Advent Adventures
Songs of the Season
Christmas Library
Homemade Holidays
Deck the Halls
The North Pole
Holiday Hijinx
CHILDREN'S LESSON: 3rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent
Do you remember what Advent is? (wait for students to reply) Advent is getting ready for Jesus' Birthday.
The past few weeks, we have been lighting candles on the Advent Wreath.
Do you remember what the 1st Candle is for? The first candle is the candle of HOPE it helps us remember to wait patiently for the coming of Jesus.
Do you remember what the 2nd Candle is for? The second candle reminds us of the PEACE God gives to us through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Now the third candle reminds us of JOY – the joy of the Lord.
As we read about Jesus, we will light (place) the first, second, and third candles on the Advent Wreath.
Have one or two of the older students read.
I will celebrate and be joyful because you, LORD, have saved me. ~ Psalm 35:9 (CEV)STORY: When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?"
Make music for him on harps. Play beautiful melodies! Sound the trumpets and horns and celebrate with joyful songs for our LORD and King! ~ Psalm 98:5,6 (CEV)
They told him, "He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, 'Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.' "
Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too."
The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star.
When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. ~ Matthew 2:1-12 (CEV)
APPLICATION: Have your parents told you about when you were born? About who visited you in the hospital and at home? (Have children share some stories.) Every time I’ve seen a new baby there was so much joy. Everyone was happy to see the baby. And almost everyone brought some sort of gift. What gift can we give to baby Jesus this Christmas? Do your best at school. Help mom and dad at home. Tell people about God.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Thank You for bringing us joy and showing us ways to share our joy with others through gift-giving. Amen.
ACTIVITY/CRAFT: Make, wrap, and decorate little boxes to put under the tree to remind us about giving to Jesus. For older children, they could write what they are going to give Jesus on a piece of paper and put in the box before wrapping. Put a tag on the box, To: Jesus Love: (name)
Other suitable crafts & activities – Use some ideas the kids suggest under the Application. Go Carolling and spread the joy of Jesus’ birth. Hold a Christmas party in Jesus' honour.