1. STORY: The wise men bring gifts for Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12)
- Last week we learned about how the angels told the shepherds about the birth of baby Jesus. They brought good news of great joy! And the shepherds went joyfully to welcome the baby.
- Today, we learn about how some people came all the way from far, far away to meet the child Jesus, bringing very special gifts.
- Let’s read together Matthew 2:1-12
- Paraphrased version for younger kids:
Far away in the East, three clever men saw the very same star. The star that God had put in the sky when Jesus was born. They knew it was a sign. A baby king had been born. “He’s here!” they shouted. At dawn, they packed up their camels and wrapped gifts for the baby. They brought their most precious treasures of all: frankincense, gold and myrhh. The three wise men rode their camels, across the endless deserts, up steep mountains, through raging rivers, over grassy plains, night and day, day and night, for hours that turned into day, that turned into weeks, that turned into months and months until at last, they reached … Jerusalem. They went to see King Herod. Surely he’d know where this baby was. But he didn’t. In fact, he didn’t like the sound of a new king — it made him angry. He didn’t want anyone to be king, except him. But Herod’s advisors told the three wise men what was written in their books – what God had said about the baby king. “Go to Bethlehem. That’s where you’ll find him.” Suddenly the star they had seen in the East started moving again, showing them the way, Sure enough, the star led them to baby Jesus. The three men knelt before the little King.
2. LESSON:
- How many wise men came to visit Jesus? Allow kids to answer
- Actually the Bible doesn’t say how many there were. But there were 3 gifts mentioned, so it’s commonly assumed that there were 3 wise men.
- The gifts that the wisemen gave Jesus were not the typical baby gifts, e.g. diapers, milk powder, clothes. In fact, they were very, very strange gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh.
- These gifts were prophetic in nature. Even though the wisemen may not have realized it then, but the gifts spoke about Jesus’ life and death.
- Gold: symbol of Kingship — Jesus is KING and GOD
- Frankincense: used in temple worship — Jesus lived a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS life
- Myrrh: used to embalm the dead — Jesus was born to DIE for us so that you and I can live!
- Conclusion:
- The wisemen brought gifts for Jesus. We all love to receive gifts at Christmas, don’t we?
- That first Christmas day, we had the biggest and greatest gift in the world! His name was Jesus.
- Jesus came to die and give us His life. When we have Jesus, we have all that He has to offer — His peace, His love, His joy, His health, His favor, His goodness, His holiness. When we have Jesus, we have everything!
- This Christmas season, with all the beautiful and wonderful presents we’ve received, let’s take some time to remember that it’s all about Jesus — the best present of all!
3. ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS:
- Song: Best present of all
- Related Craft with words “Jesus is the best present of all”
- Game: Pass the parcel with various tasks/rewards and the word JESUS in the present box. You can put cards/bookmarks with the words “Peace”, “Love”, “Joy”, “Health” etc in the various layers, and summarise by saying “When you have Jesus, you have everything”.
