Christmas Sunday School Lesson for Kids
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Isaiah 9:6; John 3:16
An interactive Christmas-season lesson for ages 6-10 using gift-giving and family traditions to show that Jesus is God's greatest gift. Includes a verse relay, a gift tag craft and John 3:16 memory work.
Memory verse
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, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Explain that God gave Jesus as His greatest gift because He loves us.
- Name at least two titles for Jesus from Isaiah 9:6.
- Say John 3:16 and choose one way to share God's gift with someone this season.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: The Wrapped Box (5 min)
Setup: Place the wrapped empty box where everyone can see it.
Say: Merry Christmas! Look at this wrapped gift. What do you think is inside?
Let 3 or 4 children guess. Then ask: What is a family tradition you love at Christmas? (Sample: opening one gift on Christmas Eve, a special meal, singing songs.) Let several children share.
Say: Traditions and gifts are fun because they show love.
Say: Today we will hear about the greatest gift ever given. It is better than anything under a tree.
Say: Let's open God's Word to find out what it is.
God's Word: Two Gift Verses (7 min)
Read Isaiah 9:6 aloud from the KJV. Ask the children to listen for the names given to the child.
Say: Isaiah wrote these words about the promised Savior.
Background: Isaiah lived hundreds of years before Jesus was born.
Say: Isaiah said, "unto us a son is given." A son is given. That is gift language!
Ask: What names did you hear? (Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.) Count them on your fingers together.
Now read John 3:16 aloud.
Say: This tells us who gave the gift and why. God gave His Son because He loved the world.
Say: Now let's talk about what makes this gift so special.
The Greatest Gift (8 min)
Hold up the wrapped box.
Say: Think of the best gift you ever got. It was fun, but one day it might break or get old.
Say: God's gift is different. Jesus is a gift that never wears out.
Point out three things about a good gift, with actions:
1. It is given by someone who loves us. (Hug yourself.) God loved the world so much that He gave Jesus.
2. We do not earn it. (Shake your head no.) You do not pay for a gift. Romans 6:23 calls it "the gift of God."
3. We receive it. (Open your hands.) John 3:16 says "whosoever believeth in him." Believing means trusting Jesus.
Say: Jesus is Wonderful and the Prince of Peace. He came to forgive our sins and give us life with God forever.
Say: A gift is not really ours until we take it. Let's all open our hands and say, "Thank You, God, for Jesus!"
Say: Now let's play a game with God's verse.
Game: Gift Verse Relay (8 min)
Setup: Write John 3:16 in 6 chunks on index cards, one chunk per card: "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". Make one set per team of 4 to 6 children. Shuffle each set face down at one end of the room.
Steps:
1. Form teams and have each line up behind their shuffled cards.
2. At "Go," one child at a time WALKS to the cards, takes one, and walks back to their team.
3. The next child goes. When all cards are collected, the team puts them in order on the floor.
4. Read the verse together, then check it against the Bible.
5. Mix the cards and play again, this time reading aloud each time.
Say: Great job! You are hiding God's Word in your heart.
Safety: Walking only. Keep the path clear of chairs and bags.
Craft: Gift of Love Tags (8 min)
Setup: Cut cardstock into gift-tag shapes, about 8 x 12 cm. Punch a hole in each. Put out crayons, scissors and yarn.
Steps:
1. Write on the front: "God's greatest gift is Jesus. John 3:16."
2. Decorate it with stars, bows or a gift box.
3. On the back, write "To:" and the name of someone you will share this with, such as a friend, neighbor or family member.
4. Thread yarn through the hole and tie a loop. Help younger children with the knot.
5. Hang it on a gift or tree at home.
Say: When you give someone this tag, you are sharing the best news of Christmas.
Safety: Use safety scissors under supervision. Keep yarn short and away from necks.
Talk It Over (5 min)
Sit in a circle. Ask these questions and give each a moment for answers.
1. Why did God give us Jesus? (Because He loves us.)
2. How is Jesus different from other gifts? (He lasts forever, and we cannot earn Him.)
3. How do we receive a gift? (We take it. We believe and trust in Jesus.)
4. Who could you give your tag to this week? (A friend, a neighbor, a family member.)
5. How can our family traditions point to Jesus? (Say thanks to God, read the Bible together, give to others.)
Say: You did a great job thinking about God's gift.
Closing and Prayer (4 min)
Say: Let's say our memory verse together, John 3:16. Say it twice, with a hand motion for "gave" (open hands out).
Say: Now let's thank God for His gift.
Prayer points, one at a time, with children repeating:
- "Thank You, God, for loving us."
- "Thank You for giving us Jesus."
- "Help us to believe in You."
- "Help us share Your love with others."
- "Amen."
Say: Take your tag home and remember, the best gift is Jesus. Merry Christmas!
Materials
- KJV Bible (marked at Isaiah 9:6 and John 3:16)
- Empty box wrapped in paper with a bow
- Index cards (about 12) and markers
- Cardstock, cut or ready to cut into gift-tag shapes
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Yarn, cut into 25 cm lengths
- Hole punch
Teacher notes
- Safety: the craft uses scissors and yarn. Supervise closely, keep yarn short, and check that no child is left out of the craft.
- Adaptation: use picture cards for the verse chunks, pair non-readers with a buddy in the relay, and offer a seated option for children who prefer a quieter role.
- Be sensitive to children who may not receive gifts at home. Keep the focus on God's gift rather than on what children get.
- Invite children to respond to Jesus' gift simply, and let them ask questions. Offer to talk with any child who wants to know more.
Send it home with parents
Today your child learned that God's greatest gift is Jesus, given out of love. We read Isaiah 9:6 and John 3:16 and made a gift tag to share with someone this Christmas season.
- What did you learn about God's gift today?
- What is one name for Jesus from Isaiah 9:6 that you like best?
- Who will you give your gift tag to, and what will you say?
Add a Bible moment to your Christmas traditions. Before opening gifts, read John 3:16 together and let each person say thank you to God for Jesus.
Say John 3:16 each day this week. Share your gift tag with one person and tell them that Jesus is God's gift.
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