Summary

An outline of the background to the Nativity.  

Teachers’ Notes

Occasion: Christmas

Suitable Reading: A recording of ‘For to us a child is born’ from the Messiah would be of assistance.

Directions:

The pictures should be shown on PowerPoint as the story is told. The (  ) show when the slide should be changed. To attract the pupils’ attention, we recommend the first slide is already on display as they enter. 

The Main Text

(Picture 1)

If I were to ask you what your favourite day of the year is, I wonder what your answer would be?

The first day of the summer holidays?

(Photo 2)

Your birthday?

Every Monday when you come home from school!

(Photo 3)

A lot of you would probably choose Christmas day.

(Photo 4)

In some areas of Wales, the festival is not called Christmas.....

(Photo 5)

 but ‘Y Gwyliau’ – ‘The Holidays’. This is one of the main festivals of the Christian calendar for many people.

(Photo 6)

People in every part of the world celebrate Christmas, or the Holiday; or, another name is the Nativity.

Do you know why it is called the Nativity? [Pupils may suggest answers.]

Yes, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But, did you know that the Hebrew nation, or the Jews, have been waiting for the coming of the Messiah for centuries?

(Photo 7)

Just as we look forward excitedly to the festival of Christmas, and giving and receiving gifts, these people were also looking forward: they believed that God would send them a leader, someone like Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation.

(Photo 8)

Others expected someone like David, the nation’s great hero.

(Photo 9)

Others expected someone who would be wise like King Solomon.

He was the son of David, and everybody thought that he was very clever. He used to offer advice that helped people to live good and honest lives.  Some of the things he said have been gathered together and can be seen in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible.

(Photo 10)

Others thought that it would be a prophet that would come, able to teach the people about God – a man who was not afraid of anyone or anything, a man who told the truth whatever the cost. A man like Elijah.

His story is also in the Bible, in the Old Testament.

That is what the people expected - a leader; a king, a wise man, a prophet.

This is how one man summarised how this special person who everybody waited for would be:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called ‘Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’” 

Actually, in the book of Isaiah, the words we’re used to hearing translated as ‘Mighty God’, really mean ‘a mighty, Godlike hero’.

(Photo 11)

Wonderful Counsellor - like Solomon

(Photo 12)

A God-like hero - like David

(Photo 13)

Everlasting Father - like Abraham

(Photo 14)

Prince of Peace - like……..yes, like no one before.

These people waited and waited for this special person. Many years passed, and indeed, some people had started to doubt whether God would keep His word at all. But then, a prophet came again and said more about the one God had chosen. The people had an idea of what he was like in character but where was he going to be born?

(Photo 15)

Well, said the prophet Micah – again in the Old Testament:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
 though you are small among the clans of Judah,
 out of you will come for me
 one who will be ruler over Israel,
 whose origins are from of old,
 from ancient times.”

(Photo 16)

Now the people had more of an idea, more information about this person who was coming – he would be similar to Solomon, to David, to Abraham and he was going to be the Prince of Peace - and he was going to be born in Bethlehem. People must keep an eye out for him. But, time passed once again, and many people forgot about the promise.

Then, one day, when the Romans were ruling the majority of the world, something quite amazing happened...

Prayer

Lord our Father, we thank you for the Bible which recounts the stories of your promises to your people over the years. At this time of year, help us to remember the story of the Nativity and to get everything in perspective, and not let the Christmas fun hide the true meaning of what we are celebrating – the birth of Jesus Christ. Amen.