The Anticipation of Punishment

Props: a belt

             Many times when you are going to be punished, you’re warned ahead of time: “When we get home…”, “Go to your room and wait for me…”, “Just wait ’til your father gets home…”, “Go to the principal’s office…”   You may not know exactly what’s coming, but you know it can’t be good.  Many times you feel like crying because you know that something bad is coming.

            Jesus grew up His whole life reading about the punishment that He was going to have to face (Psalms 22, Isaiah 55).  He knew that He was going to be beaten, bruised and nailed to a cross.  He knew that He was going to die.  So on this night He cried out to His Father, knowing that He was about to suffer.

            When we are punished, it is because we’ve done something wrong.  Jesus was punished for us.  He took what we should have had.  We did wrong, and he suffered for it.  Because of Him, we don’t have to be punished.  Jesus’ obedience was hard at first, but He obeyed the Father knowing that He would be blessed and that we would be blessed with eternal life through His death.  It was the hardest thing He ever did, but it brought the greatest blessing. 

            There will be times when God calls you to do something hard.  And you may look ahead and think, “This is going to be tough.  I don’t know if I can do this.”  But if God calls you to it, He will give you the strength.  And He will bless you for obeying.

“The Birthday Party,” part 1

 “A child has been born for us.  We have been given a son who will be our ruler.” 

Isaiah 9:6 (CEV)

 Begin with a skit featuring a birthday boy awaiting the arrival of the guests for his party.  As they arrive, they each greet the birthday boy half-heartedly.  The presents are unwrapped and turn out to be ordinary and rather useless old items.  The guests seem rather complacent about the whole thing.           

            How would you feel if this were your birthday?  (Allow for response).  This is the time of year when we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.  Jesus is God’s Son.  He left Heaven and came to this earth so that He could live as a human and die in our place, taking the punishment for our sins.  Every year we celebrate His birthday because if He had not been born, we wouldn’t have a way to get to Heaven. 

            It is important to remember at Christmas that we are celebrating Jesus’ birthday.  With all of the wonderful gifts that are exchanged, don’t forget to bring your best gift to Jesus, the King.  Jesus is greater than any king or ruler that there ever was.  We must come to Him with our very best gifts.  After all, it’s His birthday.

“The Birthday Party,” part 2

“…a Savior was born for you.  He is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (CEV)

 We find the birthday boy attempting conversation with different friends who are busy playing party games.  The guests ignore the birthday boy and are caught up in themselves and in their activity.

 It would be sad to think that this boy’s friends were so busy trying to plan a party for him that they didn’t have any time to really spend with him.  Do you think he would be able to enjoy his birthday very much?  (Allow for response). 

We can’t forget that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.  Sometimes we get so busy planning Christmas parties and thinking about presents that we forget about talking to Jesus and spending time with Him.  Today’s power point says, spend time with Jesus on His birthday.  (Have the children repeat the power point after you).  Spend time with Jesus by worshiping Him–doing what’s right and telling Him how wonderful He is.  Spend time with Him by praying to Him and asking Him for what you need.  Let’s make sure we spend time with Jesus on His birthday.     

“The Birthday Party,” part 3

…after the baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

 The guests bring games that have only half the pieces, snacks that have been half-eaten, and they stay for only half the party.   The birthday boy mentions that he has never given less than everything for any of his friends. 

             Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched this boy get disappointed over and over as his friends have ignored him and have given him useless items for his birthday.  This week we will celebrate Christmas.  It is Jesus’ birthday we celebrate; yet many people act as if Jesus has nothing to do with it.  They buy gifts for everyone and forget about Jesus.  They spend time at parties and events, but spend no time in prayer and worship to the Lord. 

            When Jesus came to this earth, He came to give us everything.  We should give everything we have to Him.  And there’s no better time to remember that than at the celebration of His birthday.

The Main Thing (Christmas)

“…a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (NIV)

             Begin with a Christmas morning scene.  A young boy is unwrapping presents.  He begins to unwrap, one by one, accessories of a gaming system (controllers, games, etc.)  With each gift he gets more excited.  He proceeds to open the final gift—a box about the size of a console.  Much to his dismay, the box is empty.  He is terribly upset and concludes that all the other gifts are meaningless without the console. 

             How would you feel if this happened to you on Christmas morning?  What if you got everything to go with the gift you really wanted except the main gift itself—a helmet without a bicycle, a toy stroller and little clothes but no doll, a keyboard and mouse but not the new computer you asked for?  You’d probably be pretty upset.  You might feel sad, or like you got cheated.  That would be because you didn’t get the main thing—the BIG gift. 

