A game for the Christmas season. The shepherds learn from the angels that Christ has been born to them. They set off in search of the child in the manger and then bring this good news to the town.
Based on the Bible text in: Luke 2:8-20
Game data
- Age: from 7 years
- Number: 8+
- Terrain: outdoors (forest/meadow/field)
- Leader: 2
- Duration: 30 min +
Materials
- Emergency set/emergency kit
- Rechaud candles (incl. glasses) 1 candle per player (possibly reserve)
- Fire mat (wood, newspapers, lighter!)
- Crib with figure
- Slips of paper (Good News -> Vertieferli Devotion)
- Two containers for the messages (one for each shepherd family!)
- (Bible for devotion)
Course of events
Story: Suddenly an angel appears and tells the shepherds: "Do not be afraid! Behold, I proclaim to you great joy, which will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is a sign: You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
(Possibly choir): Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth among the people of his good pleasure."
The participants have to look for the manger in the forest. They are not allowed to talk to each other. Anyone who speaks or communicates with others in any way will be disqualified!
There is a person at the manger who gives the participants a candle (which is lit!). Afterwards they can take the messages with them (simple slips of paper -> 1 slip = 1 message). They have to take these to the town (leader marked with a light!). There are two "houses" corresponding to the families. The slips of paper are collected there.
The participants can "switch off" each other by blowing out the candle. Then the participant must go to the game leader and light the candle again!
Bible passages
Luke 2:8-20: 8 And there were shepherds in the same country in the field by the hurdles, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And the angel of the Lord came to them, and the brightness of the Lord shone around them; and they were very afraid. 10 And the angel said to them: Fear not! Behold, I proclaim to you great joy, which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this is a sign: You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 13 And immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased.1 15 And as the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see the story that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 And when they had seen him, they spread out the word that had been spoken to them about this child. 18 And all who saw him were amazed at what the shepherds had told them. 19 But Mary kept all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as it had been said to them. (LUT)
Luke 2:8-17: 8 And there were shepherds in the same country in the field by the hurdles, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And the angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were greatly afraid. 10 And the angel said to them: Fear not! Behold, I proclaim to you great joy, which will come to all the people; 11 for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this is a sign: You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. 13 And immediately there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is well pleased. 15 And when the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see the story which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 And when they had seen him, they spread out the word which was spoken to them concerning this child. (LUT)
Picture credits
- Cover picture: Ramun Badertscher, www.ramunbadertscher.ch
Content may be automatically translated. Help improve the quality of the translation with your editing!
