Christmas Story in Song

This activity can take the entire sharing time.  You can shorten it by choosing fewer songs.

Choose songs from the Christmas section in the Children's Songbook that the children know.  Sing the songs in chronological order.  Some songs are about the same event or place.  Sing them in a group.  I have chosen the following songs in this order:

Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus p. 36

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem p. 38

Stars Were Gleaming  p. 37

Who Is the Child p. 46

Shepherds Carol  p. 40

Away in a Manger  p. 42

Picture a Christmas p. 50

            Christmas Bells Are Ringing p. 54
            Silent Night  # 204 in the Hymn Book 

Make name tags and tie a piece of string or yarn on each tag so the children can hang them around their neck.  As you sing about one of the people, have the children with that name tag, stand up during that song.  They will need to listen for their character.  I have chosen 6 people in the nativity and a star.  I will be giving each Sunbeam and 4 year-old a star to hold.  When we sing about the star, they will stand and hold up their star.

Girls:

• Mary
• Angel  (boys, too)

Boys:

• Joseph
• Wise Men
• Samuel
• Shepherds

Stars: as many as needed
 
Make enough tags that each child can be one of the characters.
Example:  When you sing "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus,"   all the boys with the "Samuel" name tag will stand.  All the children sing the song.

If organized well, this is a memorable activity for the children.