Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 3: “Instant Recognition”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 2:21-40
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Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN-xNrkjbo (Crossroads Kids Club- Simeon & Anna)

“Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived." (Luke 2:21).

One of the first things that Mary and Joseph did after Jesus was born was to take Him to the Temple. God had a law that if a woman’s first baby was a boy, he was to be brought to God for a special dedication. While at the Temple, though only eight days old, He was recognized as God’s promised rescuer, the Messiah...not just once, but twice!

Simeon was a righteous man who lived in Jerusalem; he loved God and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah–God had even told him that he would get to see Him before Simeon died. On the day that Joseph and Mary went to the Temple, Simeon decided to go as well...and was he ever glad he did! He recognized that the baby Jesus was the Messiah and praised God for the privilege of being able to meet him. He prayed a special blessing on the whole family.

But he wasn’t the only one. There was also a prophet, Anna, who was in the Temple that day. Actually, she had been in the Temple day and night for years praying and worshiping God. She too instantly recognized who this special baby was and started telling everyone. But no one else seemed to get very excited about the fact that the Messiah was in the Temple. However, Simeon and Anna knew and that was enough. They praised God and thanked Him for Jesus, the Messiah!

Think about it...

• Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the Temple?
  
• Who was Simeon?
  
• How do you think he was able to recognize that this baby, Jesus, was the Messiah?
  
• Who was Anna?
  
• How did Simeon and Anna get so good at hearing God speak?
  
• God wants everyone to have a relationship with Him. Do you spend time talking with Him like Simeon and Anna?
  
• How do you know when God is speaking to you?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that I can speak to you like Simeon and Anna did...and hear from you, too! Thank you that we can trust your promises. Help me to recognize how you are working in my life, so that I can be quick to obey you, tell others about you and praise you for everything you are doing.

Fun Activity: How well do you listen?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S7nG6S1isM (‘telephone’ craft activity)

Season 1: Stories of Jesus
Episode 2: “Born in a Barn?!”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 2:1-20

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5m2GE6DFeM (Saddleback Kids - Luke 2:1-20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83huFAMOte0 (“Come and Worship” Bebo Norman - “The Nativity” live action)

“‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’" (Luke 2:10-11).

Mary and her fiancé, Joseph, had to travel to Bethlehem because the Roman Emperor, Quirinius, had decided he needed to have everyone counted for taxation purposes. Even though the time was close for Mary to have her baby, they didn’t have an option but to do what the government said and they had to make the difficult trip. Lots of other people had to make the same trip and by the time Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, the little town was bursting at the seams. In fact, all the available spaces for visitors were gone! An inn keeper felt sorry for Mary and allowed them to stay in the stable where the animals were kept. That’s right...Jesus was born in a barn! The special God-man wasn’t born in a palace, but among stinky animals!

But God still wanted people to know that Jesus was born and sent angels to some shepherds who were awake taking care of their sheep–nearly scared them to death! But the angels told them not to be frightened...and even invited them to be the first to go and see the brand new baby. They would know they had found the right baby because He had been born in a barn...something that did not happen everyday even in first century Palestine! What a special privilege for the shepherds. They were so pleased, they made certain to tell everyone.

Think about it...

• Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, but had to travel to Bethlehem to be taxed. Even this was part of God’s plan–hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Micah had told everyone that God’s promised rescuer was going to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)! What other clues did God give about Jesus before He was born?
• Jesus was born in a barn. Why? What message might God have been giving people when Jesus, the God-man, wasn’t born in a rich palace?
• Shepherds in Jesus’ day were not considered to be very important people. Why did the angels not choose more important people to tell?
• How would you have responded if you were one of the shepherds?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for loving people enough to send Jesus to clean up the mess we made of the world. Thank you, too, that you didn’t just come for ‘important’ people, but for everyone! Help me be like one of the shepherds who went and told everyone about you.