Tic Tac Toe
Hi kids! Have you ever seen an angel? At Christmastime, we see angels everywhere— on holiday cards, in movies and plays, and in Nativity scenes. In the Bible, a woman named Mary saw an angel in real life. It appeared to her with a message that surprised her—she was going to have a baby! She thought it was impossible, but the angel assured her that anything is possible with God.
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Mary became the mother of a very special baby. Can you guess who it was?
Draw a picture of an angel.
Your friend, Abby
An Angel Appears to Mary
Luke 1:26-45
A
young woman named Mary was alone in her room. Suddenly she saw an angel right in front of her. The angel said, “Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and He is with you.” Mary was confused, but the angel told her not to be afraid because God was pleased with her. He chose her. “You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. Name the baby Jesus. He will be great, and people will call Him the Son of the Most High.” “How is this possible?” Mary asked. The angel replied, “God will make it possible. God can do all things.” Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!” Then the angel went away. Afterward, Mary went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth cried out in a loud voice, “God has blessed you more than any other woman. And God has blessed the baby which you will give birth to. You are the mother of my Lord. You are blessed because you believed what the Lord said to you would really happen.”
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e Mary’s RespoalnMarsy’s response
letter to reve Cross out every third er by ge. Check your answ to the angel’s messa Bible). n’s re (International Child reading Luke 1:47-48 S H L A R M T I K M Y Z H E J U S V B E H C A X D Y P O R P A K M Y B S A S I G D O E G T N O B R I L A M W V I P O U C N T A O R M T A H X P M F I I T Q H A N S S D O J G T B U O A R Z H I F S C Q H O P W N K S S M M E I H I R G R O C F L A E T O G I D R N L A V K E R
Colour Me
, I am not important God is my Saviour.vant girl.” is happy because Answer: “My heartd has shown His care for me, His ser but Go
Match each object to its shadow.
49-12/05/26 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
Merry Christmas!
Find 5 Diffe rences
Do you know why we celebrate Christmas? As fun as it is to sing carols, eat festive dinners, drink hot chocolate and give presents, the real reason that we celebrate Christmas is because it is the day that Jesus was born.
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Just like you and me, Jesus has a birthday that comes around every year. He was put on earth to teach people about God, love others, give hope and save us from our sins. His birth is so important that we celebrate it every December. You can read about the day He was born in this issue of Just for Kids. How are you celebrating Jesus this year?
Your friend, Abby
its sha o t t c je b o h Match eac
Special Christmas Issue!
dow.
Jesus Is Born
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Luke 2
ong ago, the ruler of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus, said, “Everyone go to your hometown and register. I want to know how many people I rule over.” A man named Joseph and his fiancée, Mary, had to obey, even though it meant travelling many days on dirt roads. Mary was soon going to have a baby, who was God’s Son. When they arrived in Joseph’s hometown, Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay except a stable. While they were there, Mary’s baby was born. She named Him Jesus, laying Him in a manger for His bed. That night, God sent angels to tell some shepherds in a nearby field that Jesus had been born. “Glory to God in the highest,” they sang.
The shepherds were excited and hurried to see the new baby. Later, some men who studied the sky came to see Jesus. They followed a special star that guided them to where Mary, Joseph and Jesus lived, and gave Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. You can read the whole Christmas story in the Bible in Matthew 1:18-2:12 and Luke 2:1-20.
Q&A
Jesus Is Born
Q: Why was Jesus born on earth?
Christmas Word Search Find the words from this week’s Bible story. ANGELS JOSEPH SHEPHERDS BETHLEHEM MANGER STABLE JESUS MARY
God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to earth to show us His love and to teach us about God’s promises. When Jesus died on the cross and came back to life, He saved us from sin by proving God’s love to us.
M C E J B A X J J R F A H L N I E Z O E I O R G B S B I S G R A E Y U A Q N E N C L W S C S T H P A S F U C W H Z S H M M E H E L H T E B I S H E P H E R D S Y R J J S P U I G O Y G Y Q U D J I X O N
Q: What happens when you believe in God? When you believe in God, you will be happy and joyful. You will feel peaceful and hopeful. The Bible says that those who believe in God will have eternal life because He welcomes us into heaven to live with Him.
© Gospel Light. Bible Story Coloring Pages. Permission to photocopy granted.
