(refer to the peg dolls or pictures as you review)
We have met several people from our Bible story now. This is Mary. The angel Gabriel came to tell her she would have a baby. This is Joseph, who was engaged to Mary. An angel visited him in a dream one night to tell him God’s plan. Let’s see what we have in our Bible Story Box today.
(Have each child take an item out of the box.)
(Items: shepherd and sheep peg doll, toy sheep, cotton balls for pretend sheep, an angel, etc.)
What did you get from the box? What/Who do you think that is? Let’s listen to find out what happened next.
The night the baby was born, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord stood before them. God’s glory was shining all around them and they became very frightened. The angel said them, “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a joy for all people.” The angel told them that that day, their Savior was born in Bethlehem. He told them the baby was Christ the Lord! Then he told them how to know when they had found him. Now if a very important baby is born, you might expect to see that baby in a fine palace, but no. The angel told the shepherds they would find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a feeding box for animals.
Then an amazing thing happened. Try to picture this. A very large group of angels—the Bible says a “multitude” of “heavenly host” appeared with the first angel. That means suddenly there were a LOT of angels. And they were all saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
Then the angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Lets go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. We will see this thing the Lord has told about.”
Would you want to go see? Would you like to have seen the angels and heard this good news? We will add our shepherd and this sheep to the others we have already learned about.
Next week will learn about what happened in Bethlehem. Remember to get your Bible Story Bag. Thank you for listening.
Read this in Your Bible
Ideas for Bible Bags: The Shepherds Hear the Good News
Shareables
Take Home Craft: The Shepherds Hear the Good News
shepherd and angel figures to match previous weeks
Home Activity:
Care for the Sheep: Hide cotton balls all around the room and have your child pretend to be the shepherd who must find and care for all their sheep. Play as many times as they like. (You may want to count the cotton balls first!)
Media:
Bible App for Kids (The First Christmas Gift)
Shepherds in the Fields Near Bethlehem (for older kids and parents)