How Turea Kept Christmas

How Turea Kept Christmas

MEMORY VERSE: John 1:12

“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

VISUALS: How Turea Kept Christmas by Bible Visuals International, Inc.

MAIN TRUTH: God wants you to boldly tell others about Jesus. BASIC OUTLINE:

A. FLASHCARD 1 (old), 11 (new) B FLASHCARD 2 (old), 12 (new) C FLASHCARD 3 (old), 13 (new) D. FLASHCARD 4 (old), 14 (new) E. FLASHCARD 5 (old), 15 (new) F. FLASHCARD 6 (old), 16 (new)

G. SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARDS A-G H. FLASHCARD 7 (old), 17 (new)

I. FLASHCARD 8 (old), 18 (new) J. FLASHCARD 9 (old), 19 (new) K. FLASHCARD 10, (old), 20 (new) L. FLASHCARD 11 (old), 21 (new) M. FLASHCARD 13 (old), 22 (new) N. FLASHCARD 14 (old), 23 (new)

TEXT: How Turea Kept Christmas, Copyright © 1965 Bible Visuals International, Inc. Author: Patricia M. St. John

Have you ever been away from your home and family for a long time? Perhaps you spent a week in the summer at a camp. Or, maybe you went to visit your grandparents for a few weeks by yourself. Or, maybe you went to live in a foster home for a while. Turea had been away from her home and family for a very, very long time. What would it be like when she returned home? This is her story.

A. (FLASHCARD 1 or 11)

It was evening as Turea and her father climbed the little hill that led from the hollow and she saw in front of her, clear in the last golden rays of the sun, her home village. She gave her father’s hand a little squeeze.

IH Have children walk in place. Place hand over eyes as if seeing home in the distance.

Very soon darkness would fall, and beams of orange candlelight would shine from the doors of the huts, and glow worms would gleam beside the path. By the time they would get home it would be almost dark. Perhaps her mother would have supper ready – maybe rabbit stew and flat steamy bread hot from the pan.

As Turea walked beside her father she thought, Will little Racheeda remember me? She was only two when I was last home. Oh, I hope she will not be afraid. Maybe Racheeda won’t remember me, but Msaud, the nice dog, will know me.

The thought of Msaud reminded her of the others at the farm – her other little brothers and sisters, the chickens, the six goats, the two bony cows, and the lean black and white cat.

IH Have children think of one of the animals on a farm. On the count of three, have the children make the sound of that animal.

Turea hoped they were all still there and that nothing had changed. She wanted to ask her father. No, she decided, I will not ask him. I’ll wait and find out for myself. It won’t be long now. They were already in sight of the village well.

Turea ran to meet the girls who were filling their buckets with water at the well. The girls quickly gathered around Turea. Turea was the only girl in the village who went to school. The girls were full of questions: “What is it like in Tangiers?” “Will you come to tell us what you have learned?” “Please, Turea, we want to hear.”

“I will be happy to tell you,” said Turea, “but now Father and I must hurry home.”

Quickly Turea and her father began climbing the hill leading to their farm home. Turea thought, These girls are just as anxious to learn as I am. If they could only go to school . . . .

Then Turea remembered how, as a tiny girl, she had always wanted to go to school. She remembered when she had run away from home and turned up in the Mosque with the boys. The boys had laughed at her and the old bearded teacher had threatened her. How frightened she had been! She had run back to her mother crying. Her mother had laughed and had given her a piece of honey cake. She had told Turea to go and play with the goats and to forget about school. So Turea played with the goats every day. But she never forgot about school. When her older brother had found work at the Mission Hospital in Tangiers, he remembered Turea’s wish. He persuaded the missionaries to accept her at the Mission School.

