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Jesus Was BornDear Parents,
Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project® for Kids. Last unit, kids learned about God’s plan for John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Savior. Over the next six weeks, kids will learn that God’s plan of redemption is Jesus. Today’s Bible story is about Jesus’ birth. The story of Jesus’ birth is usually told in December, although we do not truly know Jesus’ actual birth date. Sometimes the story of Jesus’ birth gets lost in the shuffle of Christmas lists, familiar carols, and trips to Grandma’s house. This time, though, we can focus on the details of God’s plan to send Jesus to save mankind from sin. The first Christmas did not take place on a special holiday. In fact, the only real news at that time was that Caesar Augustus had demanded a census to collect more tax revenues. Because of the census, Bethlehem was packed. Joseph—a descendant of King David—and his pregnant wife could not find a place to stay. Mary desperately needed a place to stay—the Savior was ready to be born! An innkeeper let the couple stay in a stable, and Mary gave birth to the King of kings and placed Him in a feeding trough. Not far from Bethlehem, shepherds were watching their sheep at night. Little did they know, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world was resting in a manger nearby. When the angel appeared, they were terrified! Thankfully the angel gave the best news: the Messiah was born. They could find Him in Bethlehem. (See Luke 2:10-11.) They hurried to find the Savior, just as the angel had told them. After they found Baby Jesus, they returned home, praising God and telling others about Jesus. The Bible says Mary wondered about all of these things and treasured them in her heart. Do you think the shepherds may have done the same? The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King. |
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Jesus Was Born
Luke 2:1-20
During the time Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, announced that everyone needed to be registered for a census. Every person traveled to the town where his family was from. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David.
While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby.
Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place for Mary to have her baby, but
every place was full because of all the people who were in town to be counted. So Mary and Joseph found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby, Jesus. She wrapped Him snugly in cloth, and she laid Him in a feeding trough, where the animals ate their food.
In the same region, some shepherds were staying out in the elds and watching their sheep to protect them from thieves and predators. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood before them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and they were terri ed!
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have very good news for you: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Then the angel said, “You will nd a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” A king in a feeding trough? That was no place for a king!
All of a sudden, a whole army of angels appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!”
So the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to nd Baby Jesus. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. The shepherds went and told others about the baby Jesus. Everyone who heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed. Mary thought about everything that was happening and tried to understand it. The shepherds returned to their elds, praising God because everything had happened just as the angel had said.
Christ Connection: The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King.
Luke 2:1-20
During the time Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, announced that everyone needed to be registered for a census. Every person traveled to the town where his family was from. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David.
While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby.
Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place for Mary to have her baby, but
every place was full because of all the people who were in town to be counted. So Mary and Joseph found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby, Jesus. She wrapped Him snugly in cloth, and she laid Him in a feeding trough, where the animals ate their food.
In the same region, some shepherds were staying out in the elds and watching their sheep to protect them from thieves and predators. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood before them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and they were terri ed!
But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have very good news for you: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Then the angel said, “You will nd a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” A king in a feeding trough? That was no place for a king!
All of a sudden, a whole army of angels appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!”
So the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to nd Baby Jesus. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. The shepherds went and told others about the baby Jesus. Everyone who heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed. Mary thought about everything that was happening and tried to understand it. The shepherds returned to their elds, praising God because everything had happened just as the angel had said.
Christ Connection: The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King.