Advent Celebration Final Week

(Sunday after Christmas Day)

Connie Camel Shares about the Wise Men Who Seek Him

Big Idea(s): Witnessing, Listening to God, Following directions Memory Verse: Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.(Matthew 2:2) About: Shares what God has to say to us after the BIG DAY is all over, and how can we show his love by sharing the gifts He has given to us with others. His love will fill our hearts with joy. Kids will connect with giving of their resources to be used for the glory of God, witnessing, and listening for Gods voice. Connie Camel shares with them these truths. Scripture Reading for Teacher: Matthew 2:1-12

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Music Recommendations A Big Barrel of Carols Includes most of the traditional Christmas songs. However you must have a computer to operate since this is used with windows media and it does not have choreography for the songs. Lyrics and soundtracks are provided. No Wonder Musical DVD provides choreography and can be used with a DVD/TV player. Selections can be chosen that meet your needs. Props: Three older elementary children, (ability to read drama in this lesson), to be the three kings. Provide a costume for each child participating and a crown. Weekly Advent Review: The Advent wreath means coming a special holiday in which we are looking forward to at Christmas. Many people looked for the coming of Jesus thousands of years ago. Our second Sunday, was about the shepherds who shared the message of hope of the birth of the Christ child. The angels had appeared to them while they were watching their flock by night in the field. Our third Sunday, was about the angels who shared peace, and how we can share good words with others. Our fourth week, we learned about the star and how we can shine in the world around us showing the love of Jesus that in is our hearts. On Christmas Sunday, we heard about Baby Jesus and why he came to earth born of the Virgin Mary. Today will conclude our Christmas season of worship and we will hear about the Wise Men. We have three helpers today with the lesson no four including Connie Camel. Can you tell Connie helper, Good Morning?

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Bible Time: Connie Camel: (Sings new lyrics written to Silent Night) Tune to: Silent Night We three kings, share the light, Of the babe, a lovely sight, Let us seek His holy will, Carefully listen to Him and be still, Christ our King is born, He is alive evermore! Hmmm! That wasnt so badfor my first solo in church. The Christmas holidays make me feel so happy and joyful. I dont have to go to school for two whole weeks and I am going to sleep in and watch cartoons all day! Allday! (Pretends to change channel on TV) What is this!? That looks like the three kings story. Cool! I wonder if it is like the one we did at church for the program. Lets see. (Three kings enter with their scripts to read) Magus (ma-gus) Magus Casper (China): Have you seen the star yet? Magus Jasper (Africa): I did see one that looked like it might be the one we have been looking for. It took me quite a while to finally get here, but it has been there in the sky the whole time.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Magus Thomas (Asia): I also see that star. That is why I traveled all the way here to discuss it. Magus Casper: We have been studying this for years now. I think the time is about right. Lets take one more look tonight since we are all here, and if this IS the star, we will pack our camels and set off on our journey. Magus Thomas: Sounds cool to me! What about you, Magus Jasper? Magus Jasper: Im ready any time you are. Lets get some rest and food in the meantime. Connie Camel: And so the three Kings, or you can call them Magi decided this was the star they had been seeking and set off on camel to see the Child.Ouch! This guy is sure a load on my back! Magus Thomas: It is so windy today! Magus Jasper: We have been traveling for how many days, now? Magus Casper: I lost track. But this is the windiest day I have seen so far. Magus Jasper: I do feel numb on this camel. I think his back is about the boniest I have felt. Where did you come up with him? He is sure a moody one I must say. Magus Thomas: He was considered one of the finest camels when I purchased him for this trip. Just look at how he walks picking up those feet. Magus Jasper: Hopefully, we are getting closer; at least that star seems closer than it was unless I am imagining it.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Magus Casper: Lets stop to get some water for these camels and I will take a look at the map. Magus Thomas: I thought you would never ask. Connie Camel: Whew! What a trip! We camels were exhausted with those big magi on our back for such a long trip. My feet got some cracks in my shoes or something like that! The Magi did travel as long as it took to reach the Child. They were tired and wanted to rest more along the way, but kept trudging on in their excitement to find the special King Child they had studying for so long. Magus Jasper: Did you all bring a gift to present? Magus Casper: I brought some gold. Here it is.a whole bag of it. Magus Thomas: I have some myrrh. It will make the best perfume you will ever buy. Our country Asia makes the best. What did you bring, Magus Jasper? Magus Jasper? I have some frankincense. It makes wonderful incense from our beloved land of Africa. Magus Casper: This is so close to where the star stops; notice that here? Magus Thomas: The Child must be here somewhere close. Magus Jasper: Let us enquire where he is at; I am sure someone will be able to direct us. Herod will know. Lets ask him. Connie Camel: Wow! They finally arrived. I was ever so glad, but King Herod sure was not when he heard their request. He was quite disturbed to hear of these Magi seeking for the Child King. Herod sent them over to Bethlehem hoping they would find the Child and

