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Come See Baby Jesus!

Follow the star, tiptoe to the manger, and find out who came to love the baby

  • ☀️ Sunbeam
  • Week 2
  • 📅 Sunday, January 10, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus was born, and I can come to Him and love Him.

I can show Jesus I love Him, like the shepherds and wise men did.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 2; Luke 2 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Know the chapters

Christmas just ended, and this week the kids hear the whole story from the scriptures. Luke 2 tells how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. They found no room in the inn and laid baby Jesus in a manger. An angel told shepherds the good news, and the sky filled with angels praising God. The shepherds hurried to find the baby. When Jesus was tiny, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple. Old Simeon held Him and thanked God. Anna, an old prophetess, told others about Him.

Matthew 2 tells about wise men from the east who saw a new star. They came a long way to worship the new King. The star led them to the house where young Jesus was. They knelt and gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men likely came later than the shepherds, when Jesus was a young child in a house. See Matthew 2:11. Keep King Herod out of this lesson, or keep it very gentle. God warned Joseph in a dream, and Joseph kept Jesus safe.

For three-year-olds, the tiny truth is: Jesus was born, and I can come to Him and love Him. Everyone in the story came to Jesus. The shepherds hurried. Simeon and Anna waited. The wise men followed a star. Kids come to Jesus when they sing about Him, pray, are reverent at church, and are kind. Their love is the best gift they can give Him.

Luke 2:52 says Jesus grew up, just like they’re growing. Three-year-olds love knowing Jesus was once a little child too.

Only have 5 minutes?

Hold up a paper star, or twinkle your fingers. Lead a tiptoe star walk to a corner where baby Jesus is sleeping. Tell the picture story, with a hand on your heart each time someone finds Jesus. Teach “unto you is born … a Saviour” with motions. Open a gift bag to find a paper heart. Our love is the best gift for Jesus. End by whispering each name and “Jesus loves you.”

What to bring3 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 paper star. Cut a paper heart and put it in the gift bag.
  2. Before class, put the wrapped doll in the basket. Hide it in a corner, under a table, or behind a chair.
  3. Practice the hand on your heart once: “I love Jesus!”

If your class is wild

  • The star walk is a great way to move the class. Tiptoe, don’t run. Say, “Shh, we don’t want to wake the baby!”
  • The doll is baby Jesus, so handle it gently. Let kids pat the blanket and whisper, “I love you, Jesus.” No child plays Jesus.
  • Everyone will want to hold the star. Let the Star Helper hold it during the story. Pick a new helper for the extras.
  • If the room gets loud, whisper, “The baby is sleeping!” Rock your arms. Everyone rocks and says, “Shhh.”
  • For potty breaks, never leave the class alone, and never go somewhere alone with one child. Follow your ward’s plan.

The 25-minute plan22 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

Follow the Star!

3 min

A tiptoe star walk to a hidden baby gets everyone moving and wondering who is in the manger.

  1. SAY“Long ago, a star led people to someone very special. Let’s follow my star! Tiptoe feet.”
  2. Hold the star up high and walk slowly around the room. The kids tiptoe behind you. Whisper, “Shhh!”
  3. Stop at the hidden basket and let each child peek.
  4. Say, “It’s baby Jesus! Let’s sit down and find out who came to see Him.”
🌪️ Tiptoe only. Anyone who runs goes back to the start and tiptoes again.

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A yellow paper star (or any paper cut in a star shape), A baby doll wrapped in a blanket (baby Jesus) and a laundry basket or box for the manger

Follow My Twinkle Fingers

  1. SAY“Long ago, a star led people to someone very special. My fingers are the star. Follow me!”
  2. Twinkle your fingers up high and walk slowly around the room. The kids tiptoe behind you, twinkling too.
  3. Stop in a corner and rock your arms like you’re holding a baby. Whisper, “It’s baby Jesus! Let’s sit down and find out who came to see Him.”

Class screen: ✨ Follow my twinkle fingers!

2. Story

Picture Story: Who Came to See Jesus?

6 min

Seven short picture scenes show the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and the wise men all coming to love baby Jesus.

  1. SAY“Lots of people came to see baby Jesus. Every time someone finds Him, put your hand on your heart.”
  2. Practice once. Hand on your heart: “I love Jesus!”
  3. Swipe through the scenes. Read each one. Do the motion together when one shows.
  4. After scene 7, ask, “Who came to see Jesus?” Help them name the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and the wise men.
🌪️ If it gets loud, rock your arms and whisper the next line.

Class screen: 👶 Who came to see Jesus? · 💛 I love Jesus!

3. Wiggle break

Grow Like Jesus

2 min

Jesus grew up like they are growing (Luke 2:52). A quick stretch before the verse.

