Holidays and Special Days

Key Scripture:    

Matthew 25:31-46 & 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Theme: Thankfulness leads to generosity, joy, and praise.  

This Thanksgiving message reminds us that true gratitude doesn’t stop at words—it leads to action. When we recognize God’s blessings and develop thankful hearts, it naturally overflows into generosity. This principle is often reflected in children's lessons and is a vital part of our faith traditions. Science confirms what Scripture has long taught: gratitude opens the heart, inspires giving, and fills our lives with joy. 

Key Takeaway: When we live with thankful hearts, we can’t help but become generous people. Gratitude prepares our hearts for giving, and giving draws us closer to God—transforming both the giver and the receiver with joy and blessing. These gratitude teachings remind us of the importance of sharing, especially during the Thanksgiving season.

Key Scripture: Thessalonians 5:18

Theme: Living with gratitude brings joy to us, to others, and to God.

This Thanksgiving message encourages children and families to cultivate a heart of thankfulness — not just on one special day, but every day. Through science, Scripture, and the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, this lesson serves as one of the valuable children's lessons that highlight how gratitude leads to greater joy, stronger relationships, and a deeper connection with God. 

Key Takeaway: An attitude of gratitude transforms our hearts and our lives. When we pause to thank God for His blessings — big and small — we grow happier, healthier, and closer to Him. 

Key Scripture: Mark 1:3

Theme: Advent is about preparing our hearts, not just our homes — remembering that God prepared everything for the first Christmas long before we did.

This Advent message reminds us that while we rush to prepare for Christmas with decorations, shopping, and baking, God has already done the most important preparation — the plan for Jesus’ birth. From the promises made to Abraham and the prophecies of Isaiah to the guiding star, angel choir, and John the Baptist’s call to “prepare the way,” every detail was set in motion by God long before that first Christmas night. This lesson invites children (and adults) to slow down and prepare their hearts, not just their homes, for the coming of Christ.

Key Takeaway: God has already prepared the way for Jesus. This Advent, instead of rushing through lists and to-dos, take time to prepare your heart to receive the true gift of Christmas — Christ Himself.

A Two-Part Christmas Sermon Series

This fun and meaningful Christmas series uses classic holiday cartoons — The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas — to teach children's lessons about faith, compassion, and the true meaning of Christmas.

In Part 1, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” serves as a reminder that Christmas isn’t about presents or decorations, but something much deeper, aligning with our faith traditions. 

In Part 2, Rudolph and Charlie Brown reveal that Christmas is about love, belonging, humility, and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, while also incorporating gratitude teachings.

Key takeaway: Full of familiar characters, humor, and heart, this series helps children and families rediscover the joy and purpose behind the season — that Christmas is about God’s greatest gift to us all.

Theme: Keeping Christ at the center of Christmas

This heartfelt Christmas message reminds children and families that while the lights, ornaments, and presents are beautiful parts of the season, the most important part—like the stand holding up the tree—is the foundation that holds it all together: Jesus. Through children’s lessons and the story of Martin Luther’s first Christmas tree, along with a modern-day parable about forgetting the baby, this sermon helps listeners rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. 

Key takeaway: Don’t let the sparkle and busyness of the season cover up what matters most—the birth of Jesus, our firm foundation, which is a core element in our faith traditions. This message resonates with gratitude teachings reminding us to focus on what truly matters.

 Key Scripture:  John 1:29

Theme: Jesus — the Lamb of God — was born to bring salvation, love, and hope to all people.

This Christmas lesson beautifully connects the beloved nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to the true story of Jesus’ birth. Just as the poem tells of a lamb that followed Mary everywhere, the message reminds us that Mary also had a little Lamb — Jesus, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Through Scripture and story, children learn why Jesus is called the Lamb of God, how His birth fulfilled prophecy, and how His sacrifice brings us peace, forgiveness, and eternal life.

Key Takeaway: At Christmas, we celebrate not only the baby in the manger but the Lamb who came to save us. Like Mary, may we cherish and follow Him with love and gratitude every day.

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 11:2–3, Galatians 5:22–23, Deuteronomy 5:6–21, 

Matthew 5:1–12

Theme: Finding faith’s hidden truths in everyday traditions.

This can be used with or without the lesson by the same title.

From the Partridge in a Pear Tree—representing Jesus who died on the cross for us—to the 12 Drummers Drumming—symbolizing the 12 points of the Apostles’ Creed—this song is full of reminders of God’s gifts.

This handout shows what each day and gift represents, helping you see how a simple Christmas song shares the story of God’s love, His Word, and His promises to us, making it a great resource for children's lessons or Christmas sermons. 

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 11:2–3, Galatians 5:22–23, Deuteronomy 5:6–21, 

Matthew 5:1–12

Theme: Finding faith’s hidden truths in everyday traditions.

