counting the days, lighting the candles [real file]
TRANSCRIPT
CountingtheDays,LightingtheCandles
ByElyseM.Fitzpatrick
&JessicaL.ThompsonWithJamiNato
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CountingtheDays,LightingtheCandles
AnAdventDevotional
WelovetheChristmasseason…mostly.Wesay“mostly”because,like
you,wegetcaughtupintryingtomakeitspecial,forgettingwhatmakesit
special:thebirthoftheSonofGod,JesusChrist;hence,thereasonforthislittle
adventdevotional.
AFewWordsBeforeWeBegin
Youcanchoosetousethisdevotionalanywayyoulike.Letitserve
youandyourfamily;pleasedon’tserveit.Wedon’twantyoutoendup
resentingitorfeelingenslavedtoitorguiltyifyoudon’tgetitdone.There
won’tbeanyruleshere,justsuggestionsabouthowtoutilizethiscelebrationin
yourfamily’slife.
Wecanjustseeitnow:amom,inthemiddleofreadingthedevotional,
yellsatherchildren,“Stoptalking!!I’mtryingtoreadtoyouaboutJesus!
Don’tyouknowthatJesusisthereasonfortheseason?!Stopaskingabout
presents!Ifyoudon’tsitstillyouwon’tgetany!And,Johnnie,putthelighter
downandstoptryingtolightyoursister’shaironfire!”
Aboveall,pleasedon’tmakethisawaytoearnrighteousnessor“make
atradition”thatwillsomehowsaveyourchildrenwhenthey,likeyou,are
“pronetowander.”Traditionsdon’tsaveus,theChrist-childdoes.
WehavealsolinkedtoaproductonAmazonthatyoumayormaynotlike.Use
it,don’tuseit,makeityourown,usethetraditionalcolorsofthecandles
(purple,pink,white),ornot.Ordon’tusecandlesatall.Ordigthroughadrawer
untilyoufindleftoversparklybirthdaycandlesandsticktheminpancakes.
Somewomenliketobedomesticgoddesses.That’sgreat.(It’snotwhereour
giftslieandwe’retryingnottobejealousofyou.)We’vealsoincludedaseries
ofsuggestedactivitiesforthoseofyouwhowouldenjoythiswithyourchildren.
Theseprojectsweren’tcreatedbyus!(Giantsurprise,weknow!)Theywere
createdbyourfriend,JamiNato,theCraftelangelooftheTactile-Sensory-How-
Did-She-Think-Of-ThatWorld.Ifyoudecidetodothem,mayyoubeblessed
withchildrenwhowon’t1)eatpasteinsteadoftheirpancakes,2)gluetheir
eyelidsshut,3)colorontheChristmasHymnalthathassomehowsurvivedall52
otherchildreninyourlineageandisnowbeingdestroyedbyyourfamily(Sorry
aboutthat,great-greatgrandma!),and4)playbarbershopwhileyou’relooking
formatches.
Thepointofallthis:toenjoythisevent,toenjoyyourchildren.The
childJesusdidn’tcolorinthelinesperfectlyeither.EnjoyHim.He’sherefor
you.
TheTradition
Traditionally,AdventCalendarshavefivecandlesonanevergreen
wreath(threepurple,onepink,andonewhitecandle.)Thefirstcandleisthe
ProphecyCandle.Thiscandlerepresentshopeorexpectationinanticipation
ofthecomingMessiah.
Thesecondcandle,purple,istheBethlehemCandle.Thiscandle
representsloveandChrist’sbirth.
Thethirdcandle,pink,istheShepherd’sCandle,representingjoy.
Thefourthcandle,purple,istheAngel’sCandle.Thiscandle
representspeace.
Finally,onChristmasEve,thewhitecandle--theChristcandle--is
lit.ItrepresentsthelightofthelifeofChristthathascomeintothe
world.ThewhiterepresentsChrist’spurity,foralthoughHewas
temptedinallwaysasweare,Heistheonlyonewithoutsin.Christis
thesinlessSavior,and,becauseofHisunparalleledloveandlife,those
whotrustHimbyfaithareforgivenfortheirsinsandaremadewhiter
thansnow.
TheEvergreenWreathrepresentingeternallife.
Likewesaidbefore,usethisdevotionalinanywayyoulike,anddon’t
worryifyoudon’tgetthisdoneeverydayorintherightorder.Wetellyounot
toworrybecauseyou’renottheonebringingChristtoyourchildren.TheHoly
Spiritdoesthat.Ofcourse,HemayuseyouasmeanstoaccomplishHiswork…
orHemaynot.YoucanprayandthentrustthatHewillusethisseasonandyour
entirelifeinjustthewayHechooses.
YoumaywanttodothisdevotionaleverydaybeginningonDecember
1,oryoumayjusthavetimetodoiteverySundayinDecember…orTuesdaysif
thatworksbetter.
Ifyourchildrenareabletolisten,youmightwanttoreadthe
entirepassageforeachdayaloud.Oryoucanjustreadittoyourself.Thepoint
isforyoutorelax,rest,andmostofall,rejoice.
We’veincludedreadingsforparentsandreadingsforchildren.Someof
yourolderchildrenmaywanttohearbothreadings,whileyourtoddlerswill
probablyjustenjoythefactthatmamaislightingacandle.
AwordfromJami
Fortheseactivitiesduringadvent,wesuggestthatyoupickonenightofthe
weekwithoutalotofevents.Forinstance,inourfamily,Tuesdaynightsare
soccerpracticenights,myhusbandoftenworksnights,I’mrushedtogetdinner
tothetableandoftenendupwithflamescomingoutofmyeyesby6pm.Thus,
adventactivitiesshallnothappenonTuesdays.Acknowledgeyourlimitations
andplanaccordingly.
Oursecondsuggestionis:Planaheadjustabit.Trytopickthesame
nighteveryweek,thenassillyasitsounds,writeitonyourcalendar.That
morning,gatheryoursupplies.Forme,whenIread,“thatmorning,”itusually
means,“20minutesbeforetheactivity.”Andthat’sok,too.SeeabovewhereI
discussacknowledginglimitations.Youwillnoticethattherearenoadvent
activitiesthelastweekofthis
devotional.Thisisintentional,asitwilllikelyalreadybe
filledwithmanyactivitiesandevents.
Pleaseenjoythetimetogetherwithyourfamily!Thethirdsuggestion:
Limitdistractions.Putthosesmartphonesinthefireplaceandwatchthemturn
intocolorfulsparksasyoutellstoriesaroundthefire.Ok,maybejuststickthem
intheotherroom?Puttingthedistractionsawaysaysthatthistimetogetheris
important.Itisdifficulttofocusduringtheholidaysanyway,sokeepingsome
timesetapartforfocusedinteractionwithGod’swordandeachotherisneeded
andbeneficial.
Andsowebegin,countingthedays,
andlightingthecandles...
December1[i]
Lightthefirst(purple)candle(theProphecyCandle),which
representshopeorexpectationinanticipationofthecomingMessiah
Read:Psalm113
ThoughtsforParents:
Itisrighttobeginthisseasonofadventbysaying:
“PraisetheLord!...Fromtherisingofthesuntoitssetting,thenameof
theLordistobepraised!”[ii]
Yes,ofcourseweknowthatweshouldpraisetheLord.Weknowthat
HeisgoodandthatHedeservesourworship,butsometimeswefinditdifficult
togetthere.Andthen,whenwediscoverthatcoldnessinoursouls,wewonder
whetherHestilllovesusatall,whichresultsinacompletedearthofheartfelt
praise.
Here’sthegoodnewsfromourreading:“TheLordishighaboveall
nations,andHisgloryisabovetheheavens!”Yes,He“sitsonhigh”butHealso
looksfardownonthe“heavensandtheearth.”He“raisesthepoorfromthedust
andliftstheneedyfromtheashheap.”Yousee,thegoodnewsisthatGodisn’t
onlytranscendentandsovereign.No,notatall.ThegoodnewsisthatHe’salso
imminent—He’swithyourightthere,rightwhereyouare,rightnow.Howdo
weknow?WeknowbecauseofChristmas;GodtheSoncametoearthasJesus
theManforoneprimaryreason:toraisethepoorfromthedustandrescuethe
needyfromthetrash.Rejoice!Hecameforyouandyourfamily,nomatterhow
lowly,howinsignificant,orhowmuchyoustruggle.Heseesyourpovertyand
yourneediness,andHe’scometoansweritall.
ThoughtsforChildren:
DoyoueverfeellikeGodisfarawayfromyou?OrlikeHeissobigand
powerfulthatHewouldnevernoticealittlechildlikeyou?Ourversestodayin
Psalm113talkaboutthatverything.Yousee,Godisbigandpowerful.Our
versessay,“Heisseatedonhigh.”Imaginesomeoneinaverybigthrone
lookingdownoneverybodyelse,thinkingimportantthoughts,anddoing
importantthings.Youprobablythinkthatsomeonesoimportantdoesn’tcare
aboutunimportant,littlekids;but,yousee,ourGodisdifferent.Ourversessay
thatGodtakesthemostunimportantpeopleandraisesthemuptositwithallthe
princes.Godreallydoesseeyou.Godreallydoesloveyou.Aswegetcloseto
Christmas,wearegoingtoseethatGodlovesussomuchthatHegaveusthe
bestgiftpossible.Hegivesgiftstothepeoplethatmosteverybodyelsewouldn’t
evenbotherwith.GodgivesgiftstousbecauseHelovesus,notbecauseweare
bigandpowerful.
December2
Read:2Peter3:8-10
ThoughtsforParents:
ManypeopleinChrist’sdaydidn’trecognizeHiscoming,butthatdidn't
stopHimfromlovingthemandsavingthem.Andmanypeopletodaydon’t
recognizeHimeither,butthatdoesn’tstopHimfrombeingpatientandwaiting
fortheirsalvationtobecomplete.TheLordmayreturnwhileyou’rereadingthis
orHemaynotreturnuntilafteryou’relonggone.Wedon’tknowwhenHe’s
comingbackbutwedoknowthatHe’snothesitatingbecauseHe’sangry.No,
He’shesitatingbecauseHe’s“notwishingthatanyshouldperish,butthatall
shouldreachrepentance.”
Jesus’contemporarieswerewaiting,too.Theywerewaitingforthe
Messiah,fortheOnetocomewhowouldsetthemfreeandsavethem.Even
thoughmanydidnotrecognizeHim,whenHecame,Hestillmarchedonfrom
BethlehemtowardCalvaryandtheirsalvation.
Inthispassage,youarethe“beloved”ofGod,thosewhomHehas
chosenandloved.Yet,therearestillother“beloveds”whohaveyettocometo
Him,perhapsevenmembersofyourfamily.Don’tbeanxious,becauseHe’snot.
He’swaitingbecauseHelovessinners.Intheend,ineternityyou’llseethat
everythingcametogetherjustwhenandasitshouldhave.Everythingwrongwill
bemaderight.Everythingsadwillbemadejoyous.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Waitingisveryhard,especiallywhenyouarewaitingforsomethingthat
youreallywant.Wehave23daysuntilwecelebrateChristmas,andeveryday
feelslikeathousandyears.InourversestodaywehearaboutwhatGodis
waitingfor;Heiswaitingtocomeagain.Jesusalreadycameonceaverylong
timeago;HecameasababyandthatiswhatwecelebrateatChristmastime.He
camebecauseHelovesus.
HewantedtomakeawayforustobeapartofHisfamily.Hecame
becauseHeknewwewereallsinners,whichisjustafancywayofsayingthat
Heknowswedon’tobeythewayweshouldorlovethewayweshould.The
terriblethingaboutsiniswhereversingoestearsfollow.Hecamebecausewe
wantedustorepent,whichisjustafancywayofsayingthatweneedtosaywe
aresorryforalltheunkindthingswehavedone.
ThedayHecomesbackagainwillbethedaythatallsadthingswill
becomeunsad.Everythingthatiswrongwillbecomeright.Allthetearsandall
thesinwillbegone.EverydaywewaitforChristmasday,werememberhow
Jesusiswaitingtocomebackonemoretime.ThereasonHeiswaitingis
becauseHewantslotsandlotsofpeopletorepentandbecomeapartofHis
foreverfamily.Youcanbecomepartof
Hisforeverfamilytoday.Youdon’thavetowait.Allyouhavetodoisbelieve
thatHelovesyoueventhoughyoudisobey.
