Children's Liturgy Guide

Christmas Dawn

Year B · Christmas

The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus

Reading: Luke 2:15-20

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

After the angels told the shepherds about baby Jesus, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see him. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger, just like the angels said. Then the shepherds told everyone the good news and praised God!

Key Points

  • The shepherds believed the angels and went quickly to find Jesus
  • They found everything exactly as the angels had told them
  • The shepherds shared the amazing news with others
  • Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them
  • The shepherds praised and thanked God for what they had seen

Background

This Gospel continues the Nativity narrative, focusing on the shepherds' response to the angelic announcement. The shepherds were among the poorest and most marginalized in Jewish society, yet God chose them as the first witnesses to the Incarnation. Their immediate response demonstrates faith in action: they believed, they sought, they found, and they proclaimed. Mary's contemplative response, treasuring and pondering these events, offers a model of interior faith. The Greek word for manger (phatne) emphasizes the humble circumstances of Christ's birth, contrasting divine glory with earthly poverty. For children, emphasize the shepherds' excitement to see Jesus and their joy in telling others about him. Set aside complex discussions of Mary's theological pondering or the social implications of shepherds as first witnesses.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank you for sending baby Jesus to us on Christmas. Help us to be like the shepherds who were so excited to see Jesus and share the good news with everyone. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever been so excited about something that you wanted to run and tell everyone about it?

Example: One time I got a new puppy and I was so happy that I ran to tell my grandma and my neighbor and everyone on our street because I wanted them to know!

Bridge to the reading: You know that feeling when you just have to share exciting news? In today's reading, we will hear about shepherds who received the most exciting news ever and hurried to see something wonderful with their own eyes.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Where did the shepherds go after the angels spoke to them?

    Example: The shepherds went to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus because the angels told them he was born there.

  2. What did the shepherds find when they got there?

    Example: They found Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus lying in a manger, just like the angels said they would.

  3. What did the shepherds do after they saw baby Jesus?

    Example: The shepherds told everyone they met about baby Jesus and they praised God and thanked him for everything.

  4. Why do you think the shepherds were so happy to tell everyone what they saw?

    Example: I think they were so happy because they saw something amazing and special, and when you see something that wonderful you want to share it with other people.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think the shepherds felt when they finally saw baby Jesus in the manger?

    Example: I think they felt really really happy and excited and maybe a little surprised that the angels were right about everything.

  2. Who is someone in your family you could tell about baby Jesus this Christmas?

    Example: I could tell my little brother about baby Jesus because he is still learning about Christmas and I could help him understand.

  3. This week, how can you show you are happy that Jesus was born?

    Example: I could sing Christmas songs about Jesus and say thank you to God in my prayers before bed every night this week.

Recap

Today we heard about the shepherds who hurried to see baby Jesus after the angels told them the good news. They found Jesus just as the angels said, lying in a manger with Mary and Joseph. The shepherds were so happy that they told everyone about Jesus and praised God. We can be like the shepherds and share the joy of Christmas with others too!

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For children everywhere who are celebrating Christmas for the first time, that they may feel the joy of knowing Jesus, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When we sing 'Glory to God in the highest' at Mass, we echo the very same words the angels sang to the shepherds on that first Christmas night.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to us as a little baby on Christmas. Help us to be like the shepherds, excited to know you and happy to tell others about you. Fill our hearts with Christmas joy today and always. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus

Luke 2:15-20

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

Z O V B P X I T C G G Z Y Y X
B Z M O Y A Z O R K H B B G K
D A P R D B I V V V N O Q Y G
Q M T F P F A A M M T A J R Q
O E F R V Z V B A Z O N S A U
Z H Q E L S J Q N O B G C M Q
Q E L Q O U O T G I E E J S O
H L P M X S Y M E N V L X H L
P H G R V E H Q R P X S D E C
E T Q L A J H A G F A N G P W
S E A U O I V J W S T H V H O
O B M B C R S K K N I M Z E U
J E N V I K Y E W B H I I R B
I Y T E S W E N D T J L E D J
Y C V K Y Y D Y M C M N A S R

Words to find

  • shepherds
  • manger
  • Bethlehem
  • angels
  • Mary
  • Joseph
  • Jesus
  • glory
  • praise
  • news
  • joy
  • baby

ChildrensLiturgy.org