Teaching preschoolers what Christmas is all about works best when the message is hands-on, visual, and full of wonder. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday, and young children learn this truth most clearly through simple activities they can see, touch, and remember. Using a simple supply list, preschool teachers and parents can gently point little hearts back to the birth of Jesus in a joyful and age-appropriate way. The lesson guide shows how to use each of these tools to help children understand the true meaning of Christmas while keeping learning fun and engaging. Christmas can feel very busy to kids—with lights, music, gifts, and special activities everywhere—but at its heart, Christmas is about something much simpler and more important… the birth of our Savior.
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When beginning to teach our group of a dozen or so preschool children at church, I started with a cardboard box and a big bag. When I teach Sunday school, I always make sure to have a bag with me filled with different activities and touchable items for the kids to see and feel. Over time, the students begin to wonder what could be in Ms. Marie’s bag this week. It is an effective way to get students’ attention. Of course, we gather on a rug and say things like, “Criss cross applesauce” and “all ears open, mouths closed.” Once everyone is settled, I always start with saying something like, “We have so much to learn about today! Today’s lesson is about…”
Since this lesson is all about Christmas, I start with asking the kids to tell me what they like to do the most at Christmas. You will hear all kinds of answers from “opening presents” to “ice skating.” Be ready, because there is always at least one kid who proceeds to tell some story that no one quite understands and lasts about a minute long (which is REALLY long in preschool land!). Once everyone has had a chance to share, I lead them from this discussion into our lesson by saying, “All of these things are fun, but Christmas isn’t about cookies or even Santa Claus.
Christmas is about… that’s when I take out of my box, a balloon. I blow it up half way. I quickly ask them, “When do we see balloons?” and “Where do we have balloons at?” At least one child will say a birthday party. Yes, who’s birthday is celebrated on Christmas? It is Jesus’ birthday, of course! I let the air out of the balloon slowly while continuing. God knew we needed a Savior. See, we sin, or do bad things and do not deserve to be with God in heaven. But He loves us so much, that he sent his son, Jesus as a baby to rescue us from ourselves. Because even though Jesus comes to us as a baby, He turns into our Savior when He dies on the cross for our sin. He is the greatest gift of all!
Then I look into my box and pull out a donkey from my nativity set. In years past, I have used a nativity set as a visual to tell the whole story of the birth of Jesus. But this year, I used a Christmas Story Book based on Luke 2 from the Bible. Once I pull out the donkey, I say, “Did you know that the mother of Jesus was Mary and that she and her husband, Joseph, had to travel a very long way back to Joseph’s home town. Mary was pregnant with Jesus – I motion with my hands Mary’s belly. So, she rode on a donkey to Bethleham.” Then I start to look in my box again, but hesitate and say, “Wait, we need to read about it first before I show you the rest.”
This book is worth buying especially if you are in children’s ministry or if you have your own children. The Newborn King is based on Luke 2 and provides a very direct reenactment of the Christmas story. Since I read this book to a rug full of rambunctious preschoolers (most of them boys), I was sure to add in interactive movements while I read the story and was quite animated. When the angels said, “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace to all men who believe in Him,” I was very joyful (and kind of loud… haha). As I read the story to them, I continued to add nativity characters to the scene making sure to tell extra details. For example, shepherds and sheep smell. God did not choose the finest or wealthiest of people to come worship baby Jesus. He choose shepherds. They were common every day people. This is a reminder to us that God looks at our heart, not the outward appearance of man.
Normally at this point in the lesson, I would transition to a short video clip craft, or song. However, today I choose to push forward and show the kids a printable reader. I did not give them their readers at this time. During most of the book, there is a repetitive sentence structure. Each page starts with, “Is Christmas about …” and then it may say Santa Claus or singing carols or something Christmas related. At the bottom of each page, it says, “No! Christmas is about Jesus.” This is what makes it fun for the kids, because the kids are instructed to say loudly and with zeal, “No! Christmas is about Jesus!” By the end of the book, it is apparent that Christmas is about Jesus.
After reading the book, we transition from the rug to the table to create a few crafts that focus on our lesson. The first activity is a very simple coloring sheet, but it definitely gets the job done! Most preschoolers love to color and it is an easy activity. You can print this coloring sheet in a free downloadable set here.
These printable ornaments are so sweet for preschoolers. Kids love making ornaments for their Christmas tree and are so proud of their finished creations. There are several printable ornament options too. You can read more about ours in our Printable Christmas Ornaments post. In the example, you can see that all is required is a printed nativity scene on card stock, crayons, a hole puncher, and some string or ribbon to tie into the hole. These are a perfect reminder for your students of Jesus’ birthday.
The kids will take home a number of items to help them remember that Christmas is about Jesus. The balloon reminds them that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. Hopefully, the “What is Christmas All About” reader will be read to them again once they get home. The coloring sheet can be sent as a at-home activity or as a reminder that Jesus was given to us as a baby. An ornament is taken home to put on their tree as a reminder to everyone that Jesus was born to be our Savior. Lastly, send them home with a candy cane. If time permits, remind them that an upside down candy cane resembles a “J” for Jesus. A candy cane also reminds us of the shepherd who came to worship Jesus. And if you really have LOTS of time on your hands, the red stripes represent the blood that Jesus shed for us and the white for Him washing our sin clean!
*Looking for more Candy Cane resources? Look no further!
When times were simpler, I’m sure that remembering what the true meaning of Christmas is would have been easier for everyone. Truth… as an adult, I too get sidetracked and focused on the wrong things. We must be intentional in putting Christ first. There is a reason why Christ is the root word of Christmas. Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas to all!
Blessings,
Marie
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