December3
Read:Genesis3:15
ThoughtsforParents:
Everythinghadgoneterriblywrong.Thebeautifulparadisewas
ruined.Theirsweettransparencyandvulnerabilityandintimacywasshattered.
ForthefirsttimeAdamandEveknewshame,embarrassment,andhumiliation.
Theywerelostfromeachother,fromtheirLordandfromthepromiseofa
blessedlife.Theyhid.Theytriedtocoverthemselvesupfromthejudgmentthat
theyknewwascoming;theytriedtomakethemselvespresentable.Andeven
thoughtheywerejudgedandthecurseofdeathfordisobediencewasplaced
uponthemandalltheirchildren,theydidn’tgetwhattheytrulydeserved.No,
insteadofdeaththeyweregivenapromise:Apromisethatalltheirfollywould
beplaceduponaMan--adescendantofEvetheSinner--whowouldbebruisedin
theirplace,butwhowouldcrushtheirenemybeneathHisheel.Salvationwould
come;ababywouldbebornfrom“heroffspring”--Mary,Eve’sdescendant
wouldlaborandgivebirthinhumiliation,shame,andisolation—andthisbaby
wouldbeaConquerorandwouldforevertriumphoverthewickedonewho
delightedindestroyingthebeautytheLordHehatedhadloved.
Thisdescendantwouldcrushtheenemythrough
shame,humiliationandisolation,byhangingonacross,alone.Wecantrustthat
theLordwillfulfillallHispromisestosaveusevenwhenwefeellost,ashamed,
andhumiliated.HeneverforgetsHisword;Heneverbreaksapromise.Heis
victoriousinallHedoes.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Intheverybeginning,AdamandEvesinned.They
decidedthatwhattheywantedwasmoreimportantthanwhat
Godwanted.ThereasonGodgivesusrulesisbecauseHe
lovesusandHeknowwhatisthebestwayforustobehappy.
HewantedAdamandEvetobehappy,buttheydidn’ttrustHisloveorbelieve
thatHewantedthemtobehappy.Satan,whowasdisguisedasaserpent,told
AdamandEvethattheycouldn’ttrustGod.Theychosetotryandmake
themselveshappyinsteadofobeyingwhatGodtoldthem.
AnytimewedisobeyGod’srulesitisbecausewedon’tbelieveHeloves
usenoughandwedon’ttrustthatHisheartisforus.Likewetalkedabout
yesterday,wheneverwesintearsalwaysfollow.Sadnessandsinalwaysgo
together.
TheexcitingpartaboutGodisHedoesn’tleaveusinoursadness.He
makesawayforustobehappyagain.HedidthatforAdamandEveonthat
verydaytheydisobeyedHim.HepromisedthemthatHewouldsendawarrior
tocomeandkilltheserpent.HepromisedthemthatHewouldwinthewar.And
eventhoughsometimesitlookslikesadnessmightwin,weknowGodalways
keepsHispromises.Jesuswasthewarriorthatcametobeattheserpent.Theday
HewasbornwasthedaythatSatan’sdefeatbecameareality.
December4
Read:Genesis12:1-3,7
ThoughtsforParents:
YesterdaywereadthatGodpromisedtocrushtheheadoftheserpent,
ourenemy,Satan,throughtheweaknessofaManborntoaweak,shamed
woman.TodayweseetheLordreiteratingthispromiseofblessingtoanother
flawedperson,amannamedAbrahamandhisflawedwife,Sarah.God
promisedthatthroughoneofAbraham’sdescendants,Hewouldbringblessing
onthewholeworld.Butthispromiseofblessingtothewholeearthwasn’t
fulfilledinIsaacorJacob.No,thesesonsweren’ttheoneswhowouldbringthe
blessing.TheApostlePaulappliesthepromiseofblessingtoJesus,
NowthepromisesweremadetoAbrahamandtohisoffspring.Itdoes
notsay,“Andtooffsprings,”referringtomany,butreferringtoone,
“Andtoyouroffspring,”whoisChrist(Galatians3:16).
InhissermonontheDayofPentecost,PeteridentifiedJesusastheone
whowouldbringthepromisedblessing,Youarethesonsoftheprophetsandof
thecovenantthatGodmadewithyourfathers,sayingtoAbraham,“Andinyour
offspringshallallthefamiliesoftheearthbeblessed.”Godhavingraiseduphis
servant,senthimtoyoufirst,toblessyoubyturningeveryoneofyoufromyour
wickedness(Acts3:25-26).
Jesus,theOneborninamanger,isnomereinfantofquestionable
lineage.He’saconquerorwhowillbringblessingtomillions,toJewsandto
Gentiles.Hedoesn’tdothisbymakinguswealthyorgivingusourperfectlife
now.
HedoesthisbyturningourheartstowardHimandaway
fromoursin.HegivesusfaithtobelieveinHispromiseandHeprovesthatHe
istrustworthybylivinganddyinginourplace.HemakesusbelievethatHeis
thatgoodandthatloving.Heisthepromisedblessing.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Ifyouweregoingtopickapersontobeyour
mostimportantwarriorinabattle,whowouldyouchoose?Youwouldprobably
choosethepersonfromthemostpowerfulfamilywiththestrongestmomand
dad.Youwouldprobablychoosetherichestpersonwhocouldbuythebest
weapons.Youwouldprobablychoosesomeonewhowasverypopularsothat
everybodywouldwanttobeonhisside.Well,thatisnothowGodchosewho
wasgoingtobeHismostimportantwarrior.Justlikewereadyesterday,God
promisedanothergroupofpeoplethatHewasgoingtosendsomeonetobethe
ConquerorofSatan.IntheOldTestament,Godpromisesoverandoveragain
thatHe
isgettingreadytosendsomeone.AndjustlikeyouarewaitingforChristmas
Day,thepeopleintheBiblekeptwaitingandwaitingfortheconquerortocome.
Goddidn’tchooseHiswarriorfromthestrongestortherichestorthemost
popularfamily.GodchoseHiswarriorfromafamilythatnobodyknew.God
didn’tpromisetosendaconquerorbecausethepeoplethatneededrescuingwere
goodandkind.Godsentaconquerorbecausethepeoplethatneededrescuing
wereweakandcouldn’tfightontheirown.
ActuallyHesentawarriortotheverypeoplethatwerefightingagainst
Him.HewantedtohelpandtakecareofthepeoplewhowereHisenemies,the
peoplethatdisobeyedHim.GodactedinthiswaybecauseHeisthemostloving
andthemostkind;GoddoesthistoshowusHisloveandHispower.Godgives
tousbecauseHelovestoblessHispeople.
HelovestotakecareofHisforeverfamily.Theconquerorthatwas
promisedwasJesus.AndChristmasDay,thedayyouarewaitingfor,wasthe
exactsamedayallthepeopleintheBiblewerewaitingfortoo,thedaythat
Jesustheconquerorwouldbeborn.
December5
Read:Isaiah7:14andMatthew1:23
ThoughtsforParents:
IsthereanysweeternamebywhichtocallJesusthanImmanuel?Heis
Godwithus.Ourfamiliaritywiththisnamehasnumbedoursensestothe
shockingnatureofwhatitmeans.Sayitoutloudtoyourselfrightnow,“God
withus.”ThisnameistheanswertothequestionwhoisJesus.Hisnameis
Immanuel.ByverynatureGod,JesusbecamecompletelymansothatHecould
bewithus.Heiswithusineverysenseoftheword.InthemovieMyBlue
Heaven[iii],SteveMartinhasalinethatherepeatsoverandoveragain,“I’m
withyou.WhenIsayI’mwithyouIdon’tmeanIunderstandwhereyou’re
comingfrom.Imean,I’mwithyou.”WhenMaryconceivedJesusbythework
oftheHolySpirit,thiswasGod’senduringproclamationthatHewaswithus.
Jesusbecomes
oneofussothatHecouldrelatetousineveryway.Hewastemptedasweare
“yetwithoutsin,”Heknewhowto“refusetheevilandchoosethegood.”
Ineveryareawherewechoosetheevilandrefusethegood,Jesus
continuestosayHeisGodwithus.Howisthispossible?Itisonlypossibleby
theworkofGod.HeinitiatestherelationshipbysendingJesustobewithus,and
thenHepursuesthisrelationshipbybreakingdowneverybarrier.Thispursuing
isseenMatthew1:21,“Shewillbearason,andyoushallcallhisnameJesus,for
hewillsavehispeoplefromtheirsins.”Godiswithuswiththepurposeof
savingusfromoursin.EverydayHechosegoodandrefusedevilsothatwe
couldbesavedfromoursin.EveryexcruciatingmomentoftemptationthatHe
facedwastoassureusthatHeknowsourlives,thatHeunderstandsourtrials,
andthatHeiswithus.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Backintheoldendaysyournamemeantalot.Itwasn’tjustsomething
yourmomordadyelledwhenshewantedyoutocleanupyourroom.Your
nameactuallyhadtodowithwhoyouwere.Jesus’nameisveryimportant.
JesuswascalledImmanuel,whichmeans“Godwithus.”Doyoueveryfeellike
youarealone?Doyoueverfeellikenooneunderstandsyou?GodnamedJesus
averyspecialnametoremindyouthatyouaren’talone…ever.GodsentJesusto
earthtomakesureweknowforafactthatwearen’talone.
DuringChristmas,wetalkalotabouthowJesuswasababy,buthave
youeverythoughtaboutthefactthatHewasalsoachild.Hewasayoung
person,justlikeyou.Hehadtolearnhowtoreadandwriteandtalkandwalk
justlikeyou.Hehadfriendsthatdidunkindthings,HehadtoshareHistoys,
andHehadtoobeyHisparents,justlikeyou.
ThebigdifferencebetweenyouandJesus,though,isthatHealways
chosetherightwaytoact.HedidthissothatHecouldmakethesecondpartof
Hisnamecometrue.HewascalledJesusbecausethatmeant,“hewouldsave
peoplefromtheirsin.”So,everytimeyouchoosetodothewrongthinginstead
oftherightthing,youcanrememberthispartofHisname:Hecametosaveyou
fromyoursin.Hecametolivethelifeyoucouldn’teverlivenomatterhowhard
youtry.Healsocametotakeallthepunishmentforallofthetimesyou
disobeyedandforallthetimesyouwilldisobeyinthefuture.Hecamesothat
youwouldknowyouareneveralone.HeisGodwithyouallthetime.
December6
Read:Isaiah9:6-7andMatthew1:18-25;4:16
ThoughtsforParents:
Today,manyparentsareawareofthegenderoftheirchildbeforeheor
sheisevenborn,and,consequently,theyhavetheprivilegeofpickingouta
namebeforebirth.Inourpassagetoday,we’reintroducedtoourSavior,butHis
nameissomethingsomuchmorethanjustaname.Hisnamenotonlytellsus
whattocallHim,italsotellsuswhatHe’sbeensenttodo.Considerthis:from
thetimethislittlebabyisborn,HisdestinyisalreadyplannedoutforHim.He
won’tbespendingHislifeinobscurity,followinginthefootstepsofHisearthly
father.
No,He’llbeawonderfulwisecounselor,He’llbethemightyGod,this
babywillbeaneverlastingFather—althoughHe’llnothaveanynaturalchildren
ofHisown.
And,althoughHewillspendmuchofHislifeinconflict,Hewillbea
PrincewhobringspeacewithHim;PeacefromHisFathertothoseinrebellion
againstHim,peaceamongmenandwomenwhousedtofightforpreeminence.
Aswonderfulasallthosetitlesare,thegreatestpromiseofallisthis,
“Andofhisgovernmentandpeacetherewillbenoend.”Thiswonderfulbabyis
establishingaruleofpeacethatwillneverend.Nomatterhowbleakthings
look;nomatterhowoverwhelmedordespairingorfaithlessyoufeeltoday,you
canbeassuredofonething:therewillbenoendofHisgovernmentandpeace—
notgovernmentatwar,butgovernmentandpeace.WithHisbirthinalowly
manger,He’sbringinginawholenewkingdom,andnothingwilleverstopHim.
ThoughtsforChildren:
YesterdaywelearnedwhatJesus’namemeant.We
learnedthatitmeanttwodifferentthings.Doyourememberwhattheywere?
HisnamemeansGodisalwayswithus,anditmeansthatHewilltakeawayour
sin.TodaywewilllearnalltheamazingthingsthathappenbecauseHeiswith
usandHetakesawayoursin.