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

let him know. He told them he wanted to come and worship him, also, but I really doubt that! Magus Thomas: We only have a few more miles to go; lets hurry these old camels. Magus Jasper: Ha! You think you can hurry a camel? Six miles is a long way for a tired camel. Magus Thomas: Your camel does look a little peaked. Did you give him enough water when we stopped? What about food? Magus Jasper: Yes, I did, but he is old and tired. His one foot is not looking the best. Magus Casper: Hey! I am tired, too. Lets stop and eat some of that dried buffalo you brought with you, Magus Jasper. Magus Thomas: And my corncakes will be good with that. Connie Camel: So the tired Magi stopped at the first rest area and set out a picnic. Mmmm Good! Dried buffalo and corncakes what a meal that must have been. They were lucky to be close to a well there near Jerusalem, and drew plenty water for themselves and their camels. My camel mouth was so dry and it was about the coolest water I had ever tasted in what seemed like a long time. Getting back on us camels, they finally traveled the six miles it took to get to reach Bethlehem. Magus Jasper: This looks like the place notice that bright light around that place it setting if off from all the others. Magus Casper: I think I am getting a little nervous. Magus Thomas: What for? This is exciting something I have been looking forward to for years now. Finally, the day has arrived.
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Magus Jasper: Magus Casper, you seem ready go on in first. We are right behind you. Magus Jasper: We have come to worship the Christ Child - the new King. Here is gift I have brought of frankincense. It makes wonderful incense from our beloved land of Africa. It is the best that we have to offer. Magus Casper: I too, come to worship the Child, and brought my gift of gold a full bag yet not worthy enough for this special child. Magus Thomas: In humility, I come and offer my gift to the Child and worship Him, too. This myrrh will make the best perfume from my native land of Asia. All Magi: Oh Worship the King! All Sing: tune to: Silent Night We three kings, share the light, Of the babe, a lovely sight, Let us seek His holy will, Carefully listen to Him and be still, Christ our King is born, He is alive evermore! Connie Camel: What a story! The Magi honored the King Jesus by bringing their best. We too can give our best to Jesus, our hearts. They did not listen to what King Herod told them to do about sharing where they found the child. Instead, being warned by God they listened, and went home another way. It is important that we
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

listen to God when he speaks. When Jesus lives in our hearts, He will have some things to speak to us about. If we are listening, we will hear in our heart and mind and through others whom God uses, what he wants us to do. We may be asked to share some nice things that we have with someone who does not have as much. We may be asked to give some money to help a child in need. We may be asked to share Gods Word with those who do not love and serve Him. Wise Kids will seek Jesus and listen to Him.

Questions for Discussion 1. 2. 3. 4. What gift would you take to Jesus if he was born in your time? What must we do to receive Gods gift in our hearts? How do you think the magi felt when they first saw Jesus? What do you think it took the magi so long to come after Jesus was born? 5. How can we share this Good News with others? 6. How can we have joy in our hearts? 7. How do wise kids listen to Jesus?

