A New Take on the Nativity - Bible Activities

Most of the programs of the Ministry of youth and families focus their activities on the Bible stories children know and love, but what about a fresh look at Christmas? In this article, the Sunday school teachers and parents have new ideas on the teaching of Jesus' birth.

Where in the world?

Sunday School teachers and parents can set the stage for the Church of the Nativity in helping students understand how it happened. Take a globe or large world map that many children can see. If the room is hung with the technology, pull on Google Maps, or better yet, Google Earth. Teach children the places mentioned in the Church of the Nativity story - Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth.

Teachers or parents can play a short game before this, if you want to find if the children of Bethlehem on the map. Ask the children if they know where Jesus was born. When you get the right answer, ask them if they know what to Bethlehem to be in. If someone gets one right answer, see if you can find on the map.

What was the weather?

Many of us in the Christmas of the U.S. partners and the birth of Jesus with the snow and cold, but what time was actually when Jesus was born?

Teachers and parents can help students to identify the climate of Israel and Palestine through Web searches and the use of an encyclopedia. If possible, print a large map of the area, or ask artistic child draw a sketch of the countries and territories.

When this poster is complete, ask students to reflect on what kind of time associated with the temperature in Bethlehem in December, which is an average of about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and often rainy. Students can write their adjectives associated with the type of weather, Mary and Joseph may have felt when Jesus was born, and pasted the poster.

How do I say?

If Jesus were born today, what would be the birth announcement mean? Ask children younger brothers and sisters, if they remember their parents to send a delivery notification when the new baby is born. If anyone remembers, ask them what was said and to whom they have sent.

Explain the purpose of a birth announcement and ask students to help write a review for Jesus. Next, have students create a list of people who send the message. If the president receives? What about the Pope? What about leaders of other religions?

In preparing this list, teachers and parents to explain briefly how other religions see Jesus. It is important that students understand that Jesus is not only an important person in Christianity, but it is recognized in Islam and Judaism as well.