(The following is an interactive children’s sermon for the Christmas season)
This year, I’m going to need some help in telling my Christmas story. Can I count on you all to help? Great…let’s practice first. When I say these words, I want you to follow my instructions. And every time you hear me say them in my story, you go ahead and respond…
SHEPHERD/S – Raise your hand and say (that’s me!)
ANGEL/S – Shake both hands back and forth over your head and say (Praise God!)
SHEEP – Fluff your hair and say (Baaaaaah)
GOOD NEWS – Make a fist and pump it shouting (Hooray!)
Let’s practice one more time…
SHEPHERD/S – Raise your hand and say (that’s me!)
ANGEL/S – Shake both hands back and forth over your head and say (Praise God!)
SHEEP – Fluff your hair and say (Baaaaaah)
GOOD NEWS – Make a fist and pump it shouting (Hooray!)
Ok – you think you have it? Let’s begin:
I want to tell you a story – and YOU have a very important part to play. Listen now as I share.
Many, many years ago, in the town of Bethlehem, there were some SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) guarding their SHEEP (Baaaah) at night in the field.
It was like any other night. The sky was clear and full of stars. The SHEEP (Baaaaah) were quietly resting and the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) were quietly talking.
When suddenly, out of nowhere, right in front of the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) came an ANGEL (Praise God!)
“Ooooooooo!” said the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) looking so frightened!
“Don’t be afraid” said the ANGEL (Praise God!) I’m here with GOOD NEWS (Hooray!) for you;
“GOOD NEWS (Hooray) which will make everyone very happy!”
“I’ve come to tell you that a Savior has been born. His name is Jesus. You’ll know who he is because you’ll find him wrapped up in blankets, lying in a manger!” said the ANGEL (Praise God!)
“The Savior has been born!” said the SHEPHERDS! (that’s me!) That was very GOOD NEWS (Hooray!) The whole world had been waiting for the Savior to be born!
And with that the whole sky was filled with ANGELS (Praise God!) They sang “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God!”
Then it was quiet again, and all that was left in the field were the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) and the SHEEP (Baaaaah).
“Let’s go and see if we can find this Savior named Jesus!’ the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) said to each other.
They hurried off, leaving their SHEEP (Baaaaah) who were now fast asleep.
The SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) found Mary and Joseph in the manger, just like the ANGEL (Praise God) had said. With them, lying in the manger, just like the ANGEL (Praise God!) said, was Jesus.
Mary and Joseph were hardly expecting any visitors that night; they certainly weren’t expecting to see any SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) come to their stable.
But the SHEPHERDS (that’s me) knew they had to tell someone! They just couldn’t go back to their SHEEP (Baaaah). They couldn’t keep GOOD NEWS (Hooray!) like this to themselves…they had to tell EVERYONE!
This kind of GOOD NEWS (Hooray!) was too special to keep quiet about – the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) had to go and tell others. So off they went to Bethlehem, telling everyone about the birth of Jesus. That was great!!! Thank you so much for helping me tell the Christmas Story – (give yourself a hand!)
But remember, when I told you that you had an important part to play in my story. The important part doesn’t stop here. It’s just beginning. That first Christmas might have been over 2,000 years ago, but the GOOD NEWS (Hooray!) is something we still need to tell others about today, like the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) did that first Christmas.
That’s right – all of us have a part to play…we all need to tell others about our Savior, Jesus.
If you would be willing to tell others about Jesus, like the SHEPHERDS (that’s me!) did, raise your hand and say (“That’s me!).
Awesome! I knew I could count on you!
Merry Christmas.
(Photo courtesy of Gareth Harper of Unsplash)
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