Lesson:
Many years ago, Caesar Augustus ordered that all the Roman world should be
taxed and that everyone had to go to their own city. And so Joseph
travelled with Mary from the city of Nazareth, to be taxed in the city
of David, which is called Bethlehem. He had to go there because he
was related to King David.
Joseph banged on all the doors in Bethlehem looking for somewhere to stay.
But, everywhere was full except for a stable. The inn keeper
said that they could stay there and while they were there, Mary's
firstborn Son, Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him in swaddling
clothes and laid Him in a manger.
The Shepherds:
In the meantime, some shepherds were keeping watch over their flock at
night and became afraid when the angel of the Lord came and God's glory
shone like a great light around about them. The angel said them:
"Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy ... for there is
born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord. And this will be a sign to you: you will find the Baby
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a crowd of angels praising God and saying, "Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
After the angels went back into Heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has
told us about."
They travelled as fast as they could to Bethlehem, and could not wait to
see this Heavenly Baby Jesus. At last they found Mary and Joseph,
and the Baby lying in a manger. And when they had seen Him, they
joyfully told everyone they met about this special Child.
The Wise Men:
Some wise men from the East came to Jerusalem and asked everybody, "Where
is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him." When King Herod heard
this, he was worried and called together all the chief priests and
scribes of the people. "Where is this King to be born?" he
demanded and they replied "In Bethlehem".
Herod asked the wise men when the star had appeared, and then sent them on
to Bethlehem saying, "Go and search for the young child and when you
have found him, bring me word again, so that I may also come and worship
him".
They find Jesus:
The wise men departed and the star, which they saw in the east, went
before them, until it stood over the house where the young Child was.
The wise men entered the house and saw the young Jesus with Mary
His mother, and they fell down and worshipped Him. They opened up
their bags and presented Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh. That night God warned them in a dream that they should not
return to Herod, and so they departed into their own country another
way.
Jesus Our Saviour:
Herod the King was angry that the wise men has deceived him so he decided
to kill the baby Jesus. He sent soldiers and killed all the baby
boys in Bethlehem that were two years of age or younger. However,
God would not allow His Son to be killed, for God's plan was for Jesus
to grow up and become our Saviour and Best Friend.
And so God warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt where God kept Jesus
safe. And He wants to keep you safe too. God has a guardian
angel to look after every boy and girl that loves Him. He loves
you very dearly and wants you to grow up and serve Him all your lives.
God bless!