Instructions:
Use the resource below as a guide when cutting out the shepherd with children.
- If you are working with the group of children, read through the whole resource first.
- Use the questions as a guide to help the children think about, question and reflect on the shepherd story.
- To make the cut out you will need one shepherd ‘card’ for each child, writing pencils, colouring pencils, scissors, paper glue and sticky tape.
- Please take care when cutting the hearts out, read the instructions carefully about this.
introduction:
Let’s talk about the Christmas story!
Give out the shepherd card, giving the children time to explore these.
You could have a general discussion about what the children can see on both sides.
Tell the children that we are going to explore the Christmas story
using these cards to help them.
Hold up the card showing the shepherds.
Ask:
- Does anyone know what this is a picture of?
Take suggestions and establish that this is picture of someone looking after sheep and that this person is called a shepherd.
Ask:
- What do you know about shepherds?
- Where does a shepherd work?
Let’s find out more!
In the Gospel of Luke, we hear about the night Jesus was born and how the first people to hear the good news weren’t kings or rich people — they were humble shepherds, out watching their sheep.
Shepherds were people who took care of sheep. They lived simple lives, spending most of their time outdoors, guiding their sheep and keeping them safe.
The shepherds in the story were probably tired after a long day and night out on the hills. Shepherding wasn’t a fancy job, but it was very important, especially because sheep were used for food, wool, and even for sacrifices in the Temple.
Ask:
- What do you think it is like to be a Shepherd?
- If you were a shepherd, what might be some of the hard things and good things about that job?
- Imagine spending your nights under the stars with your sheep—would that feel peaceful, or maybe a bit lonely?
- What sort of person makes a good shepherd?
ACTIVITY
The shepherds’ sashes
There are 3 shepherds on the card and each has a sash we are going to write two of the sashes.
On one sash write your name
On the second sash, write the name for a shepherd.
We will write on the third sash later!
A Night of Wonder
One night, while the shepherds were out in the fields, something incredible happened. Suddenly, an angel appeared, filling the sky with light and surprising them.
The angel said to them ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you a message of great joy!’ The angel then shared the best news ever: “Today, a Saviour has been born for you. He is Christ, the Lord!”
The angel told them they would find this special baby lying in a animal feeding trough in Bethlehem.
Ask:
- Have you ever been surprised by something amazing?
- What do you think the shepherds were feeling when they saw the angel?
Good News for All People
The angel’s message was full of joy and hope, not just for the shepherds, but for everyone in the world! Jesus had come to bring peace and joy to all people, from the biggest kings to the humblest shepherds. Just after the angel’s message, the sky filled with even more angels praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth!”
Ask:
- Why do you think the angels were so joyful?
- What does it mean that this news is for “all people”
ACTIVITIES
Message of joy
On the card, find the picture of star
Write a message of joy around this or draw something joyful.
You can use words from the story!
Joy to the world
On the card, find the picture of the world
Write or draw something that you think brings joy to the world.
Hearts
Have a card already prepared to show the children with the two half hearts cut out and to show the card folded with the fold in the middle of each of the whole hearts. Supervise this part cery carefully!
Open up the wholecard and find the hearts that are between the shepherds.
There are two whole hearts and two half hearts.
Carefully cut out the two half hearts.
Then with the card folded down the middle of each of the whole hearts, cut out the whole hearts.
You now should have two hearts and two half hearts.
Ask:
- What makes you joyful?
aCTIVITY
Closer to Jesus.
On one whole heart write a joyful message or draw a happy picture to give to someone.
On the another whole heart draw a picture that will makes you happy.
Ask:
- What can mend a sad heart?
On the two broken heart pieces write or draw things that can help someone who is unhappy,
Stick the two half hearts below the picture of the baby Jesus.
The Shepherds’ Journey
After the angels left, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see what the angel had told them. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger, just as the angel had said. When they saw this, they were filled with joy and amazement. They couldn’t keep this good news to themselves—they had to tell others! They became messengers, spreading the news of Jesus’
birth to everyone they met.
Ask:
- Imagine you were one of the shepherds.
- What would you say to people about what you saw?
- How would you describe the feeling of seeing Jesus?
Joy That Lasts Forever
The shepherds went back to their fields, glorifying and praising God for everything they had seen and heard. They were changed by this night—they had witnessed something wonderful, and it filled their hearts with joy.
This story reminds us that Christmas is a time of joy, and that the good news of Jesus’ birth is for everyone, no matter who they are.
Even though there are still hard things in the world, we remember that God came to us as a tiny baby, bringing hope, peace, and love for all of us.
And just like the shepherds, we can be messengers, sharing this joy with others.
Ask:
- What are some ways you can share the joy of Christmas with others?
- How does it make you feel to know that this good news is for everyone, including you?
The Good News of Christmas
The Christmas story shows us that God chose ordinary people like the shepherds to be part of something extraordinary. And today, the good news of Jesus’ birth is still something we can share with joy, just like those shepherds on that special night.
Ask:
- What do you think makes Christmas joyful for you?
- The shepherds were ‘outside’ the village of Bethlehem, they were ordinary people looking after their sheep on the hills.
- Why do you think that God sent the angel Gabriel to them?
- I wonder if they are any groups in your community or in the world who feel ‘outside’ or ‘on the edge’?
- How would you share the good news with everyone to feel included and special this Christmas?
ACTIVITY
On the final sash, write down the name of group of people who are on the outside, need to feel more included or need help.
Well done!
You have nearly completed your shepherd card.
You can now:
Colour the shepherds
OR
Collage the picture carefully with fabric and cotton-wool for the sheep.
When you have finished you can fold the card to make a trianglular prism and use a little sticky tape to secure this together.
Look through the heart windows in your structure to see the world, the star, the baby Jesus and your messages of joy.
You can then place this on a table or in a window and you could use an LED tea light to go in the centre.
DO NOT USE A NAKED FLAME NEAR THE CARDBOARD.
OR
You can cut the area around the shepherds head and make this into a ‘paper chain’ of shepherds.
You can join yours up with a friends to make it longer.
OR
You can fold the card carefully and give this to someone as a Christmas card.
We would love to see how your shepherd card looks like ;
