Have you ever seen an angel? They are God’s messengers and sometimes they come down from heaven to tell special people about God’s plans. Well many, many years ago an angel came to some country shepherds who were looking after their sheep in the fields. The angel shone very brightly and the shepherds became very afraid. The angel of the Lord exclaimed “Be not afraid! For behold I bring good tidings of great joy!” The shepherds were no longer afraid and listened closely to what the angel had to say. The angel continued “For unto you is born this day in Bethlehem a Saviour which is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Suddenly there appeared a multitude of angels praising God and saying “Glory to God in the highest!” The shepherds marvelled at the sight and praised God. They then decided to travel to Bethlehem straight away to worship the newborn king.

Now, Jesus’ mother Mary and her husband Joseph were very tired from travelling. They had been on a long journey from the town of Nazareth to the town of Bethlehem. Mary travelled on a donkey and Joseph walked beside her. Joseph looked very hard for a nice comfortable place to stay but there was no room for them anywhere in the town except in a little stable. When Jesus was born He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed gently in a manger.  A manger is normally used for holding animals’ food but on this night it held baby Jesus – who is also known as Emmanuel which means ‘God with us’.

Some wise men from the east had been following a special star, which they believed would lead them to the Messiah. The star led them to the big city of Jerusalem. The wise men went to King Herod to ask where the saviour was so that they could worship Him. King Herod did not know where the Messiah was to be born. He gathered the chief priests and the scribes together and asked them where the baby was going to be born. “In Bethlehem, King.” They said in unison. King Herod returned to the wise men and told them where to find the newborn king.

The wise men went on their way to Bethlehem, following the star. The star stopped above the little stable where baby Jesus was resting. The wise men entered the stable and bowed down to worship the Messiah. They presented him with three gifts: Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

The wise men were very kind to give Jesus these three precious gifts. Let us give Jesus the gift our lives and hearts as we wait for His return.

Please download this PDF file which includes a printable version of the story as well as a WORDFIND and a COLORING PAGE.