FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 7

Early Childhood DEVOTIONS

Jesus Is … Son of God, Christ the Lord!

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVOTIONS • Vol. 22 • No. 4 • December 2017 1

Luke 1:26–38; Luke 2:1–21

Before You TeachWho is Jesus? He is glory and He is peace. In church we hear, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). Jesus is the glory of God. We hear, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). Jesus is the peace of God. Peace begins with a baby in a manger. It blossoms into peace on earth and everlasting glory in the presence of God.

GreetingDaily maintain routine and calmly welcome each child upon entry into the classroom: Good morning/afternoon child of God. Doing so establishes the tone and climate for the day.

GatheringPurchase or make an advent wreath: three dark blue candles, one pink candle and one large white Christ candle (Christmas celebration).

Say: GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS! God sent His Son to us with love; the promised Savior from above. Repeat with children. Each week add or light the appropriate Advent candle (pink during the third week in Advent). Sing

IT’S STILL ALL ABOUT JESUS FOCUS: WHO IS JESUS?

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Note: You will need the songbook: Little Ones Sing Praise (LOSP) from Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis.

the corresponding verse of “Light One Candle” (LOSP, P. 78 and 79).

Tell the StoryYou will need: Nativity Set: Stable, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, angel and shepherds.

Directions: Manipulate the nativity figures as you tell about the birth of Jesus.Long ago God promised to send a Savior to rescue you, me and all people from our sins. Then one day God sent an angel to a young woman named Mary. The angel, Gabriel, said, “Do not be afraid, Mary. God

has chosen you to have a baby boy. You are to name the baby Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God.” Mary asked, “How can this be?” The angel answered, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

At that time the ruler of the country ordered everyone to go to the place where they were born to be counted. Mary, along with Joseph, left their home in Nazareth and traveled far away to the little town of Bethlehem. While they were there, the time came for Baby Jesus to be born. Mary wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger in a Stable because there was nowhere else for them to stay.

Nearby an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds, saying, “Today in the town of Bethlehem the promised Savior has

PHOTO: ISTOCK/ CHRISTOPHER FUTCHER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PHOTO: LIGHTSTOCK

Vol. 22 • No. 4 • December 2017

Early Childhood DevotionsEarly Childhood Devotions is an LCMS School Ministry newsletter Published by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295314-965-9000 • lcms.org Writer: Dr. Judith Christian Designer: Erica Schwan

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.© 2017 LCMS

TO REPRINT: Permission is granted to reprint articles from this newsletter with the credit line “Reprinted with permission of LCMS School Ministry.”

been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly many, many angels appeared praising God and saying (signal children to repeat after you): Glory to God (quietly). Glory to God (louder). Glory to God in the highest (loudest)! Peace (quietly) Peace (quieter) Peace (whisper) to His people on earth.

When the angels left, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus. Amazed, they then told many others the good news. Returning to their fields they praised God for all they had heard and seen.

PRAY: Print for readers. Non-readers repeat after you. God the Father sent with loveJesus, Savior, His own Son.Angels sang from heaven above; But His work was not yet done. Jesus came for you and me; Gave His life upon a tree. Took our sins, our lives to save; Rose to life, then, from His grave. Thank You, Jesus, for Your grace;I now have a happy face. More like You I want to be;Your great love has set me free. Amen.

Remember the StoryBIBLE WORDS TO REMEMBER

PRE-K & K: “For unto you is born … a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

GRADES 1 & 2: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

ActivitiesCREATE: Jesus Birthday Cards. You will need creative materials such as red, green, white, yellow construction paper; ribbon; gold and silver metallic paper and wrapping paper. Children choose an 8-by-10-inch sheet of construction paper, fold it in half and decorate it with creative materials to make cards. Add birthday messages and display.

SING: “In a Little Stable” (LOSP, P. 81); “Away in a Manger” (Cradle Song) (LOSP, P. 82).

DO: Children dictate (older children write) and illustrate a story beginning as follows: If I had been a shepherd watching sheep the night Jesus was born, I would….

Live the Story“Keep the main thing the main thing.” You have likely heard or read the phrase before. During the season of Christmas especially this is no easy task. At this time of year children often experience a high level of stress due to unpredictability in their lives at home and at school. Maintain your classroom schedule and routines. Create a place of calm — a refuge for children. Focus on the important: Jesus, Son of God, promised Savior!

SendingDismiss with the words of the angels: Glory to God in the highest! Peace be with you.

ILLUSTRATION: LIGHTSTOCK