A Christmas Object Lesson ...or Two

A Gift

Scripture: John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8

Hold up a wrapped Christmas gift. Lead the kids to discuss the giving of gifts at Christmas and how much fun it is to give.

Ask questions like:

Do you have to work or pay to receive a gift? Why do we give gifts? How do you know who the gift is for?

Tell them God sent us a special gift that is for everyone. Quote John 3:16. Tell them that really means EVERYONE - all people, you, them, - anyone that would like to receive it.

Explain that we don't have to earn the gift or do anything other than receive it. Read Romans 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--"

However, the gift is not really ours until we choose to receive it. It is of no use to us unless we take it for ourselves, unwrap it, and make it our own.

God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is the same. It is not ours automatically. We must first choose to receive it.

Matthew 7:8: " For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

John 3:36: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

A Candy Cane Christmas Object Lesson

Hold up a candy cane or give every child one to hold. Have them describe it to you.

As they share their observations, tell them how each tells about Jesus Christ.

"the white" - Jesus was pure and holy; He was without sin.

Hebrews 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. "

The white is also a picture of how God washes our sins away and makes us white as snow when we trust in Jesus as our Saviour.

Isaiah 1:18: ""Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

"the red stripes" - the red, of course, is a picture of the blood Jesus shed for each of us; the red stripes depict the stripes on His back as He was beaten

Isaiah 53:5: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. " (KJV)

"the hardness of the candy" - the hardness represents that Jesus is our "Rock"; if we build our lives upon Him, they will be secure and lasting

Luke 6:38: "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. "

Ephesians 2:20: "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

1 Peter 2:6: "For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

"the candy cane's shape" - the candy cane is shaped like a shepherd's staff; the Bible calls Jesus our Good Shepherd who watches over us and cares for us; we are called the sheep of His pasture

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Psalm 100:3: "Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture."

"upside down candy cane" - if you turn the cany cane upside down though, it makes a J for Jesus!

Matthew 1:21: "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

The Legend of the Candy Cane - online

The Legend of the Candy Cane By Lori Walburg / Zonderkidz One dark November night a stranger rides into a small prairie town. Who is he? Why has he come? The townspeople wish he were a doctor, a dressmaker, or a trader. But the children have the greatest wish of all, a deep, quiet wish. Then a young girl named Lucy befriends the newcomer. When he reveals his identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane, she discovers the fulfillment of her wishes and the answer to the town's dreams. Now will she share what she has learned? Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Legend of the Candy Cane, Christmas Bookmark, 25 By Warner Press Celebrate at Christmastime with these festive bookmarks that tell the story behind the season's most beloved candy---the candy cane. Front reads: The Legend of the Candy Cane Look at the Candy Cane---what do you see? Stripes that are red like the blood shed for me. White is for my Savior who's sinless and pure! "J" is for Jesus, my Lord, that's for sure! Turn it around and a staff you will see---Jesus, my shepherd, was born for me! ---Author Unknown Back reads: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Attach real candy canes and turn these bookmarks into fun little Christmas gifts! Package of 25 6 1/2" x 2 1/2" bookmarks. Please note: Colors are only approximate and will vary with the settings of your monitor.

Easy Craft for Candy Cane Ornament

Christmas Lights as a Christmas Object Lesson

Bring a string of Christmas lights to plug in and light up.

Ask kids why we have Christmas lights. Ask them to think about what light is good for.

One of the greatest things about light is that it helps us to see. The Bible calls Jesus the "light of the world."

John 8:12: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

He is the one that shows us the way to Heaven because He is the only way. We must follow Him.

John 14:6: "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Still More Christmas Object Lessons:

A Christmas object lesson using Jingle Bells

Use the following "Legend of the Christmas Tree" and then use different color Christmas bulbs to give a Christmas object lesson on the plan of salvation. It's all found here...

Legend of the Christmas Tree

"The Best Gift" is another Christmas object lesson that presents salvation to children.

A Christmas object lesson can become a reminder of God's great love during the whole Christmas season. Parents as well as Sunday school teachers can focus the hearts and minds of children on the true meaning of Christmas -"Jesus." A Christmas object lesson also can become a visible children's sermon for pastors.

Following are a few great Christian children's books that also capture the true meaning of Christmas and keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas:

The Crippled Lamb By Max Lucado / Thomas Nelson Joshua the Lamb is crippled, so the other animals leave him behind in the stable. His tears of loneliness turn to joy, however, when he realizes that because of his difference, he gets to be right there when Jesus is born! From the classic art to the surprise ending, this tender story will help all children see that God has a very special plan for their lives. Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

The Pine Tree Parable, The Parable Series #4 By Liz Curtis Higgs / Thomas Nelson After nurturing tiny seedlings into fragrant Christmas trees, a farmer begins selling them. All except the biggest one, which the farmer's wife sets aside for her own family. But when a penniless young girl sets her sights on that magnificent tree, the farmer's wife learns the true meaning of Christmas. Recommended for ages 3 to 7.