AWANA Christmas 2024

The Greatest Christmas Gift: Jesus and the Gift of Salvation

Objective

Help kids understand the meaning of Christmas and how Jesus is the ultimate gift of salvation.

Materials Needed

• A wrapped gift box (empty or with a small treat inside)
• Bible
• Visual aid: a simple drawing of a gift with "Jesus" written on it
• Optional: coloring sheets with a nativity scene or a gift

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Introduction (2 minutes)

Welcome and Warm-Up Question

• Ask: "What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?" (Allow a few kids to answer.)
• Say: "Christmas is a time when we give and receive gifts, but today we’re going to talk about the greatest gift ever given. Can you guess what it is?"

Reveal the Gift Box

• Hold up the wrapped gift box.
• Say: "Inside this box is a hint about the best gift of all. It’s not something you can buy in a store, but it’s for everyone!"
• Open the box to reveal a card or note that says "Jesus."

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Lesson (6 minutes)

The First Christmas Gift (2 minutes)

• Read **John 3:16**: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
• Explain: "A long time ago, God gave us a very special gift. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be born in Bethlehem. Jesus didn’t come as a king with riches or power. He came as a tiny baby to save us from our sins."
• Show the visual aid of the gift with "Jesus" on it.

What is Salvation? (2 minutes)

• Say: "Salvation means being saved from our sins. Sin is when we do things that displease God, like lying, fighting, or being unkind. Sin separates us from God, but Jesus came to fix that!"
• Read **Ephesians 2:8-9**: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
• Explain: "Just like you don’t have to pay for a Christmas gift from your parents, you don’t have to earn God’s gift of salvation. It’s free!"

Why is Jesus the Best Gift? (2 minutes)

• Say: "Gifts we get at Christmas might break or get old, but the gift of Jesus lasts forever. When we believe in Him and accept His gift, we get to be with God forever!"
• Read **Romans 6:23**: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

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Application (2 minutes)

How Do We Accept This Gift?

• Say: "To accept Jesus’ gift, we need to believe in Him, ask Him to forgive our sins, and follow Him. It’s as simple as saying, ‘Thank you, Jesus, for your gift. I believe in You!’"

Pray Together

• Lead a simple prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to earth and being the best gift of all. Thank You for loving me and saving me from my sins. I want to follow You. Amen."

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Wrap-Up (1 minute)

• Say: "This Christmas, when you see all the gifts under the tree, remember the greatest gift of all: Jesus. And just like a gift, we need to open our hearts to Him. Can you share this good news with someone else this week?"
• Optional: Hand out coloring sheets or small treats as a reminder of today’s lesson.

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Key Verse to Memorize

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" – 2 Corinthians 9:15

Closing Activity

If time allows, let the kids decorate a paper "gift box" with the name "Jesus" on it to take home as a reminder.