Sharing Time:

Christmas Pictures

By Pat Graham

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7).

What do you see in your mind when you think of Christmas? A brightly decorated tree? Candy and tasty foods? Greeting cards and beautifully wrapped packages? Family celebrations? There are many wonderful ways to picture Christmas, but a picture of the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. If we remember the Savior as we picture Christmas, we will begin to understand that His life was the greatest gift of all.

Instructions:

1. Remove pages 34 and 35 from magazine. Mount frame on lightweight cardboard. Cut out figures, background, and slots in background.

2. As you sing “Picture a Christmas” (see page 28) or read the account of the birth of Jesus (Matt. 1–2; Luke 1–2), position background in frame, and place figures in correct numbered slots.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. Enlarge figures to teach song. Discuss how we remember Jesus. Children could draw pictures of things Jesus taught us to do (helping, sharing, praying, etc.).

2. For a program, invite children or adults to tell favorite Christmas experiences. Pose a live “picture” in a life-size cardboard or wooden frame to go with their story.

3. Have children draw pictures of Christmas memories to put in large roller box.

4. Make copies of these pages for each child to cut out and glue. The scene could also be arranged in shoe box with blue cellophane light window or set in groove board or sandbox.

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney