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Twinkle, Jesus’s Star

A peekaboo star, baa-ing sheep, a baby to rock, and wise men who walk and walk to find Jesus

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

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

I can make twinkle hands and say, “I see Jesus’s star!”

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 that was “little among the thousands of Judah” (Micah 5:2). Years later, wise men came looking for the newborn King and said, “we have seen his star” (Matthew 2:2). When King Herod asked where the Christ would be born, the chief priests and scribes pointed to Micah’s words (Matthew 2:4–6), and the star led the wise men to Jesus (Matthew 2:9–11). Heavenly Father told His prophet, then kept His promise. Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah are also in this week’s reading; Nahum 1:7 says simply, “The LORD is good.”

For toddlers, the whole lesson is one happy picture: a bright star and a tiny baby. Many of them know stars from bedtime songs and babies from home, so they already love both. Make twinkle hands and rock a pretend baby over and over, and say “Baby Jesus!” and “Jesus’s star!” all day long, in the lesson and in play time.

A detail for you, not the children: the scriptures say the wise men found “the young child” in a “house” (Matthew 2:11) and never say how many there were. Nobody plays baby Jesus, Mary or Joseph today. Everyone is a little sheep, a twinkling star and rocking arms. The lesson is six minutes; the play-time ideas below bring back the star, the sheep and the baby for the rest of nursery.

Only have 5 minutes?

Cut a big star from yellow paper (or a cereal box) and hide it behind your back. Peekaboo the star, swipe through the six-picture story on your phone or tablet, do the twinkle-baa-rock wiggle, then twinkle your hands up high and say “I see Jesus’s star!” End with “I know Jesus loves you.” For play time, pick three ideas below. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing”: your hands become the twinkling star, and your phone or tablet shows the pictures.

What to bring7 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 the big star and keep it behind your back or in your bag until the hook.
  2. Open the Sound Board on your phone or tablet and find the magic, bells and cheer buttons. Turn the volume low.
  3. Sweep the floor with your eyes and hands for anything small. Quick test: if it fits through a toilet-paper tube, it’s a choking hazard and goes up high or away. Check that the flashlight’s battery cover is screwed shut.
  4. Decide with the other adult who leads the lesson and who greets and comforts at the door. There are always two adults in nursery.
  5. Practice the key phrase: reach up high, open and close your hands like a twinkling star and say, “I see Jesus’s star!”

If your class is wild

  • Tears at drop-off are normal. Let the other adult hold the crying child near the fun and say softly, “Mommy will come back. You’re safe here.” A quick, happy goodbye works better than sneaking a parent out.
  • Toddlers love to “baa.” If the room gets loud, turn it into a game: “Little sheep, sleepy sheep, whisper baa…” and lie down for three seconds.
  • The paper star is for looking and patting. If it gets tugged or chewed, put it up high and twinkle your hands instead.
  • Follow your ward’s policy for diapers and potty trips, and never leave one adult alone with the class or go off alone with one child.

The 25-minute plan6 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

1 min

A magic sound and a peekaboo star pull scattered toddlers toward you and start the Christmas season with wonder.

  1. Sit on the floor with the star behind your back. Tap magic on the Sound Board and whisper: “Ooh! What’s shining?”
  2. SAY“Something bright is hiding! One… two… three… peekaboo!” Peek the star out, then hide it again.
  3. On the next peekaboo, hold the star up high: “A star! Twinkle, twinkle!” Wiggle it gently.
  4. Let children pat the star. Say: “Today we learn about Jesus’s star and baby Jesus.”
🌪️ If the star gets grabbed, let it go “to sleep” up high and twinkle your hands for the rest of the lesson.
🔊 Sound Board (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ⭐ Peekaboo! A star!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A big paper star, bigger than your hand (yellow paper, or a cereal box covered in yellow crayon)

Peekaboo Twinkle Hands

  1. Sit on the floor. Tap magic on the Sound Board and whisper: “Ooh! What’s shining?”
  2. Cover your eyes with your hands. Say: “One… two… three… peekaboo!” Pop your hands up high and twinkle your fingers.
  3. SAY“A star! Twinkle, twinkle!” Twinkle near each child so they copy you.
  4. SAY“Today we learn about Jesus’s star and baby Jesus.”

Class screen: ✨ Peekaboo! Twinkle hands!

