News About A Child

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This devotion is for use during your family Christmas celebration.

• Some families do all their Christmas celebrating on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) instead of Christmas Day (Dec. 25). If that's what you do, use this one Christmas Eve.
  
  
• If you celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, use the Tender Mercy of Forgiveness devotion below on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and save this one for Christmas Day.

FAMILY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Light ALL FOUR candles on the Advent Wreath and any other candles that you have!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
help us listen
to the good news
of your birth.

Have an older adult read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. Use this New Century Version or one you have at home. Read slowly and carefully. If the children have questions as you read, stop and answer them as best you can, saying "I'll need to find out" if you don't know...

At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register.

This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

And all went to their own towns to be registered.

So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, known as the town of David.

Joseph went there because he was from the family of David.

Joseph registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged n and who was now pregnant.

While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have the baby, and she gave birth to her first son.

Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a box where animals were fed.

That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep.

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them.

The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and they became very frightened.

The angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.

Today your Savior was born in the town of David.

He is Christ, the Lord.

This is how you will know him:

You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.

Then an army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, praising God and saying:

"Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God."

When the angels left them and went back 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.”

So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding trough.

When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child.

Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them.

Then the shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard.

It had been just as the angel had told them.

Talk about the story, about how God sent Jesus to show us his love and to save us from our sins. Remind the children that Jesus will grow and will die on the cross for us to save us. Invite your children and everyone else to pray and ask Jesus into their hearts.

Then sing this song (it's a good one because children can sing the chorus). You can download the music here.

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song

Glo --- --- --- -- ria, in excelsis Deo!
Glo --- --- --- -- ria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.


Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for coming to earth
to live with us
and save us.
Come into my heart
come to help me love you
forever.

Then proceed with the rest of your Christmas celebration!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Tender Mercy of Forgiveness

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Some families do all their Christmas celebrating on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) instead of Christmas Day (Dec. 25). If that's what you do, skip this devotional and move on to the Good News About a Child family Christmas devotion above.

Light ALL FOUR candles!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for caring about me
and forgiving me
all the time.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:77.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
God forgives
and loves me
all the time.

This devotional assumes that you use "time outs" as a way of gently disciplining your son or daughter. If you use another method, such as the "removal of privileges" for the rest of the day or week, as suggested by the Smart Discipline program, revise the words in the brackets as you desire.
I love you all the time. Do you know that? Even when you do things that I have to [give you a time out for], I love you always! One of the ways I show you I love you is that after a few minutes, the [time out] is over!

When I [give you a time out], and then when I say it's [been long enough], I am showing you something about God. God loves us and God wants us to do good things. But sometimes we don't and sometimes when we do bad we feel bad or sad or mad!
Maybe there is a simple example you can use about this from your own life or your own childhood.

But feeling bad doesn't last forever! God wants to show us his love again! And so, after awhile, God helps us to know it's okay. That's called forgiveness.
Tell them more about forgiveness and how it might have fit into the simple example you used above.

God cares for us even when we aren't always good. When Jesus came to earth, he came to show us that he loves us all the time! That's what we learn at CHRISTMAS! Talk about how you give presents even when your child hasn't been good all the time!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for caring about me
and forgiving me
all the time.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:77.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
God forgives
and loves me
all the time.

Put out the candles.

Cleaning Up for Christmas

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Light ALL FOUR candles!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus, we know you love us.
Help us listen to what you say.
Tell us what to do and help us do good.

Read this Bible thought from Malachi 3:2-3. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When God comes he makes us do good.

Talk with your child about getting ready for Christmas... If you are going to someone else's house for Christmas, talk about what you have to do when special guests come to your house at another time. Or adjust as needed if you already celebrated Christmas (make past tense).
Who is coming for Christmas? Are we all ready? What did we do already? What do we still have to do? What still needs to be cleaned up?
If there is some picking up you can do right now that won't take but a minute or two, go ahead and do it, making it part of this activity.

We have to clean up our house, don't we? If we don't, what would happen?
Have fun talking about two foot high stacks of dishes, piles of papers and toys everywhere, no place to sit or walk, dirt everywhere. Maybe even read the book "The Man Who Didn't Wash his Dishes" if you have it...

Then say...
I don't always like to clean things up. Sometimes it's hard work and takes a long time.
Talk honestly with your child about other things you'd rather do.

But God helps me to do what is good! He sends Jesus to put love in my heart and he helps me do what is good to do. Sometimes I still need to ask God to help me, and I hope you will ask God to help you too!

When we invite God to be in our life, he helps us do good things.
Talk about some of the good things you believe God calls you to do and about how your child might help in some small way.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we know you love us.
Help us listen to what you say.
Tell us what to do
and help us do good.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Malachi 3:2-3.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When God comes
he makes us do good.

Put out the candles.

The Source of our Joy

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In today's devotion we use the first and third verses of Away in a Manger. You can download the melody here. I tend to avoid the second verse because I don't believe Jesus never cried as a child!

Light ALL FOUR candles!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for coming to earth.
Thank you for giving us
just what what we need.

Read this Bible thought from Second Corinthians 8:9.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
In heaven, Jesus was rich.
But then he came to be with us.
Someday he will make us rich too
in heaven.

Lets sing a song.
Sing with your child or teach this verse.
Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus,
lay down his sweet head,
the stars in the sky,
looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus,
asleep on the hay.

Have a conversation with your child about hay and mangers and where Jesus was born.
What is "hay"?
Hay is like really long grass. People feed it to animals.
Why do you think baby Jesus was sleeping on hay?
Do you sleep on hay?
It wouldn't be really bad... at least it would be kind of soft!

