Christmas Generosity

Teaching Goal:   Give Jesus a gift on His birthday.

Scripture:  Luke 2 (Story of Jesus’ birth.)

Matthew 25:34-40 Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Materials: Access to internet video links:

• Advent Conspiracy/Living Water   (www.water.cc )
• Operation Christmas Child (www.samaritanspurse.org)
• Children’s Hope Chest (www.hopechest.org)
• Angel Tree (www.prisonfellowship.org/about/angel-tree)

In Advance:  Watch the videos. Pick one, two, or more to show during the activity. Feel free to add links from other ministries you support.

1. Play theme song
2. Pray
3. Review last lesson
4. Lesson and discussion

• Words written in bold are when the leader is speaking. Feel free to use your own words.

Christmas is the season of giving. But what do we give? How much do we spend? Are we making a difference in the world for Christ with what we buy?

Can you name three things you received for Christmas last year? Listen to answers. Do you remember what was on your “wish list” before Christmas last year? Listen to answers. If you do remember, where are those things now? Listen to answers. We get so excited about receiving just the right gift for Christmas. How long does that excitement last? Listen to answers.

Why do we give gifts at Christmas time? Listen to answers. To remember Jesus’ birthday. Because the wise men brought gifts for Jesus. To show that we love one another. Do the gifts we give and receive truly honor God and do they have anything directly to do with making a gift to Jesus on his birthday? Most likely “no.” Did we give a gift to Jesus last year on His birthday? Listen to answers.

ACTIVITY #1: Read Matthew 25: 34-40. In addition to giving to family and friends, what can we give this year that will focus on God and the birthday of Jesus? Listen to answers. Let’s watch a few videos and choose a mission that we can support as a family. Show the preselected videos. Discuss how they connect directly to the passage in Matthew 25. The thirsty. Those needing clothes. Families of prisoners.

ACTIVITY #2: Is there a way for every family member to earn money to help buy the gift? Extra chores? Or, can the family shop together for the gift? If possible, assign or start the extra chores at the end of Family Time or go shopping for the gift.

What might you do now so that you can remember next year that you made this gift to Jesus?

Memorize: 

            To others give,

            So they can live.

 Close in Prayer