1 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL SUMMARIZE IT

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1 1 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL The people of Israel had waited a very long time for their Messiah (or A LOOK AHEAD During the month of December there will be about 10 devotionals focusing on the birth of Jesus and the surrounding events. Set aside 2-3 days each week to be reminded together as a family what the Christmas season is truly about. In the last reading, we saw how Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the tree that God told them not to. Because they sinned, God had to punish them. But God also made a promise to them that one day He was going to fix what they had broken. And the way He was going to fix it was by sending His own son, Jesus, to be our Rescuer. Luke 2:25-35 Jesus (the Messiah) Presented at the Temple 25At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord s Messiah. 27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30I have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared for all people. 32He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! 33Jesus parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby s mother, This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul. Savior) who God promised would come and rescue them. Simeon had also been waiting a long time and God had promised him that he would not die until he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to dedicate him to God, Simeon praised God because he knew that the Messiah was finally here! TALK ABOUT IT 1. The people of Israel waited with great anticipation and excitement for their Messiah who was to come. What are some of your favorite things about Christmas that fill you with the most anticipation and excitement? 2. It s easy to get caught up with s and cookies and presents during Christmas time. But it is important to remember that we celebrate Christmas for the same reason that Simeon praised God in the temple: Jesus, the Savior had come! What are some traditions that your family can start that will help you focus on the coming of Jesus, our Rescuer, during this season? (some ideas include: a birthday cake for Jesus, an advent calendar, a service project, reading the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20), setting up a nativity set...) tip: write the verse on a card or construction paper, decorate it, and hang it on your Luke 2:32 Jesus is a light to reveal God to the nations. Thank God together for fulfilling His promise to rescue us from our sins by sending Jesus to be our Savior. Ask Him to help you remember that the coming of Jesus is the real reason that we celebrate Christmas.

2 2 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TALK ABOUT IT 1. Mary and Joseph both had an idea of what their lives were going to look like. Joseph would be a hard working carpenter. Mary would take Last time we read how God s promise to send the Rescuer came true when Jesus was born. He was the long awaited Messiah (Savior) who the bible spoke about and the people of Israel anticipated. In this reading we will begin to see the beginning events that were part of God s plan to bring Jesus, our Savior, to our world. The Birth of Jesus Foretold 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28Gabriel appeared to her and said, Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! 29Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 Don t be afraid, Mary, the angel told her, for you have found favor with God! 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end! Mary was engaged to be married. She had been dreaming of her wedding and her new life with Joseph. What would it be like? What would he be like? Many of her plans had been made. But none included a shocking visit from an angel. She had never imagined that she would have a baby before she married Joseph. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever consider that she would be the mother of the Savior of the world. These were not her plans. They were God s. care of their home and eventually, their children. What do you think your life is going to be like in 10 or 20 years (i.e. marriage, job, kids, etc.)? tip: Ask kids what they want to be when they grow up or what kind of person they think they will marry? 2. The lives and plans of Mary and Joseph were dramatically interrupted. God had a different set of plans for them. And just because they were God s plans, that didn t mean that they were going to be easy or fun or free of pain. What are some things in your life that have been different from what you had expected? tip: parents, if you can, explain how God has used the interruptions in your life for His plans, your good, and His glory. tip: write the verse on a card or construction paper, decorate it, and hang it on your Luke 1:33 - And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end! Thank God for His plans for each of the members of your family and His plans for your family as a whole. Ask Him to help you see the unexpected interruptions as part of His plan and to give you the strength to walk in them even when they are not easy.

3 3 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TALK ABOUT IT 1. When Mary first heard the news that the angel told her she was confused and disturbed. This was nothing close to what she had thought In the last reading, God had sent an angel to a young girl named Mary to tell her that she was going to miraculously give birth to a son. And not just any son; Mary had been hand-picked by God to be the one to bring the long-awaited Savior into the world, the Son of God, the Rescuer and King of Israel! Today we will read Mary s response to this this holy interruption. her life would be like. Has there ever been something that happened to you that you didn t understand or something you had to go through that you really didn t want to? Parent tip: help your kids identify a difficult or confusing time such as a pet dying, a difficult or boring school project that had to be done, a dreaded trip to the dentist or doctor, etc. Luke 1: Mary s Response 34Mary asked the angel, But how can this happen? I am a virgin. 35The angel replied, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36What s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God. 38Mary responded, I am the Lord s servant. May everything you have said about me come true. And then the angel left her. Mary had been given amazing and miraculous news. She was going to give birth to the very Son of God. And just to show that nothing is impossible for God, He was going to allow Elizabeth, her cousin (who was far past the normal age to become pregnant) to have a baby, too. Just like we don t always understand why things happen or why we have to do certain things, Mary didn t fully understand what God had called her to. But she accepted it and even embraced what her new life would be and said, I am the Lord s servant. May everything you said about me come true. 2. Mary was able to accept and embrace God s interruption because she was His surrendered servant. That s why God chose her in the first place. What can we learn from Mary s example to help us be more surrendered servants of God? Parent tip: Help kids see that we should always do what God calls us to, even if we don t understand it or want to do it. Because God loves us, He knows and wants what s best for us. His plans may not be exactly what we want. But we can always trust Him and know that His plans are best and far greater than ours (and Mary s). Luke 1:33 - And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end! Thank God together that nothing is impossible for Him; not in Mary s life and not in your family s life. Ask God to help your family be His surrendered servants no matter what He calls you to do.

