Christmas Story Bags

Try this tangible way of telling the good news story of Jesus’ birth. First, present each child with a red or green lunch bag. Write each child’s name on his/her bag. Each Sunday of Advent explore one aspect of the story. Then give children a gift to help remind them of that person or idea. For instance, a small wooden block to remind them of Joseph because he was a woodworker; for the guiding star, a big gold star stuck on a small piece of black transparent plastic. The children can place the gift n their bags and keep the bags safely in class until next Sunday, when the gifts would one-at-a-time be removed from the bag for review of the story. The children will treasure the gift bags each week and by the time they are sent home on Armenian Christmas, they will be able to eloquently retell the Christmas story of their families. For the benefit of family members, include inside each bag a laminated, photocopy of the note shown in the box.

The gifts should be very simple and inexpensive. Anything will do—a heart cut from red poster board representing Mary’s praise, a tiny cube wrapped in gold foil for the gift and so forth. However, here are the unique directions for the lamb and baby Jesus. When you talk about where Jesus was born, give the children a lamb (see pattern) and a manger (a half walnut shell) with a little hay in it. Explain to the children what a manger is and discuss how it might have been for Joseph and Mary to stay with the animals. The next week give the children the tiny baby Jesus. They can place him in the walnut shell.

Copy and cut out pattern pieces. Glue a cotton ball between the front and back of the lamb. Fold head and tail over.

Glue a toothpick into the hole of a small wooden bead. Break the toothpick so the baby will fit in a walnut shell. Wrap the toothpick in a thin strip of torn cotton cloth for the baby’s body and swaddling cloth. Paint a face. Glue on a little hair using fuzz from yarn.

A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

Dear Family,

In Children's Worship during Advent and Christmas we have been telling the story of Christmas. Inside this bag are some of the special gifts that remind us of the story. Here's what you will find in this bag:

A wood block reminds us of Joseph, the carpenter. (Matthew 13:55, Matthew 1:18-25)

A scarf reminds us of Mary, the mother of Jesus. (Luke 1:26-38)

The heart shape reminds us of Mary's praise to God when she heard about Jesus. “My heart praises the Lord,” she sang. (Luke 1:46-55)

The stick reminds us of the shepherd’s staff. The shepherds came to worship Jesus. (Luke 2:8-20)

The halo reminds us of the angels who brought the good news. (Luke 2:9-14)

The lamb reminds us of Jesus' birth place and his resting place, the manger. (Luke 2:7)

The doll in the shell reminds us of baby Jesus wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:12)

The star led the magi to Jesus. (Matthew 2:2)

The gift reminds us of the magi and the gifts they brought for the Christ child-gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

You and your child can use these treasures to retell the greatest story during the coming days. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Elementary Game

Look up the Bible verses indicated here to complete the game and show what you are thankful for each day. See download below.