👩Mary🔨Joseph the carpenter🫏a little donkey🐑animals in a stable🌾a manger
The Bethlehem story.
The big ideaThe Bible tells us Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem.
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.
The story in a row.
🫏a donkey🐂an ox🐑some sheep🌾a manger of hay
In the stable.
Example 1: 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.
Example 2: 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.
Example 3: 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.
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
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?
Who said there was no room?
What did Mary ride to Bethlehem?
Which animals were in the stable?
Answers: 1. In a manger · 2. The man at the inn · 3. A little donkey · 4. A donkey, an ox and some sheep
Try at homeWith a grown-up, make a little manger from paper and straw, put a small cloth baby in it, and say thank you.
For grown-upsTell 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.
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