How to Throw a Birthday Party for Jesus

Watch a Movie

Prep: Choose a short movie that depicts the true message of Christmas. To coordinate with the theme of the Christmas tree, I suggest The Legend of the Three Trees. Another suitable choice is The Promise—Birth of the Messiah. Set up an area for kids to lounge while they watch. You may also choose to serve popcorn or some other snack. After viewing the movie, take a few minutes to discuss its message. Ask questions to learn if the children understood the meaning of Christmas and what new information they gained. This would also be an excellent time to briefly share the gospel message.

Read a Book Aloud

Prep: Choose a Christmas picture book that tells the message of Jesus’ birth. Below are several book suggestions. You should be able to read the story in less than fifteen minutes. Set up a comfortable area for kids. Make sure they can see the pictures and are not able to distract one another. After reading the book, talk about the message and how they can know Jesus as their Savior.

The Tale of the Three Trees by Angela Ellwell Hunt
Joy Comes to Bethlehem by Connie Wohlford
Baby Jesus Is Born (Arch Books)
Mary’s First Christmas by Walter Wangerin Jr.

Interactive Bible Reading

Prep

Bookmark Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-12 in an easy-to-understand translation of the Bible. New Living Translation works well. Write each character or keyword from the story on a separate index card: Joseph, Mary, Jesus, shepherds, angels, Caesar Augustus, Herod, magi, star. If you have more children than index cards, you can duplicate the keywords. You may want to print out the Bible passages and highlight the keywords you wrote on the index cards to help you remind children as you read.

Directions

Hand an index card to each child and instruct them to listen for the character or keyword as you read through the story. When they hear the word on their card, they should raise the card in the air (without speaking). Note that they will need to listen carefully because some references to their character will be with pronouns or another name. For example, Jesus may be referred to as the baby or Messiah. Starting in Luke and moving to Matthew, read the story of Jesus’ birth. You may need to prompt children if they miss their reference. 

Modifications for Younger Children

Younger children will not be able to use the index cards. Use a preschool version of the Bible to read the story of Jesus’ birth and encourage them to follow your actions for several keywords. For example, they could rock a baby in their arms when Jesus is mentioned or flash twinkle hands for the angels.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Fizkes

Pin the Star on the Tree

Prep

Make a 16x20” poster with a picture of a Christmas tree. For the tree topper, outline a star. Attach the poster to the wall at child height. Give each child a 2 x 2” star with mounting putty or tape on the back and their name on the front. 

Directions

Line children up about six to ten feet away from the poster to take turns trying to place their stars at the correct spot at the top of the tree. When the child’s turn comes, blindfold them with a handkerchief and spin them around three times. Point them in the direction of the poster and allow them to try to stick the star on the tree. After everyone has taken a turn, determine whose star was closest to the top of the tree and award a small prize.

Symbols of Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Prep

Make a list of twenty-five symbols of Christmas you have used in the decoration of your home. Put a long line after each symbol. Copy the list so you have enough for each child or pair of children (if you want to make teams). Place the symbols around your house in whatever rooms you want children to search. The level of challenge should match the age and ability of the children. Depending on the weather, you may put some outdoors. Items on your Christmas tree should not be part of the game. Provide a pencil for each child. 

Directions

Give each child (or team) a list and a pencil and tell them where to search. When they spot one of the symbols on the list, they should write the location on the sheet. Alternatively, if children have phones, they can take a picture and place a checkmark on the list. When they have found all the symbols on the list, they should immediately present it to you. After you check their list for accuracy, award prizes.

Find Baby Jesus

Prep

Choose a larger, durable Jesus figure from a nativity set, or wrap a small doll in a swaddling cloth. Choose an area of your home for baby Jesus to be hidden.

Directions

Children will take turns hiding the baby Jesus for the others to find. All children except the hider cover their eyes for ten seconds while one child quietly hides baby Jesus. When the child comes back to the group, the others search. The hider may give hints using the words “cold,” “warm,” and “hot.” Play until all children have a turn to hide baby Jesus.

Names of Jesus Bible Hunt

Prep

For each child, cut three sheets of white copy paper and one piece of cardstock in half. These will form the pages and cover for a “Names of Jesus” booklet. Write the following verse references on a piece of paper for each pair of children: John 8:12, John 6:35, John 15:5, John 10:9, John 10:11, Revelation 4:11. Provide markers, pencils with erasers, and Bibles. The names of Jesus are Light of the World, Bread of Life, Vine, Door, Good Shepherd, and Creator.

