How it works
The Bible tells us Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. Mary lived in Nazareth, a little town in the hills. A messenger from God told her she would have a baby boy called Jesus.
A messenger from God also came to Joseph in a dream. Joseph woke and did as the messenger said, and took Mary to be his wife.
A great ruler said everyone must go home to be counted, so Mary and Joseph walked to Bethlehem. Mary rode on a little donkey.
The inn was full, so they stayed in a stable with a donkey, an ox and some sheep. There the baby was born. Mary wrapped him in soft cloths and laid him in a manger.
Worked examples
Make a manger
- A manger was a box that held hay for the animals.
- Make one from a small box and some straw or paper strips.
- Mary laid the baby in a manger, because there was no cradle.
The long walk
- Walk slowly around the room and say clip-clop, like the donkey.
- It took many days to walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
- Mary rode the little donkey while Joseph walked beside her.
Hello, new child
- Pretend a new child comes to play.
- Say hello and make room.
- The story tells us every child matters, even one with only hay.
A taste of the worksheets
These are some of the questions on the sets. The printable sheets have more and an answer key.
- Who spoke to Joseph in his dream? ✨ A messenger from God / 🛎️ The man at the inn / 👑 The great ruler
- Where did Mary lay the baby? 🛏️ In a soft bed / 🧺 In a basket / 🌾 In a manger
- Why did they walk to Bethlehem? 🌊 To see the sea / 🎣 To go fishing / 👑 A ruler said everyone must be counted
- True or false? 🧒 Does the story say every child matters?
- A new child comes to play. What can you do? 👋 Say hello / 🙈 Look away
Words to know
- manger
- A box that held hay for the animals.
- inn
- A place where travelers could rest for the night.
- stable
- A dry, warm place for animals. In those days it could be a cave or a shed.
- carpenter
- Someone who makes things from wood. Joseph was one.
- Bethlehem
- The town a long walk south of Nazareth.
Watch out for
- There was no room at the inn, so they stayed in a stable.
- In those days a stable could be a cave or a shed.
- A manger is a box of hay for animals, not a bed.
- Joseph is the carpenter. Mary is the baby's mother.
Try it
Where did Mary lay the baby?
In a manger. A manger was a box that held hay for the animals.
Who said there was no room?
The man at the inn. He was sorry, but every other place was full too.
What did Mary ride to Bethlehem?
A little donkey. Joseph walked beside her.
Which animals were in the stable?
A donkey, an ox and some sheep. There was room for Mary and Joseph too.
For grown-ups
With a grown-up, make a little manger from paper and straw, put a small cloth baby in it, and say thank you.
Tell it slowly and leave the ending as the story has it: a plain place, a manger, and a baby who matters. If your child asks a big question, it is fine to say you will think about it together.