Come to Bethlehem and See
Notes to the Elementary Service Director
Several weeks before your first whole-group practice takes place, you can begin working with individuals and classes or groups. The whole-group practices will go much easier when most of the kids have some idea of what you expect of them.
Here are some additional ideas to help jump-start your planning:
- Invite and advertise! Be sure to use the free downloadable helps CTA provides. You can customize them, adding your own information to create a unified look and feel for the entire enterprise, from invitation to closing blessing.
Visit and click on the “Resource & Idea Center” and then on “Seasonal & Events” to find the downloadables for Come to Bethlehem and See in the Christmas section. They include a coloring page, the full-color artwork for the theme Come to Bethlehem and See, PowerPoint slides showing the pages from the book Come to Bethlehem and See, and more!
- Assign speaking parts. If you are working with a small group of children, each speaker may have multiple parts. If yours is a large group, you may want to break some of the speaking parts into shorter sections or have several children speak each part in unison.
Before you print out copies of the service below for each participant, replace Leader and Speaker with the names of the specific children or adults who will present those parts. If you have a smaller group of children, use teens or adults for some speaking parts.
Send speaking parts home in writing so children can practice them with their families. It is best if children memorize their speaking parts, but they may also read from cards onto which you have printed their parts. If you do this, encourage the speakers to face the audience and speak slowly and clearly as they read into the microphone.
Note: Be sure to have an extra set of cards available in case a child loses his or her card in the excitement of your big event.
- Plan a helpful sequence. Because it is difficult for very young children to sit still longer than about 15 minutes, you may want to assign parts and songs in such a way that the youngest children participate first. Then you can ask them to go sit with their parents in the audience for the rest of the service.
- Set the stage. Place a manger center stage, allowing enough space for Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and other characters to stand near it. Plan to position the tallest children in back rows and smallest children in front—perhaps on low risers or steps. Children may sit down in place whenever they are not involved in singing or presenting. This will eliminate the confusion of moving from chairs to the stage and then back again several times.
- Teams of younger children may want to add some art. Invite specific classes or groups to illustrate portions of the Christmas story. Import their drawings onto PowerPoint slides and plan to project them at the appropriate points in the service or before and after the service.
- Invite older children to use their talents by reading, singing, playing an instrument, introducing songs, and participating in other helpful ways.
- Select children to act out the story. You will need these characters: Mary, Joseph, the Baby (doll) in the manger, angels, and shepherds. The following are some costume ideas to get you started:
Here’s an easy way to make a “robe.” Use a bath towel, a portion of an old sheet, or a length of lightweight, inexpensive fabric. Fold it in half. Use scissors to cut an X about midway along the fold. Adjust the X until it slips easily over the child’s head, tie a belt around the child’s waist, check that the bottom edge is at least 12 inches off the floor to minimize the danger of tripping, and you’re done!
Fashion “sheep ears” or “cow horns” by hot-gluing felt ear or horn shapes to headbands purchased from a discount store. Or sew felt “ears” to a length of black elastic, sized and stitched to fit snugly around the child’s head. (Elastic may be purchased by the yard at your local fabric store.) Students playing animal parts may wear sweatshirts and pants in solid colors. Plain-colored mittens or gloves can serve as hooves. Use face paint to add “noses” for the “animals”—but only if the children are comfortable with it and parents give you permission.
Spray-paint a silver or gold star. Fasten one end of a string to the star. Attach the other end of the string to a wooden dowel approximately three feet in length. Or permanently affix the star on the stage set above the manger.
Make angel “halos” from silver, gold, or white Christmas garland. Place a short length of garland on each angel’s head. Cut it to size and staple the ends securely. (Keep the stapler close by for last-minute fixes.)
- Adapt this service as appropriate for your group’s size, setting, and preferences.
The Bible quotations printed in this program come from the English Standard Version (ESV). You’re welcome to substitute a translation of your choice, but if you do this, you will need to change the credit line at the end of this document. Visit to learn more about Bible credit lines.
You can hear most of the songs we’ve suggested by conducting a quick search on YouTube. Feel free to substitute different hymns and songs, but be sure to respect copyright laws and include credit lines.
