Originally published Saturday, 12 December 2015.
Author and Friend, Laura Sassi
Keeping Christ at the center of Christmas takes effort, but it's a worthy discipline. It's reward stretches far beyond the memories we make each year as Jesus makes a home in our children's hearts. In order to keep our effort fresh, I am always on the lookout for new resources that will thrill my children and excite my imagination too. This year, I am blessed to have found Goodnight, Manger, a new Zondervan children's book by my friend Laura Sassi. In honor of her book, she is sharing these fun nativity activities with us:
1. Play “I Spy…an angel!” Identify the figures in the Christmas story using the nativity as your playground. After you “spy” each figure, ask simple questions like “Who was Mary?” or “What were the shepherds doing that night?”
2. Play “I Count… three sheep!” Children love counting. After each count, think about how everyone in the nativity was looking forward to meeting Baby Jesus. Ask them what they think about that.
3. Play “Where is Baby Jesus?” In this variation of hide and seek, take turns hiding Baby Jesus in the nativity (or beyond). Each time you find Him, marvel about how exciting it must have been to see God’s promise for a Savior fulfilled in the birth of a special baby - Jesus!
4. Re-enact the Nativity. Using Luke 2:1-20 as your guide, re-enact the Christmas story using the figurines. Add animal sounds and alleluias to bring the story to life. For extra fun, you can also retell your nativity-themed picture books (such as Goodnight, Manger, for example) using figurines. Be sure to always link back to the all important message that Jesus is the gift of Christmas.
5. Sing Carols. While holding the appropriate figurines, sing carols that relate to the nativity story. For example, pretend the angels are flying as you sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Have the wise men march as you sing “We Three Kings." Place Baby Jesus in the manger as you sing “Away in a Manger,” etc.
6. Care for Baby Jesus. Let your child take care of Baby Jesus. Pretend to gently rock and feed him. Maybe even sing him a tender lullaby. Then be amazed together - that God loves us just like we love little babies. He cares for us and comforts us. His biggest gift ever? Sending Jesus to be the Savior of the world.
7. Make your own nativity figurines. Little ones love anything hands on, so roll up your sleeves and make sheep, shepherds, angels and more using whatever materials you fancy. Play dough, felt, glue, paper, crayons and even blocks are all perfect materials for a fun afternoon of nativity building.
8. Go on a Nativity Hunt. Here’s a fun activity that will get you and your children outside on a crisp day. Walk around your neighborhood looking for nativity lawn scenes. Name the figures you see and celebrate! This also makes a good activity to keep children busy and engaged while running errands in the car.
I wonder how many you will do? #5 and #8 are my favorite! Please comment below if you try them with your children - let us know their response!
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