She was six years old, with the tangled black curls and a round face, when she started at the Mission School. Now she was a beautiful, slender girl of thirteen with thick braids and shy, dark eyes. Although she had lived for seven years in the town, she had the clear complexion and graceful bearing of the mountain-born. She climbed the steep slope as lightly as the goats. But she was different from the others: she could read, write, sew . . . and speak English! Yes, she knew a great many things that the girls of her village did not know. She was sure that home would still be home, and she would forget all the differences and changes and slip back into the old way of life as easily as though she had never left it.

B. (FLASHCARD 2 or 12)

Turea ran ahead of her father. She raced up the last slope under the olive trees as the first stars came out. Msaud saw her and came scampering down the hill in a cloud of dust and flurry of joyful barks. Her little brothers and sisters came running behind him with Racheeda bringing up the rear. Then she saw her

mother coming with her hands all sticky from kneading bread but open wide to greet Turea. Turea was home at last.

IH Have children hug themselves, as Turea being hugged by her mother. Turea had been in the house only a few minutes when she started peeling potatoes and blowing on the charcoal. Mother watched her eldest daughter closely. Except for the second-hand European clothes she wore which had belonged to the school teacher’s daughter, Turea was still one of them. She sat in the firelight flushed and joyful, with Racheeda on her lap, enjoying the village food, laughing at the jokes, and eager to hear all the news of the village. They spent a happy evening sitting around the clay bowl and eating wild partridge stew. Yes, all was well; there was no difference.

C. (FLASHCARD 3 or 13)

And yet, there was a difference that no one but Turea knew about. And she had half-forgotten it in the gladness of the homecoming. It came back to her that night as she lay on a mat on the floor with Racheeda, fast asleep, snuggled up against her. Tonight was Christmas Eve, and on all that sleeping hillside she

was the only person who remembered and cared. Had Mary come to their village that night, she alone would have opened the door to welcome the newborn Saviour.

Turea knew the story well. Once, she had stayed on with the missionaries over Christmas and joined in the Christmas celebrations. She knew what a special night it was. She knew that they would give gifts and rejoice and read the story of Christ’s birth and sing carols. Away in the village, lonely little Turea loved Him too, and wanted to celebrate, but she did not know how she could.

As Turea lay there in the darkness she decided, I will get up early tomorrow morning . . . while the Christmas stars are still shining and the cattle are still sleeping in the stalls. I will go out on the hillside and read the story for myself from my English New Testament. As she thought of her English New Testament, she remembered how carefully she had hidden it in the bottom of her luggage. She had not dared to bring her Arabic Testament because she had never told anyone in the village that she read it and believed it.

Besides, her father might tear it up if he saw it. None of her family understood English so she was quite safe reading her little black book. They would think she was learning her lessons. So, she fell asleep comforted, to dream of the heavens opened over her native hills, and the angels proclaiming peace and goodwill to the scattered villages.

Turea awakened very early – before daybreak. Gently loosening Racheeda’s clinging arms, she felt for her bundle in the dark. She found her jacket and New Testament.

IH Have children pretend to put on their jacket and pick up their New Testament.

No one stirred as she lifted the latch and slipped through the door, except Msaud. He opened his mouth to bark – and shut it again when he saw who it was. He rose and trotted behind her. Quickly she and Msaud ran lightly up the hillside. Msaud was sniffing the morning air eagerly as she curled her toes in the cold dew.

D. (FLASHCARD 4 or 14)

She knew where she was going – to a little hill above the village on which one could sit looking Eastward and see the sun rising over the mountains. The day was dawning fast now, and the light was a clear gold in which the stars paled and died. When Turea reached the top of the mountain she sat down with her arms around Msaud’s neck and waited for the sun to rise.

Carefully she opened her English New Testament. She knew that the Christmas story came at the beginning of the Gospels, but she could not remember which Gospel. She decided to read the beginning of each Gospel. When she turned to the book of John, she found herself reading the passage, so profound in its meaning, yet so simple in its wording, that she, as a little child, had learned to read from it. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” She looked about her. Light! It was everywhere now! The darkness was all swallowed up and the distances were clear and shining. The little mountain tracks that had seemed to lead into shadows and mist were now plain and bright. That was exactly what the coming of Christ meant to Turea. He had shown her a path of light that led to God, and she had started to follow on stumbling, fearful feet. Now she

was discovering that it was a lonely path – a path on which she might have to travel with no friends at all – none, except the Lord Jesus Christ.

