Items needed:

Play money

Birthday card

A gold chain

A box of chocolates (can be empty)

A man’s sweater

A gift card

A cell phone

A mirror

A box or bag to hold the items

Lesson:

Who knows why we celebrate Christmas? Right, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

I really like Christmas. I like the decoration and the Christmas songs. I like giving presents and I like getting presents.

What did you ask for this year for Christmas? (Take some answers from the children.)

I was thinking that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but we’re the ones who get presents. I think it would be nice if I could give a present to Jesus. What could I give Jesus. I have some things in this box that I like to get as gifts.

(Take out the cell phone.) I liked it when I got a cell phone as a gift. I was happy I could call my friends anytime I wanted and talk to them. That’s no good. Jesus doesn’t need a cell phone. We can talk to Him anytime we want by praying. Jesus doesn’t need a cell phone to hear us.

(Take out the gold chain.) I like getting jewelry as a gift. Maybe Jesus would like a gold chain. No, I don’t think so. Why would He want a gold chain? The streets in heaven are made of pure gold.

(Take out the money.) When I really don’t know what to give someone as a gift, sometimes I just give them money. That way they can buy what they want. That’s no good. Jesus doesn’t need money. He created the whole world and everything in it. He doesn’t want money.

(Take out the sweater.) I like it when people give me clothes. Maybe Jesus would like this sweater. No, why would Jesus want this sweater? He’s dressed in a long robe with a golden sash.

(Take out the gift card.) I like getting gift cards. That way I can go to my favorite place. That’s no good. Jesus is in heaven. There’s nothing here that can even compare to heaven.

(Take out the Christmas card.) I could just mail Him a birthday card. No how can I mail a card to heaven. I don’t even know the address.

I only have one thing left in here. I hope it’s something that Jesus wants. (Take out mirror and look at yourself in it. Smile.) I do have something Jesus wants. It’s right here in the mirror. It’s me. Do you know what else Jesus wants? (Hold the mirror facing the children.) It’s you.

How can we give ourselves to Jesus? We can pray to Him and ask Him to forgive our sins. We can tell Jesus we love Him and follow His word. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. That’s how we can give Jesus what He wants. Us!

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.