Nativity Scavenger Hunt Script

A few years ago, my amazing friend Juliana told me about a tradition she had for her family.  Every year on Christmas Eve, they would read the nativity story (as many families do), but to help her little ones maintain interest, she turned the story into a scavenger hunt.  I loved the idea and our family has since adopted it as one of our favorite Christmas traditions.  

This year I took the time to sit down and type out a script and I thought I'd share it for anyone else who might be interested in Juliana's fabulous idea.  Keep in mind, this is what works for our family, this year.  Next year's iteration might be vastly different.  That's what's nice about it, it can be altered to fit any age or interest level.  Add, adjust, or subtract activities as appropriate, change the clues, make it your own.

 

Christmas Eve Nativity Scavenger Hunt - 2011 Version

Opening Song: Picture Christmas

Introduction –

- Why do we celebrate Christmas? 

- On this night, Christmas Eve, we celebrate the night Jesus Christ was born over 2000 years ago.  There were many people who witnessed the events of that most wonderful night.

- Just like the Wise Men followed a star to find the baby Jesus, tonight we will follow clues to help us learn more about His miraculous birth.

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Open envelope 1 with first clue:

Clue 1) When you want to begin a journey, you usually begin by putting on your shoes and coat.  To begin our journey, look for your next clue where we keep our coats and shoes.

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Go to coat closet to find envelope 1, then head back up to living room.

Envelope 2 (on outside): Read Luke 1:26-31, 38

- Who do these scriptures tell us about? (Mary)

- Discuss Mary for a few moments. (She must have been very righteous to be chosen to be the mother of Jesus, and she was willing to do whatever Heavenly Father asked of her.)

Activity: Look at pictures depicting Mary.

Open Envelope for next clue:

Clue 2) Mary was the mother of Jesus.  You’ll find your next clue where the mother of Aubree, Bryce, and Thane sleeps.

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Go to bedroom & find Mary figurine & clue in envelope.  Return to living room to place figurine,

Envelope 3 (on outside): Read Luke 2:1, 3-5

- What does it mean to be “great with child?”

- Who was Joseph?

- How do you think Joseph took care of Mary and showed that he loved her on the long trip to Bethlehem and that night in the stable?

Activity: Sing “When Joseph Went to Bethlehem”

Open envelope for next clue:

Clue 3) When Mom and Dad pay our taxes every year, we don’t have to walk the places where we were born.  Instead, we use our computer to fill out forms and pay what is due.  You’ll find your next clue there.

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Go downstairs to computers to find Joseph figurine & envelope with next clue (take the Joseph figurine upstairs and set next to Mary).

Envelope 4 (on outside): Read Luke 2:6-7

- Discuss (importance and power in those few, short scriptures and what they mean to the world)

Activity: Draw a picture of what you think baby Jesus looked like wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Clue 4) Mary laid her new baby in a manger filled with straw.  To find your next clue, look where we lay the baby of our family.

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Go to Thane’s crib to find the next envelope and Baby Jesus figurine (return to living room & put figurine on display).

Envelope 5 (on outside): Read Luke 2:8-20

- These scriptures tell us about two more groups of people who witnessed the birth of Christ.  Who were they? (angels and shepherds)

Activity: Tell what you would have said, done, or thought if you were one of the shepherds that night.

Clue 5) “Make haste,” like the shepherds, to where we keep our hymn books, and remember that, like the angels, we still sing praises to Jesus Christ.”

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Go to hymn books and find figurines of angel & shepherds.  Place on display.

Envelope 6 (on outside) : Read Matthew 2: 1-3, 5, 8-13

- How did the wise men know that Jesus was born? (they saw the star)

- How did they know what the star meant? (they studied their scriptures and understood the prophesies.)

- The wise men are a great example for us.  First, they show how important it is to read our scriptures, so we too can know how to find Jesus.  Second, they brought precious treasures as gifts to Him. 

-Can we bring Jesus gifts of gold or dolls or cookies?

-What kind of gifts can we bring him?

Activity: Write or draw a gift you can give to Jesus this next year.

(We’ve done this the last few years, and have kept the pages from previous years, so we’ll have a chance to personally review our progress.  We’ll add this year’s gifts to our envelope and review them next year.)

Open final envelope

Clue 6: Sing the Closing Song (He Sent His Son) and you’ll find the Wise Men waiting with our dessert.