4 4 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL So many promises and prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. Mary recognized that she was going to be part of the fulfilling of the promise that God made to Abraham a long time ago. Read the verses below. What was the promise that God made to Abraham In the last reading, the angel brought the unimaginable news to Mary that she was going to be the mother of the Savior of the world. Mary was disturbed by the news but, being the Lord s servant, she accepted and embraced the new plan that God had for her life. In today s reading, we find Mary in the house of her cousin Elizabeth, who God also allowed to become miraculously pregnant (she was way past the normal age of having a baby). When Mary enters the house, the baby inside Elizabeth (John) leaps for joy for he knows that he is in the presence of the Savior. Elizabeth says to Mary, You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said. Luke The Magnificent: Mary s Song of Praise 46 Mary responded, Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 52 He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54 He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever. As time goes by, Mary understands more and more how amazing it was that God chose her to be the mother of the one who would be the Rescuer. She was first disturbed and confused by God s interruption. Then she accepted and embraced God s new plan. And now we see how she praises God over and over for who He is, what He s done, and how He chose her to be part of His incredible plan. that was fulfilled in Jesus? Genesis 12:1-3 1 The LORD had said to Abram, Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you. Read the verses below. How was the promise that God made Abraham fulfilled in Jesus? Galatians 3:7-9 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. 8 What s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would declare the Gentiles to be righteous because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, All nations will be blessed through you. 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. God promised to Abraham that all the families on the earth would be blessed through him. This blessing came through Jesus, the Messiah, and all who believe in him as their Rescuer and Savior are blessed by becoming the true children of God. John, the baby inside Elizabeth, knew that the Messiah who would bring this blessing was here. That s why he leaped! As Christmas Day gets closer and the excitement and anticipation of presents and family builds, don t forget the true source of our excitement during this season and let us, like the unborn baby John, leap for joy as we remember the birth of our Savior and the blessing that we receive through Him. TALK ABOUT IT Take a moment to think back through this year. Were there any really big things that happened? What happened that was fun and exciting? What are some blessings that God gave to your family? What can we praise God for like Mary did and say, He has done great things for me? (from devo #5) Luke 1:68 - Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. Thank God for his fulfilled promise to us and for the blessing of being His children through Jesus, our Rescuer. Ask Him to help your family to be just as excited (if not more) as you remember and celebrate the coming of Jesus as you are about the rest of Christmas.

5 5 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TALK ABOUT IT 1. As we come close to the end of the year, talk as a family about specific ways that God has answered your prayers this year. What did you ask God to Last time we talked about how Mary went from disturbed and confused to embracing God s new plan for her and even praising God over and over for who He was, what He had done, and how He chose her to be part of the fulfillment of His promise to Abraham. Today we will see how Zechariah, Elizabeth s husband and John s father, rejoices for the coming of Jesus and for giving him a son, John, who would prepare the people for the coming of their Savior. Luke Zechariah s Prophecy 67 Then John s father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: 68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,because he has visited and redeemed his people. 69 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, 70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. 71 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. 72 He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant 73 the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham. 74 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. 76 And you, my little son [John], will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77 You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. 78 Because of God s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace. Zechariah had prayed for a very long time that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would be able to have a child. But now she was years old and he was 100! There was no humanly possible way that they would be able to have a child now. But just like with Mary, God had other plans. They thought God s answer to their prayer was no. But it wasn t. God answer to them was wait. Not only was He going to miraculously give them a child. He was going to give them a son who would prepare the way for the long awaited Messiah, the Rescuer, the Savior of the world! do? How did He answer? Was it in the way you thought He would or was it in some completely unexpected way? tip: parents you may need to help guide your child s memory to certain events 2. Zechariah (and Elizabeth) waited and prayed a long time that they would have a child. Their prayer was one that could only be answered by God. But they knew Him. And that s why they continued to pray. Even though it wasn t how or when they expected, God did hear them and He honored and answered their faithful prayers. What is something that you and your family can be faithfully praying about that might seem impossible to you? tip: remember, it is not just the prayers that are important but knowing the One that we are praying to. Remind your family that God s answer may not be when or how you might expect, but just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we should be faithful and continue in prayer. Luke 1:68 - Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. Thank God that He is always faithful to keep His promises and to hear our prayers, even when the answer doesn t come right away or isn t exactly what we expect. Ask God to help your family to remember that He is the God of the impossible and to help your family pray BIG prayers to our BIG God.

