PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN KIDS & FAMILIES date
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Honestly, many of these ‘acts of service’ were a stretch. Inspire (for parents) When my children were younger, we had a family tradition that remains one of my favorites to this day. Just before bedtime during the Advent season (the weeks leading up to the Christmas celebration), we would gather around a low table where the nativity scene was set. Mary and Joseph and the shepherds were there, but baby Jesus was intentionally missing from this familiar setting.
lie in when He arrived. Even my son claiming “I held back from punching my sister when I felt like it” was something they knew would please Jesus. On Christmas morning, when most children were running to see what was under the Christmas tree, my children first ran to the nativity scene to see if baby Jesus had arrived. “Jesus is here! Jesus is here!” they exclaimed. They had prepared the manger and their hearts for His arrival and were excited to see Him at rest in gifts they had given Him.
Each night we would use an Advent guide to read from Scripture about the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. We read by candlelight and by Debbie Guinn talked about what each of us could give as a gift to Jesus. Most of our suggestions focused on attitudes and actions. Had they been kind to someone who didn’t deserve it? Did they obey in a hard situation? We celebrated these acts ke 2:8–20 Scripture: Lu Christmas) of kindness or service with a piece of (Jesus Is Born/ straw that each child could lay in the esus Is Here! ve Main Point: J your family to ha empty manger in preparation for Jesus’ signed to allow de nd is te at ce n ur re so re ild This your ch arrival on December 24. Word before be the time in God’s for parents to is an pl ’s od G se , we au fa ec Now, honestly, many of these “acts children’s ith church. B rturers of their nu will al n tu re iri ild sp ch of service” were a stretch, but their y primar tually, your you grow spiri as at th earnestness was heartwarming. All three ow kn as well. grow spiritually of my children wanted to help make the
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manger a comfortable place for Jesus to
Equip (for parents) In the second chapter of Luke, we read how the angels announced to shepherds the birth of Jesus—not to kings, noblemen, or men of religious virtue. Shepherds. These men who lived on the fringe of society were chosen to experience the most incredible testimony given by celestial beings. It was here in this humble setting among the most common of people that the “chosen One of God enters creation among the creation” (IVP). Shepherds were hired by farmers to look after their flock of sheep. They were typically single men who didn’t have families. The duties of shepherds inhibited the men’s abilities to participate in religious activities with the community. However, this did not eliminate them from experiencing the holy. Some scholars believe the shepherds who witnessed the heavenly announcement were not ordinary shepherds. During the time of Caesar Augustus, flocks of sheep were being raised around the city of Jerusalem to be used as sacrifices in the temple. It is quite possible that the men who were tending to the sheep the night Jesus was born were in fact caring for the temple flock. Upon finding the Christ child the shepherds responded by “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). They broke out in praise because God’s promise had come to pass. Jesus is the deliverer, Master, and anointed King. The prophesied royal leader had come to restore the kingdom. Simple shepherds became eyewitnesses and the bearers of a story full of wonder. God came not for a select group of people, but for all. The most common people were the first to receive the news. They were privileged with the opportunity to spread the message that Jesus is here!
REMEMBER VERSE
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24
Support (for parents & kids) JUST FOR FUN right before bedtime, light a candle and gather your family together around a nativity set or use a nativity scene from a book or website. Ask your children to share with you what they see. Tell them you’re going to read together the part of The Big God Story where Jesus is born. Then read Luke 2:8–20. After you’ve finished reading, ask them to describe where Jesus was born. Discuss together what it must have been like to be born in a stable. You can also ask who was there when Jesus was born. Remember together that besides Mary and Joseph, the good news that Jesus was born was shared first with shepherds, people who cared for sheep. As a family, share your thoughts as to why God would choose to have His one and only Son born in a stable, and why the shepherds were the first to hear this good news. When you’re finished reading the passage and talking with your children, share with them that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible, and they’ll hear it in church this week. Close your time by praying and thanking God that He sent His Son, and that Jesus is here!
© 2011 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.