Lesson 4: Meet the Nativity Story

This page is for SMA Family Faith Formation Catechists only. Content for this lesson is linked below.

Summary of Lesson

During the Advent and Christmas season, we reflect on Jesus’ birthday more than 2000 years ago, and why he came to earth. Sin had moved men and women further and further away from God, so Jesus came to reunite us with God the Father. Jesus became incarnate, became a baby, to tell us how much the Father loves and and show us how to love, sacrifice and pray. He was given the name Emmanuel, which means “God is with us”. There is so much there to contemplate and to pray about. Help the children imagine themselves in the scene. Go through the different characters of the Nativity story with the students and try to see Jesus’ birth from their perspective – the shepherds, the angels, the wisemen, the townspeople, the innkeeper, Mary & Joseph, etc. Help them to see how we can invite Jesus into our hearts, and “make room” for him in our lives.

Meet the Saints Bullet Points:

Jesus was really born in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago.
There was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn, so they had to stay in a simple, humble stable.
Jesus is called Emmanuel, which means “God is with us”.
We can “make room” for Jesus in our hearts and “invite” him in through prayer, acts of kindness, and acts of sacrifice.

Scripture Passage: Luke 2: 8-20

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Discussion Prompts/Questions:

What do you think the stable was like? Was it like a hotel? Would you want to stay in a stable?
Why do you think the shepherds ran to find Jesus?
The angels said “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men”. What do you think this means?
Why do you think God chose to tell Shepherds first about Jesus?
What special things does your family do to celebrate Christmas?

Saint of the Month: Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast Day: December 12th)

Almost 500 years ago, Mary appeared in Mexico. She told a simple farmer named Juan Diego that she would like a Church built in that area. Juan Diego said that the Bishop would not believe him, so Our Lady made a miracle happen. Even though it was winter, there were suddenly roses blooming in the place where she wanted a Church to be built. Juan Diego collected some of these roses to bring the to show the Bishop. He wrapped them in his cloak, and when he opened his cloak there was an image of Mary, pregnant with Baby Jesus, printed in the fabric! This is the famous image now known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Bishop believed Juan Diego and a church was built in Mary’s honor. Many people joined the Catholic faith, or were strengthened in their faith, after hearing Juan Diego’s story and seeing the image. You can still see the image today in Mexico City! The image itself is miraculous in a number of ways, including that it has not decayed or fallen apart, it survived a bomb blast, it is not made by any type of paint known to man, and heartbeat has been detected over Mary’s womb!