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Little Bethlehem

A prophet’s happy secret, a twinkling star, and wise men who find baby Jesus

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

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

I can tell my family, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem!”

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. The town was so small it was “little among the thousands of Judah.” That’s Micah 5:2. Later, wise men came looking for the newborn King. The chief priests and scribes answered by reading Micah’s words. That’s Matthew 2:1–6. Heavenly Father planned Jesus’s birth, told His prophet, and kept His word.

For three-year-olds, the whole lesson is one tiny truth: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised. Say “Bethlehem!” so many times that they go home saying it. They don’t need dates, King Herod, or the other prophets. They need a star to twinkle, a baby to rock, and a happy teacher.

Here’s a detail just for you. Matthew 2:11 says the wise men found “the young child” in a “house.” That was probably some time after the shepherds came. The scriptures never say how many wise men there were. Keep it simple: the star helped the wise men find Jesus.

Nativity tip: baby Jesus is always a doll or a bundled blanket. No child plays Jesus or Heavenly Father. You tell the story with the pictures. The kids join in from their spots.

Only have 5 minutes?

Cut out a paper star and grab a baby doll. Or tap “I brought nothing” and use twinkle fingers and rocking arms. Play peekaboo with the star. Tell the picture story, whispering “Bethlehem!” together. Say “We have seen his star” with motions. Then tiptoe after the star to find baby Jesus. End by rocking baby Jesus while you share your testimony.

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 big paper star and hide it under the blanket for the peekaboo hook.
  2. Wrap the doll snugly and set it in a corner. This is baby Jesus for the star walk.
  3. Practice the whisper once. Finger on your lips: “Bethlehem!”

If your class is wild

  • Tears at the door? Let the child hold the star or sit with their parent by the door for a few minutes. Invite, never force. The peekaboo usually wins them over.
  • Potty breaks happen fast at this age. Never leave the class alone, and never go somewhere alone with one child. Ask a Primary presidency member or the parent to help, following your ward’s plan.
  • Rocking arms are your calm-down tool. If the room gets loud, rock your arms and whisper, “Shhh, the baby is sleeping.” Everyone copies you.
  • Make the star your attention signal. When you hold it up high, everyone makes twinkle fingers and gets quiet.
  • Give each piece only two or three minutes. If faces glaze over, jump to the Little Town, Big Star wiggle. Three-year-olds reset fast.

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

Peekaboo Star

3 min

A peekaboo reveal grabs little eyes and brings out the star that led the wise men to Jesus.

  1. SAY“Something is hiding under my blanket. It shines up in the sky at night. What could it be?”
  2. Count together, “One, two, three… peekaboo!” Pull the blanket off the star.
  3. SAY“A star! Long ago, a big, bright star helped some wise men find baby Jesus.”
  4. Pass the star around. Each child holds it up high and whispers, “Twinkle!”
🌪️ If they grab for the blanket, keep it on your lap. Let them take turns lifting one corner to peek.

Class screen: 🙈 What’s hiding? Peekaboo!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper) or any toy star, A light blanket, scarf or dish towel for peekaboo

Peekaboo Hands

  1. SAY“Something is hiding behind my back. It shines up in the sky at night. What could it be?”
  2. Count together, “One, two, three… peekaboo!” Pop your hands out and open and close your fingers like a twinkling star.
  3. SAY“A star! Long ago, a big, bright star helped some wise men find baby Jesus.”
  4. Everyone hides their hands, counts, and pops out their own twinkle fingers. Do it three times!

Class screen: ✨ Peekaboo! Twinkle, twinkle!

2. Story

Picture Story: Little Bethlehem

6 min

Seven short picture scenes show that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised.

  1. SAY“God told a prophet a happy secret about baby Jesus. When you hear the secret town, whisper it with me!”
  2. Practice once. Finger on your lips: “Bethlehem!”
  3. Swipe through the scenes. Read each one. Do the motion together when one shows.
  4. After scene 7, ask, “Where was baby Jesus born?” Everyone whispers, “Bethlehem!”
🌪️ If they get loud, rock your arms and whisper the next line. They’ll lean in to hear you.

Class screen: 🏘️ Little Bethlehem! · 🤫 Bethlehem!

3. Wiggle break

Little Town, Big Star

2 min

A quick stretch between the story and the verse, using the little town and the big star.

  1. SAY“Bethlehem was a little town. Make yourself little!”
  2. Everyone crouches down small. Then say, “The star was big and bright. Grow big!” Everyone stretches up tall and twinkles.
  3. Go little, big, little, big, then very slow. Sit down and rock a pretend baby, “Shhh.”

