TOP THREE
VERSE: Matthew 1:23
She will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel which means “God with us.”
MAIN THEME
This week we are in our Christmas series. Oftentimes Christmas can get a lot of attention for the presents we want to get or give. What is the reason for giving presents in the first place? To demonstrate on the outside the love you have for someone. A present is an act of love. God so LOVED you that He gave the greatest gift he had… Jesus! Being in the presence of Jesus is the best present we can ever imagine.
ACTIVITIES
Kids 1-5 Activity Page
Each person will write down how they can make room for the presence of Jesus, who they can give presents to this Christmas, and what is one present they would like.
Kids 3-K Present Activity page
Kids will draw a picture of them with Jesus- the greatest present.
LESSON NOTES
Christmas time is filled with family fun, memories, parties, decorating and presents.
Some of you might have already begun making your wish lists for Christmas
What are some of the presents on your Christmas list?
- Legos
- Barbies
- Video Games
- Clothes
- Money and gift cards
What are some presents you love to give others?
Have you ever thought about why we give gifts to each other at Christmas?
Giving a gift to someone is a way to show them that you love them, you thought about them and you took time to make them feel loved and special. It is an outward show of something you feel in your heart. A way to show love.
The biggest gift ever given to us is Jesus. God gave from his heart to show how much he loves you. It is his best gift! It’s not something he had extra of… something he found on sale… something that would break, wear out or get used… It was the VERY best thing God had.
AND… He would send Jesus if you were the only person on the earth because he LOVES you.
The word PRESENCE means to be present in a place or thing- to be close- to be with
One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel which means God with us.
Matthew 1:23
She will give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel which means “God with us.”
That is why Jesus was sent- so he would be WITH us whenever we needed him. He came for us.
Did you hear that?
God is with you! Jesus came so he could be with YOU! You are not alone.
Have you ever felt alone?
- At home
- At school
- At church
God wants you to know that he sent the very best present for you!
When we are in his presence there is:
- Joy
- Peace
- Healing
- No fear
- Comfort
- Friendship (we are never alone)
He came to be with us as a Savior and friend.
What is the best present?
The best present ever given was by the greatest gift-giver himself.
John 3:16
For God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his one and ONLY son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.
God so LOVED that He GAVE
God loves you so much that he gave you his most precious, prized possession- JESUS.
You will never be alone because He will always be with you. That is what his name means. “GOD WITH US.”
- He is there with you when:
- You wake up
- You start your day
- You go to school
- You play sports
- You hang out with friends
- You spend time with family
- You go to church
- You take a walk in nature
- You go to bed
He loves you and is right there with you. ALWAYS. He came to be WITH YOU!
His biggest wish at Christmas is for YOU. All he wants for Christmas is YOU! Your heart. He came for you- to love you- to save you- to help you- to heal you….because he just loves you that much!
PRAY
Thank you, God for sending Jesus for me. I know that you love me so much that you sent the greatest gift of Jesus. Today I want to receive that gift and open up the presence of Jesus in my life. Jesus come into my heart. Be my Savior, be my Lord. I want you with me wherever I go. Thank you for saving me and loving me today. In Jesus’ name,cAmen.