kids!
Christmas is just a few weeks away— how exciting! What are your plans for the holidays?
I want to visit family and friends, drink hot chocolate, watch holiday movies and attend the Christmas Eve service at church. Maybe you plan to do the same. Maybe you want to try a sleigh ride, singing carols or building the world’s largest snowman!
God has plans for us, too.
Although I’m sure God loves watching us build snowmen and having fun, He has even bigger plans. In this issue of Just for Kids, you will read about God’s promise to send Jesus to earth.
Your friend, Abby
long time ago, the nation of Judah felt powerless. As their enemies grew strong around them, they thought God had forgotten about them. They lived in fear that a bad king might rule one day and treat them poorly. They wanted a good king.
God sent His messenger, Isaiah, to tell the people of Judah that the best king of all was going to be born one day for them. He would be unlike any other king that had ever reigned on earth. The king would be God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.
God had a plan for His people, and His greatest plan of all was Jesus.
Hi
A
Jesus is Promised Isaiah 9:6-7F D E R U H Z J Y E E W N A A D U V C L O N S I R D E T E U T K A E A T Q N H R L S P H S I H O P J I E P O H I F Z O E B I B L E G M G R S C B I E T D N O P U K B T I H G C I R S R M H K Z A N J K P Jesus is Promised Word Search BIBLE EARTH HOPE ISAIAH JESUS JUDAH KING PROMISES PROPHECY RULE “A child will be born to us.” Isaiah 9:6 ISSUE 48 Connect the Dots
What does an elf study in school? Theelfabet What do snowmen eat for breakfast? FrostedFlakes How does Rudolph know it’s Christmas? Helooksathis calen-deer 1 1 2 3 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 4 Christmas Crossword Find 10 Differences 4 2 3 4 1 3 Fill in the grid so that every column, row and 2x2 box contains the numbers 1 to 4. Sudoku 48-12/03/22 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Brian Peddle, General; Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368- 626X Answers:Across:1.Christmastree;4.Santa Claus;5.gift;6.angel;8.gingerbread. Down:2.sock;3.snowman;4.snowflake; 7.sleigh;9.letter;10.candle.
Have you ever seen an angel?
At Christmastime, we see angels everywhere—on holiday cards, in movies and plays, and in Nativity scenes.
In the Bible, a woman named Mary saw an angel in real life. It appeared to her with a message that surprised her— she was going to have a baby! She thought it was impossible, but the angel assured her that anything is possible with God.
Mary became the mother of a very special baby. Can you guess who it was?
Your friend, Abby
Ayoung woman named Mary was alone in her room. Suddenly she saw an angel right in front of her. The angel said, “Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and He is with you.”
Mary was confused, but the angel told her not to be afraid because God was pleased with her. He chose her. “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. Name the baby Jesus. He will be great, and people will call Him the Son of the Most High.” “How is this possible?” Mary asked.
The angel replied, “God will make it possible. God can do all things.”
Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” Then the angel went away.
Afterward, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice, “God has blessed you more than any other woman. And God has blessed the baby which you will give birth to. You are the mother of my Lord. You are blessed because you believed what the Lord said to you would really happen.”
Hi kids!
M
Y Z H E J A R M T I K S H L
A
P O P Y D B E H C A X U S V
E
G T O D G I S K M Y B S A R
V
I P O U C R I L A M W N O B
T
I F M P X O R M T A H N T A
B
U O T G J O D Q H A N S S I
H
O P W N K H I F S C Q A R Z
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F C O R G M E I H I R S S M
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R K V A L N T O G I D R L A
Answer:“MyheartishappybecauseGodismySaviour.Iamnotimportant, butGodhasshownHiscareforme,Hisservantgirl.” Cross out every third letter to reveal Mary’s response to the angel's message. Check your answer by reading Luke 1:47-48 (ICB) Mary’s Response Draw a picture of an angel. ISSUE49 An Angel Appears to Mary Luke 1
Angel Craft What you need: • Popsicle sticks or clothespins • Markers • Glue or tape • Scissors • Coffee filters • Pipe cleaners, string or ribbon How to make it: 1. Choose a clothespin or popsicle stick as the base of your angel. 2. Draw a face, hair or clothing on your angel. 3. Fold coffee filters and attach them to the back of the angel using glue or tape. 4. Use pipe cleaners or string to make a halo. Source: ministry-to-children.com Find the path through the stocking. 49-12/10/22 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Brian Peddle, General; Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368626X 45 46 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 1 2 3 4 5 6 87 9 50 47 49 48 4344 42 4041 39 38 37 35 36 34 33 32 29 26 27 25 28 30 31 10 1211 1413 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Connect the Dots Find 10 Differences
Shepherds Visit Jesus
A group of shepherds were taking care of their sheep in a field the night Jesus was born. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them. The shepherds were scared! But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people. Today, a Saviour has been born. He is the Lord.”
To prove that he was telling the truth, the
angel said there was a baby in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Then, more angels came down from heaven to sing praises to God. “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth,” they said.
