Jesus's Birthday Party Ideas Needed

[misskitty100]

I want to suggest to DS's preschool teacher that they have a birthday party for Jesus. Would you all mind sharing ideas for something like this that would be appropriate for 3 year olds?

Thanks!!

[JMM74]

Is your DS in a Christian preschool?

[Grace]

I don't think you need to be in a Christian school to celebrate Jesus' birthday - he was a real man, and a philosopher even if you don't believe He's the son of God. We celebrate President Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, as well as Martin Luther King's birthday.

[JMM74]

Uh oh. lol! :)

We dont celebrate Jewish traditions in school, etc...

Unless your'e in a Christian preschool or the Unitarian Church, there's no reason to be celebrating any religon. It's the "Holiday" season.

[misskitty100]

Is your DS in a Christian preschool?


Yes, he is. As of now, the teacher has planned to read a story, sing some Christmas carols etc. I thought it would be fun to have a party for the kids.

[JMM74]

To be totally honest, a birthday party for Jesus I'd keep at home.

My son goes to a Chrtistian preschool as well. (PreK). Technically the school is "non-denominational", though it attatched to the local Lutheran Church. ;) Jared (DS) is going to be in the school show singing about angels and other Christian things.. There's nativity scenes around, it's very baby Jesus centered this time of year.

My opnion - if you want a party for Baby Jesus, do it. But in your home. Most preschools try very hard to accomodate the general public. If Jesus is not part of the day to day curiculum, it's not appropriate to ask for a special party for Jesus for one day.

I hope you get what I'm saying, I'm so tounge tied with this. :)

[brykate]

Funny you should ask! I just came from helping the other day with a big Birthday Party For Jesus! It was for preschool ages through 2nd grade, so the ages were a bit more varied. But here's what we did:

Decorated with birthday streamers and balloons, and had tables ready before the kids came

Kids brought "gift" for baby Jesus that was donated to local pregnancy center.

As kids came in they began with coloring a printed paper bag that would later become their "goody bag"

Then they went as a groups from each table to rotate through the Party Games: Musical chairs (Christmas music of course), Duck-Duck-Goose, Pin The Star on the Manger Scene, Bean Bag Toss, and a Balloon Fun Play area.

After that was a group Nativity Story Time where the story teller also had the kids "acting out" characters in the story. In a simplified and little kid way, but it really helps them stay focused and have fun with the story. Story ends with someone bringing out cake with lit candles and all sing Happy Birthday to Jesus (after 3 kings come, worship, and bring gifts).

A story book was read while cake was cut and then they ate birthday cake and juice box! Their colored goody bags were filled with stickers, paper and pencils I think. (I know I heard kids complain there was no candy!!) This all took a little over an hour!

It really was fun and quite simple. I suppose it would be easy to simplify to a smaller crowd. Hope it works out for you!

[misskitty100]

Funny you should ask! I just came from helping the other day with a big Birthday Party For Jesus! It was for preschool ages through 2nd grade, so the ages were a bit more varied. But here's what we did:

Decorated with birthday streamers and balloons, and had tables ready before the kids came

Kids brought "gift" for baby Jesus that was donated to local pregnancy center.

As kids came in they began with coloring a printed paper bag that would later become their "goody bag"

Then they went as a groups from each table to rotate through the Party Games: Musical chairs (Christmas music of course), Duck-Duck-Goose, Pin The Star on the Manger Scene, Bean Bag Toss, and a Balloon Fun Play area.

After that was a group Nativity Story Time where the story teller also had the kids "acting out" characters in the story. In a simplified and little kid way, but it really helps them stay focused and have fun with the story. Story ends with someone bringing out cake with lit candles and all sing Happy Birthday to Jesus (after 3 kings come, worship, and bring gifts).

A story book was read while cake was cut and then they ate birthday cake and juice box! Their colored goody bags were filled with stickers, paper and pencils I think. (I know I heard kids complain there was no candy!!) This all took a little over an hour!

It really was fun and quite simple. I suppose it would be easy to simplify to a smaller crowd. Hope it works out for you!

