A tradition that we have held near and dear to our heart through the years is celebrating Jesus’ birthday. The kids always loved singing “Happy Birthday Jesus”. I have to admit that there were times there wasn’t a cake (like the year the kids spread frosting on their pancakes instead), but we always took the time to sing Jesus the Happy Birthday song. We didn’t do anything fancy like what I’m posting here today, but we always sang and read about the birth of Jesus. (Luke 1-2)
Here is a great way to have a meaningful celebration with an object lesson that uses the cake to teach the plan of salvation.
Picture Source: Roadside Relics
•1 or 2 layer chocolate cake
•angel figurine or sugar cookie
•12 red candles
1. Begin by talking about birthdays, what they mean and why we celebrate them.
2. Tell the story of Jesus’ birth either in your own words or with a story book. For older children, have them read it from the bible (Luke 1-2)
3. Now share with the children why Jesus came as you assemble and decorate your birthday cake.
Roundness of the Cake:
The shape of the cake is round with no end, showing that God’s love is never ending. He loved us so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sins
Darkness of the Cake:
Before knowing Jesus, our hearts are like this dark cake, and we couldn’t get into heaven with our hearts so full of sin
As you frost the cake explain that God did a wonderful thing when he sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.
Now all the darkness is covered up, and Jesus washes our sins white as snow.
We are pure white in the sight of God.
When we ask Jesus to forgive all the bad things we’ve done, we are white like this frosting.
(Place the angel decoration on the cake or have a child do it.)
The angel reminds us of the good tidings that were brought to the shepherds that night.
It also reminds us of the good tidings, or good news, that we can bring to others.
(Place the star decoration on the cake or have a child do it.)
The star reminds us of the star in Bethlehem and how the Wisemen followed it and worshiped the Lord Jesus.
It reminds us that we should worship and follow Him everyday.
We can do this by praying, reading our Bibles and going to church.
12 Red Candles:
(Place the candles on the cake.)
The red color reminds us of Jesus’ blood that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.
Because he died and rose again, we can have eternal life and go to heaven if we believe.
Light the Candles:
(As you light the candles, say…)
Jesus can shine in our hearts if we just ask Him to be our Savior.
The 12 candles remind us to let His light shine every month of the year, not just at Christmas time
(Place the evergreens around the cake.)
Evergreens around the cake remind us of something living and growing.
If we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, we are going to grow and get to know Him more.
How can we grow to know Him better?
By praying, going to church, reading our bibles and sharing Him with others.
(John 15:5 or 2 Peter 3:18).
Now, light the candles and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Source: Devotions In Motion from Mary Rice Hopkins and Company – Contributed by Leslie Ratliff