The Shepherds

Luke 2:8-20

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wanted others to know and love Jesus, too. And the word gospel means “good news!”

Our true story is about when Jesus was born. God sent an angel to tell Mary she would have a special baby named Jesus. And Jesus is special because Jesus is God’s Son.


One day, Mary and Joseph went to a town called Bethlehem. When they got there, they stayed in a place where animals sleep.


Animals like a cow. What do cows say? “Moo-Moo!”


And donkeys say . . . “HEE-HAW!”


And sheep say . . . “BAA-BAA!”


While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the most special thing happened. Baby Jesus was born!


That night, there were shepherds out in the field taking care of their sheep.


While the shepherds were watching their sheep, an angel appeared! The shepherds were afraid when they saw the angel, but then the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! God’s Son, Jesus, has been born! You will find baby Jesus lying in a manger.”


And then, the whole sky filled with angels praising God and singing, “Glory to God in the highest!”


The shepherds were SO excited that they took off running to see baby Jesus! The shepherds found baby Jesus lying in a manger—just like the angel said. The shepherds knew Jesus was special because Jesus is God’s Son.


This was the most exciting news EVER, so guess what the shepherds did next!? The shepherds took off running again, because they wanted to tell everyone about Jesus!


The shepherds told everyone about Jesus, and we can tell people about Jesus too—just like the shepherds did! It’s true! We can tell our friends that Jesus is God’s Son. So, when anyone asks you, “Why is Jesus special?” You can tell them, “Jesus is God’s Son!”






Bible Verse: God has given a son to us. —Isaiah 9:6, NCV

Text Truth: The shepherds run to see Jesus and then run to tell everyone about Jesus.



Family Devotional

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.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
—Luke 2:15-20

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. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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. —Luke 2:4-7

In our Bible Story, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. Do you remember what happened when they got to Bethlehem? Baby Jesus was born! Where did Mary lay baby Jesus? Mary made a baby bed out of a manger, and that is where Mary laid baby Jesus. Christmas is when we celebrate that Jesus was born! Jesus is special and He deserves a special birthday, because Jesus is God’s Son! So, when anyone asks you, “Why is Jesus special?” You can tell them, “Jesus is God’s Son!”

God has given a son to us. —Isaiah 9:6, NCV

Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. So, with your family, take a piece of paper and write down all of your birthdays. First, write down the day we celebrate for Jesus: December 25. Then, have each member of your family write down their birthday. And make sure they write their name next to their birthday.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You that (say each family member’s name) was born and that we can celebrate each of them on their birthday. Thank You that Jesus was born. Help us remember that Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus’ birthday. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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