TheBibledescribesJesusasaWonderfulCounselor.Thatisjustafancy
wayofsayingthatwheneveryoudon’tknowwhattodoyoucanaskHimfor
helpandHewillhelpyou,always.ThebibledescribesHimasaMightyGod,
whichmeansthatwheneveryouareafraidorfeellikethingsareoutofcontrol,
youknowthatHeisstrongandpowerful.Anotherwaythatourversetalksabout
JesusisasanEverlastingFather.Thismeansthatyoudon’teverhavetofeel
aloneorlikenooneislookingoutforyou,HeisyourdaddyandHewilllove
you,forever.
TheverylastwayJesusisdescribedisasaPrinceof
Peacethatremindsusthatwedon’thavetoworryaboutwhatGodthinks
aboutus.BecauseofwhatJesusdid,thereisandwillbepeacebetweenyouand
God,nowandforever.Godwillneverbeangrywithyou,aslongasyoubelieve
thatyouareasinnerandthatJesusisallofthesethingsforyoueventhoughyou
don’tdeserveit.
December7
Read:Isaiah53:7-8;Acts8:32-33
ThoughtsforParents:
Haveyoueverfelthumiliated?IknowthatIhave…andonmore
occasionsthanIwouldliketoremember.Weallmilitateagainsthumiliation…
and,yet,theLordJesuscametoearthforthatspecificreason:tobehumiliated.
Ofcourse,Hewashumiliatedonthecross(andwe’llgettothat),butHisentire
lifewasonehumiliationafteranother.
Thinkofit:HewasGod;HehadalwaysexistedintheformofGod,
enjoyingalltheblessingsandprivilegesofGod,andyethereHewaslearning
tablemannersandlanguage,submittingtoflawedparents,puttingupwithHis
littlebrothersandsisterspullingHishairandwronglyaccusingHimtoHis
parents.Hisentirechildhoodwasachildhoodofhumiliation:Hisfamilywas
poor;theylivedunderthetyrannyofRome,Hisdadworkedwithhishands.No
speakingworldsintoexistenceforHimhere.No…carvingandsawingand
hammeringwereHislot.HewashumiliatedinHisveryexistence—butHewas
mostshockinglyhumiliatedinHiscrucifixion—attheverymomentwhenHe
shouldhavebeenexonerated,whenHeshouldhavebeenrescued,“justicewas
deniedhim.”Why?Foryouandme…sothatwecouldhavemercy.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Haveyoueverygottenintroubleforsomethingyoudidn’tdo?Itisthe
worstfeelingtohavetotaketheblameforabadthingthatsomeoneelsedid.I
knowwhenthathappenstomeIdoeverythingIcantoleteveryoneknowthatI
didn’tdoitandIshouldnotgetintroubleforit.It’sjustnotrightorfairtoget
punishedwhenIdidnothingwrong.ButyouseethisisexactlywhatJesusdid
forus.Oursin,allthebadthingswedo,mustbepunished.Eventhoughour
parentsorgrandparentsorteachersmaynotseeallthebadthingswedo,God
does.GodtheFatherandHisSon,Jesus,decidedthateverysinglebadthingyou
andIhaveeverdone,Jesuswouldtaketheblamefor.ThatiswhatHedidonthe
cross.Hetooktheblameforallofoursins.
Hedidn’tcomplainonetimeaboutbeingblamedforoursin,Hislovefor
usstoppedHimfromsaying,“Thisisn’tfair!”Hedidactedthiswaysothatwe
couldknowmercy.Mercymeans:wedon’tgetwhatwedeserve.Healsotook
ourblamesothatwecouldknowgrace.Gracemeans:wegetgoodstuffinstead
ofbad.
And,getthis!AllofthegoodthingsthatJesusdeservedforalways
doingtherightthingsarenowours.Theybelongtous.WeareinGod’sfamily.
Allofthepunishmentthatwedeservedforallofthebadthingswehavedone,
Jesustookthepunishmentfor.WegetallthegoodthingsJesusdeservedfor
livingperfectly.HelovesusthatmuchandHeisthatgood.
ActivityTime
Weekone:Prophecy
Thisweek,wefocusedontheprophecyofChrist’sbirth.Wehavehope
becauseGodalwayskeepsHispromises.HesaidHewouldcome,and
ChristmasremindsusthatHedidshowupjustlikeHesaidHewould.Hecame
inhumanfleshasatinybaby.
Forthisweek’sactivity,we’llbedoingascavengerhunt,whichwill
remindusthatGodkeepsHispromises.Hetoldusthatsomethingwouldhappen
andsureenough,ithappened!
Afteryoureadyourdevotionals,handyourchildrenapieceofpaperthat
tellsthemwheretofindthenextclue.Forinstance,lookindaddy’sshoe,look
underthetable,lookinthekitchenwheretheTupperwareis,and,whenyou
walkbythetrashcan,consideremptyingit?I’mkidding.Sortof.
Attheendofthescavengerhuntleavethemwithasmallgift,apieceof
candy,oranoutinglikegoingtogeticecreamtogether.Ifyouhaveolder
children,considermakingthehuntdifficultbyusingriddles.Althoughyouwill
betemptedtomakeitsodifficultthattheycan’tactuallyfindtheprize,
remember:althoughfunny,thisdefeatsthepurpose.
Ifyourkidsareteenagers,youcouldtakethescavengerhuntoutsidethe
home.Forexample,gototheneighborshouseandgetyournextclue,gotoyour
friendSara’shouseanddofivejumpingjackstogetyourclue,etc.
Youcanusethistemplatehereforthehuntifyou’dlike.
Takeamomentattheendtoasksimplequestions,ifyouhavetime:
-Howdidyouknowwheretofindthenextpieceofpaper?
-Whydidyoubelievethatthepaperwastellingthetruth?
LinkthisactivitytotrustinGod:Youtrustedthatmomputthepapers
whereshesaidtheywouldbe…youbelievemebecauseiamtrustworthy.How
muchmoretrustworthyisGod!Heneverliesandneverfails.Healwayskeeps
Hispromises.
December8
Lightthesecond(purple)candle(theBethlehemCandle),which
representslove
Read:Psalm36,Luke2:1-7
ThoughtsforParents:
Psalm36remindsusthateventhoughthereiswickednessinthisworld,
God’ssteadfastloveisrulingandoverrulingeveninthemiddleofit.Evilmen
andgovernmentsseektodestroyGod’speople,butwearesafelyhiddenin
God’ssteadfastlove:itextendstotheheavens;Hearrangeseverythingforour
goodandHisglory—toaccomplishHiseternalplan.
CaesarAugustuswantedtoknowhowmanypeoplehecouldtax;he
wantedtheirmoney.Sowithoutanyconcernforthelivesofthoseinhiscare,he
orderedeveryonetoreturntotheirfamilyhome.Itdidn’tcrosshismindthata
veryyoungverypregnantwomanwouldhavetogettoBethlehemduringthelast
fewdaysofherpregnancy.Whywouldhecare?But…Godwouldkeepher.
AndHewouldaccomplishHisworkofsalvationandtheeventual
overthrowofallthewickedkingdomsoftheearththroughAugustus’sselfish
edict.ThechildbornofavirginwouldcomefromBethlehem.Howwouldthat
happen?CaesarAugustuswouldbeGod’spawn.
Whenitseemsasthougheverythingisoutofcontrolandthat
wickednessisrunningrampantoverGod’speople,wecanrememberthatGodis
our
refugeandthatHeisworkingeverythingoutaccordingtoplan.Wecanrest.He
isourrefuge.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Therearemeanpeopleintheworld.Therearepeoplethatdowrongand
areselfish.Sometimeswedowhatiswrongandweareselfish,too.Caesar
Augustuswasameanandwickedman.Hewastherulerduringthetimethat
Jesuswasborn.Hetoldeveryonethattheyhadtogotothetownthattheywere
borninsothathecouldgetmoneyfromthem.Iftheydidn’tgotothetownthat
theywerebornintheywouldbepunished.MaryandJosephhadtogoto
Bethlehem.Ibettheythoughtitwasaterribleinconveniencetotravelwhen
MarywasbigandpregnantwithJesus.Ibettheycouldn’tseethatanygood
wouldcomeoutofMarygettingonadonkeyandgoingalmost70milesbecause
anevilmantoldthemtoo.Whattheydidn’tknowisthatCaesarwasn’ttheone
thatwasincharge.JesuswassupposedtobeborninBethlehembecausethat
waswhatGodhadtoldpeoplethousandsofyearsearlier.Soyousee,Godwas
reallyincharge.Hewasworkingeverythingouttoshowhowwiseandstrong
Hewas.Sometimesthingshappeninourlivesthatfeellikethebad
peopleareincharge,butGodwantsyoutoknowthatHeisalwaystheonewho
isreallytheboss.NotonlyisHestrongenoughtodoeverythingHewants,He
alsolovesyouenoughtomakeeverythingworkoutforyourgood.Hisnever-
endingloveguideseverythinginyourlife.
December9
Read:John3:16
ThoughtsforParents:
Doyouknowwhatwhitenoiseis?IusedtoliveneartheI-15freeway,
oneofthemosttraveledroadsinAmerica.Infact,Ilivedwithinone-quarter
mileofit,butIneverheardit.Thinkofit,allthattraffic,thousandsofcars
racingupanddowntheroad,sonearthatifIwasintherightspotIcouldsee
themgoby…andIneverheardit.Why?Becauseithadbecomewhitenoiseto
me.Itwasthere,butIneverheardit.
WhichbringsustoJohn3:16.Whenyousawthatourreadingfortoday
wasthisfamiliarverse,didyoudecidetoskipoverit?Didyouassumeyouknew
it?Probably.Canyouquoteit?Possibly.Hasitbecomewhitenoisetoyouso
thattheonlytimeitevencrossesyourconsciousnessiswhensomeguywitha
rainbowwigholdsupasignatanNFLgame?
Butthesewordsshouldneverbecomeoverlyfamiliartous.Inthese
wordsJesushimselflaysoutHisentirepurpose.HerevealsGod’splantogrant
eternallifetothosewhodeservedeathfortheirdisobedience.Deathfor
disobedienceiswhatAdamandEveandallofushaveearned.ButGod’splanis
toovercomethepromisedcurseofdeathfordisobediencebygrantinguseternal
life.Howcanthatbedone?WillGodrenegeonHispromise?Washejust
kidding?No,ofcoursenot.OutoflovehewouldsendHisSon,HisonlySon,
intotheworld,sothatwemightnotperishunderthiscurseofdeath,butrather
sothatwewouldhaveeternallifewithHim.
Eternallifeisnotablessingifitmeanswe’reseparatedfromGod.
That’swhytheeternallifewe’regivenislifeinHim,inHisSon.Thislifeisa
greatdelightbecauseitmeanswewillbeabletorejoiceinHisloveforever.
We’vebeengiventhepromiseofblessingforChrist’sobedience.Thispromise
isforallwhobelieve;theyarenotforallwhoremembertodoeverything
properly…fornoneofusdo.It’salove-promise,an“Ido”fromGodtousso
thatwecanlivewithHimforever.Arethosetruthsworthyofbeingrelegatedto
whitenoise?Hardly.
ThoughtsforChildren:
DoyouknowthatoneofthemostfamousversesintheBibleisourverse
today?ItseemslikealmosteverybodyknowsJohn3:16.Whatmostpeople
don’tunderstandishowcrazycoolthisverseis.Wethink“ohyes,Godloves
us”and“ohyes,HesentHisson,”andwethinkitisnotthatimportant.
But,yousee,thesewordsinthisversearetheveryimportant.Goddoes
loveus,andnotbecausewearesosweet,lovely,anddoeverythingright,but
justbecauseHedecidedtoloveus.AndGoddidsendHisson,Hisonlyson,
Jesus,totheearthsothatwecouldbeapartofHisfamily.Allwehavetodois
believe.
Youdon’tevenhavetobelieveperfectly,youdon’tevenhavetobelieve
allthetime;allyouhavetodoisbelievethatGodlovesyouandthatHegave
Jesustoyousothatwecouldbesaved.ThemostbeautifulpartaboutGod’slove
isthatwecan’tearnit;allwecandoisreceiveitandsay,“thankyou.”Whenwe
receiveHisgiftandsay,“thankyou,”wewillbeforeverHischildren.Wewill
livealwayswithHimandwiththerestofHisfamilyinthehappiestplaceever
created.WewillbewithHiminHeaven.
