(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will thank God for His Christmas gift in the form of Jesus Christ.
Provide enough 1-inch ribbon for everyone to have a 4-inch piece. Also provide permanent markers.
Learning Goal: Students will describe the depth of God’s love for us shown in the preparation for the birth of His Son.
Ask: How do people celebrate the birth of Christ? (Buying, giving, and receiving presents; worshipping; singing Christmas carols about the birth of Christ; decorating their homes; spending time with family and friends.) Ask: How do people who don’t know Christ celebrate the Christmas season? (Buying, giving, and receiving presents; Christmas songs and movies; Santa Clause; decorating their homes; spending time with family and friends.) Ask: What is the difference in these two celebrations? (One is Christ-centered and one is not.)
Distribute the ribbon strips to your students. Then, ask: Where do you see ribbon at Christmas? (Answers: on presents, on decorations such as mantels or doorposts, on Christmas trees, on wreaths.) Say: Let’s be honest: Maybe our favorite place to see ribbon is on presents. Presents are special in part because someone went to the trouble of planning to purchase something for us. Their plan shows love—like God’s plan to send Christ.
Explain, however, that for many, Christmas is an empty time . . . either because they do not believe in Christ, have suffered the loss of a loved one, or experienced another such trial. Encourage students to think of someone for whom this Christmas will not necessarily be a joyous time or a time spent worshipping Christ. Instruct students to write this person’s initials on their ribbon strip. When all students have done so, have a time of silent prayer in which they can pray for the needs of this person. When they have finished, encourage them to put this ribbon in a prominent place where they will see it and remember to pray for the individual and to be intentional in celebrating the birth of Christ during this season.