VERSE: 

Luke 2:4-5 – So Joseph went also, He went form the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea. That is where Bethlehem, the town of David, was. Joseph went there because he belonged to the family line of David. He went there with Mary to be listed. Mary was engaged to him. She was expecting a baby.  

PAUSE + PRAY

PAUSE: Can you count how many people are in your family? Caesar Augustus wanted to count all of the people living in the Roman world. So, Mary and Joseph took a trip to Bethlehem to be counted. God said this would happen. When God’s people were waiting for the Savior, He told them that out of Bethlehem would come the one who would be ruler of His people. 

They traveled with a donkey, that Mary rode on, about 80 miles to Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph were very tired from their travels. It was a starry night and they wanted to find a place to rest. They found an Inn, but it was full already. There was no room for them so Mary and Joseph stayed in a stable where the animals slept. Mary and Joseph settled into the stable, thankful for a place to rest. 

That night when it was still quiet, Mary had her baby. God’s wonderful gift had come to the world. The little baby that would change the world had finally arrived. Mary swaddled him in cloths so he would be warm. Joseph and Mary filled the animal’s feeding trough with soft hay and laid the baby in the manger. 

Joseph and Mary named the boy Jesus. He is “Emmanuel”, which means “God with us.” He did not come as a mighty king in a castle, or a strong warrior with a fierce sword, but as a humble, helpless baby. The world would soon find out about Jesus. God had a wonderful plan for Him that involved us. God knew we needed someone to rescue us. Jesus was going to make a way for us to be close to God again. Jesus would grow up to die for our sins. He would die a death on a cross and be buried in a tomb. But three days later He would rise again and sin and death would be defeated. 

PRAY: Dear God, Thank You for your Son. Thank You that He saves me from my sin, and makes a way for me to be close to You again. I love You, Amen. 

ACTIVITY:

Take time to identify the members of the nativity scene. Have your child tell you how each member played a special role on the day Jesus was born. Take a photo or video of your family activity. Post your pictures or videos to the facebook page or tag @barememorial!