December10
Read:1John4:9
ThoughtsforParents:
YesterdaywereadaboutGod’slovefromJohn3:16.Wethoughtabout
howthatbeautifulpassagemighthavebecomeoldhattous.Today,we’regoing
tothinkmoreaboutwhatGod’sloveislike.Sometimeswhenwethinkabout
lovewethinkoffatbabiesfloatingoncloudswitharrowsmeanttopiercethe
heart…orwethinkofnicefeelings,prettysunsets,orValentines.ButGod’slove
isnotsomeabstractprincipleorsaccharinesentiment.No,Hisloveisactive,
fierce,andactuallyquiteshocking.HisloveiswillingtosacrificetheOneHe
lovesmostforoursake.GoddemonstratesthequalityofHislovewhenHe
sendsHisonlySonintotheworld,aSonwhoissenttoliveasourperfect
Representative,todieasasinner,andtoberaisedastheheadofawholenew
raceofpeople--peoplenolongerunderthecursefordisobedience,butpeople
undertheblessingforrighteousness.WhywouldHedothis?Sowemightlive.
ThetruthisthatGod’sloveissimplybeyondourunderstanding,and,in
fact,withouttheworkoftheHolySpirit,we’llneverbelievethatHisloveisthat
strong,thatgenerous,thatgood.It’sjusttoogoodtobetrue.It’sHislovefor
sinnersthatthereligiouspeopleofJesus’day(andours)objectedto.Sinners
don’tdeserveGod’slove,wethink.Theydon’tdeservetobewithHim!And
whileit’struethatwedeservejusticeinsteadofmercy,becauseHe’sGodHe
getstochoosethosewhomitisrightforHimtolove…andHe’schosentolove
usandgiveuseternallifethroughtheworkofHisSon.
WhywouldHewanttosacrificelikethat?WhywouldHelovelike
this?BecauseweareHiscreationandHelovestoloveus.Istheresomething
more?Shouldwetrytoaddanything?Althoughit’stemptingtothinkthat
addingsomethingtomakeGod’slovemakesensewouldbegood,it’sactually
aninsult.We’resayingthatHereallyisn’tcapableofunselfishlove…andthat’s
aninsult.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Ourversefromyesterdayandourversefrom
todayarealotalike.ThereareactuallyabunchofversesintheBiblethatsay
theverysamethingoverandoveragain.ThisisbecauseweforgetthatGod
lovesusoverandoveragain.Wethinkthatwehavetobegoodlittleboysand
girlsinordertoearnGod’slove.WethinkthatGodcouldneverloveusjustto
loveus,butthatwemustdosweetthingstobeloveable.Butthatisnotwhatthe
Biblesays.TheBibletellsusagainandagainthatGodlovesbecausethatis
whatGodislike.HelovesussomuchthatHegivesuseverythingwe
needinordertoknoweverythingaboutHislove.Helovesusevenwhenwe
don’tthinkwewantHislove.Helovesusevenwhenwedouglythingsand
forgetaboutHislove.Hisloveisstrongerandbiggerthanallthebadthingswe
do.
EvenmommiesanddaddiesforgetGod’slove.Everysingleoneofus
looksforsomethingtomakeushappy,maybeanewtoyoranewbikeoranew
videogame--wecannotwaittoseewhatpresentswewillget.Theonepresent
thatwillmakeusthehappiestisalreadyours.GodhasalreadygivenusHislove
bygivingusJesus.Thislovewillmakeushappyforever.
December11
Read:Romans1:1-7
ThoughtsforParents:
HowdoestheHolySpiritrefertoyou?WhatdoesHecallyou?Hecalls
usthosewhoarelovedbyGodandcalledtobesaints.That’ssoamazing.How
shouldHerefertous?IknowhowHeshouldrefertome:Slowtobelieve,self-
seeking,selfish,andstubborn.That’showIshouldbeknownbyHim.Butthat’s
notwhoIambeforeHim.
No,I’mHisbeloved.Iamcalledtobeamongthesaints,theholyones.Again,
that’ssoamazing.
HowdoesGodloveus?BycallingustobeamongHisholypeople.But
wait,howcanitbethatI’mnowcountedamongGod’sholyones?Isitbecause
I’veallofasuddengottenmyacttogether?No,notatall.I’mnowcountedas
partofthatholyfamilyofpeoplebecauseI’vebeengivengrace.
Simply,graceisGod’sunmeritedfavoronusandthe
waythatworksintandemwithHisloveisthatHehasdecidedtofavoruswitha
reputationthatwedon’tdeserve:areputationforbeingholy,forhavingfulfilled
everylawourwholelife.Howdidthathappen?IsGodjustpretending?No,all
ofChrist’srighteousnesshasbeentransferredtomesothatnow,becauseHe
lovesme,becauseHehasgivenmeunearnedfavor,I’mcountedasasaint,a
holyperson.
Todaywhenyoustruggleagainstsin…whenyoutrytodoallthethings
youneedtodotomakethisChristmasseasonwhatyouhopeitwillbe,and
wheneverythingonlyservestopointoutthatyou’renotmakingthegrade,you
canremember:whenHethinksofyouHethinks:lovedandholy.Youareloved,
youareasaint.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Whenyouthinkofyourselfwhatwordsdoyouthink
of?Doyouthinklittlebrotheroroldersisterorgoodboyorbadgirl?Doyou
thinkgoalscorerorpianoplayerorjustnotgoodatanything?Inourversefor
today,Goddescribesyouandmeintwodifferentways.FirstHedescribesusas
beloved.Nowthatisn’tawordweuseveryoftenanymore.Itjustmeansthat
youareloved.Whenyouthinkofyourself,rememberthatyouareonethatis
lovedbyGod.Thatisprettyexcitingnews,isn’tit?
TheotherwordthatGodusestodescribeyouissaint.NowIampretty
surenoonehasevercalledyouasaintbefore.Itisanoldfashionedwayof
sayingthatyouareapersonthatalwaysdoesgood.
Nowifyouhavebeenawakeforverylongtodayyouhaveprobablydone
somethingthatwasbad.Maybeyoudidn’tdoitsoanybodycouldseeit,butyou
thoughtsomethingmeanoryouignoredsomeonethatneededhelporyoudidn’t
dowhatyourparentsaskedyoutodo,sohowcouldGodpossiblycallyoua
saint?Listenup,becausethisisvery,verygoodnews:Godcallsyouasaint
becauseofwhatJesusdidforyou.Hedoesn’tcallyouasaintbecauseanything
youhavedone.Jesuslivedalwaysdoingwhatwasright.IfyoubelieveGod
lovesyoueventhoughyoudon’tdeserveHislove,allofyourbadnessishidden
byJesus’goodness.SotodaywhenyouarethinkingabouthowGodlooksat
you,youcanknowforcertainthatyouarelovedandyouareasaint.
December12
Read:1John3:1-3
ThoughtsforParents:
Todaywe’regoingtothinkaboutGod’sloveagain…butthistimewe’re
goingtothinkaboutHisadoptinglove.Alotofpeopleareadoptingchildren
nowandthat’ssuchagoodthing.Adoptionissuchablessing;Icanunderstand
whypeopleadoptchildren.Sometimesit’sbecausethey’reunabletohave
childrenoftheirown.Othertimesitisbecausetheyhavebeengivenavisionof
whatitmeanstogrowupinthefostercaresystemorasanorphaninapoor
countryandtheywanttorescuechildrenandgivethemachanceatlife.Butthe
astonishingtruthisthatwereadabouttodayisthatGod,inHisgreatlove,has
madeusHischildren;thismeansthatwehavealltherights,privilegesand
inheritancesofnaturalbornchildren,alloftheblessingsHisSonearned.
Butthepassagetellsusthatwehavemorethanthepossibilityof
adoption:weareactuallyHischildren“now.”Whatthatmeansisthatwewill
notonlyshareinHisblessingsbutalsointheglorythatitmeanstobelikeHim.
Inthesamewaythatachildbearsafamilyresemblance,adayiscomingwhen
wewillfinallyseetheOnewe’vebeenlookingforourwholelivesandinthat
momentwewillbetransformed.Becausewehavethepromiseofbeingpartof
Hisfamily,wecanapproachHiminconfidenceandtrustthatadayiscoming
whenwewillbearthefamilytraits:wewillhaveglorifiedbodiesthatwillnever
besickordie,wewillbeinournaturewhatHe’smadeustobeinHissight:
sinlessandwholeandjustlikeourBrother,Jesus.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Youmaybeadoptedormayknowsomeonewhowasadopted.Inour
versestodaywereadthatGodhasadoptedus.Thatprobablysoundssillyifyou
arealreadyinafamily.
Ifyouareinafamily,youknowthatourfamiliesarenotperfect.Moms
anddadssinagainstchildren,childrendisobeytheirparents,grandparentsdon’t
alwayslovetheirgrandchildrenthewaytheyshould.Ourfamiliesaren’tperfect.
TheonlyperfectFatherisGodandHehasdecidedtomakeyouHischild.He
makesyouHischildsothatyoucanhavearelationshipwithHim.Itispretty
neattothinkthatyoucanhavetheGodwhomadethewholeuniverseasyour
dad.SinceGodisyourdad,thatmakesJesusyourbrother!Eventhoughright
nowyouandIareinfamiliesthatdon’talwayslovethewayweshould,oneday
wewillgotoourforeverhome.Inourforeverhomewewillloveandbeloved
perfectly.Inourforeverhome,Heaven,God’slovewillmakeussolovelythat
wewillneversinagainstanybodyorbesinnedagainstagain.Sorightnow,
whenyoufeellikeyouaren’tlovedbyyourparents,youcanknowthatGod
lovesyoucompletelyandfullyandonedayyouwillbehomewithHim.
December13
Read:Romans5:8
ThoughtsforParents:
AreyoubeginningtogetapictureofhowamazingGod’sloveisfor
you?Howcanweeverrelegatethethoughtofittowhitenoiseorayawn?Tobe
lovedbyGodisthemostimportantthingaboutyou.It’severythingandit
toucheseverypartofwhoyouareandhowyoutreatothers.Youareloved.You
canlove.
Here’smore:Goddidn’tloveyoubecauseHelookedaheadandsaw
whatawonderfulpersonyouwouldbe.No,Hesawyouexactlyasyouareand
lovedyouanyway.That’swhatRomans5:8tellsus:GoddemonstratesHislove
forusinthatwhilewewerestillsinners,notgreatChristiansHe’shappyto
welcome…whileweweresinners,Christdiedforus.
SometimeswethinkthatGodcouldn’tpossiblyloveusanymore
becausewe’vesinnedinthatwayagain.Butthisversetellsusthatoursinnever
surprisesGod.IttellsusthatHedecidedtoloveusrightinthefaceofallour
sin…whilewewerestillinoursin,stillsinners!
HowoftendoyoufeellikeGodmightsort-of-loveyoubecauseHe’s
promisedtoandthereforeisobligated,butHealsosort-of-wishesyou’dbemore
loveable.Oh,rejoice!Godlovesyouatyourworst.Helovedyouwhileyou
werestillasinner.HeisbestglorifiedbyuswhenwetrustinHisloveforusand
believethatHeisn’tlying.ItisthenthatwewillloveHimandhaveloveforour
neighbor.Christdidn’tdieforrighteouspeople,forthosewhohavefulfilledall
thelawandbeenreallygood.No,Hediedforsinners,likeyouandme.
ThoughtsforChildren:
WehavebeentalkingallweekabouthowmuchGod
lovesus.ThatiswhatChristmasisallabout.TodayourversetellsuswhenGod
lovedus.Itsays,“whilewewerestillsinners.”Didyouhearwhatitsaid?It
didn’tsay“whileweweregoodboysandgirls”or“whilewedideverythingjust
exactlyright.”Itsaid,“whilewewerestillsinners.”
Thatmeansthatwhenwewereinthemiddleofdoingsomethingbad,Godloved
us.Thatdoesn’tsoundquiteright,doesit?WethinkthatGodonlylovesthe
goodpeople.ThetruthisthatGod’sloveiswhatmakesgoodpeople,notthat
goodpeoplemakeGodlovethem.Thinkoftheworstthingyouhavedone,
maybeyouhitsomeone,orstolesomething,orlied,ormaybesomethingeven
worsethanallofthosethings.
Inthatverymoment,Godlovedyou.Thatisprettyhardtobelieveisn’tit?That
iswhyweneedhelptobelieve,weneedGodtoconvinceusthatHisloveistrue
andreal.WeneedtoheareverydayhowmuchHelovesus.Weneedtohear
thatyoucan’tbegoodenoughtoearnHisloveandyoucan’tbebadenoughfor
Himtostoplovingyou.ThatiswhatChristmasisallabout:God’slovecoming
downtoearthandrightatyounomatterwhatyoudo.
