The birth of Jesus
Children's sermon
Object:
something made for one use but now used for another purpose, such as a dish or bowl that now serves as a planter
Merry Christmas, everyone! The day has finally come and we are excited. I would like to sing a special song that we know as "Happy Birthday," but whose birthday is it? (let them answer) That's right; it is Jesus' birthday. Let's sing, "Happy Birthday, dear Jesus." (lead the singing) Wonderful!
Since today is Christmas, I brought some flowers to the party. Flowers are beautiful, aren't they? Did you notice what I brought them in? (let them answer) That's right, the flowers are in an old bowl that I found in my garage. I used to eat out of this bowl. But it doesn't match any of the dishes we use now, so it got put aside. But it makes a perfect planter for my flowers. Do you agree? (let them answer)
Jesus wasn't a flower, but he was born in a strange place. Don't you wish you could have been there when Jesus was born? Would you have liked to be one of the shepherds or an innkeeper or maybe even a sheep or donkey? Who would have liked to be the donkey? (let them answer) That would have been fun! Mary and Joseph were thrilled to have the baby Jesus, but it must have been in a hurry. They had to use only the things that were available. You remember that Mary and Joseph did not stay in the inn. Where did they stay? (let them answer) That's right, a stable. What stays in stables? (let them answer) Very good, animals live in stables. Stables don't have stoves to cook on or dinner plates or tables. Mary and Joseph had to do the best they could do.
How many of you have a little sister or brother or know someone who has a baby? (let them answer) Where does the baby sleep? (let them answer) That's right, in a crib. Where did Jesus sleep? (let them answer) Very good, Jesus slept in a manger. Do you know what a manger is for in a stable? (let them answer) You have all of the answers. A manger is made to put food in for the animals. Animals come over to the manger and eat hay or grain.
When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph put Jesus into a manger. They used clean hay for a pillow and covered him with something that was like a blanket. But they also gave him all of their love. No crib for Jesus, but instead a manger.
The next time you see something that is being used for something else, like my bowl as a planter, you will think about when Jesus was born and how Mary used a manger, the place where animals ate, for a crib. Now you know why we sing, "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed."
Since today is Christmas, I brought some flowers to the party. Flowers are beautiful, aren't they? Did you notice what I brought them in? (let them answer) That's right, the flowers are in an old bowl that I found in my garage. I used to eat out of this bowl. But it doesn't match any of the dishes we use now, so it got put aside. But it makes a perfect planter for my flowers. Do you agree? (let them answer)
Jesus wasn't a flower, but he was born in a strange place. Don't you wish you could have been there when Jesus was born? Would you have liked to be one of the shepherds or an innkeeper or maybe even a sheep or donkey? Who would have liked to be the donkey? (let them answer) That would have been fun! Mary and Joseph were thrilled to have the baby Jesus, but it must have been in a hurry. They had to use only the things that were available. You remember that Mary and Joseph did not stay in the inn. Where did they stay? (let them answer) That's right, a stable. What stays in stables? (let them answer) Very good, animals live in stables. Stables don't have stoves to cook on or dinner plates or tables. Mary and Joseph had to do the best they could do.
How many of you have a little sister or brother or know someone who has a baby? (let them answer) Where does the baby sleep? (let them answer) That's right, in a crib. Where did Jesus sleep? (let them answer) Very good, Jesus slept in a manger. Do you know what a manger is for in a stable? (let them answer) You have all of the answers. A manger is made to put food in for the animals. Animals come over to the manger and eat hay or grain.
When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph put Jesus into a manger. They used clean hay for a pillow and covered him with something that was like a blanket. But they also gave him all of their love. No crib for Jesus, but instead a manger.
The next time you see something that is being used for something else, like my bowl as a planter, you will think about when Jesus was born and how Mary used a manger, the place where animals ate, for a crib. Now you know why we sing, "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed."
