WISE MEN COME TO WORSHIP JESUS

BIBLE BASISMatthew 2:1-12

LESSON AIM

That the child will learn that the wise men followed a star to find Baby Jesus and to give Him presents.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The Wise Men and the star that led them are two essential parts of the Christmas Story. We are fascinatedby the long journey they made, their visit with Herod and their obedience to God. Although the Bible does nottell us much about them, the Greek historian, Herodotus, believed that they were part of a tribe of priests wholived in Persia. They were interested in philosophy, astronomy, science and medicine. Because of the three giftsthe Wise Men brought to Jesus, tradition has held that there were three of them. The Bible, however, never men­tions their number. Their gifts each had special significance for Jesus. The gold represented Jesus' kingship;the frankincense, his identity as God's Son; and the myrrh, His death on the cross. The star must be thoughtof as a supernatural phenomenon which accompanied the birth of Christ. In its brightness and clarity againstthe darkened sky, the star reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). The Wise Men followedall the light they had been given (the star) and found Jesus. As we follow the light we are given through His Word,the Bible and through prayer and messages delivered by God's servants, we will increasingly come into the fullnessof God (Ephesians 3:19), and we will live lives of faith and obedience.

GREETING

Greet the children holding a glittered star hanging from yam or thread, or you may want to hang the starfrom the ceiling near the doorway. As each child comes in, point to the star.

CONVERSATION: " (child's name) , look at the star! Did you know the Wise Men followed a star to findBaby Jesus?"

*Yourchildren may not know who or what the Wise Men are, but they need to hear it repeated several timesbefore the story.

CENTER TIME

1. "Follow That Star" Game

Supplies needed are nativity set with all pieces and a small glittered star with thread or yam attached. Placebutcher paper on the table' and draw two circles and a wiggly line in between as you did in last week's lesson.Define the nativity characters ,using the same procedures as in the previous lessons for this same game. Havethe children put all of the nativity pieces into the stable (right circle) except the Wise Men. Place the Wise Menin the left circle. Point out the presents the Wise Men are bringing. If they have none, make some small presentsout of a small ball of play dough.

Review the story of the birth and the shepherds. Then tell about the Wise Men and the star that God providedto lead them to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

Let the child hold the star and walk beside the table holding it above the wiggly line. Let the children taketurns moving the camels behind the star. Remind the children to follow the star. When the Wise Men arrive atthe stable, let another child hold the star over the stable while you and the children pray a prayer for the WiseMen and the star that led the way. Also, remember to thank God for the presents the Wise Men brought.

2. "The Wise Men Bring Presents" Mural

Reconstruct the same mural used in the previous Christmas lessons. Have the children tape all the piecesused so far around the stables and near the Baby Jesus. Place the star above the stable. Have the children placethe Wise Men to the left of the stable. Have three small presents cut out of construction paper to tape in frontof the Wise Men on their camels (use craft pattern). Remember to retell the Christmas story as the children dothe mural. Place your Bible beside you and open it to the Christmas story as tell the story.

3. The Manger Center

Refer to the Manger Center in the previous lesson. Repeat the activity, but instead of dressing up as shepherds,have the children dress as Wise Men. Use sheets and towels for the dress-up clothes and construction paper forthe crowns. Then, give each child a present to carry (empty box that has been wrapped in Christmas paper andribbon). Pretend to ride camels to the manger and let the children lay their presents at the manger. Guide thechildren in a prayer of thanksgiving for the Baby Jesus.

FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS AND UNDER

1. A Present for Baby JesusPlace a sheet of butcher paper onto the wall. Tape a large Baby Jesus in a manger to the center

of the butcher paper (refer to lesson #2 for drawing). Cut out squares of construction paper for gifts.Have some "stick-on bows" for the children to stick onto the present. As the children approach thecenter, let them give Baby Jesus a "gift" by sticking a construction paper square around the mangerand sticking a bow onto the square. Have the following conversation: "Where's Baby Jesus? There'sBaby Jesus. Let's give Baby Jesus a present! Baby Jesus is a special baby. Baby Jesus was born atChristmastime.' '

*If a child is attentive, place his hands in a praying position and pray, "Thank you, God, for BabyJesus.' '

2. Where's Baby Jesus?See Lesson #1, Center #1 for details on this center.

3. Mary's Baby or Baby Jesus, Ob, So SmallSee Lesson #1, Center #3 for details on Mary's Baby;See Lesson #2, Center #1 for details on Baby Jesus, Ob, So Small.

STORY TIME

1. Supplies NeededNativity Set or craft pieces (with tape on back) of Baby Jesus in the manger, stable and Wise Men; felt board;

costumes and props if you enact story (see manger center); small glittered star from center #1.

