The Story of Christianity for children
Christians believe that around 2000 years ago, something amazing happened. A virgin, by the name of Mary, was told by an Angel of God that she would bear a child, and he would be named Jesus. The child would be the Messiah, or Anointed One, and would be the Son of God. Mary was then taken to a small town called Bethlehem with her husband, Joseph. They had no place to go, so they had to stay in a small shelter with the animals. Just before Jesus was born, a great star appeared over Bethlehem, which many people saw and wondered at.
Three kings, from the east of Jerusalem, came to worship Jesus after he was born. They knew from prophecy and of studying the stars that he would be born. The came with presents, like gold and incense. Shepherds who were with their sheep saw an Angel who was very bright, like a great light say, “Fear not, for I bring you great news! A child is born in Bethlehem who is the Saviour, the Messiah of the world!” And then a big choir of angels sang to the shepherds giving glory to Jesus Christ.
Jesus was now the Christ, or Holy One. He began preaching about love and goodness when he was 30 years old. He travelled by foot nearly everywhere he went, and he even had 12 close friends, called the Disciples, who walked with him. Jesus’ talk, or ministry, was about how God is love, and how love can overcome all things. He talked about what is right and what is wrong. He taught about how we should treat each other. He taught how we should always be like a bright candle that cannot be hidden, and to shine our love to everyone.
Jesus went from town to town doing amazing things. He healed sick people, by just touching them, and once he told a Roman soldier that the roman soldier’s servant was healed, and he was! Just by saying so. He did other great things, like bringing a man named Lazarus back from the dead. All he did was stand in front of the tomb, or grave, and say out loud, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus walked out of the tomb, alive.
God, the creator of all things, sent Jesus to Earth to make a new covenant, or agreement, with all people. The covenant was all about love, because God is love. But there was a price to be paid. Sin, or bad behaviour, was all over the world, and God needed to send someone to take the sin, so he sent his Son, Jesus Christ. The Jews began to get angry at Jesus; he was talking about love and getting people to follow him. They didn’t believe he was the Son of God. They thought he was a fake. So, since they could not kill him, they decided to go to the Romans, who were powerful and controlled the country. They asked the Romans to kill Jesus.
The Romans crucified Jesus, which means they nailed him to a cross, made of wood, until he died. Three days later Jesus rose from the dead, and began the religion known as Christianity, which is named after him. It is the largest religion in the world.
This is an original news article © The Kids Window
One in a series of articles about Religion written for children.
For further reading, visit EduWeb and First School Years sites.
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