A Cousin Christmas- Nativity Hunt and Party

We were so blessed to have all of the Yates cousins together for Christmas this year. Thank you to Nick and Alice for making the trip to Dallas from Kansas City, there is nothing better than being with family on Christmas.  We decided to draw names for a present exchange this year and create a night devoted to the kids, making special Christmas memories with their cousins.  There are 10 cousins ranging in age from 8 months to 9 years old, so lots of fun memories to be made together.  This year we had a Nativity Scavenger Hunt with a special surprise when they found the baby Jesus.  We surprised the kids with a Jesus birthday party complete with cake and party hats and blowers, they all got to blow out the candles on his cake together.  The only thing was that we accidentally put trick candles on the cake, so they wouldn't blow out- this was actually very symbolic of Jesus's light. :) Accident?  Maybe not!

The nativity scavenger was lots of fun and a great way to talk about the real meaning of Christmas and incorporate the birth of Jesus into the fun.  I put it together using pieces of the nativity and items around Bebe and Papa's house.   We read the clues and tailored each clue for each child so that even the youngest kids had a chance to participate. When the child found their piece they were able to place it in the manger scene  We let them all search for the baby Jesus together, and Anna, number 3 of 10 Grands, was the proud finder.  Here are the clues we used in case anyone ever wants to recreate it. I did this quickly and easily, nothing too fancy :)

1.  STAR

One night 3 Wise Men saw a brand new star -they hoped this would lead them to their King from afar.  Can you find the star?  Look in the place where the Lincoln Logs Live, be careful not to dump them out, or Papa might start to pout!

2.  3 WISE MEN

You found the star! Now I wonder where the 3 Wise Men are? They packed their gifts and followed the star, to go to the place to see their Savior’s face.  Can you find the 3 wise men?  Look where we go when we get out of the pool and are cold, this always cleans and warms you up, at least I’ve been told.

3.  SHEPHERD

There weren’t many people near the manger that day, but a shepherd was tending to his flock.  Can you find the shepherd?  He is hiding in something that rhymes with flock.

4.  COW

A shepherd is lonely without his animal friends, do you know that Mary and Joseph found no rooms at the Inn?  So with animals they decided to bunk in.  Look for the animal that makes the sound “Moo”, I think you may find him in one of Papa’s shoes.

5.  DONKEY

  Mary and Joseph didn’t have a car, back then you rode a donkey to go near and far.  A donkey was there on that special day, look for him and feed him some hay. Our donkey is sleeping underneath many steps. Can you find him?  I bet you can, yep!

6.  ANGEL

 An angel appeared to tell Mary a baby would be born.  Lets find an angel and bring them to our scene, look in the place where Bebe’s clothes are cleaned.

7.  JOSEPH

Joseph helped Mary travel on their way and was looking all over for a place for them to stay.  He found their way to our very special manger, which was a safe place to keep them out of danger. The animals in the manger were happy to share their room, look for Joseph among the legumes.

8. MARY

 This brings us to Mary, the baby’s mother in this story, she came to a manger to have a baby of glory.  Mary is sitting with a very old relative- she has a picture that is like no other. See if you can find Mary near the image of your Great, Great, Great Grandmother.

9.   JESUS

The nativity has been set and everyone is ready. His mother Mary will hold him close and we will worship him with joyful hearts.  The wise men will bring their precious gifts to Him and the animals, shepherd, and angels will all rejoice and sing.  You will find the baby Jesus near the best part of the tree- the tree that has been decorated for the birth of this baby.

Here are pictures from our very fun night.  We LOVE our Yates cousins so much!!!