I am a Child of Royal Birth

Purpose: To let children know they are of royal birth and need to have respect for themselves.

Prior Preparation: Have someone be prepared to come into sharing time dressed as a king or queen. Have another child prepared to read the following poem:

   "I am a child of royal birth.
   My Father is King of heaven and earth.
   My spirit was born in the courts on high.
   A child beloved, a princess (or prince) am I."

Sharing Time:

Tell children you have a royal visitor and remind the children to treat this visitor with great respect. How do we treat royalty? Have children stand when the royalty enters, bow when they pass by, sit down after they sit down, and say "your highness" when you speak to them. Have children practice before royalty enters so that they will know how to show respect.

Announce your royalty. After royalty enters, (s)he asks to talk to one of the Primary children. The King or queen asks questions such as his name, favorite food, favorite subject in school, etc. Have the King/Queen thank the child for letting him get to know an American and have the King/Queen leave.

Will you ever grow up to be a King or Queen? Royal succession is by birth. Tell the Primary children that they do have a King for a father.

Child reads poem.

Remind children of the respect they showed the visitor. They are more important than a King or Queen. They are children of Heavenly Father and need to show respect for themselves not by bowing, but by thoughts and actions.

I am a Child of Royal Birth

by Anna Johnson

I am a child of royal birth.

My Father is King of heaven and earth.

My spirit was born in the courts on high.

A child beloved, a princess (or prince) am I.

I was nurtured there; I lived by His side.

In a home where patience and love abide.

My mother was there in that glorious place.

Blessing her children with queenly grace.

I grew to the stature that spirits grow.

I gained the knowledge I needed to know.

I was taught the truth and I knew the plan.

That God and the Christ laid out for man.

I was there when the stars of morning sang.

I mingled my voice when the heavens rang.

I was there to rejoice, to praise and applaud

The shouts of joy from the sons of God.

I waited my turn and I came to earth

Through the wonderful channel of human birth.

Then the curtains were closed and the past was gone;

On the future too, the curtains were drawn.

I live on the earth, and God willed it so,

With freedom to choose the way I should go.

I must search for the truth, I must serve and obey;

I must walk by my faith or fall by the way.

Some day I'll go back; I will answer the call;

I'll return with my record to the Father of all.

The books will be opened and so will my heart.

There will be rejoicing if I've done my part.

My Father, the King, with His infinite love

Will welcome me back to the mansions above.

The curtains will part and eternity

In its light and glory will open to me.