Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Jesus Is Born

Jesus Ages 3–8 Story 15 of 25

Luke 2 · ESV memory verse below

Jesus Is Born

Who is this?

Jesus, the Savior, Christ the Lord. Mary was His mother; Joseph cared for them. Angels told the good news to shepherds.

What happened?

Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger. Heaven announced a real Savior for ordinary people—and Mary treasured these things.

The story

Caesar ordered a census. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She wrapped her baby and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Nearby, shepherds were watching their flock at night. An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were filled with fear.

The angel said, “Fear not… for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Suddenly a great company of angels praised God: “Glory to God in the highest.”

The shepherds hurried and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. They told others what they had heard about this Child. Mary kept all these things and thought about them in her heart. God had kept His promise—the Savior had come.

Memory verse (ESV)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. Where was Jesus laid when He was born?
  2. Who told the shepherds the good news?

Ages ~8–12

  1. What does “Savior,” “Christ,” and “Lord” each tell us about Jesus?
  2. Why might God have told shepherds first?
  3. How can our family “treasure” this story like Mary did?

Family activity

Wrap a small toy in a cloth “manger.” Sing or say Luke 2:11, then thank God for the Savior.

Parent take-home

Read Luke 2:1–20. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, laid in a manger; angels told shepherds of a Savior, Christ the Lord. Practice Luke 2:11; thank God that the good news came first to ordinary shepherds—and still comes to us.

Talk on the way home

  1. Where was the baby laid?
  2. Who heard the good news first?
  3. What three names did the angel use for the child?

Longer family guide: Week 14 on the family page.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (draw). Draw the main moment—keep it simple. Label one word from the story.

For parents and teachers

Read Luke 2:1–20 without adding innkeeper legends. The wonder is the Savior, Christ the Lord, in a manger. Let children say the verse until they can tell who He is.