50-12/12/26 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
Christmas Word Search Find the words from this week’s Bible story. ANGELS
JESUS
MANGER
SHEPHERDS
BETHLEHEM
JOSEPH
MARY
STABLE
M C E J B A X J J R F A H L N I E Z O E I O R G B S B I S G R A E Y U A Q N E N C L W S C S T H P A S F U C W H Z S H M M E H E L H T E B I S H E P H E R D S Y R J J S P U I G O Y G Y Q U D J I X O N
Shepherds Visit Jesus
Luke 2:8-20
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Connec t the Do ts
group of shepherds were taking care of their sheep in a field the night Jesus was born. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them. The shepherds were scared! But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people. Today, a Saviour has been born. He is the Lord.” To prove that he was telling the truth, the angel said there was a baby in a manger in the town of Bethlehem. Then, more angels came down from heaven to sing praises to God. “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth,” they said. After the angels left, the shepherds travelled to Bethlehem to see Jesus with their own eyes. When they got there, they found Mary Hi kids! and Joseph, and baby Jesus, lying in the manger, just as the It can be very angel had said. After seeing Him, the shepherds went to tell exciting every year others what had happened. What the angel said was true! when our birthdays They then returned to give glory and praise to God just come around. We might look like the angels had done. forward to having a birthday party, spending time with friends, playing games, eating cake and blowing out candles. What a fun Shepherd Search celebration! But this week, we celebrate the most important ANGEL PRAISES birthday of all—the birth of Jesus. GLORY SAVIOUR A long time ago, God sent His Son, Jesus, MANGER SHEEP to the world to show us how much He loves us. Through Jesus, we can know God and NEWS SHEPHERD experience all that great love. That’s why Christmas is so special. As you celebrate S Q Z R E F Y P this awesome holiday with your family, S H E E P X S R eating delicious food, singing carols and sharing gifts, it’s important to remember L R E G N A M A the real reason why we celebrate. O E E P V Z Y I N C V R
D G I E O N U W L K G S
H O A D
R E F U
Y F R I
S E S D
Happy birthday, Jesus, and Merry Christmas to you!
Your friend, Abby
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Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X
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LIGHTS BABY JESUS RIBBON STAR PRESENTS STOCKING TREE
Y L I G H T S What appe are to give them d to the shepherds the go Jesus had b od news that een born? Answers: Be thlehem; Joseph and Mary; an an gel
A D S A M T S CHRI Christma s Story Tr i v i a
What town wa Jesus born s in? What are th e na of Jesus’ pa mes rents?
Hi kids! At the end of every year, I like to reflect on all the awesome things that happened, E ISSU my favourite 52 moments and the important lessons I’ve learned along the way. What were some of your best memories this year? God wants us to have a life that is full of His love, joy and purpose. He wants us to love others, make good decisions, dream big and achieve great things. As we enter a new year, many people will make resolutions, which are goals that you would like to achieve or something you would like to do. I hope to visit a country I’ve never been to before and learn how to sew! This issue of Just for Kids will help you think of your own resolutions for 2027.
Your friend, Abby
Here are some resolutions you can try this year: • I will pray every day. • I will keep my room tidy and clean. • I will try a new hobby, such as gardening, painting or cooking. • I will be friendly to others and make new friends at school. • I will read my Bible every day. • I will try a new sport or activity, such as basketball, jump rope or dancing. • I will think of one thing that I am thankful for every day.
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A thief comes o nly to steal and kil l and destroy. I have co m e so they may ha ve life. I want them to have it in the fu llest possible way.
What was your favourite memory this year?
—John 10:10
What do snowmen call their offpring? Chill-dren
Tic Tac Toe
What is your for 2027? tion resolu
How do snowmen greet each other?
“Ice to meet you!”
I Spy
of each How many u find? item can yo
What does this mean? There are things in the world that can hurt us or lead us away fro m God, but Jesus came to help us and show us ho says He came so th w to live. When Jesus at means that life with we can “have life,” He Him will be fulfilling Jesus, we know w . With e are loved and th at our lives have meaning.
52-12/26/26 Just for Kids is a Ready to Explore resource, published weekly by The Salvation Army, Canada and Bermuda, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4H 1P4. Phone: (416) 422-6153; fax: (416) 422-6217; email: justforkids@salvationarmy.ca. Lyndon Buckingham, General; Commissioner Lee Graves, territorial commander; Geoff Moulton, editor-in-chief; Abbigail Oliver, editor; Rivonny Luchas, designer. International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, England, EC4P 4EP. Subscription for one year, Canada $12 (includes GST/HST); USA $15; foreign $17. Agreement No 40064794. All Scripture references from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version, unless otherwise stated. Illustrations: stock.Adobe.com and gettyimages.ca unless otherwise stated. ISSN 2368-626X