Class screen: 🌟 Little town, big star! · Little! · Big! · Shhh.

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Matthew 2:2

3 min

Binocular and twinkle motions help Sunbeams remember that the star led the wise men to Jesus.

  1. SAY“The wise men came looking for Jesus. They said happy words. Listen!”
  2. Hold up your scriptures. Read slowly, “we have seen his star.” Then say, “The wise men saw Jesus’s star!”
  3. Teach the Key Verse motions one at a time. Say it together three times: a whisper, a regular voice, then a big happy voice.
  4. Ask, “Where did the star lead them?” Everyone answers, “To Jesus!”

Class screen: 👀 We have seen his star! · 👀 We have seen · ⭐ his star

5. Game

Follow the Star

5 min

Tiptoeing after the star to find baby Jesus practices the big idea: Jesus was born, and we can come to Him.

  1. SAY“The wise men followed the star to find Jesus. Let’s follow it too! Tiptoe feet.”
  2. Hold the star up high and walk slowly around the room. The kids tiptoe behind you. Stop by the baby doll and hold the star still.
  3. Everyone kneels and holds out their hands like giving a gift. Whisper, “We found Jesus!”
  4. Let a quiet child carry the star and lead the next trip. Play three or four rounds.
  5. Back on your spots, ask, “Where was Jesus born?” Everyone whispers, “Bethlehem!”
🌪️ Tiptoe only! Anyone who runs becomes a sleepy sheep. They lie down for three seconds, then join again.

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper) or any toy star, A baby doll or a small blanket bundled up like a baby

Follow the Twinkle

  1. SAY“The wise men followed the star to find Jesus. My fingers are the star. Tiptoe feet!”
  2. Twinkle your fingers up high and walk slowly around the room. The kids tiptoe behind you, twinkling too. Stop in a corner.
  3. Everyone kneels and rocks their arms like holding a baby. Whisper, “We found Jesus!”
  4. Let a quiet child be the star and lead the next trip. Play three or four rounds.
  5. Back on your spots, ask, “Where was Jesus born?” Everyone whispers, “Bethlehem!”

Class screen: ✨ Follow the twinkle!

6. Testimony

Baby Jesus Came

3 min

A quiet moment with baby Jesus helps each child feel that God keeps His promises and Jesus loves them.

  1. SAY“Let’s use whisper voices, like baby Jesus is sleeping.”
  2. Hold the baby doll gently. Share, “God promised Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. And He was! God always keeps His promises. I love Jesus.”
  3. Let each child softly pat the blanket. Whisper their name, like “Jesus loves you, Emma.”
  4. Invite them to go Star Spotting this week. Fold arms for the closing prayer. Whisper the words for the child who prays.

Class screen: 💛 Jesus was born in Bethlehem. · Look for stars this week!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A baby doll or a small blanket bundled up like a baby

  1. SAY“Let’s use whisper voices, like baby Jesus is sleeping.”
  2. Rock your arms like you’re holding a tiny baby. Let the kids rock too.
  3. Share, “God promised Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. And He was! God always keeps His promises. I love Jesus.”
  4. Go around the circle and whisper each name, like “Jesus loves you, Emma.”
  5. Invite them to go Star Spotting this week. Fold arms for the closing prayer. Whisper the words for the child who prays.
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 twinkle fingers!” 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

Little Bethlehem

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

Optional helpers

  • Star HelperSits by you and holds the paper star up high in scenes 4 and 5.
  • Sound HelperTaps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet with your help.

Scenes

  1. 📜🤫 Micah hears a happy secret

    Long, long ago, God told the prophet Micah a happy secret. Baby Jesus would be born in a little town called Bethlehem!

    🙌 Finger on your lips. Whisper, “Bethlehem!”

  2. 🏘️🐑 A little, little town

    Bethlehem was a little town with little houses and lots of sheep. Everyone waited and waited for baby Jesus.

    🙌

  3. 👶⭐ Baby Jesus is born!

    Then one night, baby Jesus was born in little Bethlehem, just like God promised! Mary held Him close.

    🙌 Rock your arms. Whisper, “Bethlehem!”

  4. ⭐✨ A big, bright star

    Far away, wise men saw a big, bright, brand-new star. It meant a new King was born!

    🙌

  5. 🐪⭐ The wise men follow the star

    The wise men went on a long, long trip. They followed the star to find Jesus.

    🙌

  6. 🎁👶 They find Jesus!

    The star led them to Jesus. The wise men knelt down and gave Him gifts. They were so happy!

