TEACH

Show the students the standard wreath and ask if anybody knows what it is called.

After getting the answer (wreath), ask:

What is it that makes something a wreath?

Take responses and then show your "different" wreath.

Excurse:

The Teacher should know!

It is not easy to trace the birth of Yeshua. there are many difficulties. It most definitely is not the time of the sacrifice of the Greek people to Zeus that was held in the occupied temple in Jerusalem in the time of the Maccabees. 1st Maccabees

1Ma 1:54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu (December), in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;

59 Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.

1Ma 4:59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.

That is the feast of Hanukkah which is the direct opposite to the Roman Christmas. Also the Roman Christmas has its origin in the sacrifices to one of their gods.
Before Christmas existed, the Romans celebrated Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to the god Saturn based on the Greek tradition which origin is babylonian. This lively celebration took place in December and involved public human sacrifices at the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum.

The sacrifices were followed by feasting, gift-giving, and role reversals, where slaves were temporarily treated as equals to their masters. The festival also included lighting candles.

Interestingly, early Latins may have interpreted an old prophecy to mean human sacrifices, but according to legend, Hercules advised using lights instead of human heads. Over time, the festival evolved into a joyous occasion rather than one centered on sacrificial rites.

Saturnalia had a lasting impact on winter celebrations, influencing many customs that later became associated with Christmas.

Can the birth of Yeshua be traced somehow?
in Luke 1:5 Zacharias is in the 8th order that is Abia in the temple. This order has two duties to serve during a year.
If Zechariah was in his first serving during his division’s scheduled time, scholars estimate that his service likely occurred around June or July. Assuming Elizabeth conceived right after this event, and Mary conceived six months later, this would place Yeshua’s birth around late September to early October—possibly aligning with the Jewish festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).
The second service of the order of Abijah in the Temple would have taken place six months after the first service. Since each of the 24 priestly divisions served twice a year, the second rotation of Abijah’s order would have occurred around December or early January.

This timeline is significant in biblical studies, as it helps estimate the birth of John the Baptist and, subsequently, the birth of Yeshua (Jesus). If Zechariah, John’s father, was serving during this second rotation, and Elizabeth conceived shortly after, it would place Yeshua’s birth around March or April that come to the feast of passover where the lamb of GOD could have been born.

Also the 1st day if the 1st month Aviv is possible. This aligns with the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel.

Conclusion:

Yeshua was not born on Christmas! It is the time of the abomination of desolation Mt 24:15.
This is historically impossible. It also does not fulfill any prophecy.

There are two possibilities of HIS birth.

1st on the feast of Tabernacles and

2nd before or on the feast of Passover.

END OF EXCURSE

Ask: Is this considered a wreath also? (Sure)
Say: According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, a wreath is either 'something intertwined or arranged in a circular shape.'
Or 'something having a circular or coiling form.' According to those definitions, these are both 'wreaths.'
Explain: I would gladly hang either of these wreaths in front of my house, even though they are made of different materials.

However, some materials just shouldn't be used to make a wreath. Look at this.
(Pull out one of the "inappropriate wreaths" and enjoy the students' response.)

OR...How about this?

(Pull out the second "inappropriate wreath.")

Ask: What's the problem with these wreaths? I mean, they're in the right shape, right? They meet the definition of a wreath that we read earlier.
What's the problem here?

(Take response, and then show your sign-"IT LOOKS LIKE A WREATH, BUT IT'S NOT RIGHT.")

Say: On Christmas, we celebrate that God came to Earth 2,000 years ago as a baby named 'Yeshua' which was translated Jesus.

As Jesus grew up, he explained that He came to save the lost. And, He desires to CHANGE us on the inside.
See, Jesus is more concerned with what 'we are made of than how we look.

Listen to what Jesus said to some of the religious leaders when he was around 30 years old.

Read Matthew 23:27.

"How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs that are painted white. Outside, those tombs look fine, but inside, they are full of the bones of dead people and all kinds of unclean things.'

Say: The same problem that Jesus saw with the religious leaders then, is the same problem that these wreaths have.

They are made of the wrong stuff.
The religious leaders of Jesus' day tried to walk around DOING the right thing, but Jesus says, 'No. It's not enough to look right. You've got to be made right from the very core of who you are.'

(Hold up sign.)
I really hope Jesus doesn't look at me and say, 'IT LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTIAN, BUT IT'S NOT RIGHT.
(Challenge students to look at themselves a little more deeply this Christmas.)

It's not enough to DO the right things at Christmas time-come to Church, sing Christmas songs, etc.

What Jesus is really concerned with is what's happening inside us. What really matters is what we are made of.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. When was the real birth of Yeshua?

2. Would you like to celebrate the original Son of GOD or an imagination of HIM?

3. If You are true to GOD will He be true to you?

4. If you ignore GOD will HE ignore you?

5. Will GOD at HIS coming say "I don't know you" or "Well done?"