December14
Read:Romans8:28-39
ThoughtsforParents:
Oh,thispassage!Whatagloriousassuranceishereforus!Nomatter
whatyouarefacingtoday,nomatterhowfarfromGod’spurposesandloveyou
believeyourselftobe;youhavepromisesherethat,ifyoutakethemseriously,
musttransformhowyoufacethisday.
Heretheyare:BecauseofGod’sgreatloveforyoueverythingthatcomes
intoyourlifetodayisguaranteedtobeforyourgoodandmustresultinthe
completionofGod’spurposeinyourlife--apurposetodeclareyouforgivenand
righteousinHissight,apurposetotransformyouintoHisSon’sgloriousbride.
God’swillforyourlifeisabsolutelycertainbecauseifHelovesyou
andthereforeisforyou,theOnewhogaveupHisSonforyouwillmost
assuredlygiveyouallthings.Noonecanstandagainstusorbringanycharge
againstus,nomatterhowtruethatchargelooksonthesurface!BecauseJesus
Christhasalreadydoneallthehardwork,becauseHealreadydied,wasraised,
andascendedinourplace,forus,asourrepresentative,wecanbesurethatHe
willcontinuetoloveusandintercedeforus.Nothinginallcreation—nothingin
yourownheart,yourlife,yourfamily,yourfaith(orlackofit!)willeverbe
strongenoughtoseparateyoufromGod’sloveforyouinChrist.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Haveyoueverfeltlikenoonewasonyourside?Haveyoueverfeltlike
yourdaycouldn’tgetanyworse,likeeverythinginthewholeworldwasgoing
wrong?Haveyoueverfeltlikenobodylovedyou?IfyouhavefeltthatwayI
havesomeexcitingnewsforyou.
Ourversestodaytakeeverysingleoneofthosethoughtsandtheyturnthem
rightaround.Whenyoufeellikenooneisonyourside,youcanrememberthat
GodsaysHeisforus.Heisonyourside.Whenyoufeellikeyourdayisawful
andeverythingiswrong,youcanrememberthatGodpromisesthateverything
inyourlifeworkstogetherforgood,evenallthebadstuffHetakesandusesto
makegoodthings.Whenyoufeellikenobodylovesyou,or
nobodyshouldloveyoubecauseyouarebad,youcanrememberthatGod
promisesthatnothing,absolutelynothingcanchangeHisgreatloveforyou.
Thatmakesmewanttojumpupanddownanddoahappydance,whatabout
you?
ActivityTimeWeektwo:Love
Forthisweek’s
activity,werememberthatGodisourrefuge.Grabcushions,blankets,sheets,
pillows,andallyourlive/stuffedanimalstomakeagiantfortinthelivingroom!
Ifyou’refeelingespeciallyzealous,createabinwith
alltheingredients
forafort:clothespins,flashlights,sheets(asanawardwinningfortbuilder,these
arebetterthanheavyblankets),stufffors’mores,andsomefunChristmasbooks
youcheckedoutfromthelibraryearlierthatdaybecauseyou’reamazing(or,if
you’reme,thethreebooksalreadylayingonthefloorfromearlierthatafternoon
whichhavenothingtodowithChristmas).
Ifyoudon’thaveafirepitreadilyavailable(ordon’twanttoburnyour
housedown)tocookyours’mores,simplyputgrahamcrackersoutonafoiled
sheetpan.
Then,addapieceofchocolateandalargemarshmallowontop,then
bakeat350degreesfor5minutes.Whenyoutakethemout,Smashitdownwith
anothergrahamcrackerandcommencegaining5lbs.
Somequestionstoponder,ifyouaren’ttoobusystuffingyourfaces:
1.WhatdoyouthinkitmeansthatGodisourrefuge?
2.Whenisiteasiertorest?Whenyouknowthatyouareprotectedor
whenyouareafraidthatsomethingbadisgoingtohappen?
LinkthisactivitytothefactthatGodisinchargeandisour
protectorandrefugeinalloflife;evenwhenthingsseemreallyscary,weare
hiddeninHim-justlikewearehiddenunderalltheseblankets.Wecanrestwhen
weknowandbelievethisfactaboutGod.Rememberthatlastweekwelearned
thatGodistrustworthyanddoesnotlie.
December15
Lightthethirdcandle(pink;theShepherd’sCandle),whichrepresents
joy.
Read:Psalm92,Luke2:8-20
ThoughtsforParents:
Thisweekwewillbefocusinginonjoy,thejoyofthePsalmistashe
considersGod’sworkandthejoyoftheshepherdsatthenewsthattheyhad
beenprivytoseetheOnewhowouldbetheMessiah.
Surelytheseshepherdsweremenwhohadheardfromtheiryouthabout
thepromisedOnetocome.Perhapstheystillbelievedit—perhapsnot.Perhaps
theywerelikemostofus,believing-sort-of,whentheythoughtofit,whenthey
remembered.Sure,theyhadrecitedPsalm92ontheSabbath,theyknewitwas
good“togivethankstotheLord,”tosing
praisestoHisnameinthemorningandatnight.Sure,they
werethankfulforGod’screation,andyes,therehadbeen
timeswhentheywatchedthelambsorlookedoutonanightskygluttedwith
starsandasongofjoysprangfromtheirhearts.But,let’sfaceit:lifeasa
shepherdwasn’teasy,andthenightswerecoldanddark,thewolveswere
dangerous,thieveswerecunning,thesheepwerestupid,andthegroundwas
hard.ThenGodchangedeverything.Thelightofthestarswaseclipsedbythe
gloryoftheLord.Anangelspoketothem:Don’tbeafraid!Goodnews!Great
joywasbeingproclaimed—joyevenforlowlyshepherds!
Whatwasthisgoodnews?Wherewouldthisgreatjoycomefrom?Had
Herodfinallybeendeposed?HadtheRomanspackeditinatlast?Wasamighty
conquerorfinallytakingnoteoftheirplight?Well,yesandno.YesanewKing
whowoulddeliverthemfromtheirenemieshadcome,butnotquiteintheway
theymighthaveexpected.Whatwasthesignofthisnewkingdom,thisgreat
goodnews?Lookforaninfantwrappedinragslyinginafeedingtroughina
barn.
Wait…what?Ababy?Borninabarn?Uncouthness,coarseness,
rudenessexemplified.Weaknessincarnate.Povertyandwantwrappedupin
rags.Why?WhyhadGoddonethis?Sothatwecouldrejoiceinoursalvation.
ThisinfantstilldampfromthewombHehadgestatedinistheSavior—the
Savioroftheuncouth,coarse,rudeandpoor.He’stheSaviorofsinnerswhoare
toolazyorabsent-mindedtocloseadoor.Rejoice.
Thoughtsforchildren:
Thiswholeweekwearegoingtobetalkingaboutjoy.Joyiswhatyou
feelonChristmasmorningwhenyougettoopenyourpresents.Thejoythatwe
aregoingtotalkaboutdoesn’tend.WewakeupwithjoyonChristmasmorning
becausewearelookingforwardtowhatwemightget,butsometimeswedon’t
getexactlywhatweaskedfororourtoysbreakandthenourjoyends.Thegreat
thingaboutthejoywearegoingtotalkaboutallweekisitneverends,because
ourjoyisJesus.
Canyouimaginethejoythattheshepherdsmusthavefeltwhenthey
sawallthoseangels?Thinkofit,pretendlikeyouwereoneofthoseshepherds,
thereyouaremindingyourownbusiness,sleeping,maybeevenhavingagood
dream,andthen,“BAM!”Allofsudden,theskyisfilledwithangelsandthey
areallsingingasongthatmakesyousohappy!Youknowwhythesongthey
sangmadethemhappy?BecauseitpromisedthatGodwouldbeatpeacewithall
thosewholoveHim.PeacewithGodmeansweareHisfriends,weareinHis
family,andHelovesus.Thatshouldmakeyouhappy,too!Theangelstoldthe
shepherdsthatJesuswasbeingborn.ThatisthehowwehavepeacewithGod.
JesusmadeitsowecouldhavearelationshipwithGod.Thatisthegoodnews
thatshouldalwaysbringasmiletoyourface.
December16
Read:Isa35:1-10
ThoughtsforParents:
I’minthemoodforsomegoodnews.Aren’tyou?Mylifeisn’treally
anydifferentfromyours.Ihavetogetupinthemorningandtrytofigureout
howI’mgoingtogetallthestuffdonethatIneedtogetdonewithwhatIhave
athand.Ihavetofigureouthowtocareformyhusband,mykids,theirkids,my
agingmother,myfriendsandthefolksinthechurchwhoneedme.Ihaveto
figureouthowtodotheworkGod’sgivenmetodo.ThenIlookaroundatmy
resourcesandIseejustwhatyouseewhenyoulookatyourresources:There
neverseemstobeenoughoftherightstufftoaccomplishtheworkIneedtodo.
Andthen,ofcourse,there’stheproblemofmysin.Isimplydon’tknowhowI’m
goingtohavethewherewithaltodowhatIneedtodowhenIneedtodoit.I
needsomegoodnews.
Hereitis:ThegoodnewsisthatforthosewhotrustintheSavior,an
everlastingjoyispromised.A
dayiscomingwhentherewillbemorethanenough
ofeverythingandallmydesiresforsinwillhavebeen
transformedintoloveforHim.I’llseetheburning
sandsofthissin-riddledworldtransformedinto
cleansing,life-givingpools;I’llwatchthe“thirstyground”changeintosprings
ofwater.Alltheplaceswheredangerousadversariesusedtofindshelterwillbe
transformedintotheriverofGod’sdelights(Psalm36:8).ThisisGod’sdoing!
Howwillthishappen?Howwillwegettothisoasis?OurSavior,Jesus
theGod-Man,haspavedthewayonthisHighwayofHoliness.Hecuttheroad
outoftherockyground;HecovereditwiththestonesofHisgoodworks,
cementingthemtogetherwithHisblood.He’smadeitallthewaypastCalvary,
thathauntofjackals,andpavedtheroadrightintothethroneroomofGodfor
us.
IlovehowtheESVtranslatesverse8b,“Itshallbelongtothosewho
walkontheway;eveniftheyarefools,theyshallnotgoastray.”Okay,that
meansIqualify.Itmeansthateveninmyfoolishness,weaknessandsin,Iand
allwhobelievewillfinallyand,atlast,findthegladnessandjoythathadalways
beenoutofreach.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Haveyoueverwantedaspecialsomethingsobadlythatitisallyouever
thinkabout?Iamsurethatrightnowyouhaveafewthingsinmindthatyou
really,reallywantforChristmas.Haveyouevergottenapresentthatyouhad
beenaskingandaskingfor?Rememberhowgooditfelttoopenthatpresent,
tearapartthewrappingpaperandseetheverythingyouwantedinsidethebox?
Rememberhowhappythatgiftmadeyou?Funnythingisthathappinessgoes
away.Maybeittakesaweek,oraday,ormaybeevenjustanhour,butallofa
suddenyouwantsomethingelsetomakeyouhappy.Doyouknowwhyyoufeel
thatway?BecauseGodmadeyousothatnothingwouldreallymakeyouhappy
butHim.OurheartsareonlymeanttobecompletelyjoyfulbecauseofHim.He
istheonlythingbigenoughtomakeusforeverhappy.
Whilewearehereonearthwestillhavetotryandrememberthistruth.
WeforgetthatGodisourhappiness.Butoneday,“unendingjoywillcrownus,
happinessandjoywilloverwhelmus.”Whenwegettoheavennothingwillbe
abletotakeawaythejoythatisourcrown.Happinessandjoywillbeallwe
know.Everytimeyoufeelsadnessyoucan
rememberthis,onedayallthesadnesswillbegoneandwe
willonlyhavesmilesforever.
December17
Read:Matthew11:2-10
ThoughtsforParents:
I’lladmitit:sometimesIrejoiceaboutthewrongthings.SometimesI
smirkwithgleewhensomene’er-do-wellgetshiscomeuppance.EventhoughI
reallylovetothinkandtalkaboutgrace,I’mreallyalegalistatheart.Iwant
certainpeopletogetwhattheydeserve.Notme,ofcourse.That’snotwhatI
want.Iwantmercy…buttherearejustotherfolkswhoIthinkdeserveaswift
kick.Inthisrespect,Idon’tthinkmythinkingisthatfarfromJohnthe
Baptizer’s.
