1) A sheep named Woolina asked her shepherd for a birthday gift that would make her feel loved, bring her joy, and give her peace.
2) The shepherd prayed to God for help finding the perfect gift. That night, an angel appeared and told the shepherds about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
3) When Woolina and the shepherd went to Bethlehem and saw baby Jesus, Woolina had a vision of Jesus' future acts and her place in heaven with Him. She became filled with love, joy, and peace upon realizing Jesus was the gift she had asked for.
1. RECEIVE GOD'S GIFT By Mandy Bryant Based on Luke 2:8-20 @ copyright 12/19/2010
2. One day, while the shepherd was keeping watch over his flock, he asked his precious lamb, Woolina, what kind of present she’d like for her birthday. 2
3. Woolina put a lot of thought into this. She wanted something that made her feel loved by her shepherd. She wanted to have joy. And she wanted something that would help her to have peace in her life.
4. The other sheep thought that Woolina was asking for too much. How could the shepherd give her all that in just one birthday present? 4
5. The shepherd loved his sheep. He wanted them to be have the things that they truly needed but he did not know how to fulfill Woolina’s request. He decided to go to the One that created Woolina for help. That night the shepherd prayed and asked God to help him find a gift that would show Woolina love, bring her joy, and give her peace.
6. That very night, an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds. The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all. Today in the town of Bethlehem a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
7. Suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
8. All of the shepherds hurried off to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus. Woolina was confused because her birthday was in the morning. Her shepherd told her, “Hurry! We are going to Bethlehem. God has sent you the perfect gift.”
9. They found the baby directly under a bright star. While they were waiting to see Jesus, Woolina thought about the birthday present she had asked for. She wanted to know she was loved, have joy, and she asked for something that would bring peace to her life. Could this baby be all of those things? 9
10. When it was Woolina’s turn to see the baby, she looked right into Jesus’ eyes. What she saw was truly amazing!
11. God blessed Woolina with a glimpse of the future. She saw Jesus walking on the water, bringing Lazaurus back from the dead, giving his life on the cross for her sins, and Woolina saw herself in heaven with Jesus!
12. Suddenly Woolina was so filled with love, joy, and peace at the same time that she began to dance! She wanted to tell everyone about Jesus!
13. JESUS The shepherds and sheep spread the word concerning what had been told them about Jesus and all who heard it were amazed at what they said to them. 13