            Right after Christmas, lots of people in our country get depressed.  They may even have received the gift they asked for, but they still get depressed.  They feel very sad because all the lights are gone, the tree is put away, the parties are over and they still feel like they missed something.  They feel like they got everything except what they were really looking for—real joy. 

            Christmas is a time when we choose to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  We choose to celebrate the fact that He came to earth to be born as a baby, live a perfect life and die for our sins.  We rejoice that He is our savior and we can have eternal life because of Him.  That is the greatest gift of all.  And everything else that comes with Christmas—the lights, songs, decorations and even the gifts—it’s all meaningless without Jesus.  Without Him it’s as empty as this box (hold up box from skit).  Without Him it’s just a celebration of winter snow (in Florida?!) and a made up jolly old man.  Jesus is the reason for the season.  He gives us a real reason to celebrate.

The Miracle of Restoration

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  Ephesians 2:1, 2

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13, 14

Props: “the bridge” illustrations (boy separated from God, sin between boy and God) and a cross cut out to fit over the word “sin” and “bridge” the two cliffs

Today we’re talking about one of the most amazing miracles: Jesus’ resurrection.  He was dead and God raised Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He lived again, and still lives.  How amazing!

The Bible says that before we know God, we are dead in our sins.  But that doesn’t mean that we’re not breathing or don’t have a heartbeat.  So why would God call us dead when we have sin in our lives and don’t know Him?

If you think about it, death is more than a physical body that stops working.  Death is separation.  When someone dies, you and I who are still alive become separated from that person.  We can’t talk to him or see him like we used to.  When we are in sin, it’s like we are dead because we are separated from God.  His life-giving power is not at work in our lives. 

(Show 1^st picture–boy separated from God). 

   Everyone since Adam has been separated from God by sin.  The thing is, there’s no way we can ever get to God on our own.  People have tried for thousands of years to reach God with their own strength, their own good works or their own beliefs.  But it has never worked.  Sin created too great a separation to be crossed on our own. 

(Show 2^nd picture –sin between boy and God). 

 

That’s where the miracle happened.  Jesus came to the earth and was born without sin.  He lived a perfect life and never sinned or did anything wrong.  When He died, He took the punishment for our sins and made a way for us to be close to God again.  Our own goodness was never enough to get us close to God, but Jesus is perfect and His death was enough. 

(Place cut-out cross over the word “sin,” creating a “bridge” between the two cliffs). 

            When you accept what Jesus did for you and ask God to forgive your sins, you cross over from death to new life.  You are no longer separated from God, but are once again close to Him.  You are given new life just like Jesus rose from the dead. 

            We’re alive because Jesus is alive.  Jesus rose from the dead and, by God’s power, we can be free from sin and made alive in Christ.

The Past is Forgotten and Everything Is New

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person.  The past is forgotten, and everything is new.  2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV)

 Props: used calendar and new calendar

             Why do people use a calendar?  (Allow for response).  Calendars are used to write down things that are going to happen and to record things you’ve done.  (Display used calendar).  This is a calendar of this past year.  You can see how many different things are written down here.  These are all things that have already happened, things in the past.  In just a few days I’m going to throw away this calendar and begin the New Year with a fresh calendar that hasn’t been written on, because nothing has happened in the New Year.  It hasn’t started yet. 

            Now let’s imagine that this is a giant calendar and on it is written everything you’ve done this year.  Every word you’ve spoken, everything you’ve looked at and listened to, everything you’ve done is all written here.  Hmmm…January 12^th: talked back to Mom, February 14^th: stole Valentine’s Day candy from classmate, March 1^st: obeyed Dad and cleaned house, April 20^th: helped a friend with homework, June 9^th: got into a fight…  The truth is, God does have a list like that of every good and bad thing you’ve done.  He wants to give you a chance to start that list over again.  (Display new calendar).  Just like I’m going to throw away this old calendar and start with a brand new one, if you ask Jesus to forgive your sins, that old list of wrong things you’ve done will be thrown out and you can start all over.  I’m looking forward to beginning a new year with a new calendar.  You can begin again today with a fresh list with God by inviting Him into your life.

Tradition vs. Salvation

“…a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:11 (NIV)

 Props: any number of things that symbolize “traditional” Christmas celebrations (e.g., Santa Clause/reindeer, presents, Christmas tree, decorations, lights, candy, fireplace setting, etc.)

 Make the things you use interactive.  You may want to do any one or more of the following, or come up with your own ideas:  Read portions of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Clement Clarke Moore.  You can have “Santa” come out and have a few workers question him (How could he be at 3 malls at the same time?).  Decorate the Christmas tree, wrap presents or hand out pieces of holiday candy as you talk.   

