Expanding the Impact of Your Gifts of Encouragement

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Ideas for Your“Happy Birthday, Jesus!” Party

Looking for some new ways to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with the kiddos in your class or day care this Christmas? You’ve come to the right place!

Any and all of the ideas below will help you tie games, crafts, and snacks together, all while keeping our newborn Savior, King Jesus, as your central focus. Choose the activities you intend to off er from those described below. Base those decisions on the time available and on the interests and maturity of the children who are likely to attend.

Decorate the event area using traditional Christmas decorations to strike a festive note. A visit to your local party store or a quick web search can spark simple and inexpensive, but joyful ideas. Consider playing Christmas carols in the background as the children arrive.

Depending on the number of children you expect, you may want to recruit people from your church who have a natural, winsome way of talking with young children about Jesus. Invite them to lead one or more activities.

To facilitate movement from each activity to the next, a coordinator might jingle Christmas bells each time the groups are to move—at approximately 15–20 minute intervals.

Time and space constraints may keep you from using all of the activity stations described below. Choose from among them the ideas that will work well in your setting and within your time frame.

#KKD6DCE

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Encourage the children to place the items they collect at each activity station into their King’s Kid Goodie Bag (KKD6TS12) for safe keeping.

After all the groups have visited all three activity stations, they will gather in a large, central area for a culminating Group Celebration (Christmas drama and birthday cake treats).

We pray God’s best blessings on your “Happy Birthday, Jesus” party!

Activity Stations

Jesus TimeThis station will introduce participants to your party’s theme—“I’m a King’s Kid!” Visit the Resource & Idea Center at www.CTAinc.com to download the free I’m a King’s Kid Ministry Message from CTA. Simplify or elaborate on the concepts from the Ministry Message, as necessary, for each group. Also accent the idea that we are children of God by faith in Jesus our Savior. Our heavenly Father is a great King! And by faith, we are his children; we are King’s Kids! Repeat the words of the rhyme below several times. Add motions, snap/claps, a melody, or other memory aids that work well with your group as time will allow:

I’m a King’s kid! I’m brand new!Because of Jesus, it is true!

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CraftsMake a FrameWhat You’ll Need• One I’m a King’s Kid Build-Your-Own Crown

Activity kit per child (KKD6AK)• Digital camera or smartphone• Printer to print photos for photo frame (the best

size to cut the picture to is about 2 ¼” tall and1 ¾” wide)

• Template for cutting photo• Scissors

What You’ll Do1. Take photos of kids alone or with a friend.2. Print and cut the photos to size.3. Distribute the activity kits and help the children follow

the directions on the package.

What You’ll SayDid you know that YOU are God’s masterpiece? He made you! He’s the greatest King of all, and since you belong to him, you are a King’s Kid! Here’s what the Bible says:

We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Hang this frame where you’ll see it, and remember, you are God’s masterpiece!

Cut out this template and trace it on heavy cardstock. Use the template to draw an outline around the printed photo. Cut out the photo and place it on the foam base for the frame. Then complete the frame.

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Make a CrownWhat You’ll Need• One construction paper crown per child (optional; duplicate quantities of the pattern at the

end of this event guide)• Safety scissors (optional; as an alternative, cut out the crowns yourself ahead of time)• Tape, stapler, or both• Crayons or markers (optional)• Stickers (optional)

What You’ll Do1. Help the children make King’s Kids crowns to wear. Distribute one crown pattern and one

pair of safety scissors to each child. Show the children how to cut out the crown and help those children who need help.

2. Encourage everyone to use crayons, markers, stickers, and other available craft supplies to decorate their crowns while the crowns lie fl at.

3. Size each child’s crown and use tape or staple to secure it in place.

What You’ll SayThe crowns you are making are masterpieces! Each crown is unique and wonderful. Did you know that YOU are God’s masterpiece? He made you! He’s the greatest King of all, and since you belong to him, you are a King’s Kid! Here’s what the Bible says:

We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Say these Bible words with me: We are God’s masterpiece!

As the children work on their crowns, invite them to repeat the Bible words as many times as possible. With younger children, use just the fi rst sentence. Older children may be able to memorize more of it or all of it.

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Cookies to Make and ShareWhat You’ll Need • Christmas cookies (two identical Christmas stars for each child)• White icing• Small plastic containers for icing (one for every 2–4 children)• A variety of Christmas sprinkles and/or squeeze tubes of decorating gel• One paper plate per child• Plastic knife or wooden craft stick for each child• Zippered sandwich bags • Permanent marker(s) on each table for labeling plastic bags• Large plate in center of each table for “give-away” cookies • Antibacterial hand sanitizer lotion, gel, or wipes

Note: Each child will be decorating two cookies: one to take home and one to give away to homebound individuals or a charity organization of your choice. Tell the children that today’s snack will come later.

What You’ll Do1. Seat the children at tables. Help them use wipes or hand sanitizer to clean their hands.2. Give each child a paper plate and place two cookies on it.3. Explain that they will decorate both cookies—one to take home and one to give to give as a

gift to share Jesus’ love. 4. After decorating both cookies, each child may decide which to keep and which to give

away. The give-away cookie is carefully placed onto the plate; the take-home cookie is placed into a zippered sandwich bag labeled with the child’s name. This cookie is then placed into the child’s King’s Kid Goodie Bag (KKD6TS12) for safe keeping.

What You’ll SayThe cookies you are making are masterpieces! Each cookie is unique and wonderful. Do you know what the Bible says? It says that you are each unique and wonderful, too. God made you and sent Jesus to save you. Listen to what the Bible says:

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We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Say these words with me: We are God’s masterpiece!