Yes!! This was exactly what I was looking for. I will write up a little synopsis and email it to his teacher tomorrow.

Thank you!!

[misskitty100]

To be totally honest, a birthday party for Jesus I'd keep at home.

My son goes to a Chrtistian preschool as well. (PreK). Technically the school is "non-denominational", though it attatched to the local Lutheran Church. ;) Jared (DS) is going to be in the school show singing about angels and other Christian things.. There's nativity scenes around, it's very baby Jesus centered this time of year.

My opnion - if you want a party for Baby Jesus, do it. But in your home. Most preschools try very hard to accomodate the general public. If Jesus is not part of the day to day curiculum, it's not appropriate to ask for a special party for Jesus for one day.

I hope you get what I'm saying, I'm so tounge tied with this. :)

I understand what you are saying but he attends a Christian school with emphasis on a Christ-centered education. This is and would be totally appropriate. ;)

[JMM74]

Gotcha. :)

[lindrusso]

I don't think you need to be in a Christian school to celebrate Jesus' birthday - he was a real man, and a philosopher even if you don't believe He's the son of God. We celebrate President Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, as well as Martin Luther King's birthday.

While you may be technically correct, I'd be very, very surprised if you could get a birthday party for Jesus to fly in a public school.

[acginkc]

I also just taught in a Happy Birthday Jesus event for my church. I taught 3 and 4 year olds. Their favorite activity that we did was making a gift for Jesus. I bought white gift boxes and let them color them, add stickers and decorate anyway the pleased. The got to put a gift for Jesus inside (ie sharing, being nice to brother/sister, go to church with mom and dad, etc) then they would put it under their tree at home. If I had more time I would have also made a neat ornament or something. I figured out quickly that day that not many 3 and 4 year olds can do activities for a whole 4 hours (things you learn when you don't have kids yet). We sang carols and had cupcakes at the end. It was very fun.

[Lauren]

While you may be technically correct, I'd be very, very surprised if you could get a birthday party for Jesus to fly in a public school.
Most definitely not in a public school in Massachusetts! Not sure if states vary on their view of this.

[misskitty100]

;) I also just taught in a Happy Birthday Jesus event for my church. I taught 3 and 4 year olds. Their favorite activity that we did was making a gift for Jesus. I bought white gift boxes and let them color them, add stickers and decorate anyway the pleased. The got to put a gift for Jesus inside (ie sharing, being nice to brother/sister, go to church with mom and dad, etc) then they would put it under their tree at home. If I had more time I would have also made a neat ornament or something. I figured out quickly that day that not many 3 and 4 year olds can do activities for a whole 4 hours (things you learn when you don't have kids yet). We sang carols and had cupcakes at the end. It was very fun.


How did you put the "gifts" into the boxes? Were they written on pieces of paper? I really like the gift idea but didn't want to suggest that parents should have to go out and buy something. This would be an excellent option in lieu of the kids (and parents) having to bring a gift to class.

I emailed DS's teacher a little bit ago so we will see what she says.....

[misskitty100]

While you may be technically correct, I'd be very, very surprised if you could get a birthday party for Jesus to fly in a public school.

Last year in an area close to ours (Medina, Wa) there was a BIG STINK raised by a "concerned" parent because the Medina Elementary school had a giving tree for needy kids. In the Seattle area, there would NEVER be any type of Jesus party in a public school. This area is very, very sensative to things along these lines if not out right hostile.

ETA: Just wanted to clarify my "hostile" comment. That was meant towards actually having a problem with a giving tree ..... not to object to celebrating Christmas. I TOTALLY understand why someone who is not a Christian wouldn't be interested in Christmas stuff.

[Taeler]

Yeah, I don't think we are going to see Jesus celebrated in public schools any time soon, although I hope that the Christian clubs in the Jr. and Sr. High schools are given their right to freedom of religious expression, even if it is a public school. I would be surprised, though, if a Christian school didn't celebrate Jesus' birthday (preK thru Highsch.)

