Advent for Kids: December 12- The Shepherds

(photo by Rachel Miller)

(Here's a little bonus photo of my kids opening the advent calendar. They love it so much and I've been really impressed with how much my 4 year old is remembering! Let me know your experiences and suggestions!)

Which two candles are we lighting tonight and what do they symbolize? Yes, the Prophesy candle symbolizing the hope for Jesus that the prophesies brought and the Bethlehem candle symbolizing our humble obedience to God’s big plans

The last 4 night we read about Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Mary. Did you know other people got to be part of God’s plan to save the world?  Let’s read more about the day Jesus was born:

 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.     Luke 2:8-20

The shepherds trusted what the angles told them, even though it sounded a little strange. So they went to the sable and got to see the baby Jesus in the manger!

After the shepherds saw Jesus, they told other people what had happened and worshiped God for everything He had done. What wonderful things has God done for you? God wants us to tell everyone about the wonderful things God has done, just like the shepherds.