When Jesus came to earth, the Bible says he didn't have a lot of things.
In fact, the Bible says Jesus was poor. He had just enough to live.
When Jesus came to earth, he came to a family that didn't even have a house to sleep in. It wasn't cold where Jesus was born, so it wasn't freezing, but, still, it wasn't a rich kind of place.

Do you know what a manger is? A manger is a place where people put hay to feed animals. When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph didn't have a nice bed to put him in, so when they wanted to lay him down, the softest thing they could find was the hay in the place where the animals eat.

When Jesus was born, he was more poor than rich. His family didn't have money to have a place to stay. But that was okay. He had enough! Jesus wanted to come to us and be poor so we know that he loves us even when we aren't rich... he wants us to have enough, he wants us to be warm enough and to be snug when we sleep, but we don't need to be really rich.

If you have been poor, talk about needing help and about how it's good to know you weren't alone. If you have been more rich than poor, talk about how we can get used to having too many things and not want to share.

I think Jesus always wants us to remember that even when other people have more than we do, it's okay. Jesus loves us always and won't ever stop. Someday, he'll bring us to be with him in heaven. Then he will be rich!.

Teach your child the third verse of Away in a Manger and sing it together.
Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask you to stay
Close by me forever,
and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children
in your tender care,
And bring us to heaven
to live with you there.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for coming to earth.
Thank you for giving us
just what what we need.
Add your own thoughts and prayers, perhaps to help us be happy with what we have.

Read this Bible thought from Second Corinthians 8:9.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
In heaven, Jesus was rich.
But then he came to be with us.
Someday he will make us rich too
in heaven.

Put out the candles.

The Greatest Gift

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Today's devotional guide for families with small children is based on the December 21 piece on page 26 of the Wake Up to Joy booklet.

Light ALL FOUR candles!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
it's exciting to know
you are near!
Help us trust you.
Give us FAITH!

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:45.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we believe
what God says,
we can be happy;
we can be blessed!

Talk to your child about being excited!
Are you excited for Christmas? What do you act like when you're excited? Can you show me?

Here's a story about being excited about Jesus!

Tell your child this Bible story from Luke 1:39-45. If you used yesterday's story about Mary and the angel Gabriel, tell your child that this is what happened next.
Mary was going to be the mother of Jesus! When she found out, she went to tell her family - especially her aunt Elizabeth. Elizabeth was going to have a baby too, and when Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby inside Elizabeth tried to jump! Elizabeth's baby was excited!

Show me how you act when you're excited! Yes, that's what Elizabeth's baby wanted to do, but he was still inside Elizabeth, so all he could do was try to jump!

Elizabeth felt the baby jump inside her, and she said to Mary, "How wonderful! You are going to be the mother of Jesus!" She was excited too!

Elizabeth had already heard that an angel had visited Mary, and that Mary had said "yes" to being Jesus' mother. So Elizabeth said, "How good it is that you BELIEVED what the angel said! How good it is to TRUST what God says!"

Elizabeth and Mary didn't understand everything that was happening to them, but they believed God was doing good things in their lives! Even Elizabeth and her baby were excited! Jesus was going to be born!

Talk about how exciting it is that God came to earth to be with us and to save us. Talk about how exciting it is when people believe that God is near, that he will save them and help them. It's like being excited for Christmas!

When we believe God is near, do you know what it's called? It's called "faith!" We can't see God, but we know he is near. Let's pray that we will always believe it when God comes near to do good things!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
it's exciting to know
you are near!
Help us trust you.
Give us FAITH!
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:45.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we believe
what God says,
we can be happy;
we can be blessed!

Put out the candles.

The Wonder of It All

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Light three candles. (Tomorrow we'll light all four!)

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
You made me special.
What do you want me to do?
When I find out
I'll try to obey.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:38.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Mary said,
"Here I am,
I am God's servant.
I want to do
what God wants me to."

Tell your child this story from Luke 1:26-38. If you used yesterday's story about Zechariah, tell your child that this is what happened next.
God had a important job for someone to do. He loved us so much that he wanted to come and be with us. How could God do that? It was amazing, but God decided to come to the earth as a baby; a baby who would grow to be a man.

So, God sent one of his angels as a messenger. What is an angel? An angel is part of God's army! When people see real angels, they are afraid! And this messenger angel, a powerful angel named "Gabriel..." God sent this angel to a young woman named Mary.

How would you feel if you saw a powerful angel? Mary was worried! But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! God is coming to be with you. And you will have a baby, and that baby will be the Son of God!"

Do you know what Mary said? She didn't say no. She didn't say maybe. She said "Yes!"

God wanted to do something very special in Mary's life. God wants to do something in our lives too.

Talk about a time when you believed God was telling you to do something special... maybe about being a mother or father!

What do you think God might be wanting YOU to do?
Talk about growing up and what kinds of things your son or daughter might do...

Let's pray and ask God to help us obey when he gives us something to do.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
You made me special.
What do you want me to do?
When I find out
I'll try to obey.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:38.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Mary said,
"Here I am,
I am God's servant.
I want to do
what God wants me to."

Put out the candles.

God Strengthens Faith

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Today's devotional guide for families with small children is based the December 19 piece on page 24 of the Wake Up to Joy booklet. From now on the devotions are based on Bible stories that lead up to Jesus being born.

Light three candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you
for always hearing me
when I pray.
Help me to wait
for your answer.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:14.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
You will have joy!
You will be glad!
You can trust God.

Tell your child this Bible story from Luke 1:5-25.
Zechariah was an old man. He worked in God's temple - a place that was kind of like an old church. He and his wife Elizabeth had always wanted a child of their own, but they never had any babies.

One day, when Zechariah was working in the temple, an angel came and said, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and everyone will be happy when he is born."

But Zechariah couldn't believe it. He said, "How can I know if you are telling the truth? I can't believe what you are saying." The angel said: "I