Skip to main content

(WT) Shepherds and Angels ~ Video Workshop

Rotation.org Writing Team

Shepherds and Angels

Video Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activity

Students will watch and discuss “The First Christmas: The Birth of Jesus” from the NEW Superbook Series (free online and also available on DVD). This fun animated story features the story of Chris, Joy, and Gizmo who are transported back in time to the Nativity story to learn the true meaning of Christmas, and who, upon their return, engage in a selfless act of giving. Following the video, students will receive, unwrap, and examine the meaning of various Christmas objects and reflect on how each can be used to share the message of Christmas.

Preview_108_ShAn

Scripture

Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV, with an emphasis on 8-18, Shepherds and Angels)

Additional Nativity story scriptures covered in the video:

Luke 1:26-38 (the angel's announcement to Mary)
Mathew 1: 18-20, 24 (the angel's announcement to Joseph)
Matthew 2:1-9 (Wise Men and Herod)

Key/Memory Verse:  “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10, NRSV) 

Objectives for the Rotation

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives. 


 Preparation and Materials

  • Read Bible Background and scripture.
  • Preview the video “The First Christmas: the Birth of Jesus” (The NEW Superbook Series). Superbook offers a free version of the video at their website, http://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/videos.  You will be required to register. "The First Christmas" is in the "full episode" listing of videos at their site Here's the direct link you can use after you register. The DVD can also be purchased through Amazon or various Christian media retailers.
  • If needed, print the outline to the video with timing breakdown provided at the end of this lesson.
  • DVD Player/TV OR laptop/TV and internet connection (depending if you buy the DVD or use the free online version).
  • Whiteboard or flipchart and markers.
  • Collect and gift wrap the following Reflection activity items: a string of lights, an ornament, a representation of Santa, a Christmas card, a star, a shepherd's crook, and a roll of wrapping paper. 
  • Snacks, such as popcorn and juice.

 

Lesson Plan

The video is approximately 23 minutes long. Add 5 to 10 minutes for pausing to discuss. The scripture reading takes place during the video.

The video is suitable for ages 5 to 12. See the "adaptations" section after the lesson plan for additional suggestions.

Open

Say: Today's Christmas video includes imaginary characters, Chris, Joy, and a robot, who go back and forward through time. The producers of the video used them to help us see ourselves in the story.

During the movie I want you to pay attention to Chris and then answer how and why Chris' attitude changed after witnessing the birth of Jesus.

Video Time!

Outline, Pauses, & Questions for Superbook's "The First Christmas"

PLAY – Prologue [00:00]

PAUSE – Right after Chris says, "The manger scene is just another decoration."

Q. How did you feel when Chris said, "The manger scene is just another decoration."  Why is the manger "just a decoration" to some people?

Q. Is there anything wrong with decorating for Christmas? How can all of our Christmas decorations and preparations "get in the way" of the true meaning of Christmas?

PLAY

PAUSE – After Superbook says, "I am taking you to witness the most important gift the world has ever received." [04:00]

Q. When the young boy "Jeffie" was looking in the window at all the gifts to buy, who was he thinking of? (Others, not once of himself.)

Q. When Chris looks up at all the gifts at the top of Prize Peak Mountain who does he think of? (Just himself.)

Q. Chris says, "Joy, Gizmo, all those gifts are mine! This is what Christmas is all about!" What does this tell you about Chris and his understanding of what Christmas is really about?

PLAY

PAUSE – After Chris says, “Come on!" (after Angels Announcement to Shepherd) [17:40]

Read Luke 2: 8-14 (The Shepherds and the Angels)

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Q. What is the good news of great joy that the angels spoke of for all people? (Jesus. "To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah the Lord.")

Q. What was the sign the angels gave? ("This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”)

Q.  What does "on earth peace among those whom he favors!" mean? (Peace  is knowing Jesus brought unconditional love and forgiveness to all he favors–blesses.)