Directions

Children will work in pairs, but each will create their own booklet. Together, they look up each verse and copy it in pencil at the top of each half sheet of paper—one verse per page. Using the markers, they illustrate the verse or name of Jesus at the bottom of each page. When they have finished all the pages, give each child two pieces of cardstock. They will write the title, “Names of Jesus,” on one of them. They may also decorate the cover with markers. When they are finished, staple down the left side of the pages to secure the booklet.  

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes

Edible Nativity Scene

Prep

Gather the tools and ingredients—paper plates, plastic knives, ready-made icing, graham crackers, bear crackers, animal crackers, and shredded coconut. Each child will need at least three large graham cracker squares, several animals, and at least three bears for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. 

Directions

Give each child a plate, knife, and access to the other materials. Children can share the can(s) of icing. Children slather icing on the ends of two graham cracker squares and stand them upright on the plate. They lay the third cracker across the top of the first two to make a roof. Smear icing on the feet of the bears and the animals to stand them around the graham cracker stable. Put a dollop of icing in the center of the stable and sprinkle with coconut. A bear lying in the coconut shreds represents baby Jesus.

Christmas Tree Cookies

Prep

Make or buy Christmas tree-shaped, undecorated sugar cookies. Gather decorating materials, including green icing and various types of sprinkles. Put a cookie on a paper plate with a plastic knife for each child.

Directions

Put a dollop of icing on each child’s plate and allow them to decorate and eat their cookie creations.

Cake

Prep

Make a cake in a 9 x 13” pan or a Christmas tree-shaped pan. Ice the cake with white icing. Using a toothpick, draw the outline of a Christmas tree. With an icing bag, fill in the shape with dollops of green icing. Decorate the tree with Christmas-themed sprinkles or gummy candy drops. Provide a single candle for the cake.

Directions

Gather and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and blow out the candle together. 

Pray

Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to earth as a humble baby to live Your life among people like me. Thank you for growing up and dying on the cross to rescue me from my sins. I love You. Help me to follow You always. Happy birthday to You! Amen. 

Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/nicolesy

Birthday Card for Jesus

Prep

Gather one piece of cardstock for each child along with glue, markers, glitter or glitter pens, die cut Christmas shapes, Christmas buttons, and other doodads to create birthday cards. A paper plate or manilla folder for each child’s work helps contain any mess. For younger children, write the words “Happy Birthday, Jesus” on each piece of cardstock or on a sign from which they can copy. 

Directions

Lay out all the materials on the table and allow children to create their cards. Encourage them to write a heartfelt birthday message to Jesus in their cards.

Painted Ornament

Prep

Purchase small wooden cutout ornaments (unfinished) from the dollar or craft store. Make sure they have a hole for the hanger. Provide paint, paintbrushes, cups of water, markers, or glitter pens. Put an ornament on a paper plate for each child. Cut a piece of twine or string to hang each ornament.

Directions

Children paint and decorate their ornaments. Allow them to dry. Before the children leave, tie a piece of twine to each ornament.

Present for Jesus

Prep

Purchase a small cardboard gift box for each child. Plain white candy boxes (8 oz. size) work well. Also, purchase a small wooden heart and a nametag for each child. Provide markers to share. If the nametags do not self-stick, provide tape.

Directions

If the boxes you use are white, children decorate them with markers. They write their names on the wooden hearts and Jesus’ name on the nametag. Explain how the birth of Jesus and His death on the cross offer us a gift of salvation (being saved from our sins). Because He was kind to us, we can give our hearts and lives to Him. Children place their hearts inside the boxes and attach the nametag to the outside.

Coloring Pages

Prep

Print Christmas tree coloring pages from the internet and provide markers or crayons.

Directions

Children can color and decorate the tree with various ornaments.

Decorations

Use decorations from around your home or purchase inexpensive items to create a festive birthday theme. A plastic tablecloth may work best for easy cleanup after crafts and snacks. Look for pop-up trees at the dollar store for table centerpieces. Red and green streamers and a “happy birthday” banner distinguish this party from a typical Christmas party. Tree-themed plates and napkins, along with plastic ware, complete the decorations.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Kostikova 

You now have the tools for gospel outreach to children in the form of a birthday party for Jesus. Don’t forget you have the freedom to adjust these plans or to make your celebration as simple or elaborate as you choose. Our main goal is to tell kids why we celebrate Christmas, so they know how to receive salvation. 

At the end of the party, you may wish to send a party favor home with the children. I suggest a small cellophane bag of candy or novelty items from the dollar store. If you add a gospel tract, parents will have the opportunity to read about Jesus too. You can ask your church if they have them or find them online when you search for Christmas gospel tracts for kids.

In the busyness of the holiday season, don’t put off telling the children in your life about Jesus. The stakes are too high. Remember the words of Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians. “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT).

I hope you enjoy your celebration of Jesus with your children this Christmas.

Photo Credit:  ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/udra

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.