I mean, I assume that the parents dropping their kids off at a church's preK know that they are going to be taught about Jesus as the Messiah. Maybe I'm naive, but I'd assume Jesus is part of the day to day curric. of any Christian school, no? If not, how sad, isn't that part of the benefit of being a "Christian" preschool - getting to share the message of God's love for us?

[leightx]

My kids went to a Christian preschool, and they celebrated Christmas by telling the story of Jesus' birth, and other traditional Christmas activities (making wreaths, coloring Christmas trees, decorating cookies, etc). But there wasn't a birthday party as such. Isn't that what Christmas is supposed to be about anyway, assuming one is a Christian? It seems a little redundant to celebrate Christmas and have a birthday party for Jesus. :confused:

[Taeler]

Leightx, I kinda see where your coming from, here's my take on it: I think it's really a Xmas party, but for the youngsters there needs to be an obvious focus on Christ because they can't see the nuances. At DH and I's Xmas party are we going to sing happy birthday to baby Jesus? Probably not, but there will be other Christ centered ideas involved because we are Christians.
I don't know, does that make more sense?

[acginkc]

;)


How did you put the "gifts" into the boxes? Were they written on pieces of paper? I really like the gift idea but didn't want to suggest that parents should have to go out and buy something. This would be an excellent option in lieu of the kids (and parents) having to bring a gift to class.

I emailed DS's teacher a little bit ago so we will see what she says.....

Sorry I didn't see this sooner. They talked about what gift they would give to Jesus (all just ideas, no money involved). We just had them color some pictures and they put those in. To make it more tangible you could use coloring book pages or write the "gift" somewhere on their picture. Hope it will work out for the class.

[jmarie]

How about printing some stickers that say

YOU are the Reason for the Season.



Have a cake and don't put candles on it. Turn out the lights in the room. Let the candles represent all who were present at his birth and the integral people who came afterwards.

A candle for Mary, one for Joesph, One for Jesus, Say...three for the shepherds, three for the Wisemen who came later...making sure there is a candle for each child to place on the cake. Light the candles and tell them that Jesus is the light of the world, blow them out saying that when he was 33, he died for a brief period. But that he arose again and then give them the stickers that say YOU are the reason for the season.

(And tell the little darlins the birth story and how HE came for them and the world, so they could understand that he came for them to have eternal life, that they are the reason He came and thus are the reason for the season.)

[Escher]

Jesus was born in September.

Christian leaders emulated the pagan holiday of Yule, celebrating the birth of the god of light, on the shortest day of the year, in order to ease conversion of the pagans...

But, whatever..... If you want to educate yourself:
http://www.new-life.net/chrtms10.htm

The reason for the season is the Solstice, not Jesus.

[mayre]

Escher, I see your point and it makes sense to me but I don't think anyone is going to reschedule christmas to September any time soon.
Whether we choose to agree with it or not isn't the point, it is the fact that we have a choice that is the point.
Since it's a private preschool, and it was decided many many years ago to celebrate the birth of christ on 12/25 that it makes sense to me correlate for small children in a private preschool that christmas is jesus' birthday and to have an event that will make that meaning clear to those children. It is something the kids can relate to and I think will teach the chosen message effectively.

[Escher]

Your grammar is difficult to follow; however:

If the chosen message is "Jesus was born on December 25th", it's just wrong. Why would you teach your children a lie? It would be fine to say we (Christians) celebrate Christ's life on Christmas...

And I'm not asking anyone to reschedule Christmas. But "the reason for the season" just isn't Jesus, no matter how many bumper stickers tell you so...

I believe lying to children in their youth always comes out in their later years...
as you reap, so shall you sow....

[jmarie]

I believe lying to children in their youth always comes out in their later years...
as you reap, so shall you sow....

Good grief. We always celebrated Christmas and the birth of Baby Jesus on December 25th. Why, on the 24th., right before bedtime, we would read the passages in the Bible that told of HIS birth and then each year, one child would put the baby in the manger. The next year the other child would do it. We would NEVER put the baby in the manger until Christmas Eve and still dont.

