Lesson 1: An angel appears to Joseph.
Passage: Matthew 1:18-25 - In this passage, Matthew recounts the story of how Jesus’ birth came about. A woman named Mary was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, but before they got married, she was found to be pregnant. Joseph didn’t want Mary to be publicly shamed, so he decided to divorce her quietly. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream telling him not to be afraid and that Mary was pregnant through the Holy Spirit. The angel announced that the child would be named Jesus and that he would be the savior of all people. Jesus would also be called Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”
Big Idea: Jesus is God with us.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about the story of Christmas and what Christmas is all about.
What’s your favourite thing about Christmas?
What do you think is the reason why we celebrate Christmas?
Well the story starts with a young woman named Mary who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. And one day, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him that Mary was going to be pregnant and give birth to a son who would be called Jesus. He would be the Son of God and the savior of the world!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can you imagine if an angel came to you in a dream? How do you think you would feel?
How do you think Joseph felt when the angel came to him with a message from God?
Do you think Joseph was excited or nervous when he heard that Mary’s baby was going to be the Son of God?
Do you remember what Jesus’ other name is in the story? What does it mean?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for Christmas and for sending Jesus your Son to come to the world to show us that you love us and that you are with us. Please help us to feel your love this Christmas, and to share your love with others. Thank you that you are like a light that shines bright in the darkness, making us feel happy and safe. Please help us to remember the story of Jesus this Christmas. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Scratch Art Ornaments — Activity Leader
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about the story of Christmas and what Christmas is all about.
What’s your favourite thing about Christmas?
What do you think is the reason why we celebrate Christmas?
Well the story starts with a young woman named Mary who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. And one day, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him that Mary was going to be pregnant and give birth to a son who would be called Jesus. He would be the Son of God and the savior of the world!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can you imagine if an angel came to you in a dream? How do you think you would feel?
How do you think Joseph felt when the angel came to him with a message from God?
Do you think Joseph was excited or nervous when he heard that Mary’s baby was going to be the Son of God?
Do you remember what Jesus’ other name is in the story? What does it mean?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for Christmas and for sending Jesus your Son to come to the world to show us that you love us and that you are with us. Please help us to feel your love this Christmas, and to share your love with others. Thank you that you are like a light that shines bright in the darkness, making us feel happy and safe. Please help us to remember the story of Jesus this Christmas. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Scratch Art Ornaments — Activity Leader
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a new series on the story of Advent.
Does anyone know what Advent means?
What does Christmas mean to you? Why do we celebrate Christmas?
For the next few weeks until Christmas, we’ll be talking about the story of the very first Advent and some of the different events that happened around the birth of Jesus.
The story starts with a young woman named Mary who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. One day, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him that Mary was going to become pregnant with a son. That son would be Jesus, who would be the Son of God and the savior of the world!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
How do you think Joseph felt when he first found out that Mary was pregnant?
Did you know that in those days, a woman could actually get in a lot of trouble for getting pregnant outside of marriage? What do you think that says about Joseph that he wanted to protect Mary?
Do you think, in a way, Joseph was showing what God is like by being compassionate towards Mary and wanting to protect her from being punished?
Can anyone remember what was the other name that Jesus had in the story? What does it mean?
What are some ways that you can remember that God is always with you?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for the season of Christmas and the story behind it, of how you sent us the gift of your Son Jesus, to come to us and to show us who you are, how much you love us, and how you want to be near to us. Thank you that you are the light of the world, that shines in the darkness. Please help us to share your love with others and to remember the story of Jesus this Christmas season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Scratch Art Ornaments — Activity Leader
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think God sent Jesus to us? Do you think that’s an amazing gift?
How did Joseph and Mary find out the news that Mary was going to have a baby?
What are some Christmas things that can remind you of Jesus?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think God sent Jesus to us? What was the other name for Jesus and what does it mean?
What do you think about the idea that Jesus is God with us?
What are some Christmas things that can remind you of Jesus?
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What was the story that you learned about in class today?
What part of the story stood out to you the most?
What was the other name that Jesus had and what does it mean?
Do you think learning about the story behind Christmas makes it more meaningful to you? How so?
