Key Stage 1, Lesson 2
RE
Why Was This Baby Special?
RE aim
To explore why this story is so important for Christians and others, by studying key
Christian beliefs about the importance of Jesus, and using the symbolism in the gifts
of the Wise Men.
Objective
Each pupil will have the opportunity to learn about the meaning of the gifts of the
Wise Men, and to suggest their own gifts.
Introduction
Discuss: what do you think are good gifts for a baby or a small child? (Discuss
examples, also asking why these are ‘good’ gifts.) Explain that the story of the
Nativity (the birth of Jesus), has a very strange moment when some visitors bring
gifts. None of the gifts seem to be anything like the sorts of gifts we would give a
baby now!
Core Material
Show the extract clip (DVD time code 21:53 - 23:18) of the moment when the gifts
are presented. The film actually explains the meaning of each gift - a crucial point for
this lesson!
After viewing the film extract, write the words Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh on a
display board, (ensuring the spellings are correct!) or print out and use Display
Sheets 1-3. Then, ask the pupils to discuss in pairs what the Wise Men said was the
special meaning behind each gift. Check the understanding of some volunteers, and
then add the definition captions and pictures to your headings (See Display Sheets
1-9).
Gold, a precious metal: (a gift for a king)
Frankincense, a special perfume: (a gift for the Son of God who will be
worshipped)
Myrrh, a spice used to preserve a dead body: (to show that his life will be
special from its beginning . . . to its end.)
Discuss each one with the pupils, remarking on their apparent strangeness. Then
explain that each gift is said to reveal something very special about Jesus when he
grew up, as if the Wise Men had seen something of his future. Draw out from the
children what they know of Jesus’ later life that could explain each gift:
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Key Stage 1, Lesson 2
RE
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Would Jesus be a King? How?
(He refused a crown when he was offered one, but later was called
‘King of the Jews’ by his enemies, although he said his kingdom wasn’t
something you could see. Christians now say he is King of their lives,
and one day will come back to rule the whole world.)
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Would Jesus be worshipped and honoured? How?
(His disciples worshipped him after they saw him come back from the
dead. Christians worship him now both in church, and in their own lives.
They pray to Jesus, and think of him as God with a human face.)
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Would his life be special from its beginning to its end? How?
(He spent his adult life teaching and healing and helping people.
Christians believe his death made it possible for everyone to be friends
with God again.)
Then remove the gift name labels and the pictures, leaving just the definition labels
on display. Explain ‘These were all special gifts with a meaning. Here’s a hard
question - if Jesus was born today, what sorts of gifts could people give that would
say the same sort of thing about him?’ Pupils should discuss this in pairs, then
volunteer suggestions for you to list on the board – expect some wild answers from
the More Able!
Activities
1) Put all the 9 Display Sheets on display. Give each pupil a copy of Worksheet 1 to
complete to reinforce the names of each gift from the Wise Men.
2) Use Worksheet 2 to reinforce understanding about the meanings of the gifts.
3) Using the last question on Worksheet 2 as a first draft, pupils should draw /
construct a model of (and then label) their own gift that they would like to have given
to baby Jesus. Why would they have given it? These ‘gifts’ should be big enough to
put on display around a picture or model of the Nativity such as most infant classrooms have at this time of the year!
Differentiated Activities
SEN pupils may need help with the cut-and-stick activity. Alternatively, ask them to
sort your enlarged display labels.
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Key Stage 1, Lesson 2
RE
More Able pupils could be set the extension task of thinking about possible modernday gifts for Jesus that would contain a similar message to any of the gifts of the
Wise Men. Pupils could discuss this in pairs, and then write /illustrate some of their
responses.
Possible suggestions:
(a gift for a king) :
a credit card?
a crown?
a throne?
(a gift for the Son of God who will be worshipped) How do people worship Jesus
now? With a prayer? Or with a song? By lighting a candle in church? By dancing?
By helping other people? By making something beautiful or useful?
(a gift to show that his life will be special from its beginning . . . to his death at the
end) Pupils might suggest a cross or crucifix to show what happened to him later.
Plenary
Share some pupil work. Point out that the gifts of the Wise Men might not seem to be
very practical, but they were small and valuable – something possibly quite useful
when the family had to flee for their lives into another country. Those gifts might have
bought them a lot of food and a place to stay! Discuss some of the responses of the
More Able – what would a modern-day version of these gifts be – and why?
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Key Stage 1, Lesson 2
RE Worksheet 1
Gifts for Jesus
Name ..............................
Cut out the gifts and stick them in the right places.
gold
a precious metal
myrrh
a spice used to preserve
a dead body
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frankincense
a special perfume
Key Stage 1, Lesson 2
RE Worksheet 2
Gifts for Jesus
What the gift means
a gift for a king
Name ..............................
a gift to show that
a gift for the Son of
his life will be
God who will be
special from its
worshipped
beginning . . . to its
end
Write the name of
the gift in this row
Draw the gift in this
row
If you were there, what gift would you like to give baby Jesus? Draw it here and
say why you would give it.
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