Toddler Bible Lesson, Christmas, Part 2

Welcome to the Christmas Toddler Bible Lesson Series at Bible Basics!  I'm glad you stopped by.  If you're wondering what we're up to in this ongoing series, check out this introductory post.  For a growing list of toddler and preschool Bible lessons you can take a look at the Bible Basics page.

Since Christmas is right around the corner I wanted to share with you the ways in which we have taught our toddlers and preschoolers about the birth of Jesus.  This is a perfect time to focus on the reason for all of the Christmas holiday hype and to help your young child understand what it’s all about.  Plus, Christmas lessons are fun for everyone!

Last week we started a four-part lesson series focusing on Jesus’ birth.  You can find the first lesson here.  This week’s craft is perhaps my all-time favorite.  Toddlers and preschoolers love these little potato babies!  They are a great way to re-enact the Christmas story and reinforce what your little one has learned.

JESUS IS BORN
Luke 2:1-7

Memory Verse: Choose one that fits your child’s age and ability.

“The angel said to Mary, ‘You will have a son.  You will name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God.”  -Luke 1:31-32

“Today…a Savior has been born.  He is Christ the Lord.” -Luke 2:10-11 (simplified)

 

Lesson Focus
Jesus came as a baby.

Project
Potato Baby and Lunch Bag Manger

Materials
- Potato, washed and dried
- Scrap of fabric (I bought a pack of cheap dish rags at Target, cut them in half, and they ended up being the perfect size)
- Rubber band
- Permanent marker
- Paper lunch bag
- Easter grass or shredded paper
- Craft sticks
- Glue

Directions
1. Wrap the potato in the piece of cloth by securing it with a rubber band.

2. Now draw a face on the potato using the permanent marker.

3. Before unfolding the lunch bag, cut the top portion off (the cut should line up with the bottom folded part of the bag).  Make a manger out of the paper lunch bag by filling it with shredded paper or Easter grass.

4. Glue craft sticks on the outside and bottom of the paper bag.

5. Place the potato baby in the manger, saying “After baby Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in strips of cloth [dress potato baby] and gently laid him in a manger [place potato baby in the manger].”

6. Encourage children to play with their potato babies.  If age appropriate, encourage them to take care of the baby.

How We Go Through the Lesson
1. Recite or sing memory verse.

2. Read Bible story.  We use the Beginner's Bible, but you can choose a children's story Bible or "grown-up" translation that suits you and your family.

3. Recite or sing memory verse.

4. Craft or project.  Depending on the day of the week this may be a project like the one above or it could be a coloring page or something completely different.

*Repeat the lesson almost every day.  This could mean doing it on weekdays or taking one day to work on the project, saying the memory verse together throughout the day, and reading the Bible story before bed each night.  It doesn't matter when or how, but the repetition is key for toddlers to retain the lessons presented to them.


How would you teach the lesson about Jesus’ birth?


You can find this and other great resources for your toddler/preschooler at Mom's Library Link-Up (True Aim Education)