JohnhadbeenimprisonedfortellingHerodthetruthabouthisunlawful
“marriage”andwhileherottedthere,awaitingexecutionforstandingagainstthe
sinsofhisculture,heheardthatJesuswashealingtheblind,thelame,lepers,
andthedeaf.Heheardthatthedeadwerebeing
raisedup.AndheheardthatJesuswaspreachingamessage
ofgoodnews.Goodnews?Yes,goodnewsandhewaspreachingittosinners!
But,whataboutthemessageofrepentance?Shouldn’tJesusbefocusingonwhat
thesepeopleneededtodo?Shouldn’thebecallingdownfireuponthemfortheir
unbeliefandidolatry?
John’sperspectiveonwhatshouldbepreachedtowhomwasbeing
shatteredbyChrist’sgreatloveandcondescensiontosinners.Jesusoffended
John.
Why?BecauseJesuswashangingoutwithprostitutesandtax-collectors(aka
crack-ho’sandmafia).Yes,Hewasstandingagainstthereligiousestablishment
butHewasn’tworriedaboutbeingthemoralitypolice.Hecrushedthepeopleby
tellingthemtheyneededtobeperfectandthenHegavethemgoodnews:
Perfectionwashere,intheflesh.ThiswasthenewsthatJohnandtherestofus
neededtohearandyethatedtohear.
Here’sthebottomline:TheonlywaytofindjoyinChrist’sworkonour
behalfistostopbeingoffendedbygrace.Graceispromiscuous.It’sutterly
ridiculous.It’sunruly;becauseofit,thosenastyfolkswhoshouldgetawhack
getablessinginstead.Ofcourse,onceyourealizethatyoufallintothe“nasty
folk”category,you’llbemorecomfortableaboutgrace.Happyistheonewhois
notoffendedby
Jesus.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Howwouldyoufeelifyouhadbeenblindyourwholelifeandthen
suddenlyyoucouldsee?Orwhataboutifyoucouldn’twalkandthenallofa
suddenyoucoulddoflipsandrun?Orifyoucouldn’thearasinglethingand
thenyourearsworkedwonderfully?Orifyouhadaterribleproblemwithyour
skinandthenallofasuddenyouwerehealed?Orwhataboutifyouweredead,
andthenallofasuddenyouwerealiveagain?Ibetthatwouldmakeyouso
happy,sofullofjoy.
Wellhereissomecrazynewsforyou;theBiblesaysthatwearedead
becauseofoursins.Notactuallydead,butasfarasGodwasconcernedyou
weredead.YoustillmightbedeadtoGodbecauseofyoursins.Youare
probablywonderinghowtobecomealivetoGod.
Allyouhavetodoisbelieve,believethatallJesuscametolivethelife
youcouldn’tlive.YouseeGodtellsuswehavetobeperfect,wecan’tdothat,
soJesuscameanddidthatforus.Healsocameandtookallthepunishmentfor
yoursin.So,becauseofJesus’work,wearealivetoGod.Jesusdidallthehard
work.
Hemakesusalive.Wejustbelieve.Wecansmilealldaytodayknowingthatwe
wereoncedeadandnowwearealive.
December18
Read:Psalm20
ThoughtsforParents:
IfallyouknewaboutChristianitywasthestoryofCalvary,youwouldn’t
thinkthatitwasverygoodnews.Ifthemessageendedwith,“AndJesusuttered
aloudcryandbreathedhislast”(Mark15:37),youwouldn’treallyhaveheard
anythingworthrejoicingover.What’stheretorejoiceaboutinabeaten,shamed
Man,hangingindeathonaRomanpike?Whywouldyousingpraisesthen?The
crucifixiononlybecomesgoodnewswhenitisseenfromthevantagepointof
theresurrection.
Psalm20tellsusthatthekeytooursalvationisboundupwiththe
salvationoftheKing,theChrist,whoseverytitlemeans“anointedone.”If,and
onlyif,the
AnointedKingJesusisdeliveredfromdefeat,isour
deliverancesecured.Andyet,whatdoweseeonthatdarkmount?Dowesee
HimbeingdeliveredonCalvary?No…notatall.Whatweseeisthetheoretical
triumphofevilandthefinalhumiliationofaManofuncertainlineagewho
seemedlikeagoodideathathasprovendefectiveatthelast.
Davidwassurethat“theLordsaveshisanointed;”thathewould
“answerHimfromhisholyheavenwiththesavingmightofhisrighthand”
(Psalm20:6).Hewassurethatwhentheanointedcalledout,theLordinheaven
wouldanswer.Butthat’snotwhathappenedonCalvary.No,infact,weseejust
theopposite.TheAnointedKingcallsoutandisn’tanswered.Heisn’t
delivered…andallourhopefordeliveranceandsalvationisinvain.Untilthe
resurrection,thatis.
Itisintheresurrectionthateverythingwehopeforisfinallysecured.
TheresurrectionassuresusthatChrist’sofferingofperfectobedienceand
propitiatorysacrificehasbeenacceptedonourbehalf.TheresurrectionisGod’s
final(andlife-giving)shoutof“AMEN!”toJesus’faithful,“Itisfinished.”
BecauseHehasbeendelivered,becauseHehasarisenandstoodupright,we
knowthatwewilltoo.
WecanbesurenowthatGodwillsendushelpandsupportwhenwe
call.WecanrejoicethatHewillgrantusourgodlydesiresandforgiveandlove
us.
Andso,inresponse,we,too,canshoutforjoy.DoestheLordsaveHisanointed
ones?DoesHerescuethosewhodon’ttrustintheirowngoodnessandstrength
butratherinthegoodnessandstrengthofChrist?Yes!Sowerespond,“OLord,
youhavesavedtheKing!Andbecauseofthatwecanrejoiceinknowingthat
youwillansweruswhenwecall.”
ThoughtsforChildren:
DoyoueverwonderifGodhearsyouwhenyoupray?
IknowsometimesitfeelslikeIamjusttalkingtonobody.Ourverses
todaytellussomethingverydifferent.OurversetellsusthatGoddoeshearus,
andHedoesansweruswhenwepray.ThereallygoodnewsisthatHedoesn’t
hearandansweruswhenwepraybecausewearegoodlittleboysandgirls.God
knowsallthatisinyourheartandeverythingyouthinkandHeknowsthatyou
arenotagoodlittleboyorgirl.Nowthatmightnotsoundlikeverygoodnews
toyou,thatmightnotmakeyousmile.Ifmyfriendsknewallofmythoughts,I
amprettysureIwouldn’thaveanyfriendsanymore.Theywouldseehow
selfishamandalwayswantedthegoodthingsthattheyhad.Theywouldsee
howangryIgetwhenIdon’tgetmyway.Godknowsthosethingsaboutus,but
Hedoesn’tseethemanymore.Howisthatpossible?Becausewearehidingin
Jesus.WhenGodlooksatus,allHeseesisHisperfectSonwhodideverything
rightallthetime.
BecauseJesuswasborn,becauseofhowhe
lived,andbecausediedforus,wecanknowthatGod
willalwayshearourprayersandalwaysanswerus,onemorereasontosmile
today.
December19
Read:Hebrews12:1-2,12
ThoughtsforParents:
Jesuswasjoyful.Infact,Hebrews1:9saysthatbecauseHeloved
righteousnessandhatedwickedness,HisFatherhadcausedHimtobegladder
thananyonearoundHim.Jesusknewwhatitwastolaughabellylaugh,to
smile,tohavejoy.Youwouldn’thavethoughtofHimasgrumpyorastickin
themud.Hewasfuntobearound.Ofcourse,thatdoesn’tmeanthatHewas
superficialorsillyorthatHetoldoff-colorjokes,orthatHewasn’tseriouswhen
humorwasn’tappropriate.Unlikeus,Heknewhowtobehappywithoutsinning.
ButJesusalsoknewwhatitwastosuffer.DuringHisentirelifeasa
weakmanandespeciallyduringHislastfewhours,Hewassustainedbylooking
forwardtopromised
bliss.Helookedforwardto“thejoythatwassetbeforehim”
asHeenduredthecross,thinkingnothingoftheshamethatprobablywouldhave
stoppedmostofus.Betreatedlikethat?Nothardly!Hishopeofafuturejoy
wasstronglytetheredtothetruththatadaywascomingwhenHewouldsit
againattherighthandofHisFather’sthrone—butthistimeHewouldbe
bearingthefleshHe’dbeengiveninMary’slittlewomb.He’dgoneawayasthe
Word,theSecondPersonoftheTrinity;HewouldreturnastheGod-Man,Jesus,
theChrist,foreveroutfittedinHisweddinggarb,ourflesh.
Youknow,it’seasyforustothinkthatJesus’faith-walkwaseffortless;
afterall,HewasGod.Butnothingcouldbefartherfromthetruth.Theentire
timeHelivedhere,HeneveraccessedHisdeityinordertomakeobedience,
faith,orlifeeasierforhimself.HelivedjustlikeyouandIdo,walkingbyfaith
andnotbysight.HebelievedthatHisFatherwouldwelcomeHimtoheaven,
althoughHehadbeenforevertransformedfromGod,theWord,toJesus,the
God-Man.HebelievedthatHisbridewouldloveHim.So,itwasinthelightof
thisgreathopethatHeperseveredthroughthedeepestpitofsuffering:His
Father’sforsakingHimandpouringoutHisentirewrathforalloursinonHis
head.HekeptHiseyefixedonthejoyofrelationshipandreunionwithHis
Fatherandwithus.
Now,ifthatdoesn’tproducejoyinyourheart,Isimplydon’tknow
whatwill.HerantheracewithpatiencethatwassetbeforeHimsothatHe
wouldbeabletoperfectlyrepresentus:astheobedientSon,theslaughtered
Lamb,therisenKing.
ThoughtsforChildren:
TodaywehearabouthowhappyJesuswas.NowyoumightthinkthatHe
wasonlyhappywhengoodthingshappened,Iknowthat’swhenI’mhappy.But
ourversesaysthatJesuswasthinkingaboutjoywhenHewenttothecross.It
wasactuallywhathelpedHimgothroughthehardest,mostpainful,worstthing
inHisentirelife.Thethoughtof
makingyouoneofHisbrothersorsisters,thethoughtofmakingyouoneof
God’skids,thethoughtofallofusbeingtogethersomedaywithHiminHeaven,
thesewerethethoughtsthathelpedHimgetthroughthemostdifficultthingHe
everhadtodo.
Whenyouhavedaysthatarehard,wherenothingseemstobegoing
right,andnothingmakesyousmile,rememberJesus:Helovesyourightinthe
middleofyour
frown.ThinkingofHimwillhelpyousmile,itmakesus
strong.ThinkingaboutHisloveforuswillbewhathelpsyougetthroughthose
reallytough,nothingisgoingrightdays.Hisloveisjustthatgreatandjustthat
good.
December20
Read:Rev.21:4
ThoughtsforParents:
Truthfully,therearedayswhenitseemslikecrying,death,mourningand
painwillneverend.Ofcourse,byHisgracenoteverydayisadayof
overwhelmingsorrow.However,thereareenoughofthesedaysnowformeto
longforthetimewhenlaughter,life,joy,andvitalityaremine.Forever.
TheApostleJohnbroughtusthisvisionofanewday.Hewasgivena
tasteoffutureglory,and,likeus,Heneededit.Johnwaslivinginexile,away
fromhishome,hisfriends,andhischurch.Itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimto
havebeendiscouraged--itwasn’tgoodforhimtobealoneandtherewasnothing
hecoulddotochangeit.HisalonenesswasbeingenforcedbytheRoman
emperor,Domitian.SotheLordJesus,outofgreatloveforHisbestfriend,
visitedhim(notevenDomitiancouldkeepKingJesusawayfromHisfriends)
andbroughthimsomegoodnews.Yes,thingslookedreallyterrible.Yes,
Domitian’spowerseemedlimitless,andhecertainlycouldmakeJohn’slife
miserable,butthislifewasnotallthelifethatJohnhad.Hislifewashiddenwith
Christinheaven.LikeJohn,weneedtoberemindedthatthereisalovingKing
whoisoverseeingeverythingandnopowerisabletostopKingJesusfrom
visitingusandbringingustoHimselfingreatjoy.
EarthlypowershadtriedtostopJesusbefore.
HerodhadallthebabiesinBethlehemslaughtered.
