Group Ministry has a snack mix that can be used to tell not only the story of Jesus' birth but also of our salvation through his death on the cross. Christmas Snack for Children’s Ministry: First Christmas Morning Mix
"In this Christmas snack mix, every piece tells a story—the greatest story ever told! Try this snack with kids at your church, or share it with families to try at home!"
Suggested ingredients and meaning (see the linked article for a full script describing each ingredient):
- pretzel stick = shepherd's staff
- mini marshmallows = sheep
- cheerio = angel's halo
- animal cracker = Jesus was born in a barnyard
- M&M = Mama Mary
- pretzel stick = break it in half and hold the pieces together like a cross; remind the children that Jesus did not stay a baby but grew up to die for our sins
- Ritz cracker = the round stone that closed the tomb where Jesus' body was placed, but he did not stay there--he rose from the dead on the third day
- chocolate chips = reminder of the sweetness of our salvation in Jesus who is God born in a stable, who lived a sinless life, and who died for our sins so we can have eternal life
Children could make the snack mix and then learn the story so they can share the snack mix and its meaning with family and friends.
If you want to make this a bit fancier project (perhaps for an Advent Event or evangelistic outreach), consider putting the mix in jars with labels decorated by the children that explain the meaning, and they can give the jars as Christmas gifts or distribute them to church members.