Shepherds stopped everything they were doing to worship baby Jesus. Explore a collection of engaging activities, resources, and ideas that highlight how the shepherds honored the newborn Savior! This page offers fun crafts, songs, and lesson ideas designed to help preschoolers grasp the significance of this special moment in the Christmas story.
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20
Read and Share Toddler Bible: pg 138
The Beginner's Bible: pg 277
My Story Bible: pg 60-67
My First Hands-On Bible: pg 222
Christmas Time: It's All About Jesus by Sue M. Barksdale focuses on the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of celebrating Jesus's birth. Also included are devotionals to enrich the Christmas learning. These resources include the attributes and names of Jesus, discussion questions, and activities for families to engage in together, helping them share Christ with those around them.
Enjoy celebrating Jesus' birthday with the Happy Birthday Jesus Workbook! This resource provides fun activities and meaningful discussions that help children ages 3-12 grasp the significance of His birth. This workbook streamlines your planning process to allow everyone an oportunity to enjoy the time.
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
John 3:16a
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.
Luke 2:15 (NIV)
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
Luke 2:16 (NIV)
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:20 (NIV)
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
First Noel Traditional
The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
O Come All Ye Faithful Traditional
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Away in a Manger Traditional
Away in a manger (rock baby in your arms)
No crib for a bed (shake head "no")
The little Lord Jesus (point up)
Laid down His sweet head (place hands beside head to "sleep")
The stars in the sky (flick fingers in the air)
Looked down where He lay (place hand on forehead and "look")
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay (place hands beside head to "sleep")
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Introduce your preschoolers to the God's love with our fun and engaging New Testament Curriculum. Filled with interactive Bible stories, play-based activities, and learning crafts, this Curriculum brings the teachings of Jesus to life in a way young children will understand and enjoy.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use Only
Trace the outlines of the Shepherds Coloring Sheet with a white crayon. Paint over with watercolors using q-tips. Glue to a piece of construction paper
To create a fun costume, start with a brown paper grocery sack by cutting a hole in the bottom for the child's head and two holes on the sides for their arms. Secure the sack around the child's waist using a belt or rope, and add a towel around their head, holding it in place with the belt or rope. Use a wrapping paper roll to make a staff for the child to carry. Finally, hide a sheep or a baby in the area and let the child search for it as part of the adventure.
Use a candy cane as a shepherd's hook. Tie this to the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus! With its simple rhymes and vivid imagery, the poem and activities capture the essence of the season while offering engaging activities to reinforce the message. Explore this page for creative ideas and fun ways to incorporate the candy cane into your Christmas celebrations.
The angel proclaimed Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Color and cut out the angel on the Angel Coloring Sheet. Glue to a piece of construction paper. Outline the angel with glue and sprinkle on glitter. Let dry. Discuss how the angel told Mary and Joseph that baby Jesus was going to be born.
The angel told the shepherds of Jesus' birth. Paint the Angel with watered-down glue. Cover the angel with tissue paper. Paint another layer of glue on top of the tissue paper. Add glitter. Let dry and then cut out.
Interactive Bible Stories
Discover ideas from the age-appropriate, Interactive Bible scripts available in the Old & New Testament Curriculum, 1 Year Interactive Bible Stories, and 2 Year Interactive Bible Stories
Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus Story Source Unknown
Materials: Cupcake or birthday cake and candles
Adult: Today we are celebrating a special occasion. Can you guess what it might be?
Adult: We are celebrating Jesus’ birthday! Please sing Happy Birthday after I light the candle.
Adult: On the count of three, I want you to blow really, really hard and we will blow the candle out together. One…two…three…”
Adult: (Looking concerned) Oh no! I forgot one important thing! I forgot to send out the invitations to our birthday party!
Adult: In our story today, we’ll learn that God sent the invitations for Jesus’ birthday through angels. The shepherds came to visit and then they wanted everyone to know that Jesus was born. Let’s find out what our Bible say about this.