Crown the King Memory Verse Game Write the verse on the board for all so they can read it. Write one word of the verse on each individual cut out crown until the whole verse it written using all the crowns. Recite the verse, many times. Each time you say it, stop and give one child a paper crown. Repeat this until all have a crown. Then, have the kids come up front and get in the correct order so others can say the verse using the individual words written on each crown. You
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

may want to use several colors of crowns depending on how many children that you have. Each color will get the verse into the correct order. Finally, say the verse all together as you turn the board around so they cannot see it.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Advent Reading and Lighting of Candles Sunday Following Christmas Teacher: The first candle we light stands for the coming of Jesus and His great love represented in the advent wreath. (If you have candles that do not need to be lit with a lighter, the children can turn on the candles as you read) (Light first purple candle) Teacher: This second candle stands for the hope that we have in the Savor, Jesus Christ. If we confess our sins, He will forgive us and give us life everlasting in Him. Let us be a witness of that Hope! (Light second purple candle) Teacher: The third candle we celebrated the peace that the angels brought to the Shepherds. (Light third purple candle) Teacher: The fourth candle we celebrate the light of Jesus and how we too can be a light shinning as the stars in the world around us. As the white candle is lit, let us remember to share this joyful news with others. Let us thank God for each other and appreciate how God made us. (Light white candle) Teacher: This pink candle (Pink) represents Baby Jesus. He came to earth to save us from our sins. His love reaches into our hearts and fills us with love, joy, peace, and hope. We light this pink candle to remind us of the love that God gave to us though his Son, Jesus, this Christmas. Let us worship Him by giving our hearts to Him.
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

(Light the pink candle) Teacher: This final week as we look at all the burning candles, let us remember to seek Jesus as the Wise Men did and find Him. Ask and you will receive Jesus into your heart. God will then use you to be a light to those who do not know Him - bringing others to Him. Listen to His Holy Spirit as He speaks to you and guides you in all Truth. Let us hold hands as we sing the Magis Song. All Kids Sing Tune Silent Night (Hold hands in a circle with the Magi and Connie Camel) We three kings, share the light, Of the babe, a lovely sight, Let us seek His holy will, Carefully listen to Him and be still, Christ our King is born, He is alive evermore! As we blow out these candles, let us remember that there are those in darkness who need the light of Jesus. We can take the light to them. (Blow out or turn off all candles) Closing Prayer

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Three Small Groups for Rotation Snack: 1. Decorate star sugar cookies with blue icing. 2. Blue jell-o with marshmallows on top. Craft: Camel Silhouettes http://www.dltkkids.com/animals/mcamel.html Activity Worksheets Word Search Puzzle Maze Wise Men coloring: http://www.dltkbible.com/advent/index.htm

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Wise Kids Seek Him

P A W P S T M P A S V R Y K G

Y G I R R B Y B F U P O W I O

L J Q A V L R P E S E V W J L

B A V V E N R Y Z E D U G T D

X E M Q I D H W F J V K X G N

L U Z A A R Q O N J U E I I P

F R A N K I N C E N S E W N G

K N Z S L E M A C M E I L F G

I A E S H D Y N U A R V Y Y Y

V W Z T E E Q G S G S F O P H

M A G I S E R C P U W L V L Q

O B E Y M I K O B S K S F P J

K J Z H R Z L A D C Z V P O A

P K F K W I B M C J U Z M Y D

S M C S M Y P A F C B N N Z K

BABY FRANKINCENSE HEROD KING LOVE MAGUS OBEY TRAVEL

CAMELS GOLD JESUS LISTEN MAGI MYRRH SEEK

Jeanne created using Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Wise Kids Seek Him

Jeanne created using Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh December 2011 All rights reserved.