  1. SAY“Baby Jesus grew up, just like you’re growing!”
  2. Everyone curls up tiny like a baby. Grow a little, then a little more. Stretch up on tiptoes, tall as a grown-up!
  3. Do it twice. Then sit down and rock a pretend baby, “Shhh.”

Class screen: 🌱 Grow like Jesus!

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Luke 2:11

3 min

Point-rock-hug motions help Sunbeams remember that Jesus was born for them.

  1. SAY“The angel told the shepherds happy words. They’re in the Bible. Listen!”
  2. Hold up your scriptures. Read slowly, “unto you is born this day … a Saviour.” Then say, “That means Jesus was born for you!”
  3. Teach the Key Verse motions one at a time. Say it together three times: a whisper, a regular voice, then a happy voice.
  4. Ask, “Who was born for you?” Everyone rocks their arms and says, “Jesus!”

Class screen: 👶 Unto you is born a Saviour! · 👉 unto you · 👶 is born this day · 🤗 a Saviour

5. Object lesson

A Gift for Jesus

5 min

Finding a paper heart in a gift bag practices the big idea: we can come to Jesus and give Him our love.

  1. SAY“The wise men brought presents to Jesus. What can WE give Jesus?”
  2. Hold up the gift bag. Let a child open it and pull out the paper heart. Say, “Our love! That’s the best gift.”
  3. Ask, “How can you show Jesus you love Him?” Help with ideas they can show, like praying, singing, hugging, or sharing a toy.
  4. Pass the heart around. Each child holds it, shows one idea, and says, “I love you, Jesus.”

Class screen: 🎁 What can we give Jesus?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small gift bag or box with a paper heart inside

A Pretend Present

  1. SAY“The wise men brought presents to Jesus. I have a pretend present. What’s inside?”
  2. Cup your hands like a closed box. Open them slowly and make a heart with your fingers. Say, “Our love! That’s the best gift.”
  3. Ask, “How can you show Jesus you love Him?” Help with ideas they can show, like praying, singing, hugging, or sharing a toy.
  4. Everyone makes heart hands. Go around the circle. Each child says, “I love you, Jesus.”

Class screen: 🫶 Our love is the best gift!

6. Testimony

I Love Jesus

3 min

A quiet ending helps each child feel that Jesus loves them and that they can come to Him.

  1. SAY“Let’s rock baby Jesus and use our quietest voices.”
  2. Everyone rocks their arms. Share, “The shepherds came to Jesus. Simeon and Anna came. The wise men came too. I love Jesus. And He loves you.”
  3. Say each child’s name softly, like “Jesus loves you, Leo.” That child puts a hand on their heart.
  4. Invite them to give a paper heart to someone at home this week. Fold arms for the closing prayer.

Class screen: 💛 I love Jesus! · Give a heart to your family

7. Game

What’s Hiding? Mystery Picture

3 minBONUS

A picture reveal reviews the story if you have a few extra minutes.

  1. SAY“A picture from our story is hiding! Let’s find out what it is.”
  2. Open Mystery Picture. Call out a “show me,” like “Show me rocking arms!” Tap away a tile after each one.
  3. Let everyone guess. When the picture shows, tell that part of the story together.
🧩 Mystery Picture (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🖼️ What’s hiding?

8. Game

Picture Quiz

4 minBONUS

A gentle picture quiz reviews the story. Everybody wins.

  1. SAY“Picture quiz time! Listen, then point to the right picture.”
  2. Open Scripture Showdown. Read each question and point to each picture. Kids point or call out the answer.
  3. Cheer every right answer. Skip team scores if they cause tears. With Sunbeams, everybody wins.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Picture quiz!

The story

Who Came to See Jesus?

Luke 2:1–38; Matthew 2:1–11 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Star HelperSits by you and holds the paper star up high in scenes 6 and 7.
  • Sound HelperTaps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet with your help.

Scenes

  1. 🫏🌙 A long trip to Bethlehem

    Mary and Joseph went on a long, long trip to a little town called Bethlehem. There was no room at the inn.

    🙌

  2. 👶⭐ Baby Jesus is born!

    Baby Jesus was born! Mary wrapped Him up snug. She laid Him in a manger. That’s a box where animals eat.

    🙌 Rock your arms: “Shhh.”

  3. 👼🐑 An angel tells the shepherds

    Shepherds were watching their sheep at night. An angel came with good news. The Savior is born!

    🙌

  4. 🧑‍🌾💛 The shepherds find Jesus

    The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. They found baby Jesus, just like the angel said. And they loved Him.

    🙌 Hand on your heart: “I love Jesus!”

  5. 👴👵 Simeon and Anna thank God

    Mary and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple. Old Simeon held Him, and old Anna was so happy. They thanked God!

