56

L E S S ON 1 3
REFERENCES: MATTHEW 2:1, 2, 10, 11; THE DESIRE OF AGES, PP. 59-67.

Birthday Presents
for Jesus
Have you ever given someone the perfect birthday present? How
did you feel when that person opened your gift?

n the night that Jesus was born,

the angels came and sang to
the shepherds. The shepherds
were the only ones who heard
the angels, but they werent

the only ones who saw them.

Far, far away in another country, a
group of men were looking into the heavens.
They had studied the
nighttime sky for

Memory Verse

years and knew

God loves a
cheerful giver.

where every

2 CORINTHIANS 9:7, NIV.

The Message
We worship Jesus
when we bring our
offerings to Him.

star was supposed

to be. But on that night, something was different. Thereright
therewas what seemed like a new star, a bright star, one that had
never been there before.
These men didnt know it, but they probably were looking at
the angel choir that had sung to the shepherds. After their song the

57

angels had faded off into the distance until they looked like a new star glittering in the night
sky.
What did it mean? These men studied the Bible until they found special words. A star
shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. That was it! This was the
star of a new King! They would go and worship Him right away.
But they wouldnt go without presents. They would take the nicest gifts they could find:
gold, the most precious metal; frankincense, a sweet-smelling incense from faraway countries;
and myrrh, an expensive perfume. They were treasures fit for any king. They would be the
perfect presents.
When it was night again they checked the heavens once more. Yes, the strange new star
was still there. They would follow the star, and it would lead them to the new King.
When daylight crept into the eastern sky, the angel star faded from sight. Then the Wise
Men stopped to sleep. But as soon as darkness slipped over the land and they could see the
star, they were ready to follow its light once again.
Night after night they traveled, for it was a
long trip. But every night the angel star
guided them, until at last it led them
to Jesus and His parents.
The Wise Men were so happy
to find Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
They fell to their knees and
worshipped Him. Then they
gave the gold, frankincense, and
myrrh to Jesus.
Mary and Joseph were
amazed, but pleased.
These were the first
presents for Jesus, and
they were perfect gifts of
love and worship.

58

Do and Say
S ABBATH

bright yellow star to remind

him or her that the Wise
Men followed the star
to find Jesus. Thank
Jesus for the angels who
made up that star.

Each day this week read the lesson story and

use the following to review the memory verse:
God . . . . . . . . . . Point upward.
loves . . . . . . . . . . Hands crossed over heart.
a cheerful . . . . . . Smile.
giver.. . . . . . . . . Pretend to take something
from one hand and hold it
out toward others.
2 Corinthians 9:7 . Palms together; then open
as if opening a
book.

W E D N E S D AY

Let your child read the pictures as you share

the lesson story. Help him or her identify the
people and the gifts. Together, count the
gifts and the people. Sing a song about
giving. Then thank God for the most
precious gift of allJesus.

S U ND AY

Help your child give the cinnamon stick (or flower) gift made
in Sabbath School to someone you
know and tell them about the gifts of
the Wise Men. If appropriate, let your
child show them the pictures in the lesson story.

T H U R S D AY

Let your child help you prepare

and serve a special gift for your
family, something all will enjoy, such
as a special treat or favorite food for
lunch or dinner. Sing a song of thanksgiving and thank Jesus for your family.

M OND AY

FR I D AY

Talk about the gifts the Wise Men gave Jesus.

Ask: What two important gifts can you give to
Jesus? (offerings, myself) Help your child pray
a simple prayer such as: Dear Jesus, I give myself to You. Amen. Plan to take an offering to
Sabbath School next Sabbath. Thank Jesus that
you have something to give.

Help your child dress up as one of the Wise

Men and read the pictures in the lesson story
to your family. Afterward, ask your family:
What gifts can we give Jesus tomorrow? Set
aside your Sabbath offerings and sing a song
about giving. Then thank Jesus for His gift of
Himself to your family.

T U ESD AY

Help your child draw, color, and cut out a

59

he memory verse activities described here

are recommended as teaching and review
activities. These activities were suggested
for use in Sabbath School.

L ESSON 1

LE S S O N 3

Use the suggested motions as you say the

Use the suggested motions as you say

memory verse together.

the memory verse.

I pray . . . . . . . . . Fold hands.

