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Little Bethlehem

A prophet’s happy secret, a twinkling star, and wise men who find baby Jesus

  • ☀️ Sunbeams
  • Week 49
  • 📅 Sunday, December 6, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Baby Jesus was born in little Bethlehem, just like God promised.

I can tell my family, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem!”

Come, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah)
Know the chapters

About 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah wrote that the promised Ruler would come from Bethlehem, a town so small it was “little among the thousands of Judah” (Micah 5:2). When wise men later came looking for the newborn King, the chief priests and scribes answered by reading Micah’s words (Matthew 2:1–6). Heavenly Father planned Jesus’s birth, told His prophet, and kept His word.

For three-year-olds, the whole lesson is one tiny truth: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised. Say “Bethlehem!” so many times that they go home saying it. They don’t need dates, King Herod or the other prophets. They need a star to twinkle, a baby to rock, and a happy teacher.

A detail for you (not for the kids): the scriptures say the wise men found “the young child” in a “house” (Matthew 2:11), probably some time after the shepherds came. They never say how many wise men there were. Keep it simple: the star helped the wise men find Jesus.

Nativity tip: baby Jesus is always a doll or a bundled blanket. No child plays Jesus or Heavenly Father. Children can be Mary, Joseph, the star, wise men and lots of little sheep.

Only have 5 minutes?

Cut out a paper star (or tap “I brought nothing” and use twinkle hands). Open Teach Mode and let the picture story carry the lesson: say “Bethlehem!” together every time it comes up. Teach “We have seen his star” with the motions, play Follow the Star around the room, sing “Stars Were Gleaming,” and end by rocking your arms like holding baby Jesus while you share your testimony.

What to bring6 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 big paper star, about the size of your hand or bigger.
  2. Hide the star under the blanket so it’s ready for the peekaboo hook.
  3. Wrap the doll snugly in a small blanket. This is baby Jesus for the story.
  4. Put the two or three small gifts in a bag by your chair.
  5. Open this lesson in Teach Mode and add your children’s names in the My Class tab.

If your class is wild

  • Tears at the door? Let the child hold the star or sit with their parent near the door for a few minutes. Invite, never force. The peekaboo usually wins them over.
  • Potty breaks happen fast at this age. Never leave the class alone and never go somewhere alone with one child: ask a Primary presidency member or the child’s parent to help, following your ward’s plan.
  • Snacks are optional. Check allergies with parents and your ward’s snack policy before handing out anything, and keep it until the very end so it doesn’t take over.
  • Make the star your attention signal: when you hold it up high, everyone makes twinkle hands and gets quiet.
  • Only two or three minutes per activity. If faces glaze over, jump to the next song. Three-year-olds reset fast with music.

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

Peekaboo Star

2 min

A peekaboo reveal grabs little eyes and brings the star into the room.

  1. Sit down with the blanket on your lap and the paper star hiding under it.
  2. SAY“Something is hiding under my blanket. It shines up in the sky at night. What could it be?”
  3. Count together, “One, two, three… peekaboo!” and pull the blanket off.
  4. SAY“A star! A long time ago, a big, bright star helped some wise men find Jesus.”
  5. Pass the star around. Each child holds it up and says, “Twinkle!”
🌪️ If they grab for the blanket, hold it on your lap and let them take turns lifting one corner to peek.

Class screen: 🙈 What’s hiding? Peekaboo!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper) or any toy star, A light blanket, scarf or dish towel for peekaboo

  1. Hide both hands behind your back. Say: “Something is hiding behind my back. It shines up in the sky at night. What could it be?”
  2. Count together, “One, two, three… peekaboo!” Pop your hands out, opening and closing your fingers like a twinkling star.
  3. SAY“A star! A long time ago, a big, bright star helped some wise men find Jesus.”
  4. Everyone hides their hands, counts, and pops out their own twinkle hands. Do it three times!

Class screen: ✨ Peekaboo! Twinkle, twinkle!

2. Song

Sing: Stars Were Gleaming

3 min

Singing gets everyone together and fills the room with Christmas.

