The students will be able to tell the method by which God made the announcement of the Savior's birth. They will further be able to describe the action taken by the Shepherds who received the announcement.
Introduction: Briefly describe the setting of the Judean hillside. Hand out the picture of the shepherds looking into the sky (see Patterns) and let the students fill in the facial expression on each face.
Progression of Events:
Climax: They left their sheep and hurried to Bethlehem.
Conclusion: The shepherds believed, and so saw the Baby Jesus with their own eyes.
Response: Your students will be able to explain the good news brought by the angels and tell how the shepherds responded.
Although we think of Abraham and David as mighty men and rulers, they were also in fact, shepherds. Just as God had announced to those Old Testament shepherds His plan to bring forth a Savior, on this first Christmas He chose humble shepherds of Bethlehem to hear His message. Although Christ's entrance into this world was very humble, God also exalted His Son by sending an angel to announce His birth and a host of heavenly beings to praise Him.
And to whom was this pronouncement made, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”? The “all people” and the “you” of Luke 2:10-11 refer to any who will gladly hear the message of God. And Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” God will bless with insight the humble and spiritually needy. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Do an overhead telling the shepherds' story. Using the patterns provided, trace the figures onto a paper background. Cut out shapes so that when you put it on the overhead it gives a shadowbox effect (see Patterns). Tell the story as you normally would, using the overhead viewer.
Have your class put on a skit, various students taking the parts of the angel, shepherds, and angel host. Discuss how the students would feel if they were the angel bringing the good news, or if they were the shepherds that God chose to hear the wonderful news, or if they were the angels saying “Glory to God in the Highest.” Let them dress in costume and perform for the whole department or an older class.
Teach the students a Christmas song which features the angels and shepherds, such as “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Holy Night,” or “The First Noel.”
Make a large crossword grid on a blackboard, overhead transparency or piece of posterboard. Using clues written around the text of the lesson, help your students fill in the crossword puzzle with words selected from the text.
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