19 December 2007
SIMPact, the short-term ministry of SIM Kenya, hosted a Christmas party for the Merciful Redeemer orphanage in the outskirts of Nairobi. There were games, crafts, snacks, and a special interactive reading for all the children to participate in the celebration of the Christmas story.

Please feel free to use this reading written by Bob Hartmann in your own Christmas celebrations, making up sounds and motions to accompany each section.

What do you do for the birthday of a king?

You have a parade ... with fancy floats, and marching bands and giant bouncing balloons. Jesus was a king. And there was a parade for His birthday, too. A long walk from Nazareth, way down south to Bethlehem. A caravan of people, off to pay their taxes. Rich and poor. Old and young. Men and women. And one couple in particular—a man named Joseph and Mary, his very pregnant wife. What do you do for the birthday of a king? You have a parade.

What do you do for the birthday of a king?

You find a special place. A ballroom, maybe—with marble floors and painted ceilings and gold chandeliers. Jesus was a king. And his parents found a special place for his birthday, too. There were no ballrooms. And the hotel rooms were all full. But there was room in an empty stable. With a dirt floor ... and a wooden roof. And a dangling cobweb or two. What do you do for the birthday of a king? You find a special place.

What do you do for the birthday of a king?

You shoot off fireworks! You fill the sky with pinwheels and daisies and a rumbling rocket racket. Jesus was a king. And there were fireworks at his birthday, too. Shooting stars, heavenly hosts, and a great big angel band! What do you do for the birthday of a king? You shoot off fireworks!

What do you do for the birthday of a king?

You send out invitations. To dukes and knights and lords and ladies. Very important guests. Jesus was a king. And there were invitations to his birthday, too. "You are invited," said the angel to the shepherds. "To a stable in the town of Bethlehem." "You are invited," said the angel to the shepherds and their sheep. "There will be plenty of straw for all!" What do you do for the birthday of a king? You send out invitations.

What do you do for the birthday of a king?

You bring presents. Bright and shiny things. Fun and fancy things. No boring things, like pants or socks. Jesus was a king. And he got presents, too. His father's care. His mother's love. And a very nice set of swaddling clothes (whatever they are!). What do you do for the birthday of a king? You bring presents.

What do you do for the birthday of a king?

You throw a party. You eat treats and sing songs and give gifts. And every member of the royal family is there. Jesus is a king. And every year, we throw a party for him. A party that goes right round the world! We eat treats and sing songs and give gifts. And every member of the royal family is there. His brothers and sisters, you and me! What do we do for the birthday of a king? We throw a party. And we call it Christmas.