein noodles, wax paper, unbreakable and microwave-safe bowl, spoon, microwave oven
Let your child take care of a baby doll. Mention that little baby Jesus slept, cried, and liked to be held like all babies. When it's time for bed, put the baby in bed and sing a good night song.
Print the words "Happy Birthday, Jesus" on a paper for your child to decorate with crayons. Let your child help you hang the paper up as you sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus several times.
Even though it has only been a few years since your preschooler was a baby, your child won't remember what it was like being a baby. This week, take some time to look at baby pictures with your child and recall some of his activities and experiences as an infant.
Go around your house knocking on bedroom doors, but find no room. Find room in your family room. Wrap a baby doll in strips of cloth and put it in a cradle with strips of paper or hay.
Jesus' birth is something to celebrate. Use crepe paper streamers to celebrate Jesus' birth. Write or draw on each streamer a reason to celebrate that Jesus is born.
Our true story comes from the Bible. It is in the part, or book, of the Bible called Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wrote about Him so that others could know Jesus and love Jesus, too.
A new law was made by Roman Emperor Caesar August. Emperor is another word for king.
Everyone in the Roman world had to put their name on a list. All the people had to go to their home town (the place where they were born and grew up). So, Mary and Joseph traveled to a small town named Bethlehem, the town of the family of David. Joseph belonged to the family of David, the shepherd boy who became a king.
Mary and Joseph were very tired. They had traveled for many days. Bible people often walked or rode on donkeys when they traveled. Joseph probably walked. And Mary probably rode on a donkey because she was going to have a baby. Ka-plod, ka-plod. Ka-plod, ka- plod. Finally, they reached Bethlehem. Now they could find a place to rest.
Joseph looked for a place where they could stay. He asked at the inn (today, we call it a hotel), but there was no room. Many other people had traveled to Bethlehem to have their names put on the list. Where could Mary and Joseph rest? It was almost time for the baby! But not everyone knew the baby was special. Not everyone new Jesus was God's Son.
Finally, Joseph found a place where he and Mary could stay—a stable, which is a place for animals. Mary and Joseph traveled a little farther to the stable. Mary and Joseph were happy to have a place to rest.
During the night something special happened—the baby boy was born. It was Jesus! Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was special because Jesus was God's Son!
Mary hugged her new baby and wrapped Him in large, clean strips of cloth. When Jesus was tired, she laid Him in a manger, which is a box that held the animals' food. Mary and Joseph were so happy! Jesus is born! But not everyone was happy. Not everyone knew Jesus was God's Son.
Text Truth: Not everyone knew Jesus was God's Son.
Family Devotional
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
— Ephesians 1:4-6
God chose you and lavishes you with His glorious grace. That is something to celebrate.
As you celebrate God's love for you, look for ways to share His love with others in your life, including your family and those with whom you work every day.
Activities You Can Do at Home
God Sent His Son
Sing the words of the Bible phrase to the tune of "O Christmas Tree."
God sent His Son. God sent His Son.
(Point up.)
The Bible tells us this verse.
(Hold hands open like a book.)
God sent His Son. God sent His Son.
(Point up.)
The Bible tells us this verse.
(Hold hands open like a book.)
Galatians chapter four verse four.
(Hold hands like a book.)
Galatians chapter four verse four.
(Hold hands like a book.)
God sent His Son. God sent His Son.
(Point up.)
The Bible tells us this verse.
(Hold hands open like a book.)
Make Edible Manger Munchies
You’ll Need: 1 cup butterscotch chips, ½ cup milk chocolate chips, 1 package of chow mein noodles, wax paper, unbreakable and microwave-safe bowl, spoon, microwave oven
- Combine the butterscotch and milk chocolate chips in the bowl and microwave for 60 seconds on medium heat.
- Stir.
- Heat for an additional 15 seconds if needed.
- Stir in the chow mein noodles.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture on wax paper.
- Allow to cool before eating.
- While you and your child enjoy the munchies, talk about the Bible story and remind your child that we are glad that Jesus was born.
- Say with your child the Bible paraphrase: “God sent his Son.” (Galatians 4:4)
Sweet Dreams
Happy Birthday, Jesus
Print the words "Happy Birthday, Jesus" on a paper for your child to decorate with crayons. Let your child help you hang the paper up as you sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus several times.
Baby Pictures
Even though it has only been a few years since your preschooler was a baby, your child won't remember what it was like being a baby. This week, take some time to look at baby pictures with your child and recall some of his activities and experiences as an infant.
No Room
Go around your house knocking on bedroom doors, but find no room. Find room in your family room. Wrap a baby doll in strips of cloth and put it in a cradle with strips of paper or hay.
Celebrate
Jesus' birth is something to celebrate. Use crepe paper streamers to celebrate Jesus' birth. Write or draw on each streamer a reason to celebrate that Jesus is born.
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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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