  1. SAY“Let’s sing about the night Jesus was born!”
  2. Sing “Stars Were Gleaming” (Children’s Songbook, 37). Everyone makes twinkle hands the whole time.
  3. Sing it again softly while rocking your arms like holding a tiny baby.
  4. Sunbeams won’t know the words yet. That’s okay! Humming and doing the motions counts.
🌪️ If someone wanders, hand them a job: “Can you be our twinkle leader?” and have them stand next to you.

Class screen: 🎶 Sing with twinkle hands!

3. Story

Picture Story: Little Bethlehem

5 min

Short picture scenes with an action each time teach the one truth: Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

  1. Give out the parts: one child holds the star, one child is Mary and holds baby Jesus (the doll), and two or three wise men each hold a gift. Everyone else is a little sheep.
  2. Show each picture on your phone or tablet, read the one or two lines, then do the action together.
  3. Every time you say “Bethlehem,” everyone says it back.
  4. At the last scene, the wise men kneel and set their gifts down gently.
  5. SAY“Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised!”
🌪️ If the sheep get too wild, say, “Sleepy sheep!” Everyone lies down and snores for three seconds, then pops back up.

Class screen: 🏘️ Story time: Little Bethlehem!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper) or any toy star, A baby doll or a small blanket bundled up like a baby, Two or three small “gifts” for the wise men (blocks, small boxes or wrapped toys)

  1. Give out the parts: the Star makes big twinkle hands, Mary rocks her arms like holding a baby, and two or three wise men cup their hands like holding a gift. Everyone else is a little sheep.
  2. Show each picture on your phone or tablet, read the one or two lines, then do the action together.
  3. Every time you say “Bethlehem,” everyone says it back.
  4. At the last scene, the wise men kneel and hold out their pretend gifts.
  5. SAY“Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised!”
4. Wiggle break

Little Town, Big Star

2 min

Getting little, then big, burns off wiggles and repeats the story.

  1. SAY“Bethlehem was a little town. Make yourself little!” Everyone crouches down small.
  2. SAY“The star was big and bright. Grow big!” Everyone stretches up tall on tiptoes and twinkles.
  3. Go little… big… little… big, faster and faster, then very, very slow.
  4. Finish with: “Little sheep, lie down to sleep.” Everyone curls up quietly while you count to five.

Class screen: 🌟 Little town, big star!

5. Scripture

We Have Seen His Star

3 min

Five words with motions, repeated in silly voices, is a verse a three-year-old can keep.

  1. SAY“The wise men said happy words when they came looking for Jesus. Let’s say them too!”
  2. Teach the motions one piece at a time. Then say it together: “We have seen his star.”
  3. Say it in a whisper voice, then a little-sheep voice, then a big happy voice.
  4. Let any child who wants to say it by themselves stand next to you and lead the motions.
  5. SAY“The star helped the wise men find Jesus in Bethlehem!”

Class screen: 👀 We have seen his star! · 👀 We have seen · ⭐ his star

6. Game

Follow the Star

3 min

Tiptoeing after the star lets them move like the wise men did.

  1. Hold the star up high. Say: “The wise men followed the star to Jesus. Let’s follow it!”
  2. Walk slowly around the room while the children tiptoe behind you like wise men.
  3. When you stop and hold the star still, everyone kneels and holds out their hands like giving Jesus a gift.
  4. Let a quiet child carry the star and lead the next trip.
  5. Finish back at your chairs. Ask: “Where was Jesus born?” Everyone: “Bethlehem!”
🌪️ Tiptoe only! Anyone who runs becomes a sleepy sheep and lies down for three seconds before joining again.

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper) or any toy star

  1. Hold up your phone or tablet or your phone showing the big star on this screen. Say: “The wise men followed the star to Jesus. Let’s follow it!”
  2. Walk slowly around the room while the children tiptoe behind you like wise men.
  3. When you stop and hold the star still, everyone kneels and holds out their hands like giving Jesus a gift.
  4. Let a quiet child be the Star next: they make big twinkle hands and lead the line.
  5. Finish back at your chairs. Ask: “Where was Jesus born?” Everyone: “Bethlehem!”
7. Talk it over

Show Me!

2 min

Answering with their bodies lets pre-readers show what they learned.

  1. Sit together on the floor. Show one question at a time on your phone or tablet.
  2. Everyone answers with their body or one word. Every answer gets a happy “Yes!”
  3. Finish by saying: “Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised.”
💬 Ask the class
  • Show me how little Bethlehem was!
  • Where was baby Jesus born?
  • Show me how the star twinkled!
  • Show me how you could give Jesus a gift of a kind hug or a smile!