Msaud was sniffing the open page of her New Testament. She pushed his nose aside and read on. “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him . . . .”

Turea looked across the valley to her own village. None of them know anything about Him, she thought. He had come to them, but they had not received Him.

E. (FLASHCARD 5 or 15)

“But as many as received Him . . . .” How many in this village had received Jesus? Just one. A girl sitting on a hilltop. Turea could remember the day she had received Him. It was after Sunday School three years ago. She had stayed behind and talked with the teacher. She was only ten. But she had understood

even then that it would not be easy for her to follow Christ. It would a lonely path right to the end. She knew that her people would be angry if she became a Christian, but that had not worried her too much as she had decided never to tell them.

But now she was not sure. “He was in the world . . . loving it, dying for it . . . and the world knew Him not.” They couldn’t know because no one had ever told them. How sad it was that He had come to them in vain!

F. (FLASHCARD 6 or 16)

Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout from the slopes below her. Her little brother Hassan had spied her and was running up the hill towards her. He ran as fast as the bare, brown feet of an eight-year-old would carry him. Turea watched him coming. He was such a comical little boy. His eyes were bright and

merry, and his cheeks were a warm, rosy brown. He was growing up fast. He looked after the goats all alone now.

“Good, I was looking for you,” gasped Hassan, very out of breath. He dropped down on the ground and laid his head on her lap. “Turea, when I

awoke this morning, I wanted you to tell me a story. I looked at your mat. You were gone. I tiptoed out of the house. No one heard me. I ran down the path looking for you, but I did not see you. I looked in the neighbor’s hut, but you were not there. Then I looked up the hill. I saw you wasting your company on Msaud. I ran as fast as I could. What are you reading?”

“A Book,” answered Turea. Then she hesitated. It was Christmas Day. The Lord Jesus had come to a world that knew Him not – a world that had no room for Him. Perhaps she could tell Hassan, and then there would be two hearts open to Him in the village, for the Lord Jesus, she knew, would certainly not despise the heart of a child. “I will tell you a story out of my Book, Hassan,” she said. “I will tell you about Jesus.”

So, while Christians around the world celebrated Christmas, a little boy sat on a hillside and heard the Christmas story for the very first time.

G. (SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD A)

“There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.”

(Read Luke 2:1b) This message from the ruler of the land was hung up for everyone to read. It

announced that each person must report to the city where he or she was from to be counted in a census and to pay taxes. An order from the ruler must be obeyed!

When Joseph heard the news, he hurried to tell Mary, the lady he would soon marry. They would have to leave their home in Nazareth to travel to the town of Bethlehem, which was almost eighty miles away. It would take them about five days to get there. Together, they prepared for their journey.

IH Have children pack food and clothing in bags for the trip.

(SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD B)

Maybe they had to walk the whole way, or perhaps they had a donkey for Mary to ride on. Either way, it was still a very long, hard trip, for it was close to the time when Mary was due to have a Baby.

Sometime before this, an angel had told Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of the Saviour God promised to send. The angel told Joseph

that they were to name the Baby Jesus. Mary’s Baby would be different from any baby that had ever been born. Mary’s Baby would be the Son of God.

O Jesus is the Son of God. He is different from everyone else. Jesus is perfect. He never, ever did anything wrong. He is the only One who could be the Saviour.

Mary’s Baby would be the Saviour God promised. It was almost time for the Baby to be born when Mary and Joseph made the trip to Bethlehem.

(SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD C)

After long days of traveling, they came to Bethlehem. Joseph tried to find a comfortable place for them to rest, but so many people had come to Bethlehem for the census that there was

no room. The inn was full. Everywhere he went, the answer was always the same, “No room here.”