If you need a shorter service or if your group is smaller, consider judiciously omitting some hymn stanzas and speaking parts.
- Print a program for those who attend. CTA provides a free program cover with theme art you can download and customize. Check it out online as described in the first bullet point above.
If you choose to have the congregation participate in the service where the script below invites it, add those sections to the bulletin or project them on the screen at the appropriate points.
- As the service ends, give each child a Come to Bethlehem and See softcover book (Item TBC5SC for ages 3–8) or activity book (Item TBC5AB for ages 7–11)to keep as a memento of Christmas this year.
- Because photography can disrupt worship and movement in the audience may distract the children, offer an alternative for parents and grandparents. Tell them that all adults will have an opportunity to take pictures of their children near the classroom Christmas tree or at the manger after the service. Then ask that they refrain from taking photos during the program itself.
Special Notes for “Come to Bethlehem and See”
Over and over again in this program, the children will repeat the words: “Come and see.” Point this out to them as you help them prepare personalized fliers to hand out at the end of the program. These will invite guests to participate in your Christmas Eve/Christmas Day services, weekly Sunday services, Sunday school, and other events that will bring them back to learn more about Jesus.
Prepare large posters or banners with the letters J-E-S-U-S.Or plan to project the word JESUSat the appropriate points in the program. Also consider projecting the subtitles of the different program sections on the screen.
Come to Bethlehem and See
A Christmas Service for Elementary School Children
Let’s go to Bethlehem!
Let’s see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
Luke 2:15 NLT
The pastor, Sunday school superintendent, choir director, or other designated leader welcomes everyone and offers a brief opening prayer. Then a small group of children enter, standing center stage. As they do, the rest of the children quietly enter the room and spread out to surround the area where the guests are seated. When all are in their places, the small group welcomes the guests:
Small group:We have a great, great story to tell
So gather ’round and listen well.
It is the story of God’s grace
That started in a tiny place.
Your Savior, Christ the Lord, has come
To show God’s love for everyone.
This story is for you and me
So come to Bethlehem and see!
All children:Come and see! Come and see!
Come to Bethlehem and see!
The children then hurry forward to take their places, smiling and excited as they wave, “Come on!” to the audience. The piano/organ plays familiar, joyful Christmas carols as the children move. When everyone is settled, and the first set of speakers are ready, they begin.
In the Beginning
Speaker 1:God made the world a beautiful place,
Perfect and whole in every space.
Speaker 2:“God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good”(Genesis 1:31).
All children:It was very good!
Speaker 3:But people sinned; good turned to bad.
So now our lives are often sad.
Speaker 4:The Bible says, “All have sinned”(Romans 3:23).
Speaker 1:I have sinned.
Speaker 2:I have sinned.
Speaker 3:I have sinned.
All children:“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23).
The Promise
Speaker 5:But God had known that sin would come
And make life hard for everyone.
Speaker 6:And so before the world began
He prepared his master plan.
Speaker 7:He knew that he would send his Son
So our salvation could be won.
Speaker 8:He made a promise long ago
So that his people all would know.
Speaker 9:The prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of God’s Son:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given . . . his name shall be calledWonderful Counselor . . .”(Isaiah 9:6).
All children: Wonderful Counselor!
Speaker 9:Mighty God.
All children:Mighty God!
Speaker 9:Everlasting Father.
All children: Everlasting Father!
Speaker 9:Prince of Peace.
All children:Prince of Peace!
Speaker 10:Isaiah also calls God’s Son, “Immanuel.”
All children:“Call his name Immanuel”(Isaiah 7:14).
Speaker 10:It means“God with us”(Matthew 1:23).
All children:God.With.Us.God came to be with us!
Group 1:That’s you!
Group 2:That’s me!
Group 3:The promise is for you and me!
All children:Come and see!Come and see!
Come to Bethlehem and see!
Song:O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (congregation and children)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Refrain
The Message
Marymoves to center stage, followed by the angel. Mary kneels, frightened, as she sees the angel.
Speaker 12:The people waited for so long;
Some wondered, “Have we heard God wrong?”