2. Story

Picture Story: Baby Jesus and the Star

2 min

Six pictures with one sentence and one action each let toddlers baa, rock, twinkle and march through the Christmas story.

  1. Hold your phone or tablet up at their eye level. Everyone is a Little Sheep, a Twinkle Star and Rocking Arms.
  2. Read the one sentence, then do the action big so they can copy you. Don’t wait for everyone; the joiners will come.
  3. On the baby picture, slow down and rock gently. On the star picture, reach up and twinkle: “I see Jesus’s star!”
  4. If attention is gone before the end, jump to the last picture and cheer: “Hooray! Jesus!”
🌪️ Let a child who won’t stop moving tap your phone or tablet to change the picture (with your hand on it too). A job beats a battle.

Class screen: 👶 Christmas story time!

3. Wiggle break

Twinkle, Baa, Rock

1 min

Toddlers need to move after two minutes of anything, and star, sheep and baby moves replay the story with their whole bodies.

  1. SAY“Stand up! Let’s be stars!” Reach up on tiptoes and twinkle your hands.
  2. Get down on hands and knees and crawl like sheep: “Baa, baa!”
  3. Stand and walk in a little circle like wise men, pointing up: “Follow the star!”
  4. Stop and rock a pretend baby: “Shhh, baby Jesus.” Sit down together.

Class screen: ✨ Twinkle! Baa! Rock! · ⭐ Twinkle · 🐑 Baa · 🚶 Walk · 👶 Rock

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Matthew 2:2

1 min

A few words and one motion, said many times, is how a toddler carries a scripture home.

  1. Hold up your scriptures. Say: “This is the Bible. It tells about baby Jesus.”
  2. Read slowly: “we have seen his star.” Say: “The wise men saw Jesus’s star!”
  3. Reach up and twinkle together: “I see Jesus’s star!” Say it three times: a tiny whisper, a regular voice, a happy voice.
  4. Kneel by each child and twinkle your fingers above their head: “Ella sees Jesus’s star!”

Class screen: ⭐ I see Jesus’s star! · ✨ Twinkle your hands!

5. Testimony

I Know Jesus Loves You

1 min

A quiet moment with a picture of the Savior’s birth helps each child feel the wonder and love of Christmas.

  1. Lower your voice to a whisper. Hold up the Nativity picture. Say: “This is baby Jesus.”
  2. Let each child look closely, point or gently pat the picture. Point to the star together.
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father sent baby Jesus because He loves us. I know Jesus loves you.”
  4. If your nursery has a prayer now, fold arms together while a grown-up says a short one.

Class screen: ❤️ Jesus loves you!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A picture of the Nativity or of Jesus Christ (from your meetinghouse library, a Friend magazine, or home)

  1. Lower your voice to a whisper. Fold your arms like a cradle and rock gently: “Let’s think about baby Jesus.”
  2. Whisper each child’s name as you touch their hand or wave: “Jesus loves you, Ella.”
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father sent baby Jesus because He loves us. I know Jesus loves you.”
  4. If your nursery has a prayer now, fold arms together while a grown-up says a short one.
6. Song

Rock-a-Bye Star Song

2 minBONUS

If they’re still with you, a gentle Christmas song while you rock a pretend baby is a calm, happy way to finish.

  1. SAY“Let’s rock baby Jesus.” Fold your arms like a cradle.
  2. Sing “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42) slowly and rock side to side.
  3. At the end, twinkle your hands up high and whisper: “I see Jesus’s star!”

Class screen: 🎵 Rock and sing!

Story drama

Baby Jesus and the Bright Star

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

Parts to hand out

  • Little SheepEveryone! Crawl or sit and say a soft “Baa!”
  • Twinkle StarsEveryone! Reach up high and open and close your hands: twinkle, twinkle.
  • Rocking ArmsEveryone! Fold your arms like a cradle and rock side to side.

Scenes

  1. 📜 A prophet told a happy secret!

    Long ago, a prophet named Micah said baby Jesus would be born in little Bethlehem.

    🎬 Put a finger to your lips: “Shhh, a secret!” Then smile big.

  2. 🏘️🐑 Little Bethlehem had lots of sheep.

    Bethlehem was a little town with lots and lots of sheep.

    🎬 Everyone says a soft “Baa!” Crawl like sheep if they want to.

  3. 👶 Baby Jesus was born!

