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Come See Baby Jesus!

Follow the star, tiptoe to the manger, and find out who came to love the baby

  • ☀️ Sunbeams
  • Week 2
  • 📅 Sunday, January 10, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus was born, and I can come to Him and love Him.

I can show Jesus I love Him, like the shepherds and wise men did.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 2; Luke 2 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Know the chapters

Christmas just ended, and this week the children hear the whole story from the scriptures. Luke 2 tells how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, found no room in the inn, and laid baby Jesus in a manger. An angel told shepherds the good news, and the sky filled with angels praising God. The shepherds hurried to find the baby. When Jesus was a tiny baby, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple, where old Simeon held Him and thanked God, and Anna, an old prophetess, told others about Him.

Matthew 2 tells about wise men from the east who saw a new star and came a long way to worship the new King. The star led them to the house where young Jesus was, and they knelt and gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wise men likely came later than the shepherds, when Jesus was a young child in a house (Matthew 2:11). Keep King Herod out of this lesson or very gentle: God warned Joseph in a dream, and Joseph kept Jesus safe.

For three-year-olds, the tiny truth is: Jesus was born, and I can come to Him and love Him. Everyone in the story came to Jesus: the shepherds hurried, Simeon and Anna waited, and the wise men followed a star. Children come to Jesus when they sing about Him, pray, are reverent at church and are kind. Their love is the best gift they can give Him.

Luke 2:52 says Jesus grew up, just like they are growing. Three-year-olds love knowing that Jesus was once a little child too.

Only have 5 minutes?

Twinkle your fingers like a star and lead the class on a star walk to a corner of the room, where you rock pretend baby Jesus. Let Teach Mode carry the picture story, sing “Away in a Manger” while rocking your arms, and teach “unto you is born … a Saviour” with the motions. End with each child giving Jesus a pretend gift: a hug in their heart.

What to bring5 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Cut out a paper star. Tape it to a ruler or pencil if you want a star on a stick.
  2. Before class, put the wrapped doll in the basket or box and hide it in a corner, under a table or behind a chair.
  3. Cut a paper heart and put it in the gift bag or box.
  4. Open this lesson in Teach Mode and add your children’s names in the My Class tab.

If your class is wild

  • The star walk is a great way to move the class. Tiptoe, don’t run: “Shh, we don’t want to wake the baby!”
  • The doll is baby Jesus, so handle it gently. Let children pat the blanket and whisper, “I love you, Jesus.” No child plays Jesus.
  • Many children will want to be Mary. Let the Mary in the story sit by the manger and then pass the job along during the song.
  • If the room gets loud, whisper, “The baby is sleeping!” and rock your arms. Everyone rocks and says, “Shh.”
  • Potty breaks: never leave the class alone and never go somewhere alone with one child. Follow your ward’s plan.

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Follow the Star!

3 min

A tiptoe star walk to a hidden baby makes the first minute a little adventure.

  1. Hold up the paper star. Say: “Long ago, a star led people to someone very special. Let’s follow my star!”
  2. Walk slowly around the room holding the star up high. Children tiptoe behind you: “Shh!”
  3. Stop at the hidden basket. Let each child peek at the baby.
  4. SAY“It’s baby Jesus! Today we’ll find out who came to see Him.”
🌪️ Hold the star high and walk very slowly. Say, “The star is slow. Stay behind it!”

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star! Shh!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A yellow paper star (or any paper cut in a star shape), A baby doll wrapped in a blanket (baby Jesus) and a laundry basket or box for the manger

  1. Twinkle your fingers up high. Say: “Long ago, a star led people to someone very special. My fingers are the star. Follow me!”
  2. Walk slowly around the room with twinkle fingers. Children tiptoe behind you, twinkling too: “Shh!”
  3. Stop in a corner and rock your arms like holding a baby. Whisper: “Who is it?”
  4. SAY“It’s baby Jesus! Today we’ll find out who came to see Him.”

Class screen: ✨ Twinkle fingers! Follow the star!

2. Story

Picture Story: Who Came to See Jesus?

5 min

Eight short picture scenes, each with an action, show everyone coming to Jesus.

