Jesus Brings Joy At Christmas!

Host

Merry Christmas! I am so excited that the day is almost here. Is anyone else so excited they can barely hold it in?

Co-Host

Me! I’m ready to rip open those Christmas presents right now. That’s not a bad idea. I’ll see you in a few minutes.

Host

Wait a second. You can’t do that. It’s not Christmas yet. It’s close, but you have to hold on just a little bit longer.

Co-Host

It’s hard when there’s so much fun waiting for me on Christmas morning.

Host

Back before the first Christmas, people felt like they couldn’t wait for God’s big plan to save the world. They were so ready for God’s help.

Co-Host

I read that some of them even tried to fix all the problems themselves because they were tired of waiting. I guess that was as much of a disaster as me opening my presents early.

Host

Yep, but when Jesus came it brought everyone the good news they had been waiting to hear. What seemed impossible was now possible because of Jesus.

Co-Host

That makes me think of an impossible Christmas game. It’s called “Christmas in the Balance.” We have two teams who are going to compete to see if they can hang 10 ornaments on this yardstick that’s balanced on a wrapping paper tube. You have to work together or it might come crashing down. You have 60 seconds to complete it. Go!

Host

Today, we will discover what brings true joy at Christmas. Let’s see what is going on at the lab. But first, turn to someone, and tell that person what you plan to eat on Christmas Eve night.

Host

Hans Von Striker seems up to no good for sure. You don’t think he’d try to Grinch them, do you?

Co-Host

I wouldn’t put anything past that guy. But wait, if he does do that, then the Lab’s Christmas will be ruined. All the presents will be gone. We have to stop him.

Host

I agree that we should stop him, but I don’t agree that Christmas will be ruined. Our Big Point teaches us what truly brings joy during the holidays. Let’s check out our Big Point and see what God has to say.

Co-Host

Get ready to read the Big Point after we count down from three.

Host

Let’s all say it together, Jesus Brings Joy At Christmas! Even though we all enjoy the presents, the decorations, the lights, and the food, none of those things are the real reason we have joy. Jesus is the reason Christmas is a season of joy.

Co-Host

If you think about it, the joy that those other things bring fades away quickly. The tree and lights get taken down soon after Christmas. (Drop the dissolving paper in the water) The delicious food gets devoured or goes bad a few days later. (Drop the next dissolving paper)

Host

Don’t forget the presents. As much fun as they are, those things will one day break, or wear out, or become lost. (Drop the dissolving paper in the water) But Jesus will never go away. The joy He brings will last forever because He gives us life that keeps going on and on.

Co-Host

That’s why the joy Jesus brings is the true joy of Christmas. Let’s see if we can stop that Hans Von Striker.

Co-Host

Let’s repeat the Big Point,

Co-Host

Jesus Brings Joy At Christmas! I hope they remember this Big Point at the Lab because it looks like Hans Von Grinch has stolen everything.

Host

I’m sure he thinks he wiped out the Christmas spirit, but we’ve learned that losing stuff doesn’t change the truth about Jesus.

Co-Host

That Big Point was part of the Christmas story from the very beginning. Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

Host

After we count down from three you will read the verse.

Co-Host

Luke 2:10 (NIrV), “I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people.” The angels shared this message with the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth.

Host

Could you imagine how they must have felt when they heard this? This was the answer to everything they hoped might happen. I’m sure that’s why they immediately went out and shared the good news with others.

Co-Host

I think we should play a little game of sharing good news. We have a team of kids, and we’re going to see how well they can communicate without words. We’ve chosen 10 kids to play this game. Everyone, face the left side of the stage. I’ll whisper the clue to the first kid.

Host

Then tap the next kid’s shoulder and share the message. Remember, you can only use actions, not words. That kid then taps the next kids’ shoulder and acts out what they think the clue is. Keep going until you get to the last kid who will try to guess the message.

Host

The message didn’t quite get through as we intended, but the good news of Jesus’ birth has been shared for 2,000 years. It’s stayed the same true story over and over.

Co-Host

It’s the story of how God came to save us. Let’s stand and take a moment to worship God for what He has done for us.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. If you have never said “Yes” to Jesus, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life, what better time than Christmas to make that choice. This whole holiday is about Jesus coming to our world to save every single one of us. I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you’ve already said “Yes” to Jesus, you believe that He is alive, and you are His friend and follower, give me a big thumbs up. (Pause) That’s awesome; you can put your hands down. If you’ve never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say “Yes” to Him right now, ask Him to forgive you, and tell Him you want to live your life differently, raise your hand. We’re going to pray all together. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray…

Dear God,

I know everyone needs a Savior, and I know I can’t save myself. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and God raised You from the dead.

Right now, I say You are my Lord, my Savior, and the One who forgives me. Thank You, Jesus, that You are my best friend and leader of my life, because I’ve said, “Yes” to You. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the very first time today, then I want you to share that good news with someone. When we break into Small Groups, you can join a special Small Group just for kids who said, “Yes” for the first time. Look for the special sign as we break later.

Host

When you wake up on Christmas morning, I hope you have a blast celebrating Christmas with your family. In the middle of all the fun, don’t forget the true reason we are celebrating.

Co-Host

Be like the shepherds and take a moment to rejoice at the good news of our Big Point again,

Co-Host

Jesus Brings Joy At Christmas!

Host

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do, so we can learn how to talk with our family about the Big Point!

Co-Host

Today’s Big Do is to bring some Christmas joy to others by singing Christmas carols around your neighborhood, or you can video call your grandparents or other family and sing to them.

Host

Then, get ready for the big day. Why don’t we play a game that will test your skill at getting presents ready for Christmas? We have two teams of two who will compete to wrap a present. The problem is that each team member has to keep the same arm behind his or her back the entire time. You’ll have to work together to get it wrapped.

Co-Host

The first team to get it completely wrapped wins.

Host

Great job to our winners. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.

• Have you ever been disappointed when you didn’t get what was on your Christmas list? Why did you feel like that? How do you think we could still feel joy when we don’t get the perfect present?

• Why were the shepherds so excited to hear that Jesus was born? Why was Jesus’ birth so important?

• What are some ways you can help your family remember the true meaning of Christmas?

• What is this week’s Big Do?