That’s why King Jesus was born—to die in our place and to take the punishment we deserve—so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be friends with God again. You can see why the angel said this was good news! (v10)
Dear God, I have done and said and thought things that are wrong. I am really sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me, as the best present ever. From now on, please help me to live
The King who lives
as one of your friends, with you in charge. Amen.
King Jesus didn’t stay dead. Three days later, God brought Jesus back to life again! Jesus is still alive today, ruling as King.
What now?
The best present When someone gives you a present
Son Jesus to take the punishment for your
you have to accept it. You don’t leave
sin, so that you can be forgiven. Thank
it wrapped up under the Christmas
God for bringing Jesus back to life again
tree! God has given us the best present
as King of our world.
ever—his own Son Jesus as our saving King. But we have to accept it. Here’s one way of accepting God’s present:
Sorry: Admit that you do, say and think wrong things. Tell God you are sorry.
Please: Ask God to help you to live as his friend from now on, with him in charge. It won’t be easy—there will be some things you have to stop doing. Ask God to help you do this.
Jesus welcomes everyone who comes to
what the angel had said. Now you have
him. If you have put your trust in him,
some good news to tell too!
he has saved you from your sins and forgiven you.
other friends (called Christians) will help
become his friend for ever. He loves you
you too. You can learn more about Jesus
and will always be with you. You can see
together. See if you can join a group at
why the angel said this is ‘good news’
a local church, or ask the person who
that brings ‘great joy’!
gave you this leaflet. Tell them the good
What next?
and you’re ready to accept God’s present
The angel told his good news to the
Thank you: Thank God for the best
to you, the prayer on the next page will
shepherds. Later, when the shepherds
present ever. Thank him for sending his
help you.
saw the baby Jesus, they told everyone
you to change.
friends. Meeting with some of God’s
When you are forgiven by God, you
If you have thought about these things,
Ask him to forgive you, and to help
God will help you to live as one of his
news that you have become one of God’s friends too.
© 2011 The Good Book Company. 0333 123 0880 www.thegoodbook.co.uk All Bible references taken from the Good News Bible
Christmas is a time for presents. It’s great fun giving and getting gifts. But what’s the best present of all?
The first Christmas
Sin is doing what we want instead of what God wants. Sin gets in the way between
Dad, or best friend...
Imagine giving any present you want to someone special—maybe your Mum, or
On the first Christmas night, an angel gave an exciting message to some very
us and God. It stops us from being his friends. You can see why we need to be saved!
What would you give them? ______________________________________
surprised shepherds. Luke, one of the writers of the Bible, tells us about it...
It’s great giving a special present to someone you love. That’s what God did on the
A special name The angel gave this Saviour another name. What was it? (v11)
Luke chapter 2 verses 8–12
very first Christmas. He gave us the best present ever.
There were some shepherds in that part of the country who were spending the night in the fields, taking care of their flocks. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. They were terribly afraid, 10but the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. 11This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord! 12And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 8
Crack the code to see some clues about the present God gave us. =A
=C
=D
=E
=G
=H
=I
=J
=N
=O
=R
=S
=T
=U
=V
=W
C_______________ the Lord ‘Christ’ isn’t a name like Fred or Bill. It’s a title, and it means ‘God’s chosen King’. So this new baby wasn’t just a Saviour—he was also a King!
The King who saves The angel didn’t tell the shepherds the name of this saving King—but you
A special baby
This means the sentence that starts with a tiny 11
Who did the angel say had been born? (v11)
probably know it already... What was his name? When the shepherds went to see Jesus, he was just a tiny baby. He didn’t look much like a king! The grown up Jesus didn’t look kingly either. When he was about 33
Your S___________________ Hmm... A saviour (or rescuer) is hugely important—but only if you need to be saved! Crack the code to see what we all need to be saved from.
years old, Jesus was killed. He was nailed to a cross and left to die. He looked like a dying criminal, not a king. But this horrible death is how King Jesus saved his people! As he died, all the sins
Look out for these words as you read
of the world (all the wrongs people do) were put onto Jesus. He was taking the
the rest of this leaflet.
punishment for our sins.