Advent Bible Reading with Kids- ANGELS
Counting down to Christmas was always a fun process for me when I was a kid. The countdown and excitement building towards the special day seemed to be as much fun as the actual day of Christmas. I love building the excitement for my kids. And one of the things we try to do is to read the stories of the birth of Jesus different ways. I know that there are so many fun traditions and advent readings for families to choose from. One year we read verses each day that had the names of Jesus on them. Last year we read about the tabernacle/temple furnishing and how each one was an image of who Christ was and what He did. This is one is that I have done in the past. But we are doing it again this year. It is not in chronological order. But it teaches some of the main elements of the story of Jesus’ Birth. Each element is important in demonstrating that Jesus was the Messiah.
Each week there is a main element that is taught. Scripture passages that go with it. And some activities or ideas you can do afterwards with it including a short hymn study. I hope it is helpful and you enjoy!
WEEK ONE: ANGELS
Ask the kids: What is an angel?
An angel is a messenger of God.
“We are going to read stories each day about angels that visit humans and tell them a message from God.”
Young ones: have an angel ornament or figurine for them to hold to help them see what you will be reading about and to keep their little hands busy but engaged.
DAY 1: Luke 1: 5-25 The Angel and Zacharias
Explain: God had not sent any messages to His people for 400 years. Older kids can look at the nation that ruled at this time, Rome and a map. Zacharias was a priest and was chosen by lot (stones usually) to work in the temple service by lighting the incense fire on the altar of incense (look at a picture in your Bible or Exodus). The altar of incense was placed right in front of the veil where the ark of the covenant was. This was the most holy place. The job Zacharias had was very special. Few men would have had the chance to serve in the temple in such a unique way. The incense had to be lit twice a day, once in the morning, and once at twilight.
Ask questions: What did the angel say? What was the message? How did Zacharias respond? What happened to Zacharias? Did the message come to pass?
DAY 2: Luke 1:26-38 Gabriel and Mary
Explain: Mary was a virgin. She was not supposed to or able to have a baby. (Older kids you can explain more). To have a baby would have been a miracle. This baby was going to be all God’s and all Mary’s. The baby’s dad was God. Joseph was a descendant of King David. If Israel wouldn’t have been ruled by Rome. Joseph could have been the king.
Ask questions: What did the angel say? What was the message? How did Mary respond? What happened to Mary? What was this baby going to be, have, and be named? What does the angel say about God?
DAY 3: Matthew 1:18-24 Gabriel and Joseph
Explain: In that time if a lady who was not married was pregnant it was a big deal. Society would look down on her and she could even be killed for it. Joseph was a good man so he was going to just send Mary away.
Ask questions: What did the angel say? What was the message? What was Joseph doing when the angel came to him? How did Joseph respond? What was this baby going to be, have, and be named? What does the angel say about God?
DAY 4: Luke 2:8-18 The angels and the Shepherds
Explain: In that time shepherds were the least favorite type of people in society. They were looked down on. Everyone thought they were better than shepherds.
Ask questions: How is this angel meeting different? Who did the angel tell the message to? What did the angel/angels say? What was the message? How did the shepherds respond? What happened?
EXTRA ACTIVITIES:
1. Learn the hymn, Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley. Sing it every day. The first verse is about the announcement to the shepherds. Compare the verse of the hymn to the passage in Luke 2. Older kids can look up vocabulary words:
Herald- official messenger of a royal
Hark- listen
Reconcile- bring back to relationship or friendship
Triumph- victory
Mild- gentle
Story about the composer: Charles Wesley lived in England in the 1700s. At that time there were almost 200 crimes that were punishable by death. Stealing bread was one of them. Charles Wesley was known to go and visit prisoners. He had a heart for evangelism. One of the things he would do is to follow the carts of prisoners who were being taken to their execution and pray for their souls and plead with them to follow Christ. The hymn, Hark the Herald tells the full gospel story. The original hymn has more verses than what we sing today. Below is a link with the original verses and an explanation.
For the text of the Hymn you can go here:
https://hymnary.org/text/hark_the_herald_angels_sing_glory_to
Original Text:
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hark-the-herald-angels-sing
2. Make angels crafts- This site has a bunch of ideas.
https://buggyandbuddy.com/30-angel-crafts-kids/
May You Have Abundant Days for His Glory and Your Good,
Kristin Overman
