18-Christ was Born in a Manger

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen

Lesson No. (18)

References:
Matthew 1:18-24. Luke 2:1-20.
Contemplations on nativity, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III

Notes for Servants
-The Lord humbled Himself, and emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant being born in the
likeness of men, He came into the world quietly. His mother was a poor orphan. He lived in
Nazareth. People did not believe that something good could come out of Nazareth.
-Let us empty ourselves so that the Lord may come and fill our life withHis grace and find comfort
in our hearts, and we will rule with Him in everlasting life.

Objectives
General: The Lord is enthroned in our hearts. (Christ rules in our hearts)
Specific:
The children will be able to ...
A. Know something about the angels duties as messengers and they always praisingGod.
B. Know the meaning of “Christ is our saviour.”
C. Learn thatJesus came as a poor person to teach us to love our brothers and sisters the
poor.

Bible Verse
" For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. "

( Luke 2:11 )

Teaching Aids
1. A model of a small manger.
2. Video.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) Transmit the feelings of joy for the birth of the Saviour to the children.
(5) Show the children the great love of the Lord for them and that He wants the heart of each one
of us to dwell in it.

Story Time
What is Christmas? Whose birthday is it? Where was Christ born?
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled, and
all went to be enrolled, each one to his/her own city. Joseph went up from the city of Nazareth to Judea,
to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be enrolled with St. Mary, his betrothed, who was
pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her baby. She gave birth to her first born
Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them
in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. An
angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with
fear. The angel said to them, "Be not afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will
come to all people, for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. The
shepherds asked the angel, "What is the sign?" The angel said, "This will be a sign for you, you will find
a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and laying in a manger."
Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased..." The shepherds were
happy. The strange and wonderful sight filled them with delight. When the angels went away from them
into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has
happened which the Lord has made known to us." They went with haste, and found St. Mary and Joseph
and the babe laying in a manger.
After the shepherds had seen that great sight, they returned, glorifying and praisingGod for all they
had heard and seen, as it had been told them. All who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.

Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.