2. Preparation for Story-Ease the children to your story circle by singing your'transition song. Once the children are seated, sing' 'Where

is ", act out monthly rhyme, Bible verse and begin story with prayer. "Dear God, thank youfor sending Baby Jesus. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

*BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and read (repeat after you while he is holding the open Bible),"Wise Men come to worship Jesus."

3. Outline for Story• This story can be told using the felt board and stressing the star and the presents. Or the story can be told

from the Bible, then using the skit.

• If you act out the story, let one child hold the star and walk in front of the Wise Man. Have the Wise Manfollow the star until he reaches the manger. Then he may give his gift to the baby in the manger. Then saya prayer of thanksgiving for the Baby Jesus.

• Show the Bible. "Our story for today comes from the Bible. It is a true story."• "The Wise Men were special men. God wanted them to find Baby Jesus."• "Baby Jesus was far away."

• "The Wise Men followed a star in the sky. The star took them to Baby Jesus."

FOR CmLDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER

• "They were happy to see Baby Jesus,"

• "They gave Him their gifts and said a prayer."

• After the story, let each child lay a present at the manger (empty boxes which you have wrapped). Let themtake turns going up and laying their presents at the manger. Then sing "Away in the Manger" or another songfrom the Christmas book.

• You can use the Bible Picture Fold-Outs to tell the story again or to use during Center Time.

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1. Supplies NeededBible; small glittered star on a string or stick; large doll; small wrapped box for a gift; doll wrapped

in a blanket in a manger or box, or on a pallet; several small boxes wrapped or with a bow stuck onthem; several stuffed animals.

2. Preparation for'StoryEase the children to your story circle by singing your transition song. Once the children are seated,

sing' 'Where is ", act out monthly rhyme, Bible verse and begin story with prayer,"Dear God, thank you for sending Baby Jesus, In Jesus' Name, Amen."

*BIBLE LEADER - Have one child come up and read (repeat after you while he is holding theopen Bible), "Wise Men come to worship Jesus,"

3. Outline for Story*Note - Place Baby Jesus off to the side in his bed with stuffed animals around him. Place large

doll in a chair with one gift in his lap. Lay gifts off to the side.

• Open Bible, "The Bible says that Baby Jesus was born at Christmastime,"

• "The Bible says friends wanted to take presents to Baby Jesus."

• Point to doll in chair. "This is a Wise Man. He has a present for Baby Jesus, but he cannot find BabyJesus. Where's Baby Jesus? I can't find Baby Jesus?" (Youwalk around room looking for Baby Jesus.)

• "Now the Wise Man wants to find Baby Jesus to give Him a present. The Bible says the Wise Manfollowed a star." Hold star in front of large doll and walk large doll behind star to Baby Jesus,

• "Now he can give Baby Jesus the present!" Have large doll kneel down and hand present to BabyJesus. Have doll pray thanking God for Baby Jesus.

• Let several children lay a present down beside Jesus,

• End your time in prayer thanking God for Baby Jesus.

MUSIC TIME

• Let one child be a Wise Man and one child hold the star. Have them walk around the manger. Have the "WiseMan" lay a gift at the manger.

• Sing the same songs as listed in the lesson for the first Sunday in December.

CRAFT TIME

1. Before Sunday cut out the star, camel, Wise Man and present. Then glue the Wise Man onto the camel.

2. Have the child glue on the camel with Wise Man, then star and say, "The Wise Men followed a star to findBaby Jesus."

3. Have the child glue on the present and say, "The Wise Men brought presents for Baby Jesus."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS PARTY - You may want to end your day with a birthday party forJesus. Youmay bring paper plates and napkins (NO SANTAS PLEASE) and anything that will remindthe children of a birthday party. Bring a birthday cake, which you may have a manger for decorationon top, with 1 candle. Sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus; say a prayer. Then serve cake. Plain cakeswithout icing are best.

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~3\S-'-D FOR CHILDREN 24 MONTHS OLD AND UNDER

1. Before Sunday cut out the manger, baby and the present. Then glue the baby on the manger.2. Have the child glue on the baby in the manger, then the present and say, "The Wise Menbrought presents for Baby Jesus."

NafE TO PARENTS

The following points might be included in your note to the parents:1. Advise them of the story and activities taught that day.2. Inform the parents that we (the Sunday School teachers) have been using the Bible as we tell the story. En­courage them to use the Bible at home with the Christmas story. (See the Advent Booklet for ideas.)3. Point out the stars in the sky to your child as you connect the star to the story of the Wise Men. Also, anystars on your Christmas tree and any star decorations around the city should be pointed out.