    One night, baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised.

    🎬 Fold your arms like a cradle and rock the baby side to side.

  4. ⭐ Twinkle, twinkle! A big bright star!

    A big, bright, brand-new star shone up in the sky.

    🎬 Reach up high and twinkle your hands. Say: “I see Jesus’s star!”

  5. 🚶 Wise men walked and walked.

    Wise men walked and walked and followed the star.

    🎬 March in place or around the room, pointing up at the star.

  6. 🎁 They found Jesus! Hooray!

    The star led the wise men to Jesus, and they were so happy!

    🎬 Clap and cheer: “Hooray! Jesus!” Then rock the baby one more time.

Key verse

Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star”
In kid words: I see Jesus’s star!
🙌 Reach up high and open and close your hands like a twinkling star while you say all four words.

More verses

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

Forehead Guess words8 words

  • ⭐ Star
  • 👶 Baby
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 🌙 Moon
  • 🎁 Gift
  • 🏠 House
  • 👣 Feet
  • 🔔 Bell
Clues for each word
  • Star: Twinkle, twinkle, up high!
  • Baby: Rock, rock, baby Jesus
  • Sheep: Baa! Soft and woolly.
  • Moon: Shines at night with the stars
  • Gift: The wise men brought gifts
  • House: The star stopped over it
  • Feet: Walk and walk to find Jesus
  • Bell: Ding-dong! Christmas is coming.
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown5 questions

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

    ✅ A. ⭐ Star Twinkle, twinkle! The wise men saw Jesus’s star.

  2. Which one says “Baa”?
    • A. 🐶 Dog
    • B. 🐑 Sheep
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🐑 Sheep Baa! Bethlehem had lots of sheep.

  3. Who was born in Bethlehem?
    • A. 👶 Baby Jesus
    • B. 🦖 Dinosaur
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👶 Baby Jesus Rock, rock! Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

  4. What did the wise men bring?
    • A. 🧦 Socks
    • B. 🎁 Gifts
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🎁 Gifts They brought gifts for Jesus (Matthew 2:11).

  5. Show me how we hold a baby!
    • A. 🤱 Rock gently
    • B. ⚽ Kick
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🤱 Rock gently Gentle arms, rock side to side. Shhh!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    Sing it slowly while everyone rocks a pretend baby. Find it ↗

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

    Twinkle your hands up high the whole time you sing. Find it ↗

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

    Point to the star, the sheep and the baby in the Nativity picture as you sing. Find it ↗

  • Do As I’m Doing Children’s Songbook, p. 276

    Toddlers copy you: twinkle, baa, march, rock the baby. 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 your little one sees one, make twinkle hands together and say, “I see Jesus’s star!”

Text the parents

Today in nursery we learned that baby Jesus was born in little Bethlehem, just like the prophet Micah said (Micah 5:2), and that wise men followed His star (Matthew 2:2). We said “baa” like sheep, rocked a pretend baby and made twinkle hands while we said, “I see Jesus’s star!” Try it at home: when you see a star this week, twinkle your hands and see if your child says it with you.

📝 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.

Nursery play time

The lesson is short on purpose. Fill the rest of nursery with these: pick what fits your little ones today.

🔦 Follow the Star · 5 min

  1. Lower the lights a little (not dark). A grown-up holds the flashlight and makes a slow “star” dot on the wall. Say: “Look! A star! Let’s follow it like the wise men!”
  2. Move the dot slowly along the wall and floor. Children toddle after it and pat it. Cheer: “You found the star!”
  3. Every few moves, stop the star over the Nativity picture or a baby doll: “The star found baby Jesus!” Tap bells on the Sound Board.
  4. Safety: never shine the light in eyes, and the flashlight stays in grown-up hands. Lights back up when you’re done.
  5. No flashlight? Hold the paper star (or your twinkle hands) up high and walk slowly around the room while they follow you.

🧸 Rock the Babies · 10 min

  1. Set out baby dolls, small blankets or dish towels, and the nursery’s toys. Let children play however they like.
  2. Show how to tuck a doll in a blanket and rock it: “Mary wrapped baby Jesus snug and held Him close.” Help any child who wants to try.
  3. Every few minutes, whisper: “Shhh, the babies are sleeping!” Everyone rocks and whispers, then “The babies woke up!” and back to play.
  4. Say while they play: “Babies need gentle hands. Baby Jesus was little too, and Heavenly Father loved Him.”
  5. No dolls? Rock stuffed animals, or fold your arms and rock pretend babies together.