PLAY

PAUSE – After spoken “This is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his son for all people.” [20:32]

Say. We know that Chris and his friends went running to find out what the noise was about and we can assume the Shepherds must have told them of the angel's message as they all arrive together at the stable.  The Bible says...

Read Luke 2:15-20 (The Shepherds and the Angels)

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Q. List the differences between the Christmas celebration announcements back at Chris' home and at the Mega Mall and the angels' Christmas announcements. (write them on sheet)

Q. What is the difference between "celebrating Christmas" and "announcing the Birth of Jesus"?

PLAY

STOP – After the video pans outside to neighbor's house as his lights go out and the focus goes to the star decoration above his house. [22:34]

Q.  How and why did Chris' attitude change after witnessing the birth of Jesus?

Q.  How are you following the star to find Jesus?

Q.  What decorations or things are getting in the way of your seeing Jesus this Christmas?

Q. What ways can you spread the good news?

 

A Gifted Reflection

Below is the list of gifts you have wrapped, what they are used for, what they reference or symbolize in the Christmas story, and how the student could use that gift to tell someone the good news of Jesus' birth, i.e. the "true meaning of Christmas."

Write these phrases on the board:  "Used for," "Reminds me of," and "I could..."  Next, distribute the gifts one at a time, letting the gift receiver complete the three phrases with help from the teacher and group if needed, before distributing the next gift.

(Note: Younger children may be disappointed thinking they were going to actually get a gift. This might be a good time to include a "lesson reminder" gift they can take home and give to a friend, such as a "Happy Birthday Jesus" wristband from Oriental Trading Co.)

A string of Christmas lights

  1. Used for decorating homes and trees.
  2. Reminds me of the Star of Bethlehem, angels' light shining on the shepherds. Jesus the Light coming into the world.
  3. I could encourage my family to shape our lights into a star or angel to remind others of the story. I could help a neighbor with their lights as an act of giving.

A Christmas Ornament

  • Used for decorating trees or hanging in spaces where everyone can see them.
  • Reminds me of the Star of Bethlehem guiding people to think about Jesus. Its roundness reminds me of the message of Christmas that is for the world. Giving someone an ornament makes me like one of the Wise Men.
  • I could encourage my family to make Christmas ornaments that tell the story of Jesus, or a paint pen or color marker to add words from the story to existing family ornaments, or buy a box of plain round ornaments and decorate with "the reason for the season" and give them away to friends.

A Christmas Card

  • Used for sending messages of love and joy to friends.
  • Reminds me of the angel's message to the shepherds. Reminds me that the baby Jesus was God's message of love to the world.
  • I could make a card that's an invitation to a friend of mine to come with my family and me to our church's Christmas Eve service.

A Santa

  • Used for getting people excited to give gifts to each other and make children "be nice."
  • Reminds me of the gift of the Baby Jesus and the gift of the Wise Men. 
  • I could learn and tell the "real story" of St. Nicholas to my best friend (he gave gifts to poor children on Christmas). I could organize my family to buy a gift for a needy child or family so that we could be like St. Nicholas.

A Star

  • Used for decorating homes and trees.
  • Reminds me of the Star of Bethlehem and the "host" (multitude) of angels praising God for sending us the Messiah.
  • I could encourage my family to put a "guiding star" on top of our tree. I could think of several ways to "be a guiding star" this Christmas by doing acts of kindness and giving.  I could get glow-in-the-dark stars at the local party supply store (or from my teacher!) and place them in my bedroom in the shape of a manger.


A Shepherd's Crook

  • Used for Christmas pageants and decorations.
  • Reminds me of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared. It is a symbol of "guiding and protection."
  • I could bake cookies in the shape of shepherds' crooks and explain their meaning to my family. I could give a crook cookie to those people who watch over me. I could draw a crook on my hand as a secret reminder to take care of other people and protect their feelings and safety.