  1. Pick a Mary, a Joseph, an Angel and two or three Wise Men. Everyone else is a Shepherd (and a Sheep!).
  2. Show each picture on your phone or tablet, read the short lines, then do the action together.
  3. After each scene, ask: “Who came to see Jesus?” and say it together.
  4. At the last scene, slow down. Everyone kneels like the wise men.
🌪️ If the sheep get too loud, say, “The sheep are going to sleep!” Everyone lies down and baas in a whisper.

Class screen: 📖 Story time: who came to see Jesus?

3. Song

Sing: Away in a Manger

2 min

A lullaby with rocking arms brings the room back to calm after the story.

  1. SAY“Let’s sing baby Jesus a gentle song.”
  2. Sing “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42) while everyone rocks their arms.
  3. Let a new child be Mary and sit by the manger while you sing.

Class screen: 🎶 Rock the baby and sing softly.

4. Wiggle break

Grow Like Jesus

2 min

Jesus was a little child who grew up. Growing tall with their bodies makes that fun.

  1. SAY“Jesus was a baby, and then He grew up, just like you!”
  2. Everyone curls up tiny like a baby on the floor.
  3. Grow slowly: sit up (a toddler), kneel (a Sunbeam!), stand (a big kid), then stretch up on tiptoes (a grown-up)!
  4. Do it twice, then sing a little of “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55) and sit down.

Class screen: 🌱 Tiny baby… grow, grow, grow!

5. Scripture

Unto You Is Born a Saviour

3 min

The angel’s good news, said with motions and each child’s name, tells every child Jesus came for them.

  1. SAY“The angel told the shepherds happy news. Let’s say it!”
  2. Teach the motions. Then say together: “Unto you is born this day … a Saviour.”
  3. Say it in a sleepy-baby whisper, then a happy angel voice.
  4. Go around the circle. Point to one child and everyone says: “Mia, unto you is born … a Saviour!” Do every child.

Class screen: 👼 Unto you is born … a Saviour! · 👉 unto you · 👶 is born this day · ☝️ a Saviour

6. Object lesson

A Gift for Jesus

3 min

Finding a heart in the gift box shows that our love is the best gift we can give Jesus.

  1. Hold up the gift bag. Say: “The wise men brought presents to Jesus. What can WE give Jesus?”
  2. Let a child open the bag and pull out the heart. Say: “Our love! That’s the best gift.”
  3. Ask: “How can you show Jesus you love Him?” Help with show-me ideas: fold arms to pray, sing, give a hug, share a toy.
  4. Pass the heart around the circle. Each child holds it and says, “I love you, Jesus.”

Class screen: 🎁 What gift can I give Jesus?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small gift bag or box with a paper heart inside

  1. Cup your hands like a closed present. Say: “The wise men brought presents to Jesus. I have a pretend present. What’s inside?”
  2. Open your hands slowly and make a heart shape with your fingers. Say: “Our love! That’s the best gift.”
  3. Ask: “How can you show Jesus you love Him?” Help with show-me ideas: fold arms to pray, sing, give a hug, share a toy.
  4. Everyone makes heart hands. Go around the circle and each child says, “I love you, Jesus.”

Class screen: 💛 What gift can I give Jesus?

7. Game

Nativity Freeze

2 min

Freezing as story characters reviews who came to Jesus and burns off energy.

  1. Open Freeze Dance. Say: “When the music stops, freeze!”
  2. Each time it stops, call out a picture: “Freeze like a sheep!” “Freeze like a wise man kneeling!” “Freeze like an angel!” “Freeze like a star!”
  3. Finish with “Freeze like Mary rocking baby Jesus,” then sit down quietly.
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🧊 Dance… and freeze!

8. Talk it over

Roll and Share

2 min

Rolling a ball gives every child a turn to share, with or without words.

  1. Sit in a circle. Show a question on your phone or tablet and roll the ball to a child.
  2. The child answers with a word, a point or a show-me, then rolls the ball back to you.
  3. Help shy children with two choices: “Was it a donkey or a dinosaur?”
💬 Ask the class
  • Where did baby Jesus sleep?
  • What did the sheep say?
  • What did the wise men follow? Show me!
  • How can you show Jesus you love Him?