I have two very honorable children, who have good work ethics, and both still believe and still come home for the Christmas reading. When should I expect them to do differently...you say later years....Do you mean when they turn 30? Maybe at retirement? And what exactly should I be looking for in their behavior?

I think MILLIONS/BILLIONS of children have, in one way or another, celebrated the birth of the Christ Child on December the 25th. and have grown up to be good citizens.

Heck! Our children believed in the tooth fairy....

Escher, I think you are just picking in this instance. you are way off base in your logic/argument.

Besides, she didn't ask what anyone's view was or if it was the right thing to do or not to do, she just asked for ideas for a party.

So lets get back to the regularly scheduled topic. If anyone has more ideas, I'm sure that mayre would be interested. Lets hear them!

[sneezles]

If the chosen message is "Jesus was born on December 25th", it's just wrong. Why would you teach your children a lie? It would be fine to say we (Christians) celebrate Christ's life on Christmas...



It's my understanding that most if not all major Christian holidays fall on or about the same day as ancient pagan feasts (or whatever word applies here). After all, even Easter is based on the phases of the moon.

The Brits have always celebrated the Queen's birthday in the summer not on the actual day she was born.

[Kathy B]

The world celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25. I don't think most people believe it is the exact date of his birth.....just the day that was at some point chosen to celebrate it. Shoot, if MY birthday falls on a day that there is a school concert or a track meet or whatever, we celebrate MY birthday on a different day. It really doesn't matter which day it is as long as we DO celebrate at some point. ;) Same principle applies here, I would think.

When DS was younger, he went to the Christmas service with us, and afterwards asked the pastor "Where's the cake?" He was sure there would be cake since we were celebrating a birthday! I think the idea of having a birthday party sounds very fun! Preschoolers will love it!

[Escher]

Good grief. We always celebrated Christmas and the birth of Baby Jesus on December 25th.

If "we" means your family, perhaps. But if "we" means Christians, you are wrong. See my link.

Why, on the 24th., right before bedtime, we would read the passages in the Bible that told of HIS birth and then each year, one child would put the baby in the manger. The next year the other child would do it. We would NEVER put the baby in the manger until Christmas Eve and still dont.

Doesn't relate to the ethics of misleading children into believing Jesus was born Dec. 25th.

I have two very honorable children, who have good work ethics, and both still believe and still come home for the Christmas reading. When should I expect them to do differently...you say later years....Do you mean when they turn 30? Maybe at retirement? And what exactly should I be looking for in their behavior?

I believe the reason so many children who are raised religious stray from the church is because they realize many of the things they were told as a child just aren't true...

I think MILLIONS/BILLIONS of children have, in one way or another, celebrated the birth of the Christ Child on December the 25th. and have grown up to be good citizens.

Undoubtably true. And I don't suggest otherwise.

Heck! Our children believed in the tooth fairy....

Do they believe the tooth fairy is real, or did you explain the difference between make believe and real life. If you lead them to believe it is real, how do you expect them to discern between fantasy and reality? Doesn't that affect your credibility? Wouldn't you want to have maximum credibility when telling them, say, that Jesus is divine?

Escher, I think you are just picking in this instance. you are way off base in your logic/argument.

:eek: You amuse me. It's a good thing I like you.

Besides, she didn't ask what anyone's view was or if it was the right thing to do or not to do, she just asked for ideas for a party.

So lets get back to the regularly scheduled topic. If anyone has more ideas, I'm sure that mayre would be interested. Lets hear them!

Conversations evolve, sometimes even off the original topic

[Escher]

It's my understanding that most if not all major Christian holidays fall on or about the same day as ancient pagan feasts (or whatever word applies here). After all, even Easter is based on the phases of the moon.

The Brits have always celebrated the Queen's birthday in the summer not on the actual day she was born.

Absolutely true. Which is why I find it amusing when some Christians get their panties in a wad when they accuse folks of trying to take the religion out of a given Holiday...

The holiday, more often than not, was around far longer than the religion...

On the other hand, I can't blame the church...their strategy, after all, was wildly successfull.