A Roll of Wrapping Paper

  • Used for wrapping packages, to help people enjoy the surprise of what's inside the wrapping.
  • Reminds me of the swaddling clothes that Jesus was wrapped in. 
  • I could make my own wrapping paper using white paper and writing a message on the wrapping paper to the person I'm giving the gift to. I could keep a piece of wrapping paper in my pocket or tape it around my wrist like a wrist band to remind myself that "I am a gift to others" -- my love, my forgiveness, my sharing with them.

 


Additional Suggestions

Adaptations - Younger Children: They may need assistance with the reflection and explaining the gifts; simplify the meaning to their age. If possible, reduce the number of items and give each young child a tangible version of the gift (wristbands, Santa eraser, small ornament with a message). 

Adaptations - Older Children:  Unlike the actual story from Luke, in the video the angels are seen invisibly descending upon the baby and kneeling around manger. Interesting discussion to be had there if you want to have it. The angels also have wings, whereas, the Bible only ascribes wings to "cherubim and seraphim" which are different creatures than angels!

For those with more class time:

1) Watch the Salvation Poem Music Video found at the end. If you own the DVD you can access it from the main menu.

2)  If you have more time you could also cover other aspects of the story covered in the video: Wise Men, King Herod, census, angels' visits to both Mary & Joseph. In the third post you will find a detailed video outline created for you to assist you on where you may wish to pause to add additional questions/discussions.

Adaptations - Intergenerational: Show the entire video, then breaks into groups for discussion. Give each group two gifts and the three phrases (Used for, Reminds me of, I could...) with examples. After a few minutes, have them present their gift of ideas to the whole group. Alternatively, DO some of the suggested "things to do" with the gifts. If you have more time, have families discuss how they can avoid turning their Christmas celebration into "too many decorations and a Mountain of Gifts."


Sources

Superbook Website http://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/videos

The Salvation Poem http://thesalvationpoem.com/


 

Written by Luanne Payne and the Rotation.org Writing Team
Copyright © 2019 by Rotation.org


 

References

Overview Timing – “The First Christmas: The Birth of Jesus” (Superbook)

(timings approx., as per online viewing)

(00:00) Prologue (important side-storyline included here)
(01:41) Superbook Theme Song
(02:12) Mega Mall
(04:00) Superbook ⇒ King Herod's Palace
(06:51) Superbook ⇒ meeting Mary & Joseph en route to Bethlehem
(08:47) Angels' announcements to Mary and Joseph
(12:14) Bethlehem - No room
(17:36) Shepherds and Angels
(18:40) Baby Jesus
(19:00) Heaven Rejoices
(20:32) Superbook ⇒Mega Mall
(22:34) Salvation Poem Music Video
(25:04) Credits

Superbook Viewing Video Controls

If you are going to watch the video through the Superbook%20Video%20Controlswebsite, and it's your first time, here is a quick overview of the available controls that pop up on the bottom right of the video box when you ROLL OVER the bottom of the video. 

I found the Replay 10 seconds handy, as it gives you an easy option to rewind (just remember how many clicks it took you when you test it) to get back to the scene you want your students to view a second time. Example: did they notice all the angels in the clouds? We missed it the first time we viewed the video, so they might too!

Attachments

Images (4)
  • Preview_108_ShAn
  • mceclip0
  • mceclip1
  • Superbook%20Video%20Controls
Last edited by Luanne Payne
Original Post
Rotation.org Inc. is a volunteer-run, 100% member supported, 501(c)3 non-profit Sunday School lesson ministry. You are welcome to borrow and adapt content for non-commercial teaching purposes --as long as both the site and author are referenced. Rotation.org Inc reserves the right to manage, move, condense, delete, and otherwise improve all content posted to the site. Read our Terms of Service. Get a free Registered Membership or become a Supporting Member for full access to all site resources.
Rotation.org is rated 5 stars on Google based on 51 reviews. Serving a global community including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, S. Africa, and more!
×
×
×
×
×