Speaker 13:But then, one day, young Mary heard
An angel sent to bring God’s Word.
Speaker 14:The angel said, “Please, do not fear.
God’s promised one will soon appear.
Speaker 15:“The time has come.You are the one.
God’s chosen you to bear his Son.”
Mary exits. The angel moves into the background. Joseph enters, lies down to sleep. The angel steps close to him.
Speaker 16:The angel came to Joseph, too,
So he would know what he should do.
Speaker 17:“Don’t be afraid to take your wife
For God has planned to bless your life.
Speaker 18:“Her Baby Boy is God’s own Son,
The Gift he offers everyone.”
Speaker 19:The angel told Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins”(Matthew 1:21).
Speaker 20:What is his name?
Group 1:His name is Jesus!
As the children say the next line together, have five children stand and hold up large letters to make the name ‘JESUS’; alternatively, display this name on the screen.
All children:JESUS!
Speaker 21:What will Jesus do?
Group 2:“He will save his people from their sins.”
All children:“He will save his people from their sins.”
Group 1:That’s you!
Group 2:That’s me!
Group 3:The promise is for you and me!
All children:Come and see! Come and see!
Come to Bethlehem and see!
Josephand the angel exit.Mary and Joseph move to the back of the auditorium.
Song: Come to Bethlehem and See (children)
We are the shepherds watching our sheep;
Our nights are lonely and long.
One night some angels interrupted our sleep,
And now this is our song:
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see!
Come to Bethlehem and see!
Come to worship and adore;
He’s the one we’ve waited for.
Come to Bethlehem and see!
We are the animals gathered around,
Looking for something to eat;
But from our manger comes a sweet baby sound.
We don’t know how this could be!
Refrain
We are the millions around the world
Who call this Jesus our King.
This invitation is for ev’ryone:
Come, see and believe!
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see!
Come to Bethlehem and see!
The Baby
Mary and Joseph walk toward the stage as the lines below are spoken.When they arrive at the manger, Mary lays her “baby” in the hay. Then Mary and Joseph kneel down to keep watch, tending to the infant.
Speaker 22:Mary and Joseph had to go
To Bethlehem.They traveled slow.
Speaker 23:Bethl’em was a busy town
Filled with trav’lers from all around.
Speaker 24:While they were there, the Baby came.
They gave him the name above all names:
All children: JESUS!
Speaker 25:And since they’d foundno place to stay
They laid the Baby in the hay.
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem (congregation)
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by:
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the king and peace to all the earth!
Angels Bring More Good News
As the words below are spoken, an angel will appear to several shepherds near the stage. Then, many angels will appear.
Speaker 26:Some shepherds were out quite late that night,
When suddenly they saw a light.
Speaker 27:An angel came to bring good cheer.
The shepherds were all filled with fear.
Speaker 28:The angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–12).
Speaker 29:Did you hear what the angel said?“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”(Luke 2:10).
All children:ALL THE PEOPLE!
Group 1:That’s you!
Group 2:That’s me!
Group 3:The promise is for you and me!
All children:Come and see! Come and see!
Come to Bethlehem and see!
Speaker 30:The angel told them where they’d find
The Savior—holy, strong, and kind.
Speaker 31:“He’s wrapped in cloths,” the angel said,
“And lying in a manger bed.”
Speaker 32:Then suddenly the sky turned bright
As angels sang with all their might:
All children:“Glory to God in the highest”(Luke 2:14).
Song:Angels We Have Heard on High (children sing the refrain; everyone else sings the stanzas)
Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains.
Refrain:Gloria, in excelsisDeo!Gloria, in excelsisDeo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be, which inspire your heav’nly song?
Refrain
Come to Bethlehem and see Christ,whose birth the angels sing.
Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord the newborn King.
Refrain
As the following words are spoken, the shepherds move toward the manger and kneel down.
Speaker 33:When they had heard the angels sing,
The shepherds went to find the King.
Speaker 34:They found the Babe in Bethlehem
And then knelt down to worship him.
Speaker 35:Who is this Baby they went to find?
Group 2:His name is Jesus!
Once more, five children should hold up the letters spelling JESUS or project them on the screen.