The Savior Jesus Christ came to
earth as a baby born in Bethlehem

 
You could have the children sit or kneel on the floor in front of the Primary room. You may want to provide a blanket for them to sit on.

Bring a baby doll to Primary.  Show the doll to the children and ask, "How many of you have little brothers and sisters, like this baby doll?  They're so very small and need help to do things."  After the children have a chance to reply, say, "Did you know that Jesus Christ was once a baby, a long time ago.  Does anyone know where He was born?"  Show a picture of Jesus Christ as a baby (like this one) to the children and say, "He was born in Bethlehem."

Bring a Nativity set to Primary. On the bottom of each piece, tape a slip of paper with either the title of a Christmas hymn/Primary song or a question about Christmas written on it.   Before Primary begins, hide some of the pieces around the room.

Have them all close their eyes and listen as you or someone you assign sings the song, "Picture a Christmas" (pg. 50).   When they open their eyes, ask them if the nativity looks kind of like what they pictured.  It will be pretty bare as most of your pieces will be hidden throughout the room.  Call on one child at a time to find a piece of your nativity and fill the manger.  You might use some of the following questions:

- What city were Mary and Joseph traveling to when it was time for Baby Jesus to be born? (Bethlehem. Luke 2:4–6)

- When Jesus was born, where was He laid? (In a manger. Luke 2:7)

- What happened to the shepherds who were watching their flocks near Bethlehem? (An angel of the Lord came and declared the glad tidings. Luke 2:8–10)

- What did the multitude of heavenly hosts say to the shepherds? (“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13–14)

- Why did Joseph name the baby Jesus? (An angel revealed it to Joseph. Matt. 1:20–21)

- Whom did the Wise Men visit before going to Bethlehem and finding Jesus? (King Herod. Matt. 2:1–3)

- What gifts did the Wise Men bring Jesus? (Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matt. 2:11)

- Why didn’t the Wise Men return to King Herod to tell him where Jesus was? (They were warned in a dream to not return. Matt. 2:12)

- What was Joseph told to do after the visit of the Wise Men, and why? (He was told to flee to Egypt because Herod would try to kill Jesus. Matt. 2:13)

- What happened to all of the little children in and near Bethlehem two years old and under when King Herod found out that the Wise Men were not coming back? (They were killed. Matt. 2:16).

Have the whole Primary learn/sing "Picture a Christmas" (pg. 50) together.  Tell the children that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling all the prophecies.  Mary wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. 

Other Optional Ideas:

- Photocopy of simple picture of a manger scene.  Have them glue a small fabric "blanket" on baby Jesus and stick cotton balls on the sheep to make it fluffy and pasted stars in the sky with one big star and small foil stars.

- Match the figures with the facts