Class screen: 🙋 Show me!

8. Game

What’s Hiding?

2 min

A hidden-picture reveal reviews the story with happy suspense.

  1. Open Mystery Picture. Say: “A picture from our story is hiding. Let’s find it!”
  2. Ask an easy question (“Who held baby Jesus? Mary!”). Each right answer, a child taps away one tile.
  3. When they guess the picture, everyone does its action: twinkle for a star, baa for a sheep, rock for a baby.
🧩 Mystery Picture (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🔍 What’s hiding?

9. Testimony

Baby Jesus Came

2 min

A quiet, loving moment helps them feel that Jesus is real and loved.

  1. Ask for whisper voices. Hold baby Jesus (the doll) gently in your arms.
  2. SAY“God promised that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, and He was. God always keeps His promises. I love Jesus, and I know He loves you.”
  3. Let each child give the blanket a soft pat if they want to.
  4. Hum “Away in a Manger” together to finish.

Class screen: 💛 Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A baby doll or a small blanket bundled up like a baby

  1. Ask for whisper voices. Rock your arms like you are holding a tiny baby, and let the children do it too.
  2. SAY“God promised that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, and He was. God always keeps His promises. I love Jesus, and I know He loves you.”
  3. Hum “Away in a Manger” together while everyone keeps rocking.
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 the team scores if they cause tears. With Sunbeams, everybody wins.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Picture quiz!

Story drama

Little Bethlehem

Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4–7; Matthew 2:1–11 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • MaryGently holds and rocks baby Jesus (the doll or bundled blanket).
  • JosephStands close to Mary and helps take care of baby Jesus.
  • The StarHolds the star up high and walks slowly to lead the wise men.
  • Wise MenTwo or three children who carry gifts, follow the star and kneel by baby Jesus.
  • Little SheepEveryone else! Baa, curl up tiny, and say “Bethlehem!” every time you hear it.

Scenes

  1. 📜 A prophet named Micah hears a happy secret

    Long, long ago, God told a prophet named Micah a happy secret. Baby Jesus would be born in a town called Bethlehem!

    🎬 Put a finger on your lips: “Shhh!” Then everyone whispers, “Bethlehem!”

  2. 🏘️ Bethlehem was a little, little town

    Bethlehem was not big. It was a little town with little houses and lots of sheep.

    🎬 Curl up teeny tiny like a little house. Now pop up and baa like a little sheep!

  3. ⏳ Everyone waited and waited

    God’s people waited a long, long time for baby Jesus to come. They waited, and waited, and waited.

    🎬 Tap your wrist like a watch: “Wait… wait… wait…” Then give a big, sleepy yawn.

  4. 👶 Baby Jesus is born in Bethlehem!

    Then one night, baby Jesus was born, right in little Bethlehem, just like God promised! Mary wrapped Him snug and held Him close.

    🎬 Mary gently rocks baby Jesus. Everyone rocks their arms and whispers, “Bethlehem!”

  5. ⭐ A big, bright star shines in the sky

    Far away, some wise men saw a big, bright, brand-new star. They knew it meant a new King was born!

    🎬 The Star holds the star up high. Everyone makes twinkle hands and says, “Ooooh!”

  6. 🚶 The wise men follow the star

    The wise men went on a long, long trip to find the new King. Where was He? The scriptures said: Bethlehem!

    🎬 Wise men walk slowly behind the Star. Everyone else marches in place, then shouts, “Bethlehem!”

  7. 🎁 They find Jesus and give Him gifts

    The star led the wise men to Jesus. They were so happy! They knelt down and gave Him gifts. God kept His promise.

    🎬 Wise men kneel and set their gifts down gently. Everyone kneels and holds out hands like giving a gift.

Key verse

Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star”
In kid words: We saw Jesus’s star!
🙌 “We” = point to all your friends · “have seen” = make binoculars with your hands around your eyes · “his star” = reach up high and open and close your hands like a twinkling star

More verses

Micah 5:2 ↗
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little”
In kid words: Little Bethlehem, Jesus will be born in you!
Matthew 2:10 ↗
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
In kid words: The wise men saw the star and were so, so happy!
Nahum 1:7 ↗
“The LORD is good”
In kid words: Jesus is good!