IH Have children shake their heads while repeating the words, “No room here.” Finally, Joseph and Mary were given permission to spend the night in a stable. A stable is like a barn. It’s a place where animals are kept. The stable was probably full of animals. It probably smelled and wasn’t very clean, but Mary and Joseph were thankful to have a place to rest for the night.

(SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD D)

It was there, in a stable in Bethlehem, that a miracle took place that night. Jesus, the Son of God, was born. God sent His Son into the world because of His love for you and me.

G God loves all people, including you and me.

It was because of His love that God sent Jesus into the world. Mary wrapped Baby Jesus in strips of cloth and laid Him gently in a manger, a wooden feeding trough for the animals.

IH Have children pretend to hold Baby Jesus in their arms, wrap Him with strips of cloth, then lay Him gently in a manger.

God’s Son had been born. God wanted to share this good news about the birth of His Son.

MT If Jesus is your Saviour, God wants you to boldly tell others about Jesus. When you know Jesus, you should want others to know about Him too. We should not be afraid to tell them. We should be bold and have courage to tell them.

God wanted to share the good news about the birth of His Son.

(SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD E)

The first ones to hear the good news was a group of shepherds who were watching their sheep on a hillside just outside of Bethlehem.

All of a sudden the sky was bright with light.

IH Have children pretend to shield their eyes from the bright light.

An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds. The shepherds were afraid, but the angel spoke to the shepherds and said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Read Luke 2:10b-11).

The angel went on to tell them where they could find the Saviour, “Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (strips of cloth), lying in a manger.” (Read Luke 2:12b).

(SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD F)

Suddenly, many, many angels filled the sky. They were praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Read Luke 2:14). What a

wonderful message the angels brought to the shepherds that night!

Then, just as quickly as they had come, the angels disappeared. The shepherds were now alone, but they knew the angels had brought them a message from God. It was such good news!

The shepherds knew they needed a Saviour, for they knew their hearts were full of sin.

S, PAU The shepherds are not the only ones who sin. You and I are sinners too. Sin is anything we think, say, or do that does not please God. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Every person in the world has sinned – including you and me. (Share three examples of sin that children do.) Maybe you have not done one of those sins, but I’m sure you can think of other sins you have done. God knows sin is very serious. It separates you from Him.

The shepherd’s hearts were full of sin, and they were so glad to hear that God had sent the Saviour, the One who could forgive their sin.

The shepherds looked at one another and said, “Let’s go to see this thing which has happened that the Lord has told us about.”

IH Have children turn to someone next to them, make a beckoning motion with their hand, and repeat the words, “Let’s go!”

(SUPPLEMENTAL FLASHCARD G)

The shepherds hurried into the town. There they found Mary and Joseph and best of all, they found the Baby Lord Jesus. He was lying in a manger, just as the angel had said.

The Bible does not tell us for sure what the shepherds said or did when they got there, but I imagine they must have knelt before the Lord Jesus and thanked God for sending the Saviour.

P, E Perhaps the shepherds didn’t understand it all that night, but years after He was born, the Lord Jesus would be nailed to a cross to die. The Bible tells us why Jesus died, “. . . And without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22b). Remission is a big word that means forgiveness. In order for us to have forgiveness for our sin, blood had to be given. Jesus gave His precious blood when He died on the cross. He took the punishment for sin that you and I deserve. After Jesus died, He was buried, but three days later He came back to life. Jesus is still alive today. He is the Saviour, the only One who can save us from our sins.

The shepherds must have thanked God that night for sending Jesus to be the Saviour.

The Bible does not tell us how long the shepherds stayed at the stable, but the news of the birth of the Saviour was too good to keep to themselves. They went out and told everyone what had happened and what the angel had told them about this Child.