    🙌

  7. 💛🏘️ God keeps His promises

    Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like God promised. God always keeps His promises!

    🙌 Whisper one more time, “Bethlehem!” Then twinkle your fingers.

Key verse

Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star”
In kid words: We saw Jesus’s star!
🙌 “We” = point to all your friends · “have seen” = make binoculars with your hands around your eyes · “his star” = reach up high and open and close your hands like a twinkling star

More verses

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

Forehead Guess words10 words

  • ⭐ Star
  • 👶 Baby Jesus
  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔‍♂️ Joseph
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 🎁 Gift
  • 🚶 Wise men
  • 📜 Prophet Micah
  • 🌙 Moon
Clues for each word
  • Star: It twinkles in the night sky
  • Baby Jesus: He was born in Bethlehem
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother
  • Joseph: He helped take care of baby Jesus
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Sheep: It says “baa”
  • Gift: The wise men brought these to Jesus
  • Wise men: They followed the star
  • Prophet Micah: He said Jesus would be born in Bethlehem
  • Moon: It shines at night with the stars
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

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

    ✅ A. ⭐ Star Twinkle, twinkle! A bright star helped the wise men find Jesus.

  2. Where was baby Jesus born?
    • A. 🏙️ A big city
    • B. 🏘️ Little Bethlehem
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🏘️ Little Bethlehem Jesus was born in little Bethlehem, just like God promised!

  3. Who told about Bethlehem long ago?
    • A. 🐶 A puppy
    • B. 📜 The prophet Micah
    • C. 🚗 A car
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 📜 The prophet Micah God told the prophet Micah, and Micah wrote it down.

  4. What did the star help the wise men find?
    • A. 👶 Jesus
    • B. 🍪 Cookies
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👶 Jesus The star led them right to Jesus!

  5. What did the wise men bring Jesus?
    • A. 🧦 Socks
    • B. 🧸 A teddy bear
    • C. 🎁 Gifts
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🎁 Gifts They brought Him very special gifts.

  6. Who held baby Jesus close?
    • A. 👩 Mary
    • B. 🦁 A lion
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👩 Mary Mary, His mother, held Him snug and close.

  7. What can we give Jesus?
    • A. 😠 A grumpy face
    • B. 💛 Love and kindness
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 💛 Love and kindness Jesus loves it when we are kind!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    A gentle Christmas song for twinkle fingers. Sing it after the peekaboo star if there’s time. Find it ↗

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

    Hum it softly while rocking baby Jesus during the testimony. Find it ↗

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

    A gentle Nativity song for extra time. Scroll back through the story pictures on your phone or tablet while you sing. Find it ↗

  • O Little Town of Bethlehem Hymns, no. 208

    Parents will know it. Invite families to sing it at home this week. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Star Spotting

Look for stars this week. Find them in the night sky, on a tree, or on a card. Each time, make twinkle hands and say, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem!”

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we learned that a prophet named Micah said Jesus would be born in little Bethlehem. And He was! That’s Micah 5:2. We played peekaboo with a star and followed it like the wise men. We said “We have seen his star” with twinkle hands. Ask your child, “Where was baby Jesus born?” Look for stars together this week.

📝 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?

✂️ Twinkle Star Craft · 5 min

  1. Before class, cut a paper star for each child.
  2. Kids color their star or add a sticker.
  3. Write “Jesus was born in Bethlehem” on the back. Parents can read it at home.
  4. Everyone holds up their star and says, “We have seen his star!”

🏰 The Lord Is Good · 3 min

  1. Drape a blanket over two chairs to make a little fort. Or everyone huddles together in one corner.
  2. Point to Nahum 1:7. Say, “A prophet named Nahum said the Lord is like a safe fort. When we’re scared or sad, Jesus keeps us safe.”
  3. Everyone scoots into the fort. Say together, “The Lord is good!”

⏳ Wait for It! · 2 min

  1. Point to Habakkuk 2:3. Say, “God’s people waited a long, long time for Jesus. Can you wait too?”
  2. Everyone freezes like a statue while you count slowly to five. Then everyone jumps up and shouts, “Jesus came!”
  3. Do it again with a longer count. Say, “God always keeps His promises, even when we have to wait.”

🎶 Happy Singing · 3 min

  1. Point to Zephaniah 3:17. Say, “The prophet Zephaniah said the Lord is so happy with His children that He sings over them!”
  2. Sing a favorite song, like “Picture a Christmas,” with big smiles.
  3. Say, “Heavenly Father and Jesus are happy when we follow Them.”

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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