    🙌

  6. ⭐🐪 Wise men follow a star

    Far away, wise men saw a bright new star. They followed it a long, long way to find Jesus.

    🙌

  7. 🎁💛 Gifts for Jesus

    The wise men found young Jesus. They knelt and gave Him gifts. We can come to Jesus and love Him too!

    🙌 Hand on your heart: “I love Jesus!”

Key verse

Luke 2:11 ↗
“unto you is born this day … a Saviour”
In kid words: Jesus was born for you!
🙌 “unto you” = point to a friend · “is born this day” = rock a baby in your arms · “a Saviour” = point up, then hug yourself

More verses

Luke 2:7 ↗
“laid him in a manger”
In kid words: Mary put baby Jesus in a manger bed.
Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star … and are come to worship him”
In kid words: The wise men saw His star and came to show their love.
Luke 2:52 ↗
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature”
In kid words: Jesus grew up bigger and smarter, just like you!

Forehead Guess words12 words

  • 👶 Baby Jesus
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🫏 Donkey
  • 🚪 Door
  • 🎁 Gift
  • 👑 Crown
  • 🌙 Moon
  • 🐄 Cow
  • 💛 Heart
  • 🏛️ Temple
Clues for each word
  • Baby Jesus: Born in Bethlehem
  • Star: The wise men followed it
  • Sheep: Says “baa” in the fields
  • Angel: Told the shepherds the good news
  • Donkey: Clip-clop! Many nativity pictures show one
  • Door: Knock, knock! No room!
  • Gift: The wise men brought them
  • Crown: Jesus is the King
  • Moon: It was night when the angel came
  • Cow: Animals ate from the manger
  • Heart: Our love is a gift for Jesus
  • Temple: Simeon and Anna saw Jesus there
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Where did baby Jesus sleep?
    • A. 🛏️ A big bed
    • B. 🌾 A manger
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🌾 A manger Mary laid Him in a manger because there was no room in the inn.

  2. What animal says “baa”?
    • A. 🐑 Sheep
    • B. 🐸 Frog
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🐑 Sheep Shepherds take care of sheep. Baa!

  3. Who told the shepherds the good news?
    • A. 🦉 An owl
    • B. 👼 An angel
    • C. 🚒 A fireman
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 👼 An angel An angel said, “The Savior is born!”

  4. What did the wise men follow?
    • A. 🌈 A rainbow
    • B. 🎈 A balloon
    • C. ⭐ A star
    Show answer

    ✅ C. ⭐ A star A bright new star led them to Jesus.

  5. What did the wise men bring Jesus?
    • A. 🎁 Gifts
    • B. 🍕 Pizza
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🎁 Gifts They gave gold, frankincense and myrrh.

  6. What is the best gift we can give Jesus?
    • A. 🧸 A teddy bear
    • B. 💛 Our love
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 💛 Our love Jesus wants our love. We show it by being kind and reverent.

  7. Was Jesus once a little child like you?
    • A. 🙅 No
    • B. 🙋 Yes!
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🙋 Yes! Jesus grew up, just like you are growing!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    A gentle lullaby for baby Jesus, sung with rocking arms after the story. Find it ↗

  • Jesus Once Was a Little Child Children’s Songbook, p. 55

    Jesus grew up like they are growing. Sing it with the Grow Like Jesus wiggle. Find it ↗

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

    Sing it with twinkle fingers during the star walk or at the end. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

A Gift for Jesus

Draw a heart and give it to someone in your family. Say, “I love Jesus!” Then do one kind thing for them this week, like a hug or sharing a toy.

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we followed a star to find baby Jesus! We learned that shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and wise men all came to see Him. Luke 2:11 says, “unto you is born this day … a Saviour.” We decided our love is the best gift for Jesus. Ask your child, “Who came to see baby Jesus?” Let them show you how they rock baby Jesus.

📝 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?

🔦 Star Hunt · 3 min

  1. While the kids cover their eyes, hide the paper star somewhere easy to find.
  2. Say, “The wise men looked for the star. Let’s look too!”
  3. Whoever finds it hides it next, with your help. Each time, say, “The star leads us to Jesus!”

✏️ Draw & Guess · 3 min

  1. Open Draw & Guess. You draw a word from this lesson on your phone or tablet.
  2. Kids guess, like a star, a sheep, a manger, or a present.
  3. When they guess it, everyone does that thing. Twinkle, baa, rock a baby, or give a gift.

🖍️ Manger Picture · 5 min

  1. Give each child a paper with a simple manger shape drawn on it.
  2. Kids color the manger and draw a star above it.
  3. Write “Jesus was born!” at the top. Parents can read it at home.

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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