A Crossroads Kids Club Christmas Lesson Plan

     I just finished putting together a Christmas lesson plan for our Crossroads Kids Clubs to use. It is still in draft form (i.e., It is plain vanilla text.) and is definitely not based on an original idea. Nonetheless I will share it with you in case someone finds a use for it.

“J” Is for Jesus
A Christmas Lesson

Background

Materials Needed:   
      For Large Group:

• (Optional) One copy of the book The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg (ISBN: 978-0310212478)
• (Optional) Lyrics and music for some Christmas songs

      For Each Small Group:

• A Bible
• A dictionary
• “Beaded Legend of The Candy Cane Ornament Craft Kit,” available at www.orientaltrading.com ($2.29/dozen currently), one craft per student
• Candy canes, one per student

Main Idea:
Christmas is about Jesus, and Jesus came to save us and to lead us. 

Scriptural Basis:

• Matthew 1:19–21
• John 10:14
• Matthew 7:24–27
• Hebrews 4:15
• Isaiah 53:4–5
• John 3:16
• Matthew 2:1–11
• Luke 2:1–21
  

Session Schedule

Snack, Check In & Welcome (10 Minutes)

Opening Game(s) (30 Minutes)
Choose your game(s) from the Crossroads Kids Club games handbook.

Large Group Lesson (20–30 Minutes)

• Open the lesson with these ice breaker questions:
• What plans do you have for celebrating Christmas?
• What gift(s) are you hoping to receive for Christmas?
  
• Explain that Christmas is about remembering that Jesus was born. God took on human flesh and was born as a baby. He grew into a boy and then a man. One of the titles used for Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” Say: This is great news! In fact, after Jesus was born, an angel appeared to some shepherds and said: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10b NIV). Today we are going to look at a common piece of Christmas candy—the candy cane—and see why the fact that Jesus came to earth is such great news.
  
• Object Lesson: The Candy Cane
  
  
  • Explain that you will need some helpers who can look up and read some Bible verses as you talk about how the candy cane reminds us of the great news that Jesus came to earth. The readers should look up the passages in advance and be ready to read. The passages are:
    
  • Matthew 1:19–21
  • John 10:14
  • Matthew 7:24–27
  • Hebrews 4:15
  • Isaiah 53:4–5
  • John 3:16
  • Matthew 2:1–11
    
  • The Shape:
    
  • The candy cane makes a “J” shape. What do you think the letter “J” represents at Christmas? (Jesus!) Yes, Jesus. Does anyone know what the name Jesus means? Let’s look in the Bible to find out. Ask the first reader to read Matthew 1:19–21 aloud. Explain that Jesus was the name God had chosen to give to his Son when he was born because it means “The Lord Saves.” Remind the students that we are all in bondage to sin, but Jesus came to save us—to set us free!
    
  • Turn the candy cane the other way and it makes a shepherd’s staff. Ask the students if they know for what purposes a shepherd would use a staff. Explain that a shepherd would guide the sheep and keep them from danger using a staff. Ask the next reader to read John 10:14. Explain that Jesus is our good shepherd. He wants to lead us and guide us into God’s best for us.
    
  • The Hardness:
    
  • A candy cane is a hard candy. How many of you like chewy candies? How many prefer hard candies? Both are good, right? But if I want someone who I can depend on, I want them to be solid, not soft and squishy, right? The hardness of the candy cane reminds us that Jesus is a rock. Ask the next reader to read Matthew 7:24–27. Jesus’ words are rock solid because Jesus is the Rock of Ages. He is totally dependable.
    
  • The Colors:
    
  • White is the absence of color. It represents the absences of sin. Jesus was totally pure and holy. He never thought or did anything against God’s law. Ask the next reader to read Hebrews 4:15, which talks about the fact that Jesus was tempted but did not sin.
    
  • The Red stripes represent Jesus’ blood. Jesus died as a substitute for us. Our sin needed to be paid for if we were going to have a right relationship with God. The penalty for sin is death. Jesus suffered and died to give us life. Ask the next volunteer to read Isaiah 53:4–5 aloud.
    
    
  • The color red also symbolizes love. Jesus came and died for us because he loves us—because God loves us. Let’s take a look at John 3, verse 16.
    
  • The Flavor:
    
  • What flavor are most traditional candy canes? (peppermint) Ask the final reader to read Matthew 2:1–11. Explain the context of what is happening in this passage and then ask the students if any of them have an idea what this story has to do with peppermint. Explain that peppermint is flavorful and fragrant. In fact, you can grow the herb peppermint in the garden, and when you rub the leaves in your hands it makes a very strong smell. The wise men in Matthew chapter 2 brought Jesus some fragrant gifts—frankincense and myrrh. They also brought him something valuable: gold. They recognized that Jesus was the Savior, the Rock of Ages and the Son of God. They brought gifts to him. The peppermint reminds us of these gifts and that we should offer the best of what we have back to God, too.
    
  • Ask the students for ideas about how they can give to God. Discuss the fact that God loves when we worship him by speaking praises or singing songs to him or about him. You might wish to sing some Christmas songs of worship at this point.

• (Optional) Read The Legend of the Candy Cane.
   
• Pray with the students and dismiss them to small groups.

Small Group Discussion (20–30 Minutes)

• Explain that a lot of people are confused about the real meaning of Christmas. Ask a student to look up what the dictionary says Christmas is about. The dictionary will say something about Christmas being an annual celebration when Christians remember Jesus’ birth.
  
• Say: Well, the dictionary was a little bit helpful in understanding what Christmas is all about, but where could we look to really learn more? (The Bible)
  
• Read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1–21. You might use some dramatic voices or even have students read parts of it. Ask questions for understanding and comprehension.
  
• Review the candy cane object lesson to explain why it is so important that Jesus was born.
  
• Tell the students that they will be making a Christmas ornament to remind them about the meaning of the candy cane. Distribute the Candy Cane ornament craft kits and make this craft together with the students.
  
• Take the students’ prayer requests and pray with them.
  
• Before dismissing the students, give each one a real candy cane.