All kids love the Christmas story! After a couple rounds of this Christmas game, students should know the vital parts of the Christmas story as told in Luke 2.
“Christmas Story Memorization” Christmas Game
Materials
– Index Cards
– One marker per student
– A copy of the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-21 in large print
Object
Students will to figure out the order of the index cards each one possesses and thereby form a line that tells the famous portion of the Christmas story from Luke 2.
Introduction
During this time of year, we are more often than not caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Every minute of every day is jammed packed with activities; there are carols to sing, gifts to wrap, and people to visit. We’re so busy rushing around that sometimes we forget the
reason behind our hurrying. But right now we’re going to play a game to help us remember the Christmas story, written out so beautifully in Luke chapter 2.
Preparation
On each index card, write a portion of the Christmas story from Luke 2, as follows on the next page, or print and cut out the cards on the page.Print out a copy of Luke 2:8-15, also below. Tape it to the wall.
Instructions
1. There are 9 index cards. If you have less students, only give out the verses that equal the number of kids. For example, if you have five kids, only play at first with the first five index cards. Put the other aside for later.
2. After giving out the cards, say “Go!” in less than one minute, students should try to put themselves in line so that their index cards are also in order.
3. If the students get lined up before a minute is up, have them each read their card to determine if the order is correct.
4. If the students do not get lined up before a minute is up, take the cards back, reshuffle them and redistribute them. Have the students start from scratch.
5. If students can easily order themselves after a few tries, make the game harder: Take down the wall chart and have them do it without looking. Or add more verses by taking away the first few.
Closing
We might get presents on Christmas…but the shepherds got the greatest gift of all: They not only got to see angels, they got to hear the angels sing…and then they got to see Jesus Christ, son of God. Let’s keep this story in our hearts this year, as it is the true meaning of Christmas.
WALL CHART FOR GAME – LUKE 2:8-15
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
INDEX CARDS FOR GAME
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 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.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Fill in Worksheet: Luke 2:8 – 18
And there were in the same ___________ shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the __________of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good ____________of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a _____________, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in ________________clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a ______________of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the ___________, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto_______________, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a _______________.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this _____________.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the _________________.
Words to use to fill in the blanks:
Country
Glory
Tidings
Savior
Swaddling
Multitude
Highest
Bethlehem
Child
Shepherds
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