Class screen: ⚽ Roll the ball! Let’s talk!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A soft ball or a rolled-up pair of socks

  1. Sit in a circle. Show a question on your phone or tablet and cup your hands: “This is a twinkly star!”
  2. Gently “hand” the star to a child. The child answers with a word, a point or a show-me, then hands it back.
  3. Help shy children with two choices: “Was it a donkey or a dinosaur?”

Class screen: ✨ Pass the star! Let’s talk!

9. Testimony

I Love Jesus

2 min

A quiet moment and their own name help each child feel Jesus’s love.

  1. Ask for whisper voices. Everyone rocks a pretend baby, then puts a hand on their heart.
  2. SAY“Baby Jesus was born for all of us. The shepherds and the wise men came to Him. I love Jesus, and I know He loves you.”
  3. Go around the circle and whisper each child’s name: “Jesus loves Noah.”
  4. Fold arms and help a child say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 💛 I love Jesus!

10. Game

Picture Quiz

4 minBONUS

Pointing at pictures lets pre-readers review the story and cheer.

  1. Open Scripture Showdown. Read each question aloud and point to each picture.
  2. Children point to or shout the right picture. Everyone cheers every right answer.
  3. Skip team scores if they cause tears. With Sunbeams, everybody wins.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Picture quiz!

Story drama

Who Came to See Jesus?

Luke 2:1–38; Matthew 2:1–11 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • MarySits by the manger and gently pats baby Jesus (the doll or a pretend baby).
  • JosephLeads the way to Bethlehem and knocks on the inn door.
  • AngelStands on tiptoes, spreads arms wide and says, “Good news!”
  • Shepherds and SheepEveryone! Say “Baa!” and hurry in place to see the baby.
  • Wise MenTwo or three children follow the star and kneel with pretend gifts.

Scenes

  1. 🫏 A long trip to Bethlehem

    Mary and Joseph went on a long, long trip to a town called Bethlehem. Clip-clop, clip-clop!

    🎬 Everyone pats their knees like a donkey walking: clip-clop, clip-clop.

  2. 🚪 Knock, knock! No room!

    Joseph looked for a place to stay, but there was no room for them in the inn. So they stayed where the animals lived.

    🎬 Joseph knocks in the air. Everyone shakes their head: “No room!”

  3. 👶 Baby Jesus is born!

    Baby Jesus was born! Mary wrapped Him up snug and laid Him in a manger, a box where animals eat.

    🎬 Everyone rocks their arms like holding a baby and whispers, “Shh.”

  4. 👼 An angel tells the shepherds!

    Shepherds were watching their sheep at night. An angel came and said, “Good news! The Savior is born!”

    🎬 Everyone says “Baa!” Then the Angel spreads arms wide and says, “Good news!”

  5. 🏃 The shepherds hurry to see Jesus

    The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. They found baby Jesus, just like the angel said!

    🎬 Everyone runs in place, fast, fast, fast… then tiptoes quietly and kneels.

  6. 👴 Simeon and Anna thank God

    Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple. Old Simeon held Him, and old Anna was so happy. They thanked God!

    🎬 Everyone rocks a pretend baby, then points up: “Thank you, Heavenly Father!”

  7. ⭐ Wise men follow a bright star

    Far away, wise men saw a new, bright star. They followed it a long, long way to find Jesus.

    🎬 Twinkle your fingers up high and walk in place, following the star.

  8. 🎁 Gifts for Jesus!

    The star stopped over the house where young Jesus was. The wise men knelt and gave Him gifts.

    🎬 Wise Men kneel and hold out pretend gifts. Everyone hugs their heart: “I love you, Jesus!”

Key verse

Luke 2:11 ↗
“unto you is born this day … a Saviour”
In kid words: Jesus was born for you!
🙌 “unto you” = point to a friend · “is born this day” = rock a baby in your arms · “a Saviour” = point up, then hug yourself

More verses

Luke 2:7 ↗
“laid him in a manger”
In kid words: Mary put baby Jesus in a manger bed.
Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star … and are come to worship him”
In kid words: The wise men saw His star and came to show their love.
Luke 2:52 ↗
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature”
In kid words: Jesus grew up bigger and smarter, just like you!