This engaging Christmas lesson uncovers the hidden Christian meanings behind the familiar carol “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Long ago, when believers faced challenges in freely practicing their faith traditions, this song served as a teaching tool to help children remember key parts of Scripture and Christian doctrine. Each verse—from the partridge in a pear tree to the twelve drummers drumming—represents a core truth of the faith, highlighting Jesus’ sacrifice, the gifts of the Spirit, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed.

Key Takeaway: Christmas is about more than gifts and decorations—it’s about remembering God’s greatest gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ. This lesson not only connects the symbols of the season to the timeless truths of the Gospel but also serves as a wonderful foundation for Christmas sermons and gratitude teachings, turning a familiar song into a joyful way to share the Good News.

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 11:2–3, Galatians 5:22–23, Deuteronomy 5:6–21, Matthew 5:1–12. 

Theme: Finding faith’s hidden truths in everyday traditions, such as children's lessons and faith traditions.

Save money and get both the lesson and the handout in this bundle!

Key Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25

Theme: Trusting God’s plans when ours seem to fall apart.

This Christmas message serves as a reminder that  we all have our own dreams and plans. However, God's plan for our lives is far greater than anything we could imagine. Take Joseph, for example, who dreamed of a simple, peaceful life with Mary. He faced unexpected turns that made it feel like his dreams were falling apart. Yet, amidst this uncertainty, God’s message remains timeless — “Do not be afraid… Emmanuel, God is with us.”

Key Takeaway: When your plans change and your dreams don’t go as expected, remember Joseph’s story. It aligns with our faith traditions that emphasize trusting God's plan, which may look different but is always better.

 Theme: Honoring Jesus with our best gifts — our love, worship, and devotion. 

Key Scripture: Matthew 2:11

This lesson explores the deeper meaning behind the gifts of the Magi — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — and how they each foretold who Jesus would become. The Wise Men’s gifts weren’t random or impractical; they were powerful symbols of Jesus’ identity and mission. Gold honored Him as King of Kings, frankincense recognized Him as our High Priest, and myrrh foreshadowed His sacrifice and resurrection. Just as the Wise Men brought their very best to Jesus, we too are called to offer our hearts, talents, and worship to Him.

Key Takeaway: The gifts of the Wise Men revealed who Jesus was and what He came to do. Like them, we show true worship when we seek Him, bow before Him, and give Him our best.

Key Scripture: Matthew 2:2-12

Theme: Jesus is revealed to us in many ways—through Scripture, worship, baptism, communion, and the love we share with others.

This interactive children’s sermon invites kids to relive the story of the Wise Men by following a star around the church to “find” Jesus. Along the way, they discover that Jesus isn’t just found in one place—He’s revealed in the Word, the cross, the sacraments, and in the community of believers. The message reminds children that Epiphany is not just about the star in the sky, but about the light of Christ shining in every part of our lives.

Key Takeaway: Just like the Wise Men followed the star to find Jesus, we can find Him every day—in God’s Word, in worship, and in the love and light we share with others. Jesus is always with us.

 Key Scripture: Luke 2:49

Theme: Don’t leave Jesus out of the picture—stay close to Him in God’s house and in your heart.
 

This lesson uses the story of 12-year-old Jesus staying behind in the temple to remind us not to lose sight of Him in our busy lives. Just as Mary and Joseph accidentally left Jesus behind in Jerusalem, we sometimes get so caught up in daily routines, work, and worries that we forget to spend time with Him. Jesus knew even as a child that being in His Father’s house was the most important place to be. This message encourages children—and adults—to “find” Jesus again by keeping Him at the center of worship, prayer, and daily living.

Key Takeaway: It’s easy to get distracted and “lose” Jesus in our busy lives, but He never stops waiting for us. When we return to worship and focus on Him, we rediscover peace, love, and the joy of being in our Father’s house.

Key Scripture: Matthew 1:18–25, Matthew 2:13–23

Theme: Faith means listening to God and obeying Him, even when we don’t fully understand His plan.

This children’s sermon tells the story of Joseph—the quiet, obedient earthly father of Jesus—who listened carefully to God’s direction in his dreams. When the angel appeared to Joseph with messages from God, Joseph never questioned or argued; he simply trusted and obeyed. Through Joseph’s example, children learn the importance of listening to God, trusting His plan, and letting their actions show their faith.
 

Key Takeaway: Like Joseph, we can show our faith through quiet obedience—listening for God’s voice, trusting His guidance, and following His direction with courage and love.

 Theme: We are all saints when we live in faith, love others, and trust in God’s grace.

This heartfelt poem-based message helps children understand the meaning of All Saints Day — a time to remember and give thanks for all of God’s saints, both well-known and ordinary. Through gentle rhymes and simple truths, kids learn that saints are not just those in history books, but anyone who follows God, trusts His promises, and shares His love with others. The poem celebrates both those who have gone to heaven and those still living faithfully on earth.

Key Takeaway:
All Saints Day isn’t just about remembering those who have died — it’s about celebrating every believer who lives with faith, love, and hope in Jesus Christ.