• Introduction for Story of Shepherds Visiting Jesus
Author and source unknown
Materials:  Cupcake or birthday cake and candles

Adult:  Today we are celebrating a special occasion.  Can you guess what it might be?
Adult:  We are celebrating Jesus’ birthday!  Please sing Happy Birthday after I light the candle.  (Sing Happy Birthday together)
Adult:  On the count of three, I want you to blow really, really hard and we will blow the candle out together.  One…two…three…” 
Adult:  (Looking concerned)  Oh no!  I forgot one important thing!  I forgot to send out the invitations to our birthday party!
Adult:  In our story today, we’ll learn that God sent the invitations for Jesus’ birthday through angels.  The shepherds came to visit and then they wanted everyone to know that Jesus was born.  Let’s find out what our Bible say about this.

• Story Review
Author and source unknown
Materials:  Angel, Mary, Joseph, and Baby (puppets, pictures, or manger scene pieces)
Read the following story and pause after you read the underlines words to hold up the corresponding puppet

People had been waiting and waiting for a very long time.  As a matter of fact, people had been waiting ever since the first man and woman had to leave God’s special garden because they had disobeyed God.  Do you remember the name of the first man and women?  (Adam and Eve)  They were waiting for God to keep His promise.  God had promised to send them a Savior, someone who could make everything good and right again.  One day an angel spoke to a girl name Mary and told her she would have a baby.  Then the angel spoke to a man name Joseph, who was going to be Mary’s husband.  The angel told Joseph that Mary’s baby was special.  He was God’s son, Jesus!  While Mary and Joseph were waiting for Jesus to be born, they had to go on a long trip.  The ruler of the land had made a law that people had to go to their hometowns and write their names in a special book so that leaders could count how many people there were.  So Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted.  They had to walk all the way!  Finally, they arrived in Bethlehem.  Mary was ready to have her baby!  But Bethlehem was so crowded they couldn't find a place to stay!  Everywhere they were told, “There is no room!”  Finally a kind innkeeper said they could stay in his stable with his animals.  And just in time, too!  That night Jesus was born.  Mary wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid Him in a manger to sleep.  All the angels joined in and said, “Glory to God!  Peace on earth to those who love God!”

• Shepherd’s Trip Activity - Going On a Long Trip
Author and source unknown
Have the child repeat each verse after you.

We’re going on a long trip. (pretend to ride a camel)
Do you see the shining star? (point to the sky)
Saddle up your camels.  (pretend to ride a camel)
Because we are going very far.  (place hand over head like looking off)

We’re going on a long trip. (pretend to ride a camel)
Look!  The star is overhead.  (point to the sky)
I see the sweet, baby Jesus.  (pretend to hold a baby and rock back and forth)
In the manger in His bed.  (place hands together at side of head like asleep)

We’ve come from a long trip.  (pretend to ride a camel)
The star shows us the way.  (point to the sky)
To worship our true Savior.  (make praying hands)
And, I’ll praise Him every day.  (hands lifted above head)