A Starry Night! (Jump IN!)

A two-session Christmas series outline for use with preschool children alongside 'A Starry Night'.

All resources to support this session can be found at www.salvationist.org.uk/resources/starry-night

Bible Story

Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7

Use Scene videos 1 and 2 to tell the story, or read Scenes 1 and 2 from the script using the PowerPoint illustration slides. Available to download at www.salvationist.or.g.uk/resources/starry-night.

Note: When you talk about the story please echo the script that this is an ‘incredibly special story’.

Talk about going on a long journey and about where babies are usually born now.

I wonder how Joseph and Mary felt after their long journey? I wonder what it was like for them sharing a stable with the animals and putting baby Jesus in the manger of hay to sleep?

Song Suggestions

1. Theme song ‘A Starry Night’

Video track or backing track available at www.salvationist.org.uk/resources/starry-night.

Additional Songs

2. ‘Oh what a special night’, Animated Praise https://youtu.be/duzZ-p6rYNI?list=RDduzZ-p6rYNI
3. ‘Away in a manger’ https://youtu.be/jZVUg7Oql6w?list=RDjZVUg7Oql6w
4. ‘Baby Jesus, we love you’ https://youtu.be/4k-whdwL0Ng?list=RD4k-whdwL0Ng
5. ‘Counting down to Christmas’, The Salvation Army https://vimeo.com/769810312?share=copy
6. ‘Too wonderful’, KidSpring Children’s Ministry https://youtu.be/pkc2m0CmYL8

Craft/Activity Ideas

Make a Lumi Puppet by printing the template to card and cutting it out for people to decorate or colour. Attach to a stick with tape and then add some gold or yellow curling ribbons. These can be waved during the singing or used to help tell the story.
Create an obstacle course using soft-play items to make a journey to Bethlehem. You could have a hobby donkey for children to ride on.
‘A Starry Night’ colouring sheets are available to download on the Jump IN! webpage. These can be used in the session or to take home.
For more ideas see https://www.pinterest.co.uk/FamilyMinistriesUKIT/christmas-crafts/

Sensory Play

Fill a Tuff Tray with straw and use Nativity figures for children to create the story.
Make star slime or sparkly play-dough.
Make a Nativity scene snack by arranging pretzel sticks, grapes, carrots, satsumas, cheese, popcorn etc on a paper plate. Be aware of allergies.

Prayer

Invite everyone to join in the actions in bold.

Thank you, God, for being with Joseph and Mary as they travelled to Bethlehem. (Walk up and down on the spot)

Thank you, God, that they found a safe stable to sleep in. (Put your head on your hands and pretend to sleep)

Thank you, God, that your Son, Jesus, was born in the stable. (Rock your arms as if holding a baby)

This Christmas, help us to remember that baby Jesus was born – King of all the world! (Pretend to put a crown on your head)

Amen.

Bible Story

Luke 2:8-18; Matthew 2:1-12

Use Scene videos 3 and 4 to tell the story or read Scenes 3 and 4 from the script using the PowerPoint illustration slides. Available to download at www.salvationist.or.g.uk/resources/starry-night.

NOTE: When you talk about the story please echo the script that this is an ‘incredibly special story’.

Talk about who usually comes to visit when a new baby is born. I wonder how the shepherds and wise men felt when they first saw the incredibly special baby, Jesus, born King of all the world?