After the angels left, the shepherds travelled to Bethlehem to see Jesus with their own eyes. When they got there, they found Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus, lying in the manger, just as the angel had said. After seeing Him, the shepherds went to tell others what had happened. What the angel said was true! They then returned to give glory and praise to God just like the angels had done.
Colour the Shepherd
Luke 2:8-20
Hi
kids!
I
bet you’re getting excited for Christmas.
I
know I am! I hope you have an exciting holiday filled with joy, love, carols and family time. Maybe you’ll get a few cards in the mail wishing you a Merry Christmas, like this one. It’s always fun to get a letter with your name on it!
Many
years ago, God sent a message to a group of shepherds, but instead of a card, He sent an angel. The angel told the shepherds of the good news—that Jesus had been born! They were excited to meet Him.
This
Christmas, we will celebrate the birth and life of Jesus, just like the shepherds did. Your friend, Abby
Find
the correct
shadow
to match the
shepherd. 1 2 3 4 5 ISSUE50
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Connect the dots and help decorate the tree. S Q Z R E F Y P S H E E P X S R L R E G N A M A O E E P V Z Y I N D G I H R Y S C E O N O E F E V U W L A F R S R K G S D U I D ANGEL GLORY MANGER NEWS PRAISES SAVIOUR SHEEP SHEPHERD Shepherd Search 50-12/17/22 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Brian Peddle, General; Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368626X
If you could write a birthday card to Jesus, what would you say? Dear Jesus, Copy the Picture Did You Know? The star on a Christmas tree represents the star of Bethlehem, which guided the Three Wise Men to find baby Jesus. Some people put angels on top of their Christmas trees to remind them of the one who appeared to the shepherds.
Hi kids!
Merry Christmas! This Christmas, I’ve been busy making gifts for my family and baking cookies for my friends. Have you made anything special for the people you love? Giving gifts is a nice way to show them how much we care about them.
God gave us a really special gift, too— the greatest gift of all time. He gave us Jesus, who was born on Christmas Day and was put on earth to love us and give us hope.
Your friend, Abby
Jesus Is Born
Long ago, the ruler of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus, said, “Everyone go to your hometown and register. I want to know how many people I rule over.” A man named Joseph and his fiancée, Mary, had to obey, even though it meant travelling many days on dirt roads. Mary was soon going to have a baby, who was God’s Son.
When they arrived in Joseph’s hometown, Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay except a stable. While they were there, Mary’s baby was born. She named Him Jesus, laying Him in a manger for His bed.
That night, God sent angels to tell some shepherds in a nearby field that Jesus had been born. “Glory to God in the highest,” they sang. The shepherds were excited and hurried to see the new baby. Later, some men who studied the sky came to see Jesus. They followed a special star that guided them to where Mary, Joseph and Jesus lived, and gave Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
You can read the whole Christmas story in the Bible in Matthew 1:182:12 and Luke 2:1-20.
Holiday Sudoku
Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 2x2 box contains a tree, an ornament, a stocking and a star.
ISSUE51 What is a Christmas tree’s favourite candy? Orna-mints! What do you getwhen you crossa Christmas treewith an apple? Apineapple What did one angel say to the other? “Halo!” Luke 2
Holiday Sudoku Solution
Welcome, Baby Jesus! How many of each item can you find?I Spy God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life. —John 3:16 Help the angel find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. 51-12/24/22 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Brian Peddle, General; Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368626X
Happy New
As we say goodbye to 2022, we can reflect on all the
things that happened,
favourite moments and
that we learned along the way. What were
of
best
At the start of a new year, many people
resolutions.
resolution is a goal that you would like to achieve or something you would like to do. In 2023,
want to learn how to scuba dive. I’ve always wanted to try it!
This issue of Just for Kids will help you think of
own New Year’s resolutions.
Here are some resolutions you can try this year:
• I will pray every day.
• I will keep my room tidy and clean.
• I will try a new hobby, such as gardening, painting or cooking.
• I will be friendly to others and make new friends at school.
• I will read my Bible every day.
• I will try a new sport or activity, such as basketball, jump rope or dancing.
• I will think of one thing that I am thankful for every day.
2 4 3 4 3 1 Fill in the squares so that each row, column and 2x2 box contains each of the numbers from one to four. SudokuHi kids!
Year!
awesome
our
important lessons
some
your
memories this year?
make
A
I
your
Your friend, Abby Tic Tac Toe ISSUE52
How do snowmen greet each other? What do snowmen calltheir offpring? Chill-dren “Icetomeetyou!” Find 7 Differences A New Creation Match the snowflakes and the words to read a promise from the Bible. who to has a new . The old is ; a new has ! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT ) S3 Christ life begun belongs become Anyone gone person Answers:Anyone,belongs,Christ,become,person,life,gone,life,begun 52-12/31/22 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Brian Peddle, General; Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368- 626X What was your favouritememory this year? What is your New Year’s resolution for 2023? Help the penguin find its snowman friend.
