Gabriel Visits Mary - The Christmas Bible Story Lesson for Kids
Teaching the Bible story of the angel Gabriel's Visit to Mary to kids is a wonderful way to introduce them to the joy and wonder of God's plan. This powerful Christmas Bible story of the angel Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary offers rich opportunities for engaging lessons, creative crafts, and hands-on activities that bring the message to life. In this post, you’ll find simple yet effective teaching ideas, fun crafts, and easy-to-follow lesson plans that can be used in Sunday School, in faith-based schools, or at home. These ideas will engage children while helping them understand the significance of Mary's faith and obedience to God's plan.
The Christmas bible Story - Gabriel and Mary
Luke 1:26-38 tells the story of Gabriel’s visit to Mary. Mary was a virgin and had been promised to marry a man named Joseph. Gabriel, an angel from God, appeared to her and told Mary she would give birth to God’s Son. Gabriel told her that she was to name the baby Jesus. Mary marveled at the angel’s words and trusted God.
The EASY way to teach this Christmas Bible lesson.
Are you ready to lead a Bible lesson on Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel? Click to grab our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts.
background information about Mary and Gabriel
While it might not be appropriate to go into the details and definition of the word ‘virgin’ depending on your teaching context, there are some other interesting things about this story to teach the kids.
Women in Bible times were married young, so Mary was likely a teenager when Gabriel appeared to her.
Gabriel is an angel. Angel means ‘messenger’. Gabriel appears three other times in the Bible - twice to Daniel (Daniel 8:15-26 and Daniel 9:21-27), and he appears to Zechariah in Luke 1:11-22. He might have appeared more, but the angels go unnamed in other Bible stories.
printable Christmas crafts
Dive into this Christmas Bible story with our print-and-go lessons about Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel. These engaging lessons need almost no preparation and include a scripted lesson plan, a printable craft or activity, and a take-home worksheet to keep caregivers in the loop.
Angel Craft for Preschool
A printable angel craft for preschoolers and kindergarten students.
Create a simple angel by tracing hands and using the hand-prints as wings. For easy instructions and templates for the craft, check out ‘An Angel Visits Mary’ Bible lesson for preschool and kindergarten.
Angel Craft for Bigger Kids
A printable Christmas angel craft for bigger kids.
Your kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade will love this printable angel craft. Use the template pieces provided in ‘An Angel Visits Mary’ (the bigger kids’ version) and have kids cut and assemble the angel.
more bible christmas crafts
The following crafts and activities would pair nicely with a Christmas Bible lesson that touches on this part of the nativity story.
For a similar craft, including video instructions, check out The Little Crafties “How to Make Paper Christmas Angel Craft”
Crafty Morning has a cute idea for Paper Plate Christmas Angels. Be sure to check out her website for step-by-step instructions. This craft is appropriate for both preschool kids and older kids.
For another simple angel craft, check out Our Kid Things’ “Cupcake Liner Angel Craft”.
YouTube Videos about the story of Mary
These YouTube videos are a great way to help your kids understand the story in a whole new way. As always, please watch the video(s) in their entirety before showing them to your class.
This video by Crossroads Kids’ Club is a detailed introduction to Mary. The video includes information about who she is, Gabriel’s visit, and how she cared for Jesus as he grew. The story goes into more depth than just the story of Mary and Gabriel, but kids might find this information interesting. Most importantly, this video points to Jesus!
This Saddleback Kids video depicts the story of Mary and Gabriel. It also includes information about Mary and Joseph.
For a 30-minute show of the whole Nativity story, check out The Beginner’s Bible “The Nativity”.
Need more Christmas lessons?
Want to continue the series? This lesson is part of a four-lesson set designed to be taught in the weeks before Christmas.