As the children decorate their cookies, repeat the Bible verse as many times as possible. This will help them commit the words to memory. With younger children, use just the fi rst sentence. Older children may be able to memorize more of it or all of the verse.

Be sure to explain your plans for sharing the second cookie the children are decorating (for example, a senior care center, a children’s hospital, homebound individuals, a shelter for the homeless): Decorating the “give away” cookie is one of the good things God long ago planned for us to do.

Games & Other Christmas FunPin the Star on the MangerYou will need one blindfold or large scarf, a large bulletin board or poster depicting the stable in Bethlehem (without the Christmas star), one paper star per child, and masking tape or painter’s tape.

Use the same procedure as in the traditional Pin the Tail on the Donkey game, but rather than using pins, roll small strips of tape and place these on the back of each child’s star. When each child has taken a turn, remove all the stars except the one closest to the top of the stable. Together shout, “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”

Journey to BethlehemCreate an obstacle course, planning it based on the space and potential “obstacles” you have available. For instance, place a hula hoop on the fl oor and have the children jump in and out of it twice. Include a small chair and ask participants to run around it three times. Suspend a pole between two chairs and have the children jump over it or crawl under it. Encourage the children to cheer each other on. As the last child fi nishes, lead the group in shouting, “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”

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Picture This!What You’ll Need • Costumes of various sizes for dressing up as Mary and

Joseph• A baby doll wrapped in a blanket to represent Baby Jesus• A box with straw or blanket for manger• A digital camera or smartphone• Large piece(s) of poster board labeled HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS• Tape or glue• I’m a King’s Kid Gospel Fun for Little Ones (KKD6GF; one per child)• A variety of Christmas picture books and Christmas music

What You’ll DoThe children will be engaged in three basic activities as they participate in this station:

1. Dressing up and posing for a picture2. Adding a Christmas message to a large card3. Looking through Christmas picture books and working on the I’m a King’s Kid activities.

Begin by inviting two children to dress up as Mary and Joseph. Have them hold Baby Jesus and pose for a picture. After the picture is taken, explain that you will print out the picture and add it to the large poster board Christmas card you are making. The card—with the printed-out pictures—will be on display at the church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Be sure to invite families to come to church on those days to worship and to see the card.)

While the children wait to have their photos taken and after they have fi nished, help them add a Christmas message to the large Christmas card. (It will help if you have sample messages ready for copying: “The Savior Is Born,” “Jesus Is King!” “Jesus Loves You,” “Christmas Joy to You,” and so forth). Very young children might just add a decoration or print his or her name.

Then have the children proceed to a table where they can look through the picture books or work on appropriate activities in their own copy of the I’m a King’s Kid Gospel Fun for Little Ones. Help them fi nd appropriate books and activities as needed.

You might also play Christmas music in the background.

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Group CelebrationWhat You’ll Need• An adult reader • A children’s Bible bookmarked at Luke 2:1–20• Youth or adult volunteers in costume• Costumes and props for Joseph and Mary (optional: angels and shepherds)• Birthday cake for Jesus (or cupcakes)• Napkins• Juice• I’m a King’s Kid Plastic Tumblers (KKD6PT) for everyone

What You’ll Do1. When every child has had the opportunity to participate in all three activity stations, gather

the whole group together for a culminating event. Participants can sit on chairs or on the fl oor.

2. Express your joy at seeing so many children, all celebrating the greatest Christmas gift of all, our Savior—Jesus!

3. Sing one or two of the children’s favorite Christmas songs and, in unison, repeat the words of Ephesians 2:10 the children have learned.

4. Introduce the Christmas story reader and tell the children to watch for special visitors as they listen. The reader then begins to read from Luke 2, pausing as each character from the story comes forward, acting out the story as it is read.

What You’ll SayJesus was the very, very best Christmas gift EVER!

But did you know that Christmas is just one part of the Jesus story? Baby Jesus grew up. Jesus was so very good and kind. Jesus made sick people well. He made sad people happy. He taught everyone about God’s love.

But some people didn’t love Jesus. They got mad at all the good, kind things he did. They listened to what Jesus said about God and they grew more and more and more angry.

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Finally, Jesus’ enemies put him on a cross to kill him. That was the worst day in the whole world, the worst day EVER!

But Jesus didn’t stay dead. Three days later, God brought Jesus back to life! It was the fi rst Easter. It was the best day in the whole world. The best day EVER!

Jesus died to wash away our sins. (Point at the children as you speak.) Jesus died for you and you and you and you and . . . Everyone who believes in Jesus is God’s child.

God made you—you are his masterpiece. God saved you—you are his child by faith in Jesus. You are forgiven. You are a King’s Kid!

That is why we celebrate Jesus’ birthday today and every Christmas!

Let’s sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, shall we? Then we will eat some cake and have some juice to celebrate Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

Tune: “Happy Birthday to You”

Happy birthday to you,Happy birthday to you,Happy birthday, dear Jesus (or our Savior),Happy birthday to you!

Thank everyone for coming. Wish them Christmas blessings as you dismiss them to enjoy the cupcakes and drinks. Remember to invite each family to attend the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship services. You might put invitations into each child’s I’m a King’s Kid goodie bag, along with a tumbler after he or she has fi nished drinking the juice.

©2016 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.www.CTAinc.com

CROWN TEMPLATE

Cut as many templates as necessary and tape together to wrap around the wearer’s head.