Before class, check out the craft tutorial found here in order to familiarize yourself with the activity. It always helps to make a sample if possible. Note that the tutorial suggests gluing a red faceted bead to the end of the chenille wire and then another one to the other end once the children have strung the pony beads onto the chenille wires. This is definitely an option, but it can be avoided by simply turning up the wire on each end to keep the beads from falling off. Our version includes green beads.
Candy Cane Ornaments

The Texas family we talked about earlier did not know that before the night was over, they would need for someone to save them from the raging flood waters. Similarly, people often do not realize their need for Jesus to save them from sin. In both situations, being rescued or saved results in life. For the Texas family, this meant their life on earth. For those who accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, this means eternal life with God. Christmas is a celebration of life: Jesus’ life, the birth of the Savior.

Sometimes at Christmas we think we need a lot of things. We want to unwrap presents packed full of those things. All the while, God sent to us what, or who, we need the most: Jesus, our Savior.

Let’s make some Christmas ornaments to remind us that Jesus came to save us. Make one for your household and make another for a friend who does not know Jesus. These ornaments can be hung on the tree or as a decoration anywhere.

Distribute supplies.

Shape the chenille wire after it is covered in beads like a candy cane or shepherd’s staff. The top of the cane hangs over a branch on the tree.

Bend the top point of the wire, so the beads will not fall off the wire (or glue a faceted bead to each end once your students have filled it with pony beads). Fill the wire with beads: green, red, white; green, red, white, until it is full. Bend the bottom of the wire up to keep the beads from falling off.

The green bead represents a symbol of life; Jesus came to earth and lived among us and offers us eternal life. The red bead represents the fact that Jesus was born so He could die for us, shedding His blood to pay for our sins. The white bead represents that Jesus made us clean before God, spotless and forgiven.

When you hang the ornament at home, and when you give the ornament to a friend, explain what the colors of the beads represent. If you do not decorate with a tree, or your friend does not celebrate Christmas, use yarn to create a loop to hang this ornament as a decoration anywhere that you will be reminded that Jesus came to save us.

Allow time for the students to practice telling each other what the beads represent, so they will remember for later.

While the students are working, you may want to play the following [3:00]:
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Remind your preteens that you are available if any of them want to talk to you privately about how to know Jesus as their Savior. Help on how to share the Gospel with this age group is found in your teacher’s guide.

Close in prayer thanking God for sending Jesus to be our Savior, even when we did not know or understand how great our need for Him was or is. Pray for those who do not know Jesus; pray for their salvation.

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