MT, PAS If Jesus is your Saviour, God wants you to boldly tell others about Jesus. The Bible says, “. . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”(Mark 16:15). There are so many people in the world who still need to hear about Jesus, but how will they hear if someone doesn’t tell them? 1_{Maybe you look around your class at school and wonder if any of} the other children know Jesus. If you try to talk to them about Jesus, they may laugh at you or tease you. God still wants you to be bold to tell them about Jesus. 2_{Maybe at recess you sing a song about Jesus with the} children you are playing with, but then they don’t want to play with you anymore. God still wants you to be bold to tell them about Jesus. 3_Maybe you are like Turea, and you are the only one in your family who knows and loves Jesus. You may be afraid what your family will say if you read your Bible and try to tell them about Jesus. God still wants you to be bold to tell them about Jesus. When you know Jesus, you should want others to know Him too. You should not be afraid to tell them. You should be bold and have courage to tell them.

The shepherds left the stable and went out to tell everyone they met about Jesus.

H. (FLASHCARD 7 or 17)

Turea closed her little New Testament and looked at her brother.

“But why did Jesus have to be born in a stable?” asked Hassan.

“Because there was no room in the inn,” answered Turea. “I would have given Him my mat,” said Hassan.

“I know you would have, Hassan. You are always willing to share with others.”

“Turea,” Hassan asked another question, “why did Jesus have to come to Earth?”

“You ask a lot of questions for a little boy,” she said. “I will try to tell you.” As the sun rose high in the sky that Christmas morning, Turea explained to Hassan about the love that brought the Saviour down to Earth.

Turea finished by telling her brother, “Jesus loves you, Hassan, but our people here do not know about Him. I will teach you and then you and I can follow in His Way.”

Hassan’s eyes were fixed on her. Any way would be fun with his sister beside him. He felt terribly important because she had chosen him. Then they both suddenly remembered that they were hungry, and it was past breakfast time. They jumped up and ran home.

I. (FLASHCARD 8 or 18)

Turea spent a busy day. She changed into her old country dress and sat on the floor kneading the bread. She went to the village well for water, milked the cows, and white-washed the doorway. At 5 o’clock that evening, Turea plucked two of their chickens for supper to celebrate her homecoming. Already, the

quietness of a winter evening lay over the land. Sitting on the step under the old olive tree that grew beside their door, Turea’s thoughts again returned to Christmas. She sang a carol she had learned at school, softly under her breath.

Turea was happy that she had spent the day helping her tired mother instead of visiting the neighbors as she had planned. Perhaps this had been one way of keeping Christmas after all.

Noisy laughter and chatter behind the prickly pear hedge put an end to her reflections. A moment or two later her uncle and aunt arrived with their two daughters and young son, Ameen. Everyone greeted everyone. Turea ran out to call the children in from play. Hassan came up the valley with the goats in front of him. By the time they had all gathered, the pot was bubbling merrily on the charcoal. The fragrance of stew and the buzz of conversation filled the hut. Everyone was pleased to see Turea, and the girls made a great fuss over her. It was not until supper was over and a satisfied little hush had fallen on the company that Hassan’s clear voice broke the silence.

J. (FLASHCARD 9 or 19)

“Tell us the story you told me this morning, Turea,” he piped up suddenly, “that one about Jesus being born and the angels and the shepherds.”

There was a tense little pause, for the name of Jesus was unwelcome in that strict Muslim home. It was her

cousin, Ameen, who spoke up, his dark eyes half admiring, half mocking. “Yes, tell us, Turea,” he said quietly. “I have often wondered what they teach you about this religion of Jesus. You never speak of it, but you must have learned a lot after all these years.”

“Turea is a Muslim,” said her father hastily. “She does not listen to the Christian teaching, only to their learning.”

K. (FLASHCARD 10 or 20)

Turea sat very still, clasping her hands tightly. “He came unto His own and His own received Him not.”

L. (FLASHCARD 11 or 21)

The room was suddenly strangely quiet. They were all sitting close together in the warm firelight. Back in the shadows by the corn bin she seemed to see, just for one instant, her Lord standing alone, loving and seeking, but outcast and denied. She knew what it might cost to stand beside Him. But she could not let

Him stand alone. Lifting her face to the curious waiting company, she told the story simply and vividly, starting with the angel’s visit to Mary.

