Happy Birthday Jesus
Help little ones understand the true meaning of Christmas! As we bake cookies, sing holiday songs, admire Christmas lights and presents under the tree- let’s celebrate the gift of Christmas- Jesus! Children will learn about the Nativity Story, celebrate Jesus’ Birthday and learn about the value of giving and receiving gifts.
“Happy Birthday Jesus” Unit: Unwrapping Christmas
LESSON PURPOSE: Teaching the Nativity story & celebrating the true gift of Christmas!
MATERIALS: Optional: Birthday party supplies: balloons, party hats, cake, favors, offering table...
BOOKS: Nativity Story! Other Christmas Stories.
SONG IDEAS: Away in a Manger / Joy to the World / Silent Night / Happy Birthday Jesus / Happy Birthday
AS CHILDREN ARRIVE: Choose 1 Sensory Activity:
Nativity Sensory Bin- Filled with items like straw or corn, farm animals, characters.
Christmas Sensory Bin- filled with ribbons, mini presents, bells, anything red & green!
Paper Party Hats- Children color & decorate paper plates to be made into crowns.
Party Decorations- Have children decorate the class or put balloons on the Christmas tree for Jesus’ Birthday Party!
Nativity Dress Up- Provide props & dress up for children to dress up such as: angel wings, halos, sheets, sheep ears, stars etc.
SCRIPTURE: Display the weekly scripture reading, have an older child read it or use it in the lesson as you like.
"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” -Luke 2:10
”For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6
INTRODUCE the Lesson:
WELCOME: SONG, PRAYER, TP Greeting
SONG IDEAS: Away in a Manger / Joy to the World / Silent Night / Happy Birthday Jesus
REVIEW & TRANSITION:
We’ve been learning all about the wonderful teachings of Jesus- Love God & Love Others! Today we will learn about the wonderful day that Jesus was born and the true gift of Christmas!
ATTENTION GRABBER: choose 1
Christmas Sing Along: Play songs such as “Away in a Manger” and have children sing along!
INTRO:
On what day do we celebrate Jesus’ birth? CHRISTMAS! Ask Children- What is Christmas? That’s right at Christmas time we are very excited about lots of things like: a Christmas tree, lights, candy canes, wreaths, presents, stockings, Santa…! What is it all for? Everything is to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday! Today we’re going to have a Birthday Party for Jesus together! But before the party starts, let’s learn about Jesus day of birth in Bethlehem which happened over 2,000 years ago…
CHOOSE 1 OR 2: READ A STORY, SING A SONG OR POEM, WATCH A VIDEO:
VIDEOS: click on the link for educational, sing along or dance videos
Nativity Scene Stars Movie Clip
When Jesus Was Born Christmas Read Aloud Animation
It’s Your Birthday Kidz Bop Dance Song
READ ALOUD STORY:
Read Aloud- read a children’s picture book to tell the Nativity Story
Storytelling- tell the story of Jesus’ Birth using printed characters & props
Nativity Scavenger Hunt- place pieces of the Nativity set around the room. Have children find each peace one at a time through clues. As you gather each piece, use it to tell the Nativity Story!
Nativity Play- Have children act out the different parts of the Nativity as you tell the story.
SONG OR POEM:
“If You’re Happy & You Know It” Nativity Version! Choose a few verses:
If You’re Baby Jesus & you know it, SIT SO STILL!
If You’re an Angel & you know it, BLOW YOUR HORN!
If You’re a Star & you know it, SHINE SO BRIGHT!
If You’re a Shepherd & you know it, LEAD YOUR FLOCK!
If You’re a Sheep & you know it, say BAA!
If You’re a Wise Man & you know it, GIVE A GIFT!
If You’re a Donkey & you know it, say HEE HAW!
If You’re Mary & you know it, ROCK YOUR BABY!
*TEACH the Lesson:
TEACHING POINT 1: True Meaning of Christmas- Jesus’ Birth!
NATIVITY STORY: After having heard, seen or read the Nativity story, discuss with children:
At Christmas time, we celebrate the Birthday of Jesus! We celebrate Jesus because he taught us about God’s love, how to love others and forgiveness! Jesus gives us spiritual salvation! We celebrate Jesus because he appeared to True Father when he was a young boy and gave him a special mission, which brings us here today. We celebrate Jesus- as the son of God who brings us hope! Before Jesus was born, everyone was looking for answers and ways to understand God, our Heavenly Parent better. Thanks to Jesus’ birth, we can now be closer to God as his children! So on Christmas we celebrate him & thank him for his life and teachings.
DISCUSS:
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Who did the angels appear to?
Who are Jesus’ parents?
Where was Jesus born?
How many Wise Men were there? What did they bring to baby Jesus?
TEACHING POINT 2: Giving & Receiving GIFTS *OPTIONAL EXTENSION
TEACHING with DISCUSSION:
Jesus is a gift to the world! As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, Santa brings us presents and we exchange presents with our friends & family! Jesus like to see others happy, especially children. So even though it’s his birthday- we get gifts! What are some things you asked Santa for this year? Wow! That’s wonderful! Let’s remember to be so grateful for all of the presents we receive! Even if we don’t get everything we hoped for- God knows what we need. Let us be grateful knowing that God, Jesus & Tp love us and are here for us. We can also give Jesus gifts by saying a thank you prayer to him, loving each other, sharing, being kind & listening to our parents!
*SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Optional: light candles on a birthday cake! Put on party hats!
CONCLUSION:
Today we celebrate Christmas! As we enjoy the holiday music, the cookies, the lights & the presents under the tree… let’s not forget the reason for the Season- the gift of baby Jesus! Tis the Season to be jolly! So, let’s bring the gifts of joy, peace, hope and love to others.
TITHING & PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Parent, thank you for the gift of Christmas- baby Jesus! Thank you for bringing us Jesus who teaches so much about your love. Help us to be great gift givers this season- help us to give the gifts of love, joy, peace & smiles to everyone we meet. Amen. Aju!
ADVENT: (Optional) Light a candle each week during prayer for the 4 weeks of Advent, leading up to Jesus’ birthday party!
APPLY the Lesson:
GROUP ACTIVITIES: choose 1
Gifts from Jesus- Hand out small gifts to each child from Jesus!
Potato Head Present Game- Wrap a small box of trinkets for all the children in several layers or wrapping paper. Pass the present in a circle with music playing. Children unwrap a layer if it lands in their lap. At the end- there’s a trinket for all!
Minute To Win It- Christmas Party Games!
Pin the Tail- blindfold children & have them play pin the star on the tree!
Bells or Snowball toss- Pass jingle bells or cotton balls into buckets!
CRAFTS: choose 1
Baby Jesus Ornament: using Popsicle sticks or a cup.
Birthday Cards: Create “Happy Birthday Jesus!” cards to hang on a bulletin board!
Fingerprint Manager: Using different colored finger paints- children can make a manger & baby Jesus with their fingertips.
Party Hats: Have children make candle party hats or crown party hats!
Nativity Printables- Happy Birthday Jesus Nativity coloring page.
SNACK IDEAS:
Cupcakes for Jesus! Candy canes. Christmas cookies + milk.
Enjoy the lesson! Feel free to submit photos to lgavin@unification.org Love seeing lessons come to life and each community
Home Connection: coming soon!
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Merry Christmas!