Download Good News, Great Joy! Notes to the Preschool Service Director

Good News, Great Joy!
Notes to the Preschool Service Director
Younger children, ages 3 to 6, will delight in telling the Good News of Jesus’ birth through this
simple yet powerful Christmas service. As teachers and helpers speak about the true meaning
of Christmas and model the joy it stirs in Christian hearts, little ones will catch the excitement
and eagerly prepare for this special chance to tell about Jesus’ birth.
You can practice many of the components of this service with individuals or small groups of
children for several weeks before your first whole-group practice takes place. Here are some
ideas that may help you get ready.

Invite and advertise! CTA provides many free, downloadable pieces suitable for
advertising. Visit www.CTAinc.com/FREE to check them out. They include a coloring
page, the full-color artwork for the theme Good News, Great Joy, a PowerPoint
presentation to match the special Christmas book (Item #GNJ3SCTS), and more!

Add simple actions to songs. We have made some suggestions. You can add others
and/or modify ours to fit your setting. Actions help children memorize words, and it will
enhance the presentation of the song for the family members and others who attend.

Record a CD or mp3s of the speaking parts and songs. Use it to teach the children their
parts. Let them listen to it during classroom craft times and at other appropriate
moments throughout the day. If possible, make a CD for each child to listen to at home
and during car time.

Send words home. Copy the song lyrics and action poem words. Encourage families to
help small children practice their parts.

Use hand motions to help children know what to do. For instance, extend your arms
with palms up and raise your arms to indicate children should stand up. To indicate time
to sit down, lower your arms with palms down.

Devise a signal to get everyone’s attention, and teach the children to stop, look at you,
and listen when they hear the sound. For example, toot a party horn, jingle some
Christmas bells, or simply count down, “Three, two, one. Shhhhhh.”

Plan the presentation so the audience can easily see the children. Arrange for little
ones to remain at the front of the church or auditorium throughout the service. Position
tallest children in the back rows and smallest in front—perhaps on low risers or steps.
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At times the children are not directly involved, have them sit down in place. Place a manger in
the central rear area of the stage. Be sure to allow enough space for the children to gather
around the manger at the appropriate point in the program.

Adapt this service to best fit your congregation’s size and setting.

Print a program for those who attend. CTA provides a free program cover with theme
art you can download and customize. Check it out at www.CTAinc.com/FREE.

