Preschool: Celebrate Jesus’ Birth: Session 4–Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus (December 22)

1s & 2s— Discover a Picture

Bible Story: Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus Luke 2:21-28
Life Point: People knew Jesus was special.
Weekly Verse: Simeon help baby Jesus. Luke 2:28

Materials: Teaching Picture 4, shallow box, pop beads

• Place the picture in the box and cover it with the pop beads.
• Invite a preschooler to look in the box and uncover the picture.
• Point to the picture as you talk about the Bible story. Comment that Mary and Jesus took Jesus to church; Simeon and Anna saw Jesus and knew He was special.
• Help the preschooler replace the picture in the box and cover it for another child.

3–Pre-K— Paint on Church-Shaped Paper

Bible Story: Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus Luke 2:21-28
Life Point: People knew Jesus was God’s Son.
Weekly Verse: Jesus is God’s Son. Luke 1:35

Materials: Teaching Picture 4, 12-by-18-inch manila paper, scissors, paint in cups, paintbrushes, painting smocks, marker

• Cut the paper into church shapes. (Fold the paper in half with short sides together. Start about 5 inches from the corner and cut a slant to almost the center. Then pivot the scissors and cut to the fold. This will make a shape look like a church with a steeple.) Print the Life Point at the top of each paper. Display the Teaching Picture with the other materials.
• Direct the children to put on smocks before painting. Show the Teaching Picture and talk about the Bible story as children paint. Comment that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to church (the temple) where Simeon and Anna saw Him. They knew Jesus was special.

Kindergarten— Make Thank-You Cards

Bible Story: Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus Luke 2:21-28
Life Point: People knew Jesus was God’s Son.
Weekly Verse: Jesus is God’s Son. Luke 1:35

Materials: cardstock, Christmas gift wrap (no fantasy themes), scissors or paper punches, glue sticks, markers, paper

• Cut the gift wrap into small pieces, or punch different shapes with the paper punches. Fold the cardstock in half. One the paper print Thank You God for Jesus and the Weekly Verse. Boys and girls can copy from the paper.
• Guide the boys and girls to decorate the fronts of their cards by gluing the gift wrap in a collage. Then they can print the message and Weekly Verse on the inside.
• Talk about the Bible story as children work. Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus, His Son.