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Joy Story: a 5-Week Teaching Series for Children's Ministry TOPIC: Christmas SCRIPTURE: the Gospels DECORATING THEME: Toys AGE GROUP: Preschool (Get the Elementary version here !) At Christmas, gifts are all around us, but we know the holiday isn't about the toys-it's about the joy of Jesus' birth. We might experience joy from opening up gifts, but God gives us even greater joy through Jesus. In this 5-week series, kids will learn all about the joy Jesus brought into the world. They'll learn that Jesus is the savior God promised, how God sent Jesus at the perfect time, that everyone is invited to worship Jesus because Jesus brings joy to the world, and what it means to say Jesus is God's greatest gift. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Jesus is the savior God promised. (An Angel Appears to Mary: Luke 1:26-38) God sent Jesus at the perfect time. (Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John: Luke 1:5-25, 57-66) Jesus brings joy to the world. (Mary Visits Elizabeth: Luke 1:39-56) Jesus is God's greatest gift. (Jesus Is Born: Luke 2:1-20) Everyone is invited to worship Jesus. (The Magi Visit Jesus: Matthew 2:1-12) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, kids hear about how the angel Gabriel told Mary the joyful news that she will carry God's own son. Some of our favorite gifts are things that were promised to us-a new baseball glove, a computer, or a special trip with our family. This week, we'll hear about how the angel Gabriel told Mary the joyful news that she will carry God's own son. When he was born, people realized just how special this gift would be- Jesus is the savior God promised. This week, kids hear the joyful news that Zechariah and Elizabeth will have a son who will prepare the way for Jesus. Waiting over 400 years for a gift to arrive seems impossible, but that's how long God's people waited for a savior. This week, we'll hear the joyful news that Zechariah and Elizabeth will have a son who will prepare the way for Jesus. Even though God's people had been waiting a long time for a savior, God sent Jesus at the perfect time, and John would help get everything ready for him. This week, kids hear how Mary visited Elizabeth to share joyful news. Have you ever gotten a gift that was so perfect for you that it made you want to dance or jump with joy? This week, we'll take a look at the time when Mary visited Elizabeth to share joyful news with her. Once they saw each other, they both broke out in celebration because Jesus brings joy to the world. This week, kids hear the joyful news that Jesus was born and how shepherds came to celebrate! Some of the best gifts can appear in unexpected packages, which was undoubtedly the case for Jesus. This week, we'll hear the joyful news that Jesus was born and see how the shepherds came to celebrate. While details around his birth aren't exactly what you would expect, the way people from all over came to worship makes it clear that Jesus is God's greatest gift. This week, kids hear how Magi from the east looked for and worshiped Jesus. Most of us know what it's like to be left out, which is why we try so hard to make sure everyone has a gift at Christmas. This week, we'll hear how Magi made a long trip to look for Jesus, deliver gifts, and worship him after his birth. God invited these men from a far off place to bring gifts and see Jesus because everyone is invited to worship Jesus. MEMORY VERSE: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." - Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)

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