FHE Lesson {Nativity Activities}

I just love Nativity sets! We have quite a few and I always make sure I have some available for the kids to play with. One of my greatest Christmas memories of recent years is finding the nativity pieces in little huddles seemingly in deep conversation and in funny spots. The wise men sporting merry Christmas signs around their necks, other toys visiting baby Jesus and other such festivities.
We set aside a special day to put up our Nativity sets before we put up the Christmas Tree /decorations to try to focus on the real meaning of Christmas before anything else
Here are some FHE ideas to use with a Nativity set.



Opening Song: Once Within a Lowly Stable #41

Opening Prayer: Child


Lesson:

Chose an idea or more from the list below:

 

Have each character of the Nativity set hiding somewhere. Ask children a clue.
Who am I…(write defining features/character)
I am hiding… (give clue) Have children find and bring to Nativity set.

***

In Lebanon it’s a tradition to grow grass for your nativity. Creating a crèche is seen as a hugely important practice.. It's often decorated with sprouted seeds such as chickpeas, broad-beans, lentils, oats and wheat that have been grown  in the weeks leading up to Christmas

Sprout some wheat grass or other and grow on a tray/plate area where you will also keep a Nativity set.

***

Make a manger for Baby Jesus. {Can be very small, just a tiny box or a cradle with a doll in it}
Cut lots of strips of paper depending on the size of your manger and baby.
Start by doing some good deeds/service right away eg clean something up, make a bed, write a card for someone - any quick things you can think of ~
 For each good deed add a piece of paper {hay} to your little manger.
Explain that each time the children do something good in the month of December they can add a little bit more comfort to the manger. When we see LOTS of  hay/paper under baby Jesus we will know that we have done so much good in the world at Christmas which will make Jesus and Heavenly Father very happy. It will also make us and those we serve very happy.

***

Gather dress ups and act out the Nativity.

***

Make Gingerbread Stables. I've done it the cheats way  just using biscuits {cookies}. Fashion together a rustic lean to/stable with icing and biscuits. Make sheep out of marshmallows and get children to draw or make some figurines to go in it {alternatively put in real nativity figurines}

***

Have the Nativity set out. Pick up and describe each figure involved.  eg:

Mary: special, chosen above all else, she quietly pondered in her heart
Joseph: Protector and guardian, trying hard to find a place to stay, man of honour - chose Mary
Angel: Shares good tidings and joy, spreads the joy, shares news of good things to come
Shepherds: Went with haste, quick to obey, hard workers (24 hour job)
Wise Men: exemplify the journey we all take to seek the Lord, they followed a spiritual symbol
Lamb: Lambs instantly recognise voice of their shepherd, lamb symbol of Jesus, prepare the way
Cows/Animals: Gave up their place to sleep for Baby Jesus

Ask everyone:
If you had been there on the night of Christ's birth who would you like to be in the story?
{ inspired by A Christ Centred Christmas by Emily Freeman }

***

Find a toy star/ plastic star/make your own.  Hide the star around the house then have the children move the wise men to where the star is. Have the wise men take a long journey following the star all around. Give each child a glow in dark star to remind them to be as the wise men seeking Jesus.

***

Watch Bible Video The Nativity

***

Closing Song: Stars were Gleaming #37

Closing Prayer

Treat: