Just for Kids December 2023 by The Salvation Army

Decorate the Christmas tree.

Hi kids! The countdown is on! Christmas is in just a few weeks. Are you excited? As the temperature drops and snow piles up in my front yard, I start to look forward to the holiday season. Everywhere you go, it seems people are preparing for the arrival of Christmas, putting up lights, decorating trees and playing festive music. Many years ago, before Jesus was even born, God sent a messenger to earth to tell the people He was coming. The birth of God’s Son, Jesus, would be an exciting day for all to celebrate. Though they did not decorate with twinkling lights and ornaments in preparation, the news of Jesus’ arrival brought hope to many people. We can still have hope today because God loves us.

Your friend, Abby

Jesus Is Promised Word Search BIBLE EARTH HOPE ISAIAH JESUS JUDAH KING PROMISES PROPHECY RULE

F D E R U H Z J Y E E W N A A D U V C L O N S

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T K A E A T Q N H R L S P H S

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“May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in Him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” – Romans 15:13

Jesus Is Promised

long time ago, the nation of Judah felt powerless. As their enemies grew strong around them, they thought God had forgotten about them. They lived in fear that a bad king might rule one day and treat them poorly. They wanted a good king.

Isaiah 9:6-7 God sent His messenger, Isaiah, to tell the people of Judah that the best king of all was going to be born one day for them. He would be unlike any other king that had ever reigned on earth. The king would be God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. God had a plan for His people, and His greatest plan of all was Jesus.

Connect the Dots

Find the correct shadow.

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6 Differences

Did You Know? It is believed that candy canes first originated in Germany and were created by a choir leader. He gave candy in the shape of shepherd hooks to children at church so they would have something to eat during long services. Candy canes were later used to decorate Christmas trees!

48-12/02/23 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X

Hi kids! When you have good news, how do you tell someone? Maybe you use a phone, the internet or write a note to share your news. In some movies and TV shows, birds are used to send messages to people far away, such as Harry Potter’s messenger owls.

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God once had the biggest news of all—that Jesus would soon be born. God did not have a phone or the internet, and He did not send owls. Instead, He sent angels to deliver special messages to earth. Read this issue of Just for Kids to find out what message Mary received.

Your friend, Abby

An Angel Visits Mary Copy the Picture

Luke 1:26-45

young woman named Mary lived in a town called Nazareth. One day, an angel named Gabriel appeared to Mary. The angel told her that she was going to have a baby boy, and this baby would be God’s son. At first, Mary was surprised and confused. But the angel told her not to worry, that God would make it happen. The baby would be called Jesus. Mary believed the angel’s message and said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” After the angel’s visit, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. “God has blessed you,” Elizabeth said to her. “And God has blessed the baby which you will give birth to.”

Mary’s Response Cross out every third letter to reveal Mary’s response to the angel's message. Check your answer by reading Luke 1:47-48 (ICB). M Y Z H E A P O P Y E G T O D V I P O U T I F M P B U O T G H O P W N E F C O R E R K V A

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

H L S V A R O B T A S I R Z S M L A

Tic Tac Toe

Did You Know? Angels are a very important part of the Christmas story. In Luke 1, an angel named Gabriel appears to Mary to tell her she will give birth to Jesus. Later, in Luke 2, another angel visits a group of shepherds to tell them that Jesus had been born. Many people put an angel on top of their Christmas tree to represent the angels in the Bible.

Colour Me

Answer: “My heart is happy because God is my Saviour. I am not important, but God has shown His care for me, His servant girl.”

Find

8 Differences

Sudoku Christmas Solution

49-12/09/23 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X

Christmas Word Search Find th

Hi kids! At Christmastime, we often sing the song Joy to the World. You might hear it at church, on the radio or sung by carolers at the mall. It’s a popular holiday song, and you may know the words: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.” This is a song about the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. We celebrate His birth on Christmas Day.

e words from this week ’s Bible story.

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MANGER

JOSEPH SHEPHERD

BETHLEHEM

Jesus was put on earth to love us and give us hope. His birth was such a celebration that we still sing about it today! Read this issue of Just for Kids to learn about the day Jesus was born.

Your friend, Abby

ANGELS

STABLE JESUS MARY

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

Jesus Is Born Luke 2

ong ago, the ruler of the in a manger for His bed. Roman Empire, Caesar That night, God sent Augustus, said, “Everyone angels to tell some go to your hometown shepherds in a nearby and register. I want to field that Jesus had know how many been born. “Glory to people I rule over.” God in the highest,” A man named they sang. The Joseph and his shepherds were fiancée, Mary, excited and hurried to had to obey, see the new baby. even though it meant travelling many days on dirt roads. Later, some men who studied the sky Mary was soon going to have a baby, who came to see Jesus. They followed a special star that guided them to where was God’s Son. Mary, Joseph and Jesus lived, and gave When they arrived in Joseph’s Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense hometown, Bethlehem, there was no and myrrh. place for them to stay except a stable. You can read the whole Christmas story in While they were there, Mary’s baby was the Bible in Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke born. She named Him Jesus, laying Him 2:1-20.

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Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X

50-12/16/23

What does this mean? d He wanted us God loves us so much an es free from sin. to live happy, peaceful liv s, to help the world. So, He sent His Son, Jesu when we believe in This verse explains that ial place with God, we will have a spec Him in heaven.

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Answers: or

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. Anyone who believes in Him will not die but will have eternal life.

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—John 3:16

Joy to the World!

START

Tic Tac Toe

Word Scram ble Christmas w ords.

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Shepherds Visit Jesus

Luke 2:8-20

Connec t the Do ts

group of shepherds were taking care of their sheep in a field the night Jesus was born. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them. The shepherds were scared! But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people. Today, a Saviour has been born. He is the Lord.” To prove that he was telling the truth, the angel said there was a baby in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Then, more angels came down from heaven to sing praises to God. “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth,” they said. After the angels left, the shepherds travelled to Bethlehem to see Jesus with their own eyes. When they got there, they found Mary Hi kids! and Joseph, and baby Jesus, lying in the manger, just as the angel had said. After seeing Him, the shepherds went to tell It can be very others what had happened. What the angel said was true! exciting every year They then returned to give glory and praise to God just when our birthdays like the angels had done. come around. We might look forward to having a birthday party, spending time with friends, playing games, eating cake and blowing out candles. What a fun Shepherd Search celebration! But this week, we celebrate the most important birthday ANGEL PRAISES of all—the birth of Jesus. GLORY SAVIOUR A long time ago, God sent His Son, Jesus, MANGER SHEEP to the world to show us how much He loves NEWS SHEPHERD us. Through Jesus, we can know God and experience all that great love. That’s why Christmas is so special. As you celebrate S Q Z R E F Y P this awesome holiday with your family, S H E E P X S R eating delicious food, singing carols and L R E G N A M A sharing gifts, it’s important to remember the real reason why we celebrate. O E E P V Z Y I N C V R

D G I E O N U W L K G S

H O A D

R E F U

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S E S D

Happy birthday, Jesus, and Merry Christmas to you!

Your friend, Abby

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51-12/23/23

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Fit the words into the correct spaces. The first one has been done for you.

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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

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Who is never hungry at Christmas? The turkey. He’ s always stuffed!

Match the holiday treats.

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The Wise Men Hi kids! Did you have a nice Christmas? I hope you enjoyed spending time with your family and sharing gifts. After Jesus was born, a group of Wise Men came to visit Him (see Matthew 2). They were not from Judea, where Jesus was born. They lived far away. But they saw a star in the sky. The star told them that the King of the Jews had been born, and they travelled to find Him. When the Wise Men found Jesus, they bowed down and worshipped Him. They brought Him three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. As you play with your new Christmas presents, think about all the gifts God has given us. Let’s thank Him and worship Him, just as the Wise Men did.

Your friend, Abby

Spot 5 Differences

Wise Men Word Search W J H B V A P S M V I Q T T R Q E R H T E F F H T G S K G S L I U J I G H T I S S A F N A D C L R J J G R A D E W I S E M J X Y BIRTHDAY GIFTS

JESUS KING

LIGHT STAR

THREE WISE

ear! y w e n e ill be th w t i n What is your new year’s o o S resolution for 2024?

What was your favourite memory this year?

52-12/30/23 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6119; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X

Which two gifts are the same?