Here’s a sample lesson from the Why Do We Call It Christmas? Church Edition. This lesson covers the birth of Jesus in Luke 2:1-20.

VIDEO 1 | TEAM TIME 1 (15 Min)

Video (5 Min) / Team Time (10 Min)

PREPARATION

Supplies: Spot the Difference Print File or Power Point / Pro Presenter File and Bible

TEACHER NOTE Keep the children in a large group and divide them into 3 teams (2 teams will work if you have a smaller class). As you ask each question, forward the PPT/Pro Presenter one slide. Encourage the children to solve the puzzle after each reveal.

TEACHER NOTE FOR THOSE CHOOSING TO USE THE PRINT VERSION Keep the children in a large group and divide them into 3 teams (2 teams will work if you have a smaller class). As you ask each question, show them the picture associated with the question.

ACTIVITY

SAY I am going to ask some questions about what we just read. The team that answers a question correctly gets a chance at the “Spot the Difference” puzzle. There will be two slides shown and I want you to tell me what is different. Remember, we don’t know exactly what the scenes looked like when they happened. This is just a fun game to help you remember some of the details that the Bible does give us. To get started let me divide you into two teams.

Teacher Note: As you give each answer to the question, re-read the portion of scripture associated with the answer as provided.

QUESTIONS

1. Who was the ruler of the empire?
Answer: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.”

 

 

Left Half:
Landscape of Rome but includes the name “Rome” over the city and the leader’s name under it is “Caesar Augustus”
Right Half:
Landscape of Rome but includes the name “India” over the picture and the leader’s name under it is “Caesar August”

2. What town were Mary and Joseph traveling to?
Answer: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”

 

 

Left Half:
Mary is pregnant and Joseph is walking. The road sign is pointing towards Bethlehem.
Right Half:
Several kids are walking with Joseph and Mary and the Bethlehem sign is pointing the opposite direction.

3. True or False: Jesus was Mary’s first child.
Answer: True: “While they were there the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

 

 

Left Half:
Picture of Mary, Joseph & Jesus in a cave (stable) with Jesus in the manger.
Right Half:
The manger is replaced with a nice crib and Mary and Joseph have swapped places.

4. True or False: The angel said “Be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy…”
Answer: False “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 

 

Left Half:
Shepherds in a field with sheep and one sheep on one of the shepherd’s shoulders and angels in the sky.
Right Half:
No sheep on the shepherd’s shoulders, and shows only one angel in the sky