🎵 Christmas Star Songs · 5 min

  1. Sing “Stars Were Gleaming” (Children’s Songbook, 37) and twinkle your hands up high the whole time.
  2. Sing “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42) and rock side to side.
  3. Tap Freeze Dance on your phone or tablet. Everyone dances like happy sheep. When the music stops, freeze with twinkle hands: “I see Jesus’s star!”
  4. Don’t know a tune? Play it once in the Gospel Library app, or just chant “Twinkle, twinkle, Jesus’s star!” while you move.

🍎 Traveler’s Snack · 10 min

  1. Check allergies and your ward’s snack policy first. Wipe every child’s hands, and yours, before snack.
  2. Everyone sits to eat, with an adult watching. Skip choking foods for this age: no popcorn, nuts, whole grapes, hard candy or chunks of raw carrot.
  3. Fold arms. A grown-up says a short blessing: “Thank you for our snack.”
  4. Talk while they munch. Say: “The wise men walked a long, long way. They got hungry too!” Ask: “Where was baby Jesus born?” and answer together: “Bethlehem!”
  5. No snack today? Have a pretend picnic on the way to Bethlehem: munch pretend bread, sip pretend water and say thank you together.

🖍️ Starry Night Scribble · 8 min

  1. Tape a big sheet of dark blue or black paper to the table or floor. Say: “It’s nighttime in Bethlehem!”
  2. Give each child one chunky yellow or white washable crayon. Every dot and scribble is a star! Say: “Twinkle, twinkle!”
  3. Draw one extra-big star at the top together: “This is Jesus’s star!”
  4. Write each child’s name by their stars and hang the sky by the door. Chunky crayons only: no stickers, glitter or marker caps. Count the crayons back into the box.
  5. No paper or crayons? Open Draw & Guess on your phone or tablet and let each child finger-paint stars while you hold your phone or tablet.

🐑 Soft as a Lamb · 5 min

  1. Sit on the floor with a basket of big, soft things: a stuffed lamb, a fleece blanket, a knit hat.
  2. Let each child touch and squeeze: “Soft! Like the sheep in Bethlehem.” Say “Baa!” together.
  3. Wrap the lamb gently in the blanket and rock it: “Mary wrapped baby Jesus in soft cloth.”
  4. Safety: every item is bigger than a toilet-paper tube opening, with no buttons, bows or loose eyes. An adult sits with the basket.
  5. No basket? Touch soft things already in the room: a sweater sleeve, a rug, a stuffed animal.

🖼️ Picture Walk: Nativity · 5 min

  1. Sit on the floor with a child or two in your lap. Hold the Nativity picture or swipe back through today’s story pictures on your phone or tablet.
  2. Point and name one thing at a time: “Star! Twinkle.” “Sheep! Baa.” “Baby Jesus! Rock, rock.”
  3. Ask: “Where’s the star?” “Where’s baby Jesus?” and let them point. Cheer every point.
  4. Finish with the baby: whisper, “Heavenly Father sent baby Jesus because He loves you.”
  5. Stay in the nursery room with both adults. If a child drifts off, let them go; picture walks are for whoever wants to come.

😴 Sleepy Little Sheep · 4 min

  1. Spread out a blanket. Say: “The little sheep are sleepy.” Children may lie down, sit or climb into a lap. Nobody has to.
  2. Hum “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, 42) softly and pat backs gently.
  3. Whisper each child’s name: “Night-night, little sheep Ella. Jesus loves you.” Twinkle your fingers softly above them.
  4. Upset child? Hold them, rock side to side and walk to the window together. Calm comes before learning.

👋 Twinkle Goodbye · 5 min

  1. Five minutes before the end, tap bells on the Sound Board: “Time to put the toys to bed!” Put toys in their bins together.
  2. Sit together one more time. Reach up and twinkle: “I see Jesus’s star!”
  3. Hand each child only to their own parent or guardian, as your ward’s policy says. Give a twinkle wave and say: “Look for stars this week!”
  4. Share today’s family note from the app with parents, and tell them one happy moment about their child.
  5. Kids still waiting? Keep them busy with Follow the Star or a picture book. Both adults stay until every child is picked up.

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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