Happy Birthday Jesus

I saw this on a website- we haven't done it before but it sounded great so I thought I'd share:

To celebrate the TRUE meaning of Christmas, my children and I have a Happy Birthday Jesus Party. We invite lots of kids and we start off by having the kids decorate for Jesus. We get red and green balloons and streamers along with making a huge banner that says Happy Birthday Jesus! I let the kids color the banner and then hang the balloons and streamers. We play games...last year we played Place baby Jesus in the Manger (like pin the tail). This year we will play No room at the inn musical chairs. We have each child bring an ornament to exchange. Last year we did it like a white elephant exchange. This year we are doing it with a right/left story that I wrote...

Jesus Right/Left gift exchange

Jesus was here, and the wise men were looking for the RIGHT way to go. King Herod told the wise men, "Once you find the RIGHT way and see Jesus let me know so I can see the baby too." King Herod was lying to the RIGHT-eous wise men. He wanted Jesus killed and be the only king LEFT. The wise men had to find just the RIGHT star, the Star of Bethlehem, and LEFT on their long journey. They followed the star day and night until it stopped RIGHT over the house where Jesus was. The wise men went RIGHT inside and saw Mary and baby Jesus. RIGHT away they bowed down to worship Him and gave him precious gifts. After that the wise men LEFT. That night God sent a warning not to return to King Herod. The wise men LEFT to go home and went a different way. The RIGHT way that God had told them.

We then will read the Christmas Story from a children's Bible and pray. Afterwards we have refreshments, beginnning with decorating cupcakes and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

I make a goodie bag for each guest which this year will include a candy cane with the candy cane story, a tract to pass out to one of their friends, a homemade treat-cookie, a homemade ornament, and some candy-probably Hersey's kisses.