The Birth of Christ
Christmas lesson for Nursery and Sunbeams
The best way to prepare a lesson is through prayer and through loving evaluation of the needs of your students. What follows are only suggestions and thoughts to guide you as you prepare to teach this lesson.
The purpose of the lesson is to teach your students to be grateful that Jesus was born. Keep this purpose in mind as you prepare, since it will affect your choices throughout the lesson. Each step should lead the child to this purpose.
Attention Activity: This activity is good for both age groups, although it should be kept short for the nursery children. Plan ahead so you have plenty of time to gather the information. If a child in your class is adopted or is a foster child, ask the parents or guardians how they want the material presented.
Prepare very carefully to explain Mary's visit with the angel and to explain that Joseph is not Jesus' father. One child explained that he and Jesus were alike because they were both adopted by their daddies. Some children will be familiar with the idea of adopted or foster parents, but most will not really question your explanation. The explanation used in the manual is the best way to explain, and it is usually not necessary to put it into other terms. You may want to use the nativity to act out this section. If so, do not use an angel with wings. There is an angel picture in your packet that is much better. This is also easily displayed on a flannel board.
The next section suggests reading Luke 2:7 to the children. Don't be afraid to read scriptures even in nursery lessons. Many of the children will have enjoyed scripture reading at home. Those who have not need to be exposed to it. After reading it, explain it simply: "This says that Jesus was born and she wrapped him up and put him in the manger." Then, if the children will sit still long enough, read it again, phrase by phrase, explaining what it means. You might want to demonstrate how to wrap a doll in swaddling clothes and explain that it sometimes helps a baby to feel safe. For more information on reading scriptures with young children see Scripture Reading in Primary.
The next section has the children sit on a blanket around the nativity. Larger nursery classes are usually better controlled if the children don't move. You may want to have them doing this from the start of the lesson. Sunbeams can slide out of their chairs onto the floor. This allows them to change positions so they can focus longer. If you have a smaller nursery, you may want to set up this portion of the lesson in an entirely different area. Move the class to this area quietly to get their wiggles out.
"Away in the Manger" might best be taught later in singing time for nursery children. If your singing time is before the lesson, you can review it now. Sunbeams will find the song a welcome break from listening.
This is a good breaking point for restless nursery students. The rest of the lesson could be taught later.
If your children need a break, pass around a toy sheep for them to pet. They might enjoy pretending to be sheep if you are sure you can settle them back down afterwards.
Both age groups will enjoy being wise men. They may find this a bit confusing if they have learned at home that the wise men were gathered around the manger, as shown in most nativities. Just explain that they lived far away and needed time to arrive. Nativities show them in the stable just because it makes a nice picture.
The remainder of the lesson can be taught in a later gathering or craft time in the nursery. Sunbeams should be able to sit quietly for the closing statement that we can give Jesus a gift by trying to be like him. They might like to sing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus." Sunbeams can make the paper chains with help. Some nursery children will be able to make them, but have some ready to go for students who aren't interested. I usually sent the children off to play and brought one or two nursery students at a time to do the craft with a teacher.
By Terrie Lynn Bittner