Cards 13-16 BIRTHPLACE OF CHRIST The ruler over the land where Mary and Joseph lived wanted to know how many people were in the land. Everyone was told to go to the town from which his family came, so that all the people could be counted. Joseph had to go back to Bethlehem, for he came from the family of King David. Many years before, King David had been a shepherd on the hillsides there. The journey back to Bethlehem took several days. When Mary and Joseph arrived, many other travelers already were there. No room was left for them in the inn. Finally a shelter was found where they could rest for the night. The place where they stayed was like a stable where animals were kept, not the kind of a place where kings would sleep. But a king did sleep there, for Jesus, God’s Son, was born that night! Mary wrapped her newborn baby in pieces of cloth called “swaddling clothes.” She laid Him in a manger that usually held food for the animals. Perhaps Mary wondered how this tiny baby really could be a king! He wasn’t born in a palace; His mother wasn’t a queen; and He wasn’t dressed in royal clothes. But God’s messenger had told her that Jesus was a king; and that His kingdom would never end. Mary knew that God keeps His promises.

BIRTHPLACE OF CHRIST A. Nazareth B. Egypt C. Bethlehem The ruler over the land where Mary and Joseph lived wanted to know how many people were in the land? True or False Were where everyone told to go to get this count? Joseph was from where? Joseph was from the family of King D______________? The journey back to Bethlehem was quick as they rode in a bus? True or False There was no room for them in the inn as many other travelers already were there? True or False The only place they could find to sleep was in someone’s house? True or False The place where they stayed was like a stable where animal were kept? True or False Mary wrapped baby Jesus in a nice fleece blanket? True or False What did Mary use to cover Jesus? Mary laid Jesus in a nice bassinet? True or False Where did Mary lay Jesus? God’s messenger had told Mary that Jesus was a king, and that His kingdom would never end? True or False God keeps His promises? True or False

TOLD SHEPHERDS OF JESUS’ BIRTH The same night that Jesus was born in Bethlehem there were some shepherds out on the hills nearby. They were watching over their sheep. Suddenly the shepherds saw a bright light. They were surprised and afraid. Then they looked up and saw an angel. The angel had been sent from God. “Do not be afraid,” said the angel, “I bring you good news. Today in the city of Bethlehem a Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord. This is how you shall be able to find the baby. He shall be wrapped in swaddling clothes.. He shall be lying in a manger.” Suddenly there were more angels. They sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men.” Then the angels went back to heaven. The sky was dark again. The shepherds looked at one another. They wondered about this thing which they had just seen and heard. They said, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see the baby.” So the shepherds left their sheep on the hillsides and started out toward Bethlehem. And there they found the baby Jesus, just as the angel had said.

TOLD SHEPHERDS OF JESUS’ BIRTH A. A messenger or the King B. Another shepherd C. Angel What appeared to the shepherds suddenly in the sky? Were they surprised and afraid? When they looked up what did they see? The angel was sent by whom? What did the angel tell the shepherds? The angel told the shepherds they would find the baby how? What did the host of angels sing? The shepherds looked at one another and wondered and then they said what? Did the shepherds leave their sheep on the hillsides? Then they started toward what city? Did they find baby Jesus?

SIGN TO THE WISE MEN The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the Wise Men, the Magi. These men lived far away from Bethlehem. They knew many important things. They were mostly likely scholars from Persia who learned of the birth of a new king by studying the stars. God wanted these wise men to know the good news, so He put a very bright star in the sky. The wise men knew this star meant a great new king had been born. The wise men wanted to find the King and take Him gifts. They traveled first to Jerusalem, seeking the newborn King at Herold’s palace. King Herod was surprised to hear about another king. He asked the priests and teachers where the new king was. There they learned about the Old Testament prophecy that a king would be born in Bethlehem. Herod told the wise men to find this new King in Bethlehem, and then they should come back to tell him. So they traveled on to the small village and as they rode their camels to Bethlehem, the same bright star that they had seen before led them again. The star led them to the baby, and in Matthew 2:11 we read that this was in a house. This is were they present Jesus with their gifts.

SIGN TO THE WISE MEN A. Saw an angel B. Saw clouds C. Saw a star What book of the gospel tells the story of the Wise Men? Did these men live close to Bethlehem? These men knew many important things and were most likely scholars? True or False These men were most likely from where? What did they study? Did God want these wise men to know the good news? What did God put in the sky? What did these wise men know this star meant? The wise men wanted to find the King and take Him what? What city did they travel to first? To whose palace? Was King Herod surprised to hear about another king? What did he ask the wise men to do? How did they get to Bethlehem to find the baby?

NUMBER OF WISE MEN UNKNOWN The bible does not say how many wise men came to see Jesus, but many people believe there were three because of the three gifts mentioned.