· Riddles and jokes

I have a baby boy but I’m not a parent

I have animals but I’m not a zoo
I have a star but I’m not a solar system
I have angels but I’m not heaven
I have shepherds but no fields
I’m displayed in December but I’m not a Christmas tree

If there are shepherds and a baby

Three kings but not a queen
It probably means you’re looking at
A ________ _____

This may seem like a strange mix

But it’s there for all to see
With parents, shepherds and kings
Some animals and a baby

This has three people holding gifts

And a few animals maybe
Plus shepherds, parents and angels
And in the center, a baby

If there are shepherds and a baby

Three kings but not a queen
It probably means you’re looking at
A ________ _____

I have a baby boy but I’m not a parent

I have animals but I’m not a zoo
I have a star but I’m not a solar system
I have angels but I’m not heaven
I have shepherds but no fields
I’m displayed in December but I’m not a Christmas tree

I have numbers on me but Im not a phone

I have several doors but Im not a car
Im on display in December but Im not a nativity scene
Im not seen after Christmas Day but Im not a cookie for Santa
I often contain chocolate but Im not an Easter egg

What am I?

Why did Rudolph have a bad report card?

Because he went down in history

· Songs related to content

Silent Night

Noel

O Holy Night

Away in a manger

God rest ye merry gentlemen

Hark the herald angels sing

· Poems

The Wisemen

It wasn’t long after some wise men came by.

They had followed a star that appeared in the sky.

They knew that a King had been born for the Jews

So they stopped at the palace of Herod for clues.

“Where is the new King?” They wanted to know.

Bethlehem was the answer – and so they did go.

They followed the star ‘till it came to the place

Where they found little Jesus. Oh, the joy on their face!

They offered him gifts – Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh.

Mary couldn’t believe what was happ’ning to her.

For her little baby was clearly a King

He was worshiped, adored, and caused angels to sing.

He was Someone so special, in fact, was divine!

He would surely change her life, change your life and mine.

For small baby Jesus would grow to man,

Would live without sin, and would follow God’s plan.

He would die on a cross but would rise three days later

To trade all my sin for something much greater.

The Angels

Outside of the town, ‘round a fire so bright

Some shepherds were watching their sheep in the night.

The night had been quiet and silent and still.

The sheep had been starting to doze off until

When all of a sudden a radiant light

Surprised all the shepherds and gave them a fright!

An angel appeared and said not to fear

For the Saviour was born – The Messiah was here!

He’d be wrapped up in cloth and placed in a manger.

Go see for yourself – He’s a total game changer!

He brings joy to the world. He’s good news for men.

The angel said this to the shepherds and then…

A thousand more angels appeared in the sky!

They sang praises to God in the heavens so high!

What a huge celebration of joy to the earth

As the shepherds were told of their dear Saviour’s birth.

The Shepherds

When the angels had left them alone with their sheep

There was no way those shepherds would fall back asleep!

“Let’s go to the town,” the shepherds all said,

“And see if a manger is really the bed

Of this new little king who was born here tonight.”

So the shepherds all ran to the town with delight.

They arrived in the village and looked all around –

It didn’t take long ‘till the baby was found.

It was just as the angel had told them before,

They found Mary & Jospeh and Jesus – what’s more…

Jesus lay in a manger – The story was true!

The Saviour had come – so what did they do?

Those shepherds went out and they told the whole town.
They told them how God, as a baby, came down

Was born in that barn – and yet was the King

The Saviour from Heaven as the angels did sing.

The Very First Christmas Day" is an original Christmas story poem that tells of
the Savior's birth in Bethlehem.

His parents had no money, although He was a King—

An angel came to Joseph one night as he dreamed.

"Don't be afraid to marry her, this child is God's own Son,"

And with these words from God's messenger, their journey had begun.

They traveled to the city, their taxes to be paid—

But when Christ was born they found no place for the baby to be laid.

So they wrapped Him up and used a lowly manger for His bed,

With nothing else but straw to place beneath the Christ-child's head.

The shepherds came to worship Him, the wise men traveled too—

Led by a star up in the sky, they found the baby new.

They gave him gifts so wondrous, their incense, myrrh, and gold,

Thus completes the greatest story of a birth 'twas ever told.

He was just a tiny baby, born in a stable far away—

They had no reservations, and nowhere else to stay.

But His birth was so majestic, in a simple sort of way,

A baby born in Bethlehem on a very special day.

It was the Savior born in Bethlehem, on the very first Christmas Day.
On a night long ago, in a place far away

A baby was born on the first Christmas Day.

His name was Jesus, and He was a king

And he came to the world to change everything.

This morning we’ll look at the story and see

The baby that came ‘cuz He loved you and me.

We’ll hear about angels and wisemen and sheep.

And the manger in which baby Jesus could sleep.

It’s a story that’s crazy, amazing, and true.

It’s the story about how much God loves you.

So let’s listen careful as we tell the story.

And let’s worship Jesus, the Great King of Glory.

Mary and Joseph were tired and sore;

They had travelled all day and could travel no more!

They finally arrived in Bethlehem town

Only to find there was nowhere to lie down.

The hotels were all full, there were no more beds

For Jospeh or Mary to lay down their heads.

Exhausted from walking, and ready for sleep,

They would even be willing to sleep with the sheep.

They asked a kind man if they could sleep in his hay

In the barn with the animals, where the cows lay.

The man showed them a spot and moved the cows over,

For a pillow he gave them a pile of clover.