Forehead Guess words12 words

  • 👶 Baby Jesus
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🫏 Donkey
  • 🚪 Door
  • 🎁 Gift
  • 👑 Crown
  • 🌙 Moon
  • 🐄 Cow
  • 💛 Heart
  • 🏛️ Temple
Clues for each word
  • Baby Jesus: Born in Bethlehem
  • Star: The wise men followed it
  • Sheep: Says “baa” in the fields
  • Angel: Told the shepherds the good news
  • Donkey: Clip-clop! Many nativity pictures show one
  • Door: Knock, knock! No room!
  • Gift: The wise men brought them
  • Crown: Jesus is the King
  • Moon: It was night when the angel came
  • Cow: Animals ate from the manger
  • Heart: Our love is a gift for Jesus
  • Temple: Simeon and Anna saw Jesus there
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Where did baby Jesus sleep?
    • A. 🛏️ A big bed
    • B. 🌾 A manger
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🌾 A manger Mary laid Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.

  2. What animal says “baa”?
    • A. 🐑 Sheep
    • B. 🐸 Frog
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🐑 Sheep Shepherds take care of sheep. Baa!

  3. Who told the shepherds the good news?
    • A. 🦉 An owl
    • B. 👼 An angel
    • C. 🚒 A fireman
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 👼 An angel An angel said, “The Savior is born!”

  4. What did the wise men follow?
    • A. 🌈 A rainbow
    • B. 🎈 A balloon
    • C. ⭐ A star
    Show answer

    ✅ C. ⭐ A star A bright new star led them to Jesus.

  5. What did the wise men bring Jesus?
    • A. 🎁 Gifts
    • B. 🍕 Pizza
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🎁 Gifts They gave gold, frankincense and myrrh.

  6. What is the best gift we can give Jesus?
    • A. 🧸 A teddy bear
    • B. 💛 Our love
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 💛 Our love Jesus wants our love. We show it by being kind and reverent.

  7. Was Jesus once a little child like you?
    • A. 🙅 No
    • B. 🙋 Yes!
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🙋 Yes! Jesus grew up, just like you are growing!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Away in a Manger Children’s Songbook, p. 42

    A gentle lullaby for baby Jesus, sung with rocking arms after the story. Find it ↗

  • Jesus Once Was a Little Child Children’s Songbook, p. 55

    Jesus grew up like they are growing. Sing it with the Grow Like Jesus wiggle. Find it ↗

  • Stars Were Gleaming Children’s Songbook, p. 37

    Sing it with twinkle fingers during the star walk or at the end. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

A Gift for Jesus

Draw a heart and give it to someone in your family. Say, “I love Jesus!” Then do one kind thing for them this week, like a hug or sharing a toy.

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we followed a star to find baby Jesus! We learned that shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and wise men all came to see Him, and that “unto you is born this day … a Saviour” (Luke 2:11). We decided our love is the best gift for Jesus. Ask your child: “Who came to see baby Jesus?” and let them show you how the sheep said baa.

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🔦 Star Hunt · 3 min

  1. While children cover their eyes, hide the paper star somewhere easy to find.
  2. SAY“The wise men looked for the star. Let’s look too!”
  3. Whoever finds it hides it next time (with your help). Each time, say: “The star leads us to Jesus!”

✏️ Draw & Guess · 3 min

  1. Open Draw & Guess. You (the teacher) draw a word from this lesson on your phone or tablet.
  2. Children guess: a star, a sheep, a manger, a present.
  3. When they guess it, everyone does that thing: twinkle, baa, rock a baby, give a gift.

🖍️ Manger Picture · 5 min

  1. Give each child a paper with a simple manger shape drawn on it.
  2. Children color the manger and draw a star above it.
  3. Write “Jesus was born!” at the top so parents can read it at home.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All Sunbeams lessons