6 6 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL 2. It would be easy to think that the only reason Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem was so that they could be counted in the census. But God was doing something behind the scenes in order to complete His promise of the coming Messiah. Over 700 In the last reading, we talked about how God answered Zechariah and Elizabeth s faithful prayers for a child. They waited longer than they had hoped for an answer. But when it finally came, the answer was far greater than they could have expected. Today we will see how God used the ordinary (in addition to the miraculous) to bring about His plan of the long-awaited and promised Messiah. Luke 2:1-7 The Birth of Jesus 1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. 6And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.7she gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. years before Jesus was born, a prophet named Micah revealed a part of God s plan. Read the verses below and answer the following questions: Micah 5:2-5 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. 3 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth...4 for he will be highly honored around the world. 5 And he will be the source of peace. What was the part of God s plan that Micah revealed? How did God fulfill His promise to Micah? Sometimes God uses the miraculous to complete His plans like He did with Mary and Elizabeth. Sometimes His plans are completed through not so obvious ways like using the emperor s decree to fulfill Micah s prophecy. It s important to remember that even if we don t see God working in miraculous ways, He is still completing His plans through the everyday events of life. So, whether you are at another Christmas party, a family get-together, or baking your 1 millionth cookie, you may not get a visit from an angel, but know that God is working behind the scenes to complete His plan. The last thing that Mary would have wanted to do was make an 80 mile journey to Bethlehem. The baby would be here soon... hopefully not too soon! But the emperor had commanded that they go back to Joseph s hometown of Bethlehem to be counted in a census. So they made the trip. The baby waited. And finally after a very busy 9 months, she held her new baby in her arms for the first time and she rested. This part of God s plan was complete. TALK ABOUT IT 1. Christmas is an extremely busy time for most of us. There s parties and presents and pictures and family get-togethers that all need our planning. What is one Christmastime activity that gives you the most satisfaction when it is completed (i.e. Christmas shopping, endless baking, Christmas cards, decorating, parties, etc.) Luke 2:11 The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Thank God that He is always working to complete His plans. Ask Him to help you trust Him even when you don t see exactly how He s working. Mary and Joseph had a pretty busy time before the birth of Jesus, too. From miraculous pregnancies to angelic visitors and an 80 mile journey on 9 month pregnant feet, they were ready for their lives to get back to some sense of normalcy.

7 7 CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL TALK ABOUT IT This is the last of the Christmas devotionals for this year. What was your favorite part of the Christmas story that you read? (feel free to look through the previous devotionals to Last time we read about how God used the emperor s decree to bring about the fulfillment of Micah s prophecy of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem. We saw that God uses both the miraculous as well as the ordinary to bring completion to His promises and plans. Mary and Joseph made the journey back to Joseph s home town of Bethlehem and Jesus, the Messiah, was born. Today we will read about God s announcement to the shepherds and how the they responded to the good news of great joy. Luke The Shepherds and Angels 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. Don t be afraid! he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others the armies of heaven praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, Let s go to Bethlehem! Let s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Jesus Is Presented in the Temple 21 Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. refresh your memory) Christmas is a busy time for most of us. There are parties and presents and family and friends that all demand our attention. What goals or traditions would you like to make for next Christmas that will help you focus more on the real reason and message of Christmas? When the shepherds heard the good news brought by the angels they hurriedly ran to see Jesus. Afterwards, they were so excited that they told everyone about what had happened. Jesus has given us the call to, just like the shepherds, tell others about him. When Christmas is over people in your community will still need food and clothes, and your family and friends will still need Jesus. What can your family do to take the message of Christmas beyond just the day of Christmas? (tips: invite other families over for dinner, bbq s, games; find out specific needs of your community and help meet them; take a family walk in the evening and build relationships with your neighbors, etc.) Christmas tree Luke 2:11 The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Christmas is about more than just a cute, little baby wrapped in snuggly clothes and laid in a manger. It s more than choirs of angels, shepherds, and gifts brought by wise men. The message of Christmas is that God sent Jesus, our Rescuer, to bring salvation and hope and peace to our broken world. Simeon praised God using these words when he saw Jesus, the Messiah, for the first time. Having seen Jesus in the story of Christmas this year, pray words that are adapted from Simeon s prayer in Luke 2:30-32: Being a shepherd was not a very glamorous profession and they were not very highly thought of in their communities. But God chose the humble and lowly shepherds to be the recipients of the mighty angelic choir and the greatest news they would ever hear: The Messiah is Here! They had waited, just like everyone else and upon hearing the news, raced to see him. And once they laid their eyes on Jesus, they couldn t hold in their excitement. They went and told everyone they could find. God s promise had finally been fulfilled. The Rescuer had come. God, thank you that we have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people. Thank you that Jesus is a light to reveal God to the nations, and that he is the glory of your people. Help us to show others your light and salvation.