Luke 2 (The Message) Right / Left Christmas Gift Exchange Game. by Jennifer Crawford Walker (SmellingCoffee.com)
This game can be played in several ways. Either with a gift in hand for everyone, or with a few gifts scattered throughout the group, or with one symbol (as in a Jesus-‐Manger figurine) have everyone sit in a circle. As the story is read, pass the gifts or figurine to the left or right as the words below are read. When the story is finished, whomever is holding a gift gets to keep it. If the figurine is used, the person holding the figurine wins a treat.
The Birth of Jesus 1-‐5 Right About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census Right when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone Left to travel Right to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph Left & went Right from the Galilean town of Nazareth Right up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had Left to go there. He Left with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. 6-‐7 While they were there, the Right time came for her to give birth. She gave birth Right to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him Right in a blanket and laid him Right in a manger, because there was no room Left in the hostel. An Event for Everyone 8-‐12 There were sheepherders camping Right in the neighborhood. They had set night watches Right over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among Right among them and God’s glory blazed Right around them. They were Left terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m Right here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant Right for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is Right what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying Right in a manger.” 13-‐14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God Right in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women Left on earth who please him. 15-‐18 As the angel choir Left into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get Right over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They Left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying Right in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met Right what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were Left Right impressed. 19-‐20 Mary kept all these things Right to herself, holding them dear, deep Right within herself. The sheepherders Left and returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out Right exactly the way they’d been told! Luke 2 (The Message) Left/Right Gift Exchange Game. SmellingCoffee.com
