Materials Needed: A wrapped Christmas gift (with something to enjoy inside),
some small treats or gifts to share with all children in the class.
1. EXPLAIN:
In both the Old and New Testament and in our lives today, it is not enough to know the facts about Jesus (to know He was born, died on a cross, etc.)
God wants us to have a relationship of love and faith with Him.
God wants us to KNOW Him and talk to Him and listen to His voice..
God wants us to live together with Him today.
Just like you can accept or reject a gift, so it is with Jesus.
God sends His Son to us.
You can say yes or no to God’s gift. There is no in-between.
2. Hand the box to someone and say, “Here, I have a gift for you.”
(Let them respond and either take it or not take it.)
3. (Ask the child:) What do you have to do to accept my gift? (Just take it!)
But have you received my gift if you just hold it and look at the present? (No)
If you are going to ACCEPT my gift, what do I want you to do? (Open and enjoy it!)
If you got a new bicycle for Christmas, your parents don’t want you to just park it
in your room and look at it once in a while. What do they want you to do?
ENJOY IT --- Have fun riding it!)
4. Receiving a GIFT & Receiving Jesus:
Knowing about Jesus and hearing about Him doesn’t mean you received Him.
How do you receive Jesus as God’s special gift?
(Ask Him to be your Savior, invite Him to lead & guide you, to forgive you.
Let Him help you each day, talk to Him & enjoy Him!)
5. Invitation:
If anyone here today has not received Jesus as your Savior, you can right now.
(Take time to let the children respond.)
(Make sure the child to whom you gave the gift knows he or she can keep it.
Pass out some other small gifts or treats for the other children to enjoy at this time.)
From the book, The First Christmas
Tree.
See this same activity in PDF format, Click
here.
Copyright
2009 David and Helen Haidle
