Upper elementary students need to read the story of Jesus’ birth straight from Scripture [Luke 2:1-20] not only to appreciate its message, but also to learn how to analyze its meaning at a deeper level. With this Christmas Catechism activity, they are allowed to read it quietly on their own and then analyze it. First, they must determine what is the most important verse . Then they are asked to look at how the response of the angels, shepherds, and 3 kings can be applied to their own lives.
Christmas Story Analysis Worksheet for 4th or 5th Graders
This worksheet allows 4th and 5th grade to reflect on Christmas Scripture
How to use this worksheet
- Pass out the worksheet.
- Ask the kids to silently read the passage.
- Ask them to circle or highlight the two most important sentences and answer the fill in the blank questions at the bottom.
- Have students share their responses as a large group activity.
Possible answers
Most important Scripture verses:
Many students will choose verse 11 or verse 14
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Luke 2:11
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Luke 2:14
Explain what Messiah means:
- means “anointed” or “chosen one” in Hebrew
- means the person whom God would send to save his people and rescue them
- “Jesus the Messiah” and “Jesus Christ” are the same
How can we respond to Jesus’ birth like the angels?
- we can be brave and not afraid!
- we can proclaim the God’s news of Jesus’ birth to everyone
- we can give glory to God like they did
- we can be ambassadors of peace like they were
How can we respond to Jesus’ birth like the shepherds did?
- we can make haste and hurry [Luke 2:16] to find the baby Jesus like they did
- we can take time to pay homage to Jesus even when we feel very busy
- we can understand the significance of Jesus’ birth like they did and spread the joy of his birth to others
- we can live humbly like they did and give glory to God for all things
How can we respond to Jesus’ birth like the 3 kings did?
Even though the 3 kings do not come up in this passage, we all know about their part in the Nativity story and understand the role they played in the nativity story. The 3 kings show how:
- We can bring gifts to Jesus like they did—gifts such as–
doing acts of kindness and love
living peacefully with tolerance for all
thanking God for something good that has happened - We can be seekers of truth the way they were. We can look for Jesus as hard as they did!
by always trying to “seek the Lord”
by reading the Bible
by praying
Other Christmas Activities
A great companion activity is do a Christmas symbols scavenger hunt.