Jesus' Birth Story

This year I bought a little people nativity for my 2 year old to play with . We keep it by the christmas tree and he has been told that this is a special Christmas decoration just for him to play with.  I have tried to make these toys seem extra special and fun so that he is sure to play with them!

Shortly after getting the toy I had an FHE lesson about Jesus and his birth. I used the nativity set I had just bought to act out what happened during Jesus' birth. For older children children you could read the scriptures that go along with this (e.g. Luke 2:1-20).

After the lesson I encouraged my son to play with his new toy. I pointed out the names of the toys and mentioned things about the nativity story we had just gone over while he played with his toys. I continue to do this when he plays with the toys in hopes that when he plays with them in the future (hopefully year after year) this story will come to his mind.

Jesus' Birth Story

Straw Bed For Jesus

My in-laws started this for us last year, and we really enjoyed it. It was inspired by the book The Last Straw by Paula McDonald. It is a great way to remember the reason for the Christmas season.

Opening Song

We sang The Nativity from the Children's Songbook. Any song that discusses Jesus in the manger will work well.

Scripture

Luke 2. Especially versus 7, 12, and 16

Supplies

• Manger (my Father-in-law built this one, but a shoe box would work as well)
• Straw
• Baby Jesus (but you don't need the baby until Christmas Day)

Lesson

Discuss with your family the meaning of Christmas. Why do we celebrate Christmas? Why do we give gifts? How can we give gifts to Jesus? Matthew 25:40 will work well at this point (And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me).

Discuss what it would be like to lay in a manger (make sure you describe what a manger is). How would if feel? 

Tell your children that this year, you are going to work as a family to make sure the bed for baby Jesus is as soft as it can be. You will do this by doing acts of service.

For each act of service someone does, they get to put a piece of straw in the manger. The goal is by Christmas to have a nice, soft bed for baby Jesus to lay in.

This is a great way to get focus on service during this season. My children really look for ways to serve and think about serving rather than just thinking about presents (though they do plenty of that).  I really love this tradition and think you will, too!

Straw Bed For Jesus