Womenweptingreatmourning,butJesuswassafe.Hismissiontoovercomeall
oursorrow,allourexileandisolationwouldn’t,couldn’tbethwarted.Andeven
thoughwe’rephysicallyseparatedfromhimrightnow,adaywillsurelycome
whenwewillfinallybehome,adaywhen“thedwellingplaceofGod”willbe
withman.“Hewilldwellwiththem,andtheywillbehispeople,andGod
himselfwillbewiththemastheirGod.Hewillwipeawayeverytearfromtheir
eyes,anddeathshallbenomore,neithershalltherebemourning,norcrying,nor
painanymore,fortheformerthingshavepassedaway.”Beingwithhimin
unmitigatedfellowshipistheanswertoalloursorrow,pain,andtears.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Youknowhowgooditfeelstocomehomesometimes?Likewhenyou
havebeenawayfromyourparentsandyougethomeandtherearechocolate
chipscookieswaitingforyou?Orwhenitisrainyandcoldoutsideandyourun
intoyourhouseandthereisanicewarmfireburninginthefireplace?Maybe
youdon’thaveafireplaceorwarmcookiesbutyouknowhowniceitistogeta
hugwhenyouwalkinyourdoor.Wellthatsnugglyfeelingofbeinghomeis
onlyasmalltasteofwhatitisgoingtobelikewhenwegettoheaven.
Homeshouldfeelsafe,Iknowsometimesitdoesn’t,Godpromisesto
makeallthehurtandsadnessinourlivesbecomehappinesssomeday.This
shouldmakeyourheartbeexcitedaboutheaven.Somedaywearegoingtohave
aforeverhomewherewenevercry,weneverfeelanypain,noonewilleverdie.
InourforeverhomethemostexcitingthingwillbethatwegettobewithGod.
He
willberighttherewithus,andallofthetimeswhenyoufeltlikeyouwere
prayingtonothing,allofthetimesthatyoufeltlikenoonecared,allofthe
timesyoufeltalonewillbegoneforever.God’slovewilleraseallofthose
thoughtsfromourmemory,wipeawayallofourtearsandfear,andallwewill
knowisHisgoodsmileonusforallofeternity.
December21
Read:Nehemiah8:10
ThoughtsforParents:
Aspunishmentforthenation’sincessantunbeliefandidolatry,Israel
hadbeencapturedandforcedintoslaveryinPersia.Aftermanyyears,inGod’s
kindness,someoftheexileswereallowedtoreturntotheirhomeland,torebuild
thewallsofJerusalemandrestorethetemple.
Ononecertainday,EzrareadtheBookoftheLawofMosestoallthe
people…andwhenthepeopleheardtheLawandunderstoodwhatitmeant,they
mourned.TheLeviteshelpedthemunderstandthecommandsoftheLawandas
Godgavethemunderstanding,theyknewtheywereintrouble.Imaginewhatit
wouldhavebeenliketobetakenawayfromyourhomefordisobedience,thento
havean
opportunitytoreturnandworktorebuildyournation,onlytodiscoverthatthe
disobediencethathadeventuatedinyourslaverywasstillongoing.Thepeople
wept.Theywereafraid.Theyknewthatthejudgmentthathadbefallentheir
fatherswashangingovertheirheadsaswell.
Asthepeoplewept,Nehemiah,thegovernor,andEzra,thepriest,gave
thepeopleanastonishingcommand.Ratherthanpileonmoreandmorelawto
trytogetthemtoreallyrepent,theytoldthepeoplenottomournorweep,“for
thisdayisholytotheLordyourGod.”Infact,notonlydidtheytellthemtostop
weeping,theywerecommandedtohaveaparty:eatsavorymeat,drinksweet
wine,andinviteyourneighborsandthosewhodon’thaveaplacetoparty.Enjoy
yourselfandrejoiceinGod’samazinggenerosity.
Whycommandthemtoparty?Whywouldn’ttheirleaderstellthemto
mourn?BecausetheyknewthatGodisbestglorifiedinheartsthatarejoyful.In
fact,theyknewthatthestrengththeyneededtobegintoobeyandtorebuildwas
aby-productofjoy.
Godisn’timpressedbyourweeping.Infact,whenweknowHe’snear
it’stimetorememberHisgreatkindnessandrejoice.Andit’sonlythere,inthat
rejoicingoverHisloveandkindnessthatwe’llfindthestrengthtopersevere
evenhere,eveninthemiddleofoursorrow.That’swhatChristmastellsusand
whyweshouldcelebrate.Yes,ofcourse,we’vebrokentheLaw,butHe’scome
toustobeallthatweneed:aRedeemer,aPerfectRepresentative,adear
Husband.
ThoughtsforChildren:
Haveyoueverbeencaughtdoingsomethingreallybad?Imeanreally,
reallybad.Duringthosetimeswhereyouknowthatwhatyouhavedoneis
wrong,howdoyoufeel?Areyouhappyandwantingtohaveabigpartyorare
yousadandfeelinglikeyouwanttohideunderthecovers?Inourversetoday,
thepeoplehadbeencaughtdoingsomethingverybad.Yousee,ifwearehonest,
anytimewelookatthewhattheBibletellsustodoweshouldalwaysfeelsad
becausewecanneverdoallthattheBibleasksustodo.Youwouldthinkthat
whatGodwouldwantisforustocrylotsandlotswhenweseehowbadweare.
Instead,Godtellsussomegoodnews;Hetellsusonceweseehowbadweare
westopcryingandcangohaveabigparty.Nowthatdoesn’tmakeverymuch
sensedoesit?Because,ifwearethinkingaboutwhatwehavedone,weknow
weshouldfeelsad,butGodwantsustothinkaboutwhatJesushasdone.Hedid
everythingperfectly.WecanbehappyandthrowabigpartybecauseJesusdid
allthehardthingsforus.Wecanhavejoyevenwhenwemesseverythingup,
becauseGodforgivesallofoursins.ActivityTimeWeekthree:Joy
Theshepherdsweresofullofjoy,theycouldn’tcontaintheirexcitement.
TheyHADtotelleveryonethegoodnews!
Forthisweek’sactivity,we’regoingusenewspapertomakean
ornament.ThisornamentwillhelpusrememberChristasthegoodnewswhen
weseeithangingonthetree.
Therearelotsof
differentoptionsforornaments.Thefirstoptionis:Youcansimplyuseaball
ornamentthatyoualreadyhaveandgluepiecesofnewspaperontoit.(I
recommendusingacraftinggluelikeMod-Podge.)Thereneedbenoparticular
shapetothepieces;randomisfine.Afteryoucreateyourpiecesofpaper,brush
theglueontheball,thenputthepiecesofpaperontheball.Smoothitasmuch
asyoucan.
Whenthewholeballiscoveredwithpaper,painttheentireballwitha
lightcoveringofthegluetosealit.Ifyouhaveverylittleones,youmightnot
sealituntiltheygotobedtosaveyourselffromsprouting4to5newgreyhairs
…
Thesecondoptionis:
Ifyouwanttogetalittlemoreelaborate,youcancutthepaperinto
uniform,dime-sizedcirclesandlayerthemwithhotglueinrowsuntilthe
ornamentiscompletelycovered.
Youcandooneornamentor20!It’supto
yourcrafterdarkabilitytostayawakeorhandlechildrenwithglue.
Whileyouareworkingontheseactivitiesyoucanaskthesequestions:
1)Canyouthinkofatimeyouweresoexcitedaboutsomething
thatyoujustfeltlikeyouwouldexplodeifyoudidn’ttellsomeone?
2)Canyouthinkofatimewhenyouhadwaitedandwaitedfor
somethinganditfinallyhappened?
YoucanlinkthistoGod’spromisethatHewouldsendHissonto
savetheworld.God’speoplehadbeenwaitingforaverylongtimefor
him,andthenallofasudden,JesushadFINALLYarrived!Remember
theselastfewweeks,we’velearnedthatGodkeepsHispromisesand
wecanrestknowingthatHeisincontrol,evenwhenwehavetowait.
December22
Lightthefinalpurplecandle(theAngels’Candle),whichrepresents
peace.
Read:Psalm85
ThoughtsforParents:
InPsalm85,wefindourselves,onceagain,withthepeopleofIsraelwhoare
lamentingovertheirsinandhopingthatGodwillshowthemfavor,onceagain.
HowcanGod’speace,Hisshalombewiththemandwithus,whenweknowthat
wehavefailedinsomanyways?HowdareweapproachHiminthehopeof
beingforgivenandblessedratherthanjudgedandcursed?
WhentheBiblespeaksofGodbeingatpeacewithus,itisnot
necessarilyafeelingofpeacefulnessthatisbeingreferenced.Instead,itisa
cessationofhostilities;inthiscase,itisGodwhoistheoffendedpartywhohas
therightandauthoritytobeangrywithus,whosehotwrath
hasbeencompletelysatisfiedsothatHecanbeboth“justandthejustifier.”
Don’tmisunderstand:It’snotthatGodjustdecidestooverlookourlittletiny
mistakes.No,wehavedonemorethanmakealittletinymistake.We’vebeenin
rebellionagainstHisWordandwayourentirelife;yet,herewearehopingfor
forgiveness,reconciliation,andpeace.Itwouldbeaudaciousifweweren’t
commandedtohopeinthisway.
Whatisouronlyhope?OuronlyhopeliesinHischaracter,where
steadfastloveandfaithfulnessmeet.Heisrighteousenough,goodenough,and
consistentenoughtoalwayskeepallHispromises,andHehaspromisedthatno
onewhocallsonHimwilleverbecastaside(Romans10:13).
OurpeacewithGoddoesnotrestonourownabilitytobeincomplete
compliancewithHiscommandsatalltimes.No,ourpeacewithGodrestsinthat
littlebabycryinginHiscoldmanger.He’stheOnewhohassteadfastlove,
faithfulnessandrighteousnessandit’sinHisPerson,weakthoughitseems.That
peaceisbroughttousthroughonekissofgracefromtheFathertoHisrebel
creation.
ThoughtsforChildren:
ItisChristmasweek!Wehavebeenwaitingforthisweekallyearlong.
ItisgoingtobehardtoremembertherealreasonwecelebrateChristmaswhen
wearesoexcitedaboutpresents.So,let’stakeafewminutestodayand
rememberwhatourrealPresentis,theonlyPresentthatwillmakeusreally
happy.Thisweekwearegoingtotalkaboutpeace.PeacewithGodisknowing
inyourdeepestdownpartofyourheartthatGodisnotmadatyouandthatall
Hefeelsisloveforyou,Hischild.Wehavetalkedaboutitalotthispastmonth,
butdoyourememberwhyGodisn’tmadatyou?ItisonlybecauseofJesus,
becauseofthebabythatwasbornthousandsofyearsagoinBethlehem.God’s
loveforyouwillneverendbecauseofJesus.God’sloveforyouissteadfast,that
isafancywayofsayingnomatterwhatyoudoHislovestaysthesame.Hislove
isalwaysthere.Hisloveforgiveseverywrongthingthatwehavedoneinthe
past,allthewrongthingswedotoday,andeverywrongthingthatyouwilldoin
thefuture.JesusdyingonthecrosstookawayallofGod’sangerforallthe
wrongthingsyouhavedone;thisispeace.Godwillalwaysgiveuswhatisgood
forusandisnevermadatus--thatisthepeacethatwehavewithHim,thatis
partofourincrediblepresentthatwegetnotonlyonChristmasday,butevery
day.
December23
Read:Isaiah52:7,53:5
ThoughtsforParents:
Everyoneislongingforamessageofpeace,ofgoodnews,andof
happiness.We’relongingtoknowthatwe’vebeensavedandthatsalvationis
morethansomethinghopedforatChristmas,butisactuallyours.WhatdoI
wantforChristmas?IwanttoknowthatGodisnolongerangrywithmeand
thatI’vebeensavedbyHisgrace.
Buthowcanthishappen?Howcansalvationbeours?Itisonlyours
onlybecauseGodisincharge.Ifitwereuptoustoprocureourownsalvation,if
wehadtosaveupenoughgoodworkstofinallymeritit,wewouldbelost.Itis
onlythroughthegoodnewsofpeacebetweenGodandmanproclaimed,“Your
Godreigns!”
Whyisthatsuchgoodnews?It’sgoodnewsbecauseitmeansthatthe
Godwhocreatedus,whosawourfall,whoknowsoursin,unbelief,andidolatry
implicitlyandyetlovesus,isincharge.He’sinchargeofoursalvationandthat,
myfriends,isreallygreatnews.Itisonlythroughonegladdeclaration,“Your
Godreigns!”thatwefindultimateassuranceknowingthatHeiscompletelyat
peacewithus.