And Mary and Joseph sat down with a sigh.

It wasn’t the best, but it was warm and dry.

And they slept, for a while, under stars and the moon

Perhaps unaware, that Christ’s birth would be soon.

· Picture books

Little Bible Heroes Storybook by Victoria Kovacs. ...

Asleep in the Stable by Will Hillenbrand. ...

Goodnight, Manger by Laura Sassi. ...

Who Built the Stable?: a Nativity Poem by Ashley Bryan. ...

Wombat Divine by Mem Fox.

· Songs or poems related to routines using the arts and classroom

management ideas using the arts

https://youtu.be/DYctme2MSNU

· Art and multiculturalism—books, dances, visual arts, etc. that relate to

other cultures

https://thejesusquestion.org/2011/12/25/nativity-paintings-from-around-the-worl
d/

· Visual arts ideas

https://www.montessorinature.com/nativity-crafts-for-kids/
Stained glass art idea:
https://meaningfulmama.com/stained-glass-nativity-craft-for-kids.html

· Fingerplays

Jesus Christ is Born

(Sung to the tune of: "Farmer in the Dell")

Jesus Christ is born, Jesus Christ is born

(fold arms as if rocking a baby)

A star shines in Bethlehem

(make a diamond shape over head with fingers)

Jesus Christ is born.

(fold arm as if rocking a baby)

The angels praise God, the angels praise God

(move arms like angel's wings)

A star shines in Bethlehem

(make diamond shape over head with fingers)

The angels praise God.

(move arms like angel's wings)

The shepherds go to see . . .

(shade eyes with hand as you move your head from side to side)

The wise men travel far . . .

(march your feet)

Our Savior, he has come; our Saviour, he has come . . .

(point up and then point down)

This is Joseph and this is Mary (walk with fingers)

See how they look so very weary (hang head)

Knock, knock, knock, at the innkeepers door (knock in the air)

He shakes his head, no room for more (shake head)

Go to the stable where the animals stay (point off)

You will find a place to sleep in the hay (rest head in hands)

Quietly come to the manger and see (fingers in front of mouth)

The Baby Jesus, God gave for you and me (cradle with arms)

Five Shepherds

Five big shepherds in the night

(Hold up fingers of right hand.)

Watched the sheep within their sight.

(Shade eyes to look around.)

Angels came from heaven on high;

(Arch left hand up and over right hand.)

The shepherds quivered and shook with fright.

(Wrap arms around self; shake as afraid.)

The angels sang a song of joy

(Clap hands.)

To tell the birth of a special Boy.

(Hold hand to measure short height.)

The angels left and the shepherds too.

(Arch left hand up and away. Wiggle fingers of right hand as if walking.)

They wanted to see the Baby new.

(Pretend to rock a baby.)

Baby Jesus

This is Jesus ready for a nap.

(Hold up right index finger.)

This is His mother Mary's lap.

(Cup left hand, palm up.)

Lay Jesus down and cover Him up.

(Place finger in palm, fold left hand over it.)

Watch Mary rock Jesus down and up.

(Rock hands as if rocking a baby.)

Jesus bounces on Joseph's knee.

(Bend right index finger over left index finger and bounce them up and down.)

Jesus played with His father like you and me!

(Point to others and self.)

Baby Jesus Came To Earth

 A little, tiny baby

(Pretend to rock "baby" in arms.)

A-sleeping on the hay -

(Lay head on folded hands.)

His name is Baby Jesus;

(Cup hands around mouth; shout, "Jesus!")

He's come to earth today.

(Motion hands toward self for "com

· Games—indoor and outdoor including adaptations

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CrhcZmX4iY/UrX0eVhz3bI/AAAAAAAAOaQ/peIWRJ
6cpeE/s1600/Little+Drummer+Boy+Unit+009.JPG

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNGZjhtoTNU/UrX0ZRh3FxI/AAAAAAAAOaA/Hfrg4q
chayQ/s1600/Little+Drummer+Boy+Unit+003.JPG

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJuWirEFnBs/UrX0juAwULI/AAAAAAAAOag/XSLI67t
_VNQ/s1600/Little+Drummer+Boy+Unit+012.JPG

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BiGSoI8hgc/UrX0ovAPU9I/AAAAAAAAOaw/gPUX4
Ctd9po/s1600/Little+Drummer+Boy+Unit+016.JPG

The students will add up note values, using drum counters if needed,
and marking the answers with glass beads. Six of the cards are simple,
using only quarter notes. A second set of six cards is provided that
include half notes and whole notes. A control card has been added to
the activity, giving note values, in case they are needed.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hfs0uaiAqNQ/UrX0t7CU5VI/AAAAAAAAObA/d4ceIO
cF564/s1600/Little+Drummer+Boy+Unit+019.JPG
· Health ideas

Write about a healthy meal that they would prepare for the people at the manger

recreate the scene at the manger using only healthy food.

Have them bring in a healthy crop that shepherds grow

Talk about what babies need to stay healthy

What are healthy habits for one week and 2 year journeys (long journeys) stay
hydrated, take time to rest, fuel on nutrition, bathe, etc.

· Your Bible verses

Romans Road

salvation and our hope

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a

but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23b
and “But God showed His great love for us in this: While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of
God” – Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free
from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2 and “And I am convinced that
nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about
tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No
power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will
ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus
our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Works Cited

https://www.davetrenholm.com/general/584/a-christmas-story-poem/

Christmas Week 3: Little Drummer Boy w/ Free Printables - Every Star Is Different