Matthew 2 tells the story of wise men from the East who followed a miraculous star to find the infant Lord, bringing Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The New Church teaches us that each of these symbolizes a spiritual gift which we can offer to our Lord and Savior as we, like the wise men, come to worship Him.

Quotes from the Lord's Word (selected quotes relating to The Guiding Star)

Special Quotes About Stars (PDF version for printing)
Special Quotes About Stars (HTML version)

Teaching the Spiritual Concept (talking about Christmas with children)

Family Talks:

"The Christmas Star" by the Rev. Fred Schnarr
"Why We Celebrate Christmas" by the Rt. Rev. Alfred Acton
"Wise Men from the East" by the Rev. William Whitehead

Projects and Activities:

Activities

The Story of Balaam and Balak Dramatization (ages 4-7) (PDF)
Affirmation Stars: Let Your Light Shine (PDF)
Bringing Gifts to the Lord (PDF)
Poster: A Star Shall Come (with beautiful color border) (PDF)

Projects

Cookie Cutter Star Candles (ages 3-12) (PDF)
Decorate a Beautiful Star (ages 4-8) (PDF)
Star of Wonder (ages 4-12) (PDF)
Recitation Stars (ages 5-10 with help) (PDF)
Story of the Wise Men Stained Glass Windows (ages 6-14) (PDF)
Story of the Wise Men Scene Boxes (ages 7-12) (PDF)
The Guiding Star (using salt crystals to make a starry sky) (ages 8-up) (PDF)
Stained Glass Windows (example pictures the wise men) (ages 9-14) (PDF)
The Christmas Star (ages 9-14) (PDF)
Diorama of the Wisemen Seeking the Lord (ages 8-12) (PDF)
Stars of Light Ornaments (ages 8-up) (PDF)
Making a Five-Pointed Star (ages 9-up) (PDF)
A Wreath of Gifts from the Lord (ages 9-14) (PDF)
Stars of Truth Mobile (ages 9-up) (PDF)
Star Snowflake by John Odhner (ages 9-up) (PDF)
Concentric Star Snowflake by John Odhner (ages 9-up) (PDF)
Star of David Snowflake by John Odhner (ages 9-up) (PDF)
Star Cookies (ages 9-up) (PDF)
Stained Glass Window Project (ages 9-14) (PDF)

For more Projects see the Sunday School lessons and projects.

Coloring Pages

Balaam's Prophecy by Robert Glenn (PDF)
Three Kings from the East by Lisa Buss (PDF)
The Wisemen Present Their Gifts to the Lord (PDF)
The Wise Men See the Star by Robert Glenn (PDF)
Three Christmas Scenes by Robert Glenn (ages 9-up) (PDF)
Three Illuminated Letters by Robert Glenn (ages 9-up)(PDF)

Family Activities

Overview of Projects and Activities for Families (html)

Overview of Projects and Activities for Families (PDF)


Sunday School:

For ages 6-9

Sunday School Lesson 16: The Wise Men (PDF)
      (Children decorate containers and insert a little scroll tellling God
what gifts they will give to Him this Christmas.)
Sunday School Lesson 1.04: Adoration of the Wisemen (PDF)
       (Use felt figures and flannel board to retell the story and show the children
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.)
Christmas Mobile Project for Lesson 1.04 (PDF)
      (Make a mobile with various shapes symbolizing various Christmas stories.)
Religion Project for Primary: The Visit of the Wise Men (PDF)
      (Decorate small boxes or perfume bottles to make three-dimensional ornaments
picturing the gifts that the wise men gave to the Lord.)

For ages 9-12

Religion Project for Intermediate: The Visit of the Wise Men (PDF)
     (Use pipe-cleaners, fabric, etc. to make the three wise men and their gifts.)

Songs:

We Three Kings (PDF)
The First Noel (PDF)
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night (PDF)


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