ButthisendofhostilitiesbetweenGodandmandidn’thappenwithout
greatcosttoHim.Someoneneededtobearthe“chastisement”dueus.Someone
neededtobepiercedandcrushedandwoundedsothatwecouldbecalledsons
anddaughtersratherthanenemiesandrebels.SomeonehadtobringbothGod
andmantogetherintoone…andthatOneisnursingatHismother’sbreast,
wrappedinrags.
Godisatpeacewithusandthat’sthehappiestnewswe’veeverbeen
given.WhatareyouhopingforthisChristmas?Foranewsomething,orforthe
familytogettogetherandenjoyoneanother,orthatyou’llhavejustenoughof
everythingthatnoonewillfeelleftoutordisappointed?Areyouhopingthata
particularrelativewillfinallystopfussingwithyou?
Allthoselesserblessingsarefine,buttheoneblessingweallneedis
this:GodisinchargeandHe’sdoneeverythingnecessaryforustobe
completelyreconciledtoHim.Happynews!
ThoughtsforChildren:
Whatareyouhopingforthisweek?Areyouhopingforlotsoffun
partiesandyummyfoodandawesomepresents?Thosethingsareallgoodgifts
fromGodandtheyallcostsomething.Someonehadtopayforthefood,andfor
thepresents,andforthegastogettotheparty,andforthecarthat
yourodeintotheparty,andfortheclothesyouwillwearto
theparty,and…well,youunderstandwhatI’msaying.Most
goodthingscostsomething.OurbestthingcostJesuseverything.Peacewith
God--knowingthatGodisn’tmadatus--costJesusandGodtheirhearts.God
lovedJesuswitheverythingandHehadtogiveHimupsothatJesuscoulddie
foroursins.JesushadtogiveHislife.Jesushadtotakeallthepunishmentfor
oursinssothatwecouldknowforsureGodwasn’tmadatus.
So,whileyouopenyourgifts,andhavefunatyourparties,andeatyour
yummyfood,rememberthecost.RememberthatJesuslovedyouwithHis
wholelife.RememberthatnothingwilleverbeabletomakeHimstoploving
you.RememberthatitcostHimeverythingtomakeyouandGodhavea
relationship.RememberthattherelationshipwithGodisaforevergift;noone
cantakeitaway.Whatgoodnewsthatmakesussmile!
ActivityTime
Weekfour:Peace
Thisweekwelearnedabout
theangelssingingforjoyatthecomingofbabyJesus.Therewasalotofliteral
rejoicingandsinging!
Forthisweek’sactivity,it’stimetobrushoffthosevocalcordsanddo
somecaroling.Rightnow,manyofyouaredecidingnottodothisactivity,but
bearwithme!Ifyou’retooembarrassedtogofromneighbortoneighbor
singing,perhapsdrivetoafriend’shouseortothegrandparentsandsurprise
themwithJoytotheWorld.
Forcethemtomakeyoudesert,orbringitwithyouandforcethemtoeatitwith
you.
That’sincrediblymotivatingevenfortheshyestoftheshy.
Ifcarolingisanabsoluteno-goforyou,considerpullingoutthe
boombox...errripod...andsingalongtocarolstogetherasafamily.Christmas
Carols,likeJoytotheWorldandAngelsWeHaveHeardonHigh,arefraught
withincredibletheology.Butsometimes,whenwehearthemoverandoverat
Christmastime,theyseemmoresentimentalthandeeplytheologicalandceaseto
bringustopondertheamazinggiftofJesus.Helpyourchildrentolearntohear
thesesongsformorethansentimentbypickingoutaphraseortwointhesongs
anddiscussingthem(youcanfindlyricsforanysongontheweb,ifyouneedor
wantto).Forexample,ask,“Whatdoyouthinkjoytotheworldreallymeans?”
or“Whydoyouthinktherewassuchabigconcertinthesky?”
Justlikeworshiptimeinchurch,singingisanotherwaytohelpremind
uswhoGodis.Ifyouwereanangelsinginginthesky,whatdoyouthinkyou
wouldbesingingaboutGod?
Youcanlinkthisbacktoallthetraitswe’velearnedaboutHimthesepast
fewweeks.
-Godisfaithfulandkeepshispromises.
-Godisincontrolandwecanresetknowingandbelievingthat.
-Godisgoodnewstotheworld.HeisourSavior!
-Andthisweek,Godisworthyofallofourpraise.
December24
LighttheChristmasCandle(White)
Read:Luke2:14
ThoughtsforParents:
AngelshadwatchedinaweastheSon,thesecondpersonoftheTrinity,
theWord,enteredintoanovumofayounggirl.Theyhadwonderedastheir
Belovedtooktohimselfhumanfleshandblood,formedabrain,grew
fingernails,receivednourishmentthroughanumbilicalcord.TheyknewHewas
changing,growing,andtheirjoythatGod’screationwouldsoongettoseeHim
waslimitless.TheywaitedwhileHismotherlaboredinpainandmarveledin
wonderwhentheysawHisface…itwasahumanfacenow.WhenHetooka
breath,everythingonthisdarkplanetchanged.
“GlorytoGodinthehighest!”theyshouted.“Therewillbepeacenow
onearth!He’scomingtothosewithwhomHeispleased!”Godaloneiswise
enoughtoformulateaplantosavethiscursedworld.Godalonelovesenoughto
sendHismosttreasuredSontobepartofit.Godaloneispowerfulenoughto
causeittocomeabout,justasHehadforetold,andjustattherightmoment.
And,GodaloneisgoodenoughtocontinuetolovewhenevenHischosenones
hadturnedfromHim…andwillcontinuetoturnfromHim.
Itisinterestingthattheangelssangsongsaboutpeaceatthismoment
becauseJesushimselfsaidthatHedidn’tcometobringpeacebutratherasword
(Matthew10:34).Withinafewmonths,aswordwillfinditswaytoBethlehem,
aswordthatwilldepriveinfantsandtoddlersoflife.Jesushimselfknewbetter
thananyoneelsethatloveforHimmightbringconflictinfamilies—butin
comparisontotheassuranceofpeacewithGod,conflictwithothersisminiscule.
EverywhereJesuswent,Hehadapolarizingaffect;HewasthesortofManyou
eitherlovedorhatedbecauseHewassoveryconsistentlyhimself.
Tonight,wecanglorifyGodbecauseHe’ssentHisSontobringpeace
forHislovedonesbetweenheavenandearth.Yes,thereisandalwayswillbe
warsandrumorsofwarshere.SoonthekingdomofpeacethatHehaspromised
willbefullyrealizedandallthesinthatproducesallourconflictswillbegone
andwewillbeabletorestfullyinHim.“GlorytoGodinthehighest!”
ThoughtsforChildren:
ItisChristmasEve!!Tomorrowisthebigday!Perhapsinyourfamily
youopenallofyourpresentstoday,andsorightnowyouarewishingyoucould
justgoandplay.Whenyouopenedyourfavoritegiftorwhenyouopenyour
bestgifttomorrowyouaregoingtofeelveryexcited.Youmightevensay,
“Yippeeee!!!!”Youmightevendoalittledance.Thatfeelingofexcitementyou
willhaveishowtheangelsfeltwhentheycametotelltheshepherdsthegood
news.Theshouted,“GLORY!!!!”Thatisanotherwaytosay,“YIPPEEEE!!!
THEMOSTEXCITINGTHINGHASHAPPENED!!!!”
Doyouknowwhytheyshouted“GlorytoGod?”Well,itwasbecause
theyknewthatJesuswascomingtomakepeacebetweenGodandus.They
knewwhatJesusbeingbornwoulddoforourlives.TheyknewhowJesuswould
changeeverythingforus.Theangelsknewthegoodnews.Doyouknowthe
goodnews?DoyouknowthatJesuslivedthelifethatwearesupposedtolive,
thatHealwaysobeyed?DoyouknowthatJesustookallofthepunishmentthat
wedeserveforallofoursin?Doyouknowthatrightnow,whenHelooksat
you,GodseesJesus?Ihopeyouknowallofthosehappy
things,becausethatiswhatwehavebeentalkingaboutforthewholemonth.We
canshout,“GLORYTOGOD!”,justliketheangelsdidwaybackthen,because
weknownowthegoodnewstheyknewthatdayinBethlehem.
December25
Read:John14:27
ThoughtsforParents:
We’vecountedthedays.We’velitthecandles.Andnowwe’rereadyto
celebrate.We’recelebratingfamilyandfriendsandoneanotherwithgiftsand
lights.It’sChristmasDay!He’sfinallyarrived!AndwithHimHe’sbroughtus
hope,love,joy,andpeace.ThedayisfinallyhereandHebringsusawordof
comfort:PeaceIleavewithyou;mypeaceIgivetoyou.Notastheworldgives
doIgivetoyou.Letnotyourheartsbetroubled,neitherletthembeafraid.
Todayyou’reprobablygoingtospendsometimeingivingand
receiving.Ourfamilyalljoinstogetherandwe’regoingtogivegiftsandeat
togetherandrejoice.Andaswonderfulasweanticipatethisdaywillbe,itwill
stillbe“astheworldgives.”
Howdoestheworldgive?Theworldgivesinresponsetowhatithas
beengiven.It’stheprincipleofkarma:whatgoesaroundcomesaround.The
worldgivesbettergiftstothosewhohavetheabilitytorepayinkind;theworld
givesthebestgiftstothosewhodeservethem.ButJesus’giftofpeaceisn’tlike
that.Jesus’giftofpeaceisn’tinresponsetoourdeserving.No,infact,Hegives
peacetothosewhodeservejudgment.Hegivesthegiftofwell-being,
blessedness,peace,shalom,outoftheboundlessseaofHisgrace.
Inaddition,Hisgiftofpeacewillneverfadeaway.Wemay;indeed,get
thegiftwe’rehopingfor…butlet’sfaceit,afteratimethatgiftwillfadeaway.It
willeitherfadeawaybecauseit’slastyear’scellphoneandit’slostitscutting
edgeoritwillfadeawaybecauseourfickleheartswillhavemovedonto
somethingelsealltoosoon.ButthegiftthatourSaviorgives,thegiftofpeace
withHimwillneverfade.Inotherwords,we’llneverwearoutourwelcomeat
HisFather’s
throneandhearingthisgreatstorywillnevergetold.Weare
atpeacewithHim.
So…MerryChristmas!Loveandenjoythisdayandallthatitmeans.St
theendoftheday,whenyouseethatperhapsyoucouldhavedonesomething
better,rememberthatHe’scompletelysatisfiedandatpeacewithyou.
ThoughtsforChildren:
ITISCHRISTMASDAY!Wecanshout,“MerryChristmas!”allday
long.TodayisthedaythatoursweetSavior,JesusChrist,wasborn.Todayis
thedaythatHestartedHislifehereonearth,thedaythatHewassenttomake
peacebetweenusandGod,thedaythatHestartedbreathinginorderforustobe
surethatGodlovesusforever,thedaythatHeblinkedHiseyesforthefirsttime
sothatwecouldhavehappinessandjoyforever,thedaythatHecriedHisfirst
crysothatwecouldknowwewillalwayshavehope.
TodayisthedaythatwecancelebratewhatChristmasisreallyall
about:Jesus.ChristmasisaboutHim,and--letmetellyoualittlesecret--every
dayofeveryyearisaboutHim,too.ItisaboutthetruththatHewillneverever
leaveus…nomaterwhat.Hegivesuspeace,Hegivesusjoy,Hegivesushope,
andHegivesusHisloveforever.So,enjoyyourday,havefun,laugh,eat,be
happy,andcelebrateJesus!
_________________________
YoucanfindushereElyseFitzpatrickFacebookTwitter:@ElyseFitzInstagram:@Elyse_FitzBlog:TheResurgenceJessicaThompsonFacebookTwitter:@thejesslouInstagram:@thejesslouBlog:GiveThemGraceJamiNatoTwitter:@jaminato1Instagram:jaminatoBlog:TheNatos
[i]ManyofthereadingchoicesaretakenfromtheRevisedCommonLectionaryDailyReadingorTheBookofCommonPrayerReadings.[ii]Unlessotherwisenoted,allScripturequotationsaretakenfromTheHolyBible,EnglishStandardVersion®(ESV®),copyright©2001byCrossway,apublishingministryofGoodNewsPublishers.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.[iii]MyBlueHeaven,Hawn/SylbertMovieCompanyandWarnerBrothers,Burbank,California,1990.