During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5
The Christmas story is one of joy and wonder. It is one of unimaginable sacrifice. And it is one of love and trust. Imagine Mary and Joseph, young and just beginning their life together. They may have dreamt of a future filled with ordinary things. But rather than the life they had planned and prayed about, they became part of an eternal plan that was anything but ordinary—the birth of Immanuel, God with us. Did they know that the baby born in the stable in Bethlehem would be the Saviour of the world? Could they possibly have imagined that Jesus, who was born in such humble circumstances, would one day return to sit at God’s right hand? Could they even comprehend that the Son of God, born into their family, would give His own life for them—and for all of us?
Mary and Joseph may not have known all of that. But their journey was not about knowing—it was about loving and trusting. They loved and trusted God to do His will in their lives. And because of their trust and God’s great love for us, they became part of a story so amazing that we still listen with awe. Do you want to be part of a story like that—one that allows God to work in you and through you to do amazing things? Then put your trust in His steadfast love. Trust that He has plans for you that you could never have imagined. Trust like Mary and Joseph did—and allow your heart to rejoice in the gift of salvation that came to earth as a precious baby named Jesus.
Encourage the students to talk with their parents about the meaning of Christmas. They can begin by sharing the story of how Mary and Joseph trusted God to care for them and how God was able to use them to do great things for Him. They can also share the Student Page with their parents.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome your teens with a cheerful Christmas greeting as they arrive.
Getting married is an important decision. It involves making a commitment. A Christian marriage is a commitment between a man and a woman and God.
Allow students to respond to the following questions. There are no right answers. This discussion is to help them to understand their cultural traditions surrounding marriage.
If appropriate, share marriage traditions of your region that your students have not yet shared.
In Israel during Bible times, there were marriage traditions also. Some were similar to those we practice, and some were different. For example, a young Jewish woman was promised to her future husband through a binding contract usually made by their parents. This began the betrothal or engagement period. At this point the young man and woman were considered legally married. However, they did not live together as a married couple until their parents decided it was the right time. Then they had a wedding, with great celebration.
One of the purposes of a betrothal of this sort was so the bride and groom could get to know each other. They could learn to trust each other while they were committed to each other but before they began living together.
Today we will learn about Mary and Joseph. They may have been about your age. They had been betrothed, but they had not yet begun to live together.
Allow students to share their thoughts. Point out that this was the normal custom in their culture.
Today we will hear the very special story of these very special people. What began as a normal marriage betrothal turned into something incredible. Their trust in God allowed them to take part in His amazing and miraculous plan.
Sometime after Joseph and Mary were engaged, an angel came to Mary and shared some amazing news with her.
Ask a student to read Luke 1:30–31 aloud from the Bible. Show The Action Bible image if possible.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
Luke 1:30–31
Answers might include: fear of seeing the angel, confused about how she could be pregnant since she was a virgin, overwhelmed at the thought of being pregnant, amazed that God chose her.
But the angel had more news.
Ask a student to read Luke 1:34–35 aloud from the Bible.
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:34–35
Mary may have had many questions, but she responded, “May your word to me be fulfilled.” She trusted God even though she did not know what would happen. Mary became pregnant with God’s Son through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mary was in a very difficult situation, but she trusted God. Joseph also found himself in a very difficult situation. He knew that he was not the father of Mary’s baby. He faced the disapproval of the community, as others may have thought that Mary had been unfaithful to him.
Answers might include: angry, embarrassed, feeling as though Mary could not be trusted, worried about what others might think.
The Bible does not tell us how Mary and Joseph felt. But we do know that Joseph planned to divorce Mary quietly because he did not want to put her to shame. But an angel came to Joseph in a dream.
Have a student read Matthew 1:20–21 aloud from the Bible. Show The Action Bible image if possible.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:20–21
Even though Joseph may have still been worried, he trusted God in this difficult situation, so he did not divorce Mary.
Some time after this, the government said that a census would be taken. Mary and Joseph travelled to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem to register. Mary’s baby was due soon, and it was a long way to travel.
Mary and Joseph may have been worried about making the journey when it was almost time for the baby to be born. But Mary and Joseph trusted God in this difficult situation. When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no lodging available for them.
The Bible does not tell us what Mary and Joseph thought and felt. They may have been worried that they would not find shelter. But Mary and Joseph trusted God in this situation. They found a stable to stay in. And there, where animals were kept, Jesus, the Son of God, was born.
Mary and Joseph trusted God, and they were used by Him. God’s plans will be fulfilled even if we do not trust in Him. But when we trust Him as Mary and Joseph did, then we can see His work in our lives and rejoice in Him.
The birth of Jesus happened just as the angels had told Mary and Joseph it would. They could trust God even more because what He says is always true. This can help us to trust in God as well because this story shows that God keeps His promises. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, a prophecy told of the promise that God would send His Son—and God’s promise to send a Saviour was fulfilled in Jesus’ birth.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Immanuel means God with us. God promised in this verse from the Old Testament that He would send His Son, Jesus, to earth! That is an amazing promise that we can trust in!
Mary and Joseph put their trust in God in spite of the difficult situations in which they found themselves. Because of that trust, they were able to participate in the miraculous and amazing things God did. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, lived a life like ours. He felt sadness, anger, joy, and all of the things we feel.
Mary and Joseph trusted God and followed His plan. To trust means to depend on or rely on something or someone. We may want to know everything that will happen to us in the future. But just like Mary and Joseph, we usually do not know what will happen. Yet even in difficult times or when we wonder about the future, we can choose to trust God. What He has promised is always true. It will happen in His way and at His time.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 13:5
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, the teens can write psalms on their pages.
Give each student 7 pebbles.
Each morning this week, take 1 pebble and consider a question or difficulty you face in life. Maybe you do not know how a certain situation will be resolved. Maybe you have a question about trusting God. Ask God to show you that He is with you that day. Choose to trust Him. Then place the pebble someplace where you can see it later in the day. At the end of the day, pick up the pebble again and think about how you trusted in God during the day. Thank Him for showing you His presence, His love, and His direction and for helping you to trust Him more.
Lead the students in celebrating Christmas by singing a song about the wonderful gift of Jesus.
Optional: If possible, provide small gifts, such as pencils or treats, for the students to remember and celebrate the amazing gift God has given to all of us, His precious Son, Jesus. You can even have a small party.
Then close by blessing the group with Mary’s words in Luke 1:46–47:
Blessing: May your response to God be joyful. May you say to Him, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
Lead your students in singing this quarter’s song if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
