Week One: Hope. In His name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12:24

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1 Week One: Hope In His name the nations will put their hope. Matthew 12:24 The hope we have in Christ is an absolute certainty With him nothing is left to chance. Everything He promised He will deliver. Billy Graham Discussion: This week s focus and worship is on hope. Ask your family members to explain how the hope Jesus brings is different from a wish. Jesus hope is real, certain, and sure. Because baby Jesus was born to be our Savior, we have new life with God now here on earth, and we will have eternal life with Him in heaven, too. The life Jesus gives is real, and it will never end. The hope Jesus brings is a real hope, a certain hope. Jesus gave His life to save us! Daily Reminders of Hope this Week: 1. Adam and Eve (November 28): God gave Adam and Eve hope; after they sinned, He promised to send a Savior (Genesis 3). 2. Abraham (November 29): God gave Abraham hope, promising the world s Savior would come from his family (Genesis 12:1-3). 3. God s People (November 30): God gave his people Israel hope, rescuing them from slavery in Egypt and parting the Red Sea so they could return to their Promised Land (Exodus 14:19-31). 4. Joshua (December 1): God gave Joshua hope that he could lead the people into the Promised Land, even though they would face many enemies (Joshua 1:1-9). 5. Isaiah (December 2): Through the words of the prophet Isaiah, God gave His people hope that He would send the Savior (Isaiah 9:17; 11:1-10; 53:1-12). 6. Jarius (December 3): Jesus gave Jarius hope by bringing his little daughter back to life (Mark 5:21-24, 35-43).

2 Week Two: Love For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. St. Augustine Discussion: This week s focus and worship is on love. Ask family members to share ways that God loves us. The very best thing God did for us is send His Son to earth to be born as a real baby. Here s what the Bible says about that (Read John 3:16). Jesus grew up to live a perfect life in our place. Then He died on the cross for us. He loves us that much! God s love is so great that it fills our hearts and helps us love one another. Share God s love with someone this week and wish them a Merry Christmas. Daily Reminders of Love this Week: 1. Hannah (December 5): Hannah loved her son, Samuel, and sang a song to thank the Lord for him (1 Samuel 2:1-10). 2. Nicodemus (December 6): Jesus told Nicodemus about God s love (John 3:16). 3. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (December 7): Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and sometimes stayed at their house (Luke 10:38-42). 4. Paul (December 8): The Christians in Ephesus loved Paul and cried when he said good-bye (Acts 10:17-38). 5. Timothy (December 9): Paul loved Timothy like his own son (2 Timothy 1:1-2). 6. Us (December 10): God s love for us lasts forever (Psalm 118:1).

3 Week Three: Joy You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in Your presence. Acts 2:28 Happiness depends on happenings; joy depends on Christ. Anonymous Discussion: This week s focus and worship is on joy. Say the words Christmas aloud. Have family members respond with all of the words that come to their mind after hearing Christmas. Notice that the responses are generally happy and excited. Even though we are often excited about the events and experiences that surround the holiday season, the excitement eventually fades and you return to everyday activities. However, true joy is something that lasts forever and never goes away. Jesus is the only giver of true joy. The Christmas angle told the shepherds, I bring you good tidings of great joy (Luke 2:10). That joy is for us too. Because Jesus was born to be our savior, we have joy even when bad things happen. Jesus tells us, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Daily Reminders of Joy this Week: 1. Shepherds (December 12): The Christmas angels brought a message of joy from God to the shepherds (Luke 2:10). 2. The Wise Men (December 13): When the Wise Men saw the star that led them to the Savior, they were filled with Joy (Matthew 2:10). 3. Angels in heaven (December 14): In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus taught that the angels in heaven are filled with joy over each sinner who repents (Luke 15:3-7). 4. Believers (December 15): Paul wrote to the believers in the city of Philippi about the joy that Jesus brings us (Philippians 4:4-7). 5. Ezra (December 16): God filled the hearts of His people with joy when Ezra led them in worship (Ezra 6:16). 6. God s people (December 17): Psalm 47 is a song of joy all of God s people can sing.

4 Week Four: Peace The government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. C. S. Lewis Discussion: This week s focus and worship is on peace. Talk together about fighting wars, people who are hurt or hurt one another, and other worries in an age appropriate way. Then think about a time when you were worried about something that didn t turn out to be a problem or at least not a very big one. Ask, How does Jesus help us when we are afraid or worried. The peace that Jesus brings to us is perfect and will be completed when we join Him in heave. However, we can experience the peace of Jesus in our hearts right now because H died for our sin and extended God s forgiveness to us. The Christmas angles sang, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:14). Because of the birth, life, and death of God s Son, Jesus, peace is available to us and it s one of the best Christmas gifts we have ever been given. Daily Reminders of Peace this Week: 1. Angels (December 19): The angels brought a message of peace from God to earth on Christmas night (Luke 2:14). 2. Aaron (December 20): God gave the high priest Aaron a blessing of peace to place upon His people (Numbers 6:24-27). 3. All Believers (December 21): Because Jesus died on the cross for all believers and rose again, we have peace (Luke 24:36-49). 4. Isaiah (December 22): Isaiah wrote of the peace God gives us as we trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). 5. David (December 23): David committed terrible sins, but when he confessed, God forgave him. This brought David peace (Psalm 32). 6. Solomon (December 24): God allowed Solomon, King David s son and a man of peace, to build to the temple in Jerusalem, where everyone could come to worship (1 Chronicles 22:2-13).

5 Christmas Day Jesus is coming back to earth. Acts 1:9-11 Discussion: What are we celebrating today? Th birth of Jesus, Christ coming to earth. We can also celebrate the day He will come back for us. How will His second coming be different from His first? Jesus will come as King and judge the earth. He ll create a new heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17) with no crying, frowning, or hunger. Just like the people of Israel waited for Jesus birth, just like you waited for Christmas, you can wait to celebrate the day Jesus will come back! Merry Christmas!