Christmas is in the air. As Muslims, we don’t celebrate Christmas, but is there anything we could be doing at this time? Sure, there is! We love Prophet Jesus (AS) too, and here’s a way we can share it with our neighbors.
The goal of this activity is to: (a) help Muslim children understand that while we do not celebrate Christmas, we love and follow Prophet Jesus (AS), and (b) build a spirit of building a relationship and sharing our beliefs with our neighbors. At a point in time when many are unsure or unaware of Islam, communicating the importance of Prophet Jesus (AS) in Islamic tradition is valuable.
This activity is a prelude to our story, "The Peak of Perfection," from our book, Path of the Prophets. If you aren't currently a Noor Kids member, you can receive a free copy by clicking here!
And, once you finish, share it with us! One lucky member will get a special, limited-edition, signed, children's book (that you can't even buy anymore!) from Noor Kids.
Ages, Time, and Material:
- Recommended for children ages 4-8
- Activity will take 1 hour
- Print out downloadable greeting card
- Review "How to Talk to Kids about Christmas" guide
- You will need: ingredients for recipe, plate, foil wrap, crayons, & Holy Qur’an
Part One - Video [5 Minutes]
Watch this video with your child. In the video, a girl is baking cookies with her mom that she can share with her Christian neighbors. While the cookies bake, she prepares the card and then takes it next door, along with the cookies.
Once the video is completed, review and discuss it with your child. Make sure they understand the purpose of the activity, and why it is important. This serves as an introduction to begin talking to children about Christmas and Prophet Jesus (AS). We've created a separate guide for this discussion, available here.
Part Two - Card + Qur’an [10 Minutes]
Read the poem from the card. Then, focus on the following questions:
- Can you name some of the other prophets we believe in?
- Who was Jesus’ (AS) mother?
- What were some of Jesus’ (AS) miracles?
- What can we learn from Jesus (AS)?
Use the following Qur’anic ayah to discuss the importance of learning about and honoring all of Allah’s (SWT) prophets.
“We have believed in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims submitting to Him.” (3:84)
When discussing this verse from the Holy Qur’an, actually take out the physical Holy Qur’an and read the verse along with the translation to help children build a culture for this practice.
Part Three - Baking the Cookies [25 minutes]
In this part of the activity, we will bake sugar cookies. You can find the recipe here. (Or, if you have a favorite cookie recipe, feel free to use that!)
While preparing the dough and baking the cookies, share some stories with your child about Prophet Jesus (AS). The miracles he performed through the power and will of Allah (SWT) make for excellent material! Let the cookies cool while you do Part Four.
Part Four - Decorating the Card [10 minutes]
Gather the print-out of the card and coloring supplies. On a table, help your child to fold the card. Then, ask your child to color the front of it. Help your child to write their name on the inside of the card. If your child cannot write, you can write for them.
Upon finishing the card, snap a quick picture and share it on the Noor Kids Facebook Page or email us at amin@noorkids.com. We'll post it up for others to see. Also, one participant will get a signed copy of "School is Out for the Summer," the limited-edition first book we ever published (a book that is no longer available anywhere)!
Part Five - Delivering the Treats [10 Minutes]
Arrange the cookies on a plate and cover it with foil or plastic wrap. Wear your jacket and shoes, and deliver the treats to your non-Muslim neighbor. Don’t forget the card!
Final Thoughts:
While a lot of people will see this activity, there will perhaps be few that will actually complete it. This activity is an important one, because it helps children, at a young age, appreciate their own beliefs about Prophet Jesus (AS), and share their love for this prophet of Allah (SWT) with their Christian neighbors and friends.
How did the activity go for you? Share your thoughts below!