As the children leave, give each child a copy of the book Good News, Great Joy! (Item
#GNJ3SCTS) to read at home.
In the weeks leading up to the service, prepare posters with each of the program’s subtitles
written in large letters. If you have access to a projector and screen, plan to project the
subtitles and perhaps also the words to the songs those in the congregation will sing.
If your group includes some children who are reading independently, consider having them
read or memorize some of the speaking parts assigned to the leader.
Because photography can disrupt worship and because movement in the audience may distract
the children, too, you might want to offer an alternative for parents and grandparents. Before
you begin, announce 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.
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Good News, Great Joy!
A Christmas Service for Preschool Children
Opening Song
Song: Joy to the World (stanza 1 sung by the children: actions are indicated; everyone joins in
singing stanzas 2–3)
1.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (raise arms in joy, bring arms down and fold hands)
Let earth receive its King;
(make circle with hands, put them on head like
crown)
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, (put hands on heart, then spread out in front)
And heav’n and nature sing,
(hands up, hands down, cup mouth)
And heav’n and nature sing,
(hands up, hands down, cup mouth)
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing. (hands up, hands down, cup mouth)
2.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3.
He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
Opening Message
It Was Good!
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
In the beginning, God created everything.
It was good! (two thumbs up)
God scattered the darkness; he made the light. He made day and night.
It was good! (two thumbs up)
God created the land and the seas, the flowers and the trees.
It was good! (two thumbs up)
God created birds in the air and animals everywhere.
It was good! (two thumbs up)
God made people too, just like me and you.
It was good! (two thumbs up)
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Sin Came In
Leader:
Children:
Leader
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Satan came to the garden one day.
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
He hoped to take Eve’s joy away.
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
He lied to her about the tree.
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
She ate the fruit. She did not flee.
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
It was a trick. Adam ate too.
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
There was just one thing God could do:
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
Because they chose to disobey,
Oh no!
(both hands on cheeks)
God told them that they could not stay.
Oh no!!!
(both hands on cheeks)
The Promise
Leader:
Children
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
Leader:
Children:
But God loved them despite their sin.
Good news! (punch one arm into the air above head)
He wanted them with him again.
Good news! (punch one arm into the air above head)
Now this glad news is for us too!
Good news! (punch one arm into the air above head)
God loves us all—it’s really true!
Good news! (punch one arm into the air above head)
God’s Son would die, our sins forgive.
Good news! (punch one arm into the air above head)
Because of Jesus we will live!
Good news! (punch one arm into the air above head)
Song: God Is So Good (sung by the children)
God is so good.
God is so good.
God is so good.
He’s so good to me.
(point heavenward, then give a thumbs up sign)
(point heavenward, give a thumbs up sign, then point to yourself)
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He loves me so.
He loves me so.
He loves me so.
He’s so good to me.
(point heavenward, then cross arms over chest)
God sent his Son.
God sent his Son.
God sent his Son.
He’s so good to me.
(point up to God then pretend to rock a baby in your arms)
(point heavenward, give a thumbs up sign, then point to yourself)
(point heavenward, give a thumbs up sign, then point to yourself)
A Baby Is Coming
Action Poem (spoken by the leader with children performing the actions, or recited by the
children, depending on the group’s abilities)
An angel came to Mary
He came to bring her joy.
He said, “You’ll have a baby.”
“And he will be God’s Boy.”
(flap arms like an wings)
(hold out hands as if giving a gift)
(rock a baby in your arms)
(point heavenward)
An angel came to Joseph
To take away his fear.
The baby’s name was Jesus.
Our God was coming HERE!
(flap arms like wings)
(wrap arms around torso and shake with fright)
(point to middle of each palm with opposite pointer finger)
(point heavenward with both hands and then to the
ground with excitement)
Song: Coming Soon (sung once by the children; everyone joins in the second time; tune: “Row,
Row, Row Your Boat”)
Come, come, coming soon,
Our King is coming soon!
God will send his Son to us.
Our King is coming soon!
Come, come, coming soon,
Our King is coming soon!
Clap your hands and praise the Lord.
Our King is coming soon!
Jesus Is Born
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Action Poem (spoken by the leader with children performing the actions, or recited by the
children, depending on the group’s abilities)
Joseph and Mary walked
To Bethlehem one day
The Baby’s time was coming.
They found a place to stay.
(walk in place)
(point into the distance)
(put arms in front of body to make a round belly)
(meet fingers over head to make a triangular roof)
At last the Baby came,
Just as the angel said.
They laid him in a manger–
He didn’t have a bed!
(rock the baby in arms)
(flap arms like wings)
(pretend to lay baby down)
(tilt head to side and put hands together under ear)
Song: Away in a Manger (sung by the children)
1.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle ’til morning is nigh.
3.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And take us to heaven to live with you there.
Shepherds Hear the Good News
Note for the leader: This section is set up as a responsive recitation between an adult and the
children with the adult reading first and the children saying the parts in bold print in unison. The
more you practice it together, the quicker the children will learn their parts. Some children may
be able to recite it all.
The shepherds sat on a lonely hill,
Watching their sheep at night.
Then suddenly an angel came.
It gave them such a fright!
(place hand above eyes looking out and around)
(flap arms like wings)
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“Don’t be afraid,” the angel said,
(spread hands out in front of body)
“I have good news for you.”
(give a thumbs up)
Christ has been born in Bethlehem.
He’s God’s own Son. It’s true!
You’ll find him in a manger bed,
In cloths, upon the hay.
This Baby is God’s gift to you!
Christ Jesus! Born today!
Then all the angels came at once.
The shepherds heard them sing,
“Glory to God in the highest!
We praise our Savior-King!”
(hold hands out in front as if giving a gift)
(raise arms above head)
Leader: “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10).
(All the children gather around the manger, fold their hands, and kneel.)
Song: O Come Let Us Adore Him (sung once by the children; repeated by everyone; tune is the
refrain of “O Come, All Ye Faithful”)
Oh, come let us adore him,
Oh, come let us adore him,
Oh, come let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
Everyone Must Be Told
Action Poem
Have you heard the good news?
God sent us his boy—
Christ Jesus, our Savior!
Good news of great joy!
(put hand up to hear and turn head as if trying to hear)
(rock a baby in arms)
(make a cross with both index fingers)
(raise arms up high and shout with joy)
The whole world must be told.
So now we will go
And share the good news
With everyone we know!
(make a circle with arms)
(point out with both index fingers)
(spread arms with palms up)
(sweep right arm from left to right, then sweep left arm)
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Song: Good News, Great Joy! (sung by the children, broken into two groups for the echo;
download the sheet music, accompaniments, and recordings for practice at
www.CTAinc.com/FREE)
1. Have you heard the news? (Have you heard the news?)
Something strange, but true; (Something strange, but true;)
In a bed of hay, (In a bed of hay)
A baby born to save. (A baby born to save.)
Chorus:
Good news, great joy! Jesus is born!
Good news, great joy! Jesus is born!
The Savior we’ve been waiting for—
Jesus is born!
2. Have you heard the sound (Have you heard the sound)
Of angels all around, (Of angels all around,)
Giving God the praise (Giving God the praise)
For the Son he gave? (For the Son he gave?)
Chorus
Bridge:
He comes to turn our dark to light.
He comes to turn our wrongs to right.
He comes to turn our death to life!
3. Have you shared the news (Have you shared the news)
Of God’s love for you? (Of God’s love for you?)
Sing it far and near: (Sing it far and near:)
The promised Savior’s here! (The promised Savior’s here!)
Chorus
Closing Prayer (spoken by children and congregation)
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to be our Savior! Thank you that this Good
News is for each one of us. Help us to share the news with others. Amen.
#GNJ3DSP
Copyright © 2013 CTA, Inc., 1625 Larkin Williams Rd., Fenton, MO 63026, www.CTAinc.com
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All rights reserved. Permission to adapt and make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic
means is granted only to the original purchaser and is intended for use within a church or other Christian
organization, but not for resale.
Scripture quotation taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a
publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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