Picture a Christmas

"Picture a Christmas," p. 50, beautifully describes the birth of Jesus.  This activity is fun for the children to act out as they sing.

• Use a large empty picture frame or make one out of poster board, cardboard or foam board
• cut two 2' to 3' (larger if you would like) about 3 inches wide
• cut two pieces the same size for a square frame - smaller for a rectangle frame
• tape the corners together
• color if you'd like
• cut out yellow stars - 4 or 5 and 1 large star (the star of Bethlehem)
• tape stars on straws so the children can hold them
• make gold halos for the angels out of gold pipe cleaners
• use a doll or roll a towel and wrap in a blanket for a baby Jesus
• use a picture of baby Jesus

Choose several children to be part of the picture.

• Mary, Joseph, a few shepherds, 4 or 5 stars, a few angels

Ask two children to hold up the frame. Start singing the song.

• "Picture a sacred, silent night"   the stars stand behind the frame
• "And can you hear the angels near"    angels stand in front of the stars
• "And see the star so bright?"   one child stands by the stars with the star of Bethlehem
• have a child hold up a picture of baby Jesus as you sing the chorus.

Second verse

• Have a boy (Joseph) stand in the frame
• a girl (Mary) enters and stands by Joseph holding the baby Jesus
• Shepherds come in next (a few boys and/or girls)
• Then sing the chorus.

You can do the who scene without the frame and just set a few chairs for Mary and Joseph and have the rest of the characters stand around them.

The children will love this activity and it will help them remember the words and meaning of the song.