[leightx]

Escher, just curious - do you and your family do Santa at your house?

Edited to add that I actually agree with all of your points (for possibly the first time! :eek: ). Then again, we aren't practicing Christians. And we do Santa. I feel conflicted about lying, but I don't think I was irreversibly scarred as a child when I found out the truth, and Christmases without Santa would have been so much less magical.

[CompassRose]

What on earth does Santa have to do with Christianity OR Jesus? Most of the real hardcore Xtians I've encountered don't do Santa, because despite the "Saint" his religious disguise remains terribly unconvincing.

[leightx]

Santa doesn't have anything to do with Jesus (other than the fact that they "share" a holiday). I was just asking Escher since he seems very against "lying", or not telling the entire truth at least, to kids.

[CompassRose]

Well, I always knew that Santa and the Tooth Fairy were "really" my mother, but that never stopped me from playing it as a very conscious game and enjoying it. My family never had any trouble drawing distinctions between real truth and mythopoetic truth.

[leightx]

Did your mom hint, or come straight out and tell you? Or did you just guess on your own? I must have been far more gullible, since I fell for the whole Santa thing hook, line, and sinker, and didn't have the slightest clue it was my parents until sometime in the 2nd or 3rd grade. Most of the young kids I know believe wholeheartedly in Santa, and I don't think they're quite sophisticated enough to play along until they're quite a bit older (maybe 3rd grade or so).

Once I found out, I of course kept "believing" since I loved the whole idea, and everyone in our family still gets Santa gifts, including my parents.

[CompassRose]

I don't remember. I don't recall there ever being any question that Santa was a story, just like Winnie the Pooh.

We were all over-sophisticated, though, those terrible sorts of children that have read far more than they should have by far too young an age.

[blazedog]

Did your mom hint, or come straight out and tell you? Or did you just guess on your own? I must have been far more gullible, since I fell for the whole Santa thing hook, line, and sinker, and didn't have the slightest clue it was my parents until sometime in the 2nd or 3rd grade. Most of the young kids I know believe wholeheartedly in Santa, and I don't think they're quite sophisticated enough to play along until they're quite a bit older (maybe 3rd grade or so).

Once I found out, I of course kept "believing" since I loved the whole idea, and everyone in our family still gets Santa gifts, including my parents.

Leigh -- FWIW, My best friend certainly doesn't celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday -- She is an atheist and her husband is Jewish. However, her parents (both atheists) did have a tree and Santa so she had those family traditions for her two girls.

They DID believe in Santa until they reached the normal age. I would go over on Christmas Eve to trim the tree with the girls and after they went to bed would wrap presents including the ones from Santa.

I remember one year when one of her daughers was on the cusp of disbelief came across the "Santa" paper in the garage and couldn't believe the coincidence that Santa had the same paper as her mother was storing.

One is graduating from the University of Chicago and the other is at NYU and a belief in Santa doesn't seem to have warped their psyche or prevented the full development of their cognitive and intellectual abilities.:D

[avariell]

spam reported

[cminmd]

Wow, that is going to bust the budget for candles!!!;)

[avariell]

*snort* :D I am afraid of this thread becoming active again :)

[ErinM]

D*mn, and here I was going to suggest a rousing game of "Pin The Tail On the Devil".

[blazedog]

I am impressed that there is actually some kind of organization utilizing software to scour the web for any kind of obscure reference to its agenda - then take the time to register and post a message furthering its agenda.

Imagine if all that energy were utilized for something useful -- there could be a cure for cancer within months. :D

[Gumbeaux]

Actually, its against the law if they DON'T let you have a religious event at a public school system as long as it isn't during instructional time or forced onto students who don't wish to attend:

Court cases and precedents that set the laws:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/4076.asp

WOW! Spamming for Jesus? This just ain't right. ;)

[ErinM]

WOW! Spamming for Jesus? This just ain't right. ;)


I don't know....I clearly remember a few times where I was drinking for Jesus...which is sorta close...

[AzAnne]

Spam?? And here I thought it was ghosts of past christmas threads :D:p