There is a friend Link arms with child.

that you . . . . . . . . Point to others.

who sticks . . . . . Press palms together.

may enjoy . . . . . . Smile.

closer than . . . . . Step closer to each

a brother.
other.

good health. . . . Clench fists to bulge

biceps.

Proverbs 18:24 . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

3 John 2 . . . . . . . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

LE S S O N 4

L ESSON 2

Use the following motions as you say the

Use the following motions as you say the

memory verse.

memory verse.

One thing . . . . . Point upward.

I . . . . . . . . . . . . . Point to self.

I . . . . . . . . . . . . . Point to self.

was sick . . . . . . . . Hand on forehead.

do know. . . . . . . . Tap forehead.

and you . . . . . . . . Point to others.

I was blind . . . . . Cover eyes with hands.

looked after me. Put arms around self and

give self a hug.

but now I see! . . With both hands raised

up high, look up.

Matthew 25:36 . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

John 9:25 . . . . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

60

L ESSON 5

LE S S O N 7

Use the suggested motions as you say

Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

the memory verse.

God . . . . . . . . . . Point upward.

[God] said, . . . . Point upward.

has come . . . . . . . Motion to come.

I love you . . . . . Hug self.

to help . . . . . . . . . Hands outstretched and

cupped together.

with a love that . Spread both arms wide.

will last forever.

his people. . . . . . Point to others.

Jeremiah 31:3 . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

Luke 7:16 . . . . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

LE S S O N 8

L ESSON 6

Use the suggested motions as you say

Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

the memory verse.

You, Lord, . . . . Point upward.

[Jesus says,] . . . Point upward.

are good, . . . . . . Clap hands together.

You . . . . . . . . . . . Point to others.

and ready to . . . Open arms wide.

forgive.

can be sure . . . . . Fist hits palm of other

hand.

Psalm 86:5 . . . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

that I will be . . . . Point finger upward.

with you always. Arms spread out wide.
Matthew 28:20 . . Palms together; then open
as if opening a book.

61

L ESSON 9

LE S S O N 12

Use the suggested motions as you say

Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

the memory verse.

Grow . . . . . . . . Crouch down and gradually stand up.

The Lord . . . . . Point upward.

has done great . . Hold arms up high.
things

in the grace . . . . Clasp arms over chest.

of . . . Jesus. . . . Point upward.

for us. . . . . . . . . Point to self, then to

others.

2 Peter 3:18 . . . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

Psalm 126:3 . . . . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

L ESSON 1 0

LE S S O N 13

Use the suggested motions as you say

Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

the memory verse.

Thanks . . . . . . . Clap your hands five times.

God . . . . . . . . . . Point upward.

be to God . . . . . . Point upward.

loves . . . . . . . . . . Hands crossed over

heart.

for His . . . gift! Pretend to rock Baby

Jesus in your arms.
2 Corinthians
9:15

a cheerful . . . . . . Smile.

Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

giver. . . . . . . . . . Pretend to take something from one hand

and hold it out toward
others.

L ESSON 1 1
Use the suggested motions as you say

2 Corinthian 9:7 . Palms together; then open

as if opening a book.

the memory verse.

Every perfect gift Pretend to hold a gift.
is from God. . . . Point upward.
James 1:17 . . . . . Palms together; then open
as if opening a book.

62

Jesus Birth Finger Play

Thank You, God,

Point up high.

for the innkeeper

Index finger up.

who offered the manger

Cup hands.

to Joseph the father

Thumb up.

and Mary the mother

Other thumb up.

of Baby Jesus,

Palms together, resting against one cheek.

and for the angels that sang

Wiggle fingers.

and the shepherds

Count fingers.

who came to the manger

Cup hands.

to worship the Baby Jesus.

Palms together, resting against one cheek.

Most of all, thank You, God,

Point up high.

for Baby Jesus,

Palms together, resting against one cheek.

who grew to be a big man

Arms open wide.

who loves us all.

Point to self, then to others.

Copyright 2002 by General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved.

63

I Know That Jesus Loves Me

aDapt. by NoeleNe JoHNssoN

traDitioNal / arr. by KeNNetH D. logaN

* father, brother, sister, sunshine, raisins, rainbows, squirrels

(any soft toy)

Variations for second verse:

He always watches oer me
to keep me safe I know.
He always watches oer me
to help my love to grow.

Arrangement copyright 2001 by Review and Herald

Publishing Association.

Marys Little Baby

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Copyright 1955 by Review and Herald Publishing Association.

64

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