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The Baby Jesus
Copyright 2006 Nancy Stewart

In Much of the United States and
around the world, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Jesus.
Every religion and culture that celebrates Christmas has stories of animals,
and the part they played in the Christmas Story. It is said they warmed the
baby Jesus with their breath, and are able to speak on Christmas Eve. Though
the song
below is simple enough for the youngest children to participate in, adding
ASL (American Sign Language) signs will make it fun for the oldest children
as well.
See the notes below for
modifying it different ages.
The Baby Jesus
(highlighted words may be signed, as
directed below)
Come
little donkey, come and
see
The baby
Jesus fast
asleep
Come little
cow, come and
see
The baby
Jesus fast
asleep
Come little
pig, come and
see
The baby
Jesus fast
asleep
Come little
sparrow, come and
see
The baby
Jesus fast
asleep
Come little
children, come and
see
The baby
Jesus fast
asleep
ASL (American Sign
Language)
COME - natural sign, upright hand beckons
SEE - The right “v” hand, palm facing the body, placed with
fingertips just below eyes. Hand swings straight out.
BABY - cradle arms and rock back and forth
JESUS - middle finger of one hand touches palm of other hand, repeat
with other side
ASLEEP - Fingers of the right open hand, placed on forehead. The hand
moves down and away from the head, with the fingers closing so that they all
touch. The eyes close, and the head bows slightly as in sleep
ANIMALS
DONKEY - open hands straight up on either side of head, for donkey
ears
COW: Hands with fingers closed, thumb and pinky out, placed at the
temples with thumbs touching the head. Both hands are brought out and away
simultaneously in a gentle curve
PIG - open hand under chin, palm facing floor. Fingers swing up and
down.
SPARROW (BIRD): thumb and index finger forma beak. Hold in front of
mouth, and open and close as a beak
CHILDREN: (sign indicates different heights of children) Down turned
right palm, held before the body, makes series of movements form left to
right, as if patting number of children on their heads.
Modifying for
various ages:
(CLICK
HERE to get the
animal pictures to use.)
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For toddlers through young 3’s :
Print out and hold up the pictures of the animals.
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Use only the signs for baby and sleep (head laying on hands).
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For older 3’s and 4’s :
Teach signs above, or use simplified signs ( head on hands for sleep, omit
sign for Jesus) Print out and hold up the pictures of the animals. .
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For 5’s and older :
Use all of the above signs, taking time to practice and say all of them
several times before signing the song.
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