everyday

Every Day is a Holiday

The Christmas Tree

Lesson 4

TEACHER PREPARATION: Cut out the "ornaments" provided. Prepare a plain green tree - (from felt, construction paper, or draw it on the board). Be sure it is large enough to hold all 13 ornaments. "Hang" the ornaments on the tree as you tell about each one. Be sure to read at least one of the scriptures to the class provided with each ornament

Scripture: Matthew 1; Luke 2; additional scriptures with each "ornament."

Memory Verse: Matthew 1:21 - "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

1. BIBLE - The Old Testament predicted the birth of Jesus, One Who would save the people from their sin. The New Testament tells of His birth. EVERYTHING in God’s Word, the Bible, is true. It is what we base our faith upon. In it is everything we need to know about our Saviour and how to live a Christian life. (place the BIBLE as the trunk of the tree) II Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 2:7

2. BELLS - Ring out the story of Jesus and His birth. He came from Heaven to be born in a manger in a stable all because He loved you and me so much. He knew He would grow up and be crucified on the cross for our sins. We are to tell everyone this wonderful story. Luke 2:15-17; Matthew 28:19-20)

3. ANGEL - The angels announced Jesus birth to the shepherds and they ran to worship Him in the stable. Luke 2:9-14

4. STAR - The star was put in the sky to lead the wise men to where Jesus lived. By the time they got there, Jesus was a toddler and lived in a house with His mother and Joseph. They brought gifts to Him and bowed and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:2, 9-11

5. TREE - The tree gave up its life to be our Christmas tree just as Jesus gave up His life UPON the tree of Calvary to be our Saviour. All that is needed is for you to ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of your sin and He will save you. John 19:16-18

6. SNOWMAN - Our dirty sin can be made as white as snow if we trust Jesus as our Saviour. All we have to do is ask Him. Psalm 51:7

7. GREEN WREATH - A wreath is round and has no end and is "ever" green. Every lasting life has no end and is eternal. This is the "gift of God" through accepting Jesus as our Saviour. John 10:27-29; Romans 6:23)

8. CANDLE - The Bible says that Jesus is the Light of the World. When we witness to others, we put the Light of the Gospel message into their dark world. Sin is darkness and Jesus is the Light for a sinful world. John 8:12; Matthew 5:15-16

9. STOCKINGS - As Christians we are to walk in the right way, living for Christ as He would want us to live. We must be careful where we go, what we say, and who we count as friends because we are a testimony for Christ everywhere we go. Romans 10:15; Matthew 5:16

10. ORNAMENTS - Ornaments have no light of their own, but when the lights of the Christmas tree are lit, they reflect these ornaments beautifully. That is how we are to be as Christians. Jesus is the Light and as Christians we are to reflect that Light to others and show them "Christ-likeness." John 1:9

11. CANDY CANE - This is sweet and tastes good! Jesus is so good to us and does so many good things for us. He gives us blessing after blessing every day. Psalm 34:8; 119:103

12. RED CROSS - After 33 years of living on the earth, Jesus was crucified on the cross and died. He NEVER sinned, not even once, but He died for the sins of you and me. He loved us that much and wants so much for you to accept Him as your own Saviour so that you may have a home in Heaven some day. The cross and the tomb are empty today, for Jesus rose from the dead and now lives in Heaven with the Father, preparing a mansion for each of us who have trusted Jesus as our Saviour. John 3:16; 14:1-3

13. GIFT - Our gift from God is eternal life. Will you accept His gift to you? What is YOUR gift to Him? Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23