Forehead Guess words10 words

  • ⭐ Star
  • 👶 Baby Jesus
  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔‍♂️ Joseph
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 🎁 Gift
  • 🚶 Wise men
  • 📜 Prophet Micah
  • 🌙 Moon
Clues for each word
  • Star: It twinkles in the night sky
  • Baby Jesus: He was born in Bethlehem
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother
  • Joseph: He helped take care of baby Jesus
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Sheep: It says “baa”
  • Gift: The wise men brought these to Jesus
  • Wise men: They followed the star
  • Prophet Micah: He said Jesus would be born in Bethlehem
  • Moon: It shines at night with the stars
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Which one twinkles in the night sky?
    • A. ⭐ Star
    • B. 🍌 Banana
    Show answer

    ✅ A. ⭐ Star Twinkle, twinkle! A bright star helped the wise men find Jesus.

  2. Where was baby Jesus born?
    • A. 🏙️ A big city
    • B. 🏘️ Little Bethlehem
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🏘️ Little Bethlehem Jesus was born in little Bethlehem, just like God promised!

  3. Who told about Bethlehem long ago?
    • A. 🐶 A puppy
    • B. 📜 The prophet Micah
    • C. 🚗 A car
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 📜 The prophet Micah God told the prophet Micah, and Micah wrote it down.

  4. What did the star help the wise men find?
    • A. 👶 Jesus
    • B. 🍪 Cookies
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👶 Jesus The star led them right to Jesus!

  5. What did the wise men bring Jesus?
    • A. 🧦 Socks
    • B. 🧸 A teddy bear
    • C. 🎁 Gifts
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🎁 Gifts They brought Him very special gifts.

  6. Who held baby Jesus close?
    • A. 👩 Mary
    • B. 🦁 A lion
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👩 Mary Mary, His mother, held Him snug and close.

  7. What can we give Jesus?
    • A. 😠 A grumpy face
    • B. 💛 Love and kindness
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 💛 Love and kindness Jesus loves it when we are kind!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    A gentle Christmas song for twinkle hands, sung right after the peekaboo star. Find it ↗

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

    Hum it softly while rocking baby Jesus during the testimony. Find it ↗

  • Picture a Christmas Children’s Songbook, p. 50

    A gentle Nativity song for extra time. Scroll back through the story pictures on your phone or tablet while you sing. Find it ↗

  • O Little Town of Bethlehem Hymns, no. 208

    Parents will know it. Invite families to sing it at home this week. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Star Spotting

Look for stars this week: in the night sky, on a tree, on a card. Each time you see one, make twinkle hands and say, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem!”

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we learned that a prophet named Micah said Jesus would be born in little Bethlehem, and He was (Micah 5:2)! We played peekaboo with a star, followed it like the wise men, and said “We have seen his star” with twinkle hands. Ask your child: “Where was baby Jesus born?” and look for stars together this week.

📝 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?

✂️ Twinkle Star Craft · 5 min

  1. Before class, cut a paper star for each child.
  2. Children color their star or add a sticker.
  3. Write “Jesus was born in Bethlehem” on the back so parents can read it at home.
  4. Everyone holds up their star and says, “We have seen his star!”

🏰 The Lord Is Good (Nahum 1:7) · 3 min

  1. Drape a blanket over two chairs to make a little fort, or everyone huddles together in one corner.
  2. SAY“A prophet named Nahum said the Lord is like a safe fort. When we’re scared or sad, Jesus keeps us safe.”
  3. Everyone scoots into the fort and says together, “The Lord is good!”

⏳ Wait for It! (Habakkuk 2:3) · 2 min

  1. SAY“God’s people waited a long, long time for Jesus. Can you wait too?”
  2. Everyone freezes like a statue while you count slowly to five… then everyone shouts, “Jesus came!” and jumps up.
  3. Do it again with a longer count. Say: “God always keeps His promises, even when we have to wait.”

🎶 Happy Singing (Zephaniah 3:17) · 3 min

  1. SAY“The prophet Zephaniah said the Lord is so happy with His children that He sings over them!”
  2. Sing a favorite song, like “Picture a Christmas,” with big smiles.
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father and Jesus are happy when we follow Them.”

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.

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