The women were fidgeting uncomfortably. The men exchanged angry looks. “Nonsense!” snapped her father. “Don’t tell me that all that rubbish has entered your head, Turea, or I shall have to take you away from school.” She hesitated. It would have been easy to step back and leave Him alone. “But as many as received Him” – there must be just one in the village this Christmas evening to stand with Him. “I believe it is true,” she faltered timidly. “I . . . I . . . am a Christian.”

M. (FLASHCARD 13 or 22)

She had said it, and she sat motionless waiting for a response. But nothing happened. Her father, no doubt, had plenty to say, but he did not want to shame her before the cousins. Only the silence was too much for Turea. She rose up quickly with a stifled sob and ran out the door. A little way up the hillside she threw

herself down, weeping on the ground. She did not think they would take her away from school. There were too many advantages to be gained by it. But Turea knew that she had put up a barrier between herself and them forever. “His own received Him not,” and in one step – one which she could never take back, she had taken her stand beside the Lord Jesus Christ. On the surface, things might go on as before. But deep down she knew she would be a lonely outcast among them, as her Saviour had been.

She did not know how long she lay there. The silence of the night wrapped her round and through her tears she saw the kind stars looking down at her. Suddenly she heard hurried footsteps and the fast breathing of a child. Hassan dropped down beside her and slipped his hand into hers.

“I liked your story, Turea,” he declared loyally, “and so did Ameen. He said he was going to buy the Book and read it for himself. And I am going to be like you. You can tell me stories every day when I’m watching the goats. Now come home. The cousins want to say goodbye.”

N. (FLASHCARD 14 or 23)

She rose quietly and set off down the hill to face them again. A great peace had come into her heart, and she was not afraid anymore. She had chosen a lonely road, but perhaps one day little Hassan would walk beside her, and in any case, it had led her to the manger and the outcast Babe of Bethlehem. She had shared His rejection. She had kept Christmas.

L What about you, boys and girls? Do you know the Christ of Christmas? Have you received Jesus as your own personal Saviour? Listen carefully to this verse from the Bible, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12) If you place your trust in Jesus, He gives you the right to become His child, part of His family. Do you know that you have sinned and that you deserve to be punished for your sin? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross and gave His blood to take the punishment for your sin, and that He did not stay dead but that He came back to life again? If you believe these things, would you like to receive Jesus as your Saviour right now? I want you all to bow your heads and close your eyes for just a minute. If you would like to receive Jesus as your Saviour from sin, would you show me by raising your hand so I can see it. (Teacher acknowledges those who respond.) You may all look up at me. If you raised your hand, I would be happy to show you from God’s Word how you can receive Jesus as your Saviour today. (Tell them when and where they can talk to you.)

MT If you have already received Jesus as your Saviour, God wants you to boldly tell others about Jesus. The Bible says, “. . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). There are so many people in the world who still need to hear about Jesus, but how will they hear if someone doesn’t tell them? 1_{Maybe you look around your class at} school and wonder if any of the other children know Jesus. If you try to talk to them about Jesus, they may laugh at you or tease you. God still wants you to be bold to tell them about Jesus. 2_{Maybe at recess you sing a song} about Jesus with the children you are playing with, but then they don’t want to play with you anymore. God still wants you to be bold to tell them about Jesus. 3_{Maybe you are like Turea, and you are the only one in your family} who knows and loves Jesus. You may be afraid what your family will say if you read your Bible and try to tell them about Jesus. God still wants you to be bold to tell them about Jesus. When you know Jesus, you should want others to know Him too. You should not be afraid to tell them. You should be bold and have courage to tell them. It’s not easy, but will you do that? I will give you a moment to pray silently. You can ask God to help you to tell others about Jesus boldly. (Close the lesson in prayer.)