56

57

L E S S ON 1 3

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 weren’t

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

years and knew

where every

star was supposed

to be. But on that night, something was different. There—right

there—was what seemed like a new star, a bright star, one that had

never been there before.

These men didn’t know it, but they probably were looking at

the angel choir that had sung to the shepherds. After their song the

Memory Verse “God loves a

cheerful giver.”2 CORINTHIANS 9:7, NIV.

The MessageWe worship Jesus when we bring our offerings to Him.

REFERENCES: MATTHEW 2:1, 2, 10, 11; THE DESIRE OF AGES, PP. 59-67.

O

Birthday Presents for Jesus

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 wouldn’t 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

pre sents for Jesus, and

they were perfect gifts of

love and worship.

58

SABBATHEach 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.

SUNDAYHelp your child give the cin-

namon 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 les-son story.

MONDAYTalk 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 my-self to You. Amen.” Plan to take an offering to Sabbath School next Sabbath. Thank Jesus that you have something to give.

TUESDAYHelp your child draw, color, and cut out a

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.

WEDNESDAYLet 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 all—Jesus.

THURSDAYLet 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 thanksgiv-

ing and thank Jesus for your family.

FRIDAYHelp 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.

Do and Say

59

60

LESSON 1Use the suggested motions as you say the

memory verse together.

“I pray . . . . . . . . . Fold hands.

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

may enjoy . . . . . . Smile.

good health.” . . . Clench fists to bulge biceps.

3 John 2 . . . . . . . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 2Use the following motions as you say the

memory verse.

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

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

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

looked after me.” Put arms around self and give self a hug.

Matthew 25:36 . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 3Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

“There is a friend Link arms with child.

who sticks . . . . . Press palms together.

closer than . . . . . Step closer to each a brother.” other.

Proverbs 18:24 . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 4Use the following motions as you say the

memory verse.

“One thing . . . . . Point upward.

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

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

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

but now I see!” . . With both hands raised up high, look up.

John 9:25 . . . . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

The memory verse activities described here are recommended as teaching and review activities. These activities were suggested for use in Sabbath School.

61

LESSON 5Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

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

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

to help . . . . . . . . . Hands outstretched and cupped together.

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

Luke 7:16 . . . . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 6Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

“[Jesus says,] . . . Point upward.

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

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

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.

LESSON 7Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

“[God] said, . . . . Point upward.

‘I love you . . . . . Hug self.

with a love that . Spread both arms wide. will last forever.’”

Jeremiah 31:3 . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 8Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

“You, Lord, . . . . Point upward.

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

and ready to . . . Open arms wide. forgive.”

Psalm 86:5 . . . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

62

LESSON 9Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

“Grow . . . . . . . . Crouch down and grad-ually stand up.

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

of . . . Jesus.” . . . Point upward.

2 Peter 3:18 . . . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 10Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

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

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

for His . . . gift!” Pretend to rock Baby Jesus in your arms.

2 Corinthians Palms together; then open 9:15 as if opening a book.

LESSON 11Use the suggested motions as you say

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.

LESSON 12Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

“The Lord . . . . . Point upward.

has done great . . Hold arms up high. things

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

Psalm 126:3 . . . . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

LESSON 13Use the suggested motions as you say

the memory verse.

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

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

a cheerful . . . . . . Smile.

giver.” . . . . . . . . . Pretend to take some-thing from one hand and hold it out toward others.

2 Corinthian 9:7 . Palms together; then open as if opening a book.

63

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.

Jesus’ Birth Finger Play

64

&

?

bbb

bbb

43

43

˙̇ œœ

4.3.2.1. Ma -

Shep -WiseChil -

ry'sherdsmendren

..˙̇

˙̇ œœlit -

heardcamejoin

tlethetoto -

..˙̇

..˙̇ba -an -

wor -geth -..˙̇

.˙by,

gels,shiper,

œ œ œ

.˙œ œ œ

˙̇ œœWhatAn -

WhereFac -

agelsthees

..˙̇

˙̇ œœlove -shin -starall

lyingwas

a -

..˙̇

.˙sight!bright,bright,light,

œ œ œ

..˙̇n

.œ̇ œ œ

.˙Aœ œ œ

&

?

bbb

bbb

˙̇b œœMa -HeardThereLov -

rythemtheying

˙̇ œœ

˙̇b œœlaidtell

foundba -

theoftheby˙̇ œœ

..˙̇ba -Je -ba -Je -..˙˙

˙̇b œœ œœbysusbysus

InIn

WhoWho

aa

waswas

˙̇ œœ œœ

˙̇ œœ œœstall,stall,bornborn

inininin

thethethethe

˙̇ œœ œœ

˙̇ œœ œœbarn,barn,barn,barn,

inininin

thethethethe˙̇ œœœœ

..˙̇night.night.night.night.

..˙̇

..˙̇

..˙̇

Page 154, 108457 143-160, 7/5/01, 5:01 PM

108457 02 11 154 Mary's little baby

Copyright © 1955 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association.

Harvey r. Davies Harvey r. Davies

Arrangement copyright © 2001 by Review and Herald® Publishing Association.

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 o’er me to keep me safe I know. He always watches o’er me to help my love to grow.

I Know That Jesus Loves Me

Mary’s Little Baby