             I was doing a little research about Christmas lately and I was surprised by what I learned.  Many of the holiday traditions we have at Christmas began long before Jesus was born.  Lighting “yuletide” fires, parties and celebrations in late December, giving gifts to one another and other traditions all have a history in other religions and cultures around the world.  Many of the things we do at the holidays have nothing to do with Jesus.  They’re just things that people do to have fun. 

            I hope I’m not the first to tell you, but Santa isn’t real.  Reindeer don’t fly.  There is not toy factory at the North Pole and elves don’t exist.  They’re all just a part of our holiday traditions and fun.  But it’s important to remember the reason we have to celebrate; Jesus is the reason for the season.

            Long ago some church leaders decided that they didn’t like all the celebrations in December, because not only did they have nothing to do with Jesus, some of the traditions thousands of years ago were evil.  Some of them even celebrated other gods.  So the church leaders decided to celebrate Jesus’ birth in December while everyone else was celebrating false gods and evil.  Over hundreds of years, all of the old traditions mixed in with the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  Then new traditions—like Santa Clause—were added.  So today we have one big mix of old traditions, new traditions and the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

            Our traditions and celebrations are fun, but the problem with traditions is that they are all centered around a short season and made up stories.  If all you celebrate is Santa, presents, candy, trees and lights, you’ll be disappointed.  These things won’t make you happy forever.    

 Traditions can bring fun and happiness for a short time; Jesus brings joy that lasts. 

Traditions last for a season; Jesus’ love goes on all year.

Traditions change; Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

 You can have fun with all these traditions, but remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

One of Us

“…She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”  Matthew 1:23 (NLT)

Props: birdcage, bird or picture of birds in snow

            There was once a man sitting in his living room by the fireplace on a cold winter’s day.  Outside, snow was falling and had already covered the ground.  The man heard a tapping on the window and turned to see a small bird pecking at the glass with its beak.  It was lost and cold, suffering out in the bitter weather.  Feeling sorry for the bird, the man walked outside so that he could help it inside and save its life.  But when he came close to the bird, it got scared and flew away.  So the man went inside once again, realizing that his plan to help the bird had failed.  A few minutes later as the man rested by the warm fire, he heard once again the sound of tapping on the window.  He turned to see the same bird trying to get into the house and escape the freezing cold weather outside.   

            This time as the man walked onto the front lawn he saw many other birds also trying to find warmth.  One by one he came close to them, trying to help, but each of them got scared and few away. 

            Frustrated, the man walked back inside.  “If only I could become a bird,” he thought.  “Then I could speak their language.  They would know that I am only trying to help them and save their lives.” 

            After Adam and Eve sinned, they began to die.  Since then, we’ve been like those little birds—lost and suffering in our sin.  Every time God has tried to come close and take us into His loving care, we’ve run away from Him.

            Like the man trying to save the birds, God had to find a way to become one of us, to speak our language and help us to understand Him.  So He sent His son Jesus, who is just like Him, to come and live on this earth with us.  Just like that man left the comfort of the fireplace to go out into the cold and try to help the birds, Jesus left His home in Heaven to come to this earth to save us.  Jesus spoke our language and told us of God’s love for us. He told us that God wants to take us in as His children.  

            One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel.  That means “God is with us.”  God came to us as a person, as Jesus, and walked on this earth.  He understands us and He loves us.  Instead of running away from God we need to run to Him.  Remember, Jesus is God with us.

Obedience Is the Best Gift

“A child has been born for us.  We have been given a son who will be our ruler.” 

Isaiah 9:6 (CEV)

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:25-26

Props: clean, clear drinking glass and dirty drinking glass

            Today we’re talking about giving our best to Jesus.  One of the greatest things about getting gifts is that you can use them.  No one here would want a pile of junk for Christmas, would you?  Of course not.  You want gifts you can use.  Jesus wants gifts that He can use, too.  He wants us to give Him our lives so that He can use them for great things. 

            (Display drinking glasses).  Look at these two drinking glasses.  What is the difference between the two of them.  (Allow for response).  The one is clean and ready to be used.  (Hold up dirty glass).  This glass, though, is not ready to be used.  As it is right now, it’s pretty useless.  No one would want to drink out of it.  What would have to happen before anyone could drink out of this glass?  (Allow for response). 

            Just as the glass has to be cleaned before it can be of any use, we have to come to God and let Him clean us up before He can use us.  God doesn’t use soap or water to clean us.  He washes all of our sins away and forgives us because Jesus took our punishment.  We must make the decision to ask for His forgiveness and to ask Him to wash our sins away and make us clean.  If we do that, He forgives us and we become clean—a gift that Jesus can use.  If not, we’re not going to be of any use to Him.  Bring your best to Jesus, the King.

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