Family Devotion Idea: Birthday Cake for Jesus

*About twice a month, we try to post the outline of a family devotion that you and your kids can do together.  Carve out some time with your kids for a fun and creative discussion this week!

Teaching Goal:

On Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

Scripture:

Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Materials:

Undecorated cake and assorted colors of icing

Candles

Nativity set

In Advance:

Bake or buy a cake and cover it with a thin layer of white icing.  Draw a picture to be copied onto the cake, such as a star or a manger (the kids enjoy helping).

Lesson and Discussion:

Tell the Christmas story using the nativity set, emphasizing that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday.  Compare the balloons, presents, and cakes that kids have at their parties to the lights, trees, and decorations used for Jesus’ birthday celebrations today.

ACTIVITY:

Decorate Jesus’ birthday cake.  With younger children, the parent may want to outline the picture onto the cake, and then hold the child’s hand while he or she fills in the outline with the other colors.  Write “Happy Birthday Jesus” on the cake.  Light candles and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.  Eat the birthday cake.

Application:

The real meaning of Christmas is about the gift of Jesus Christ.  Although many kids can answer that question, the dominant theme of materialism often crowds out the truth.  Look for many ways this Christmas to remind yourself and your children about the true meaning of Christmas.  It’s a great season that provides many opportunities to teach spiritual truths to children.

If you like this devotion idea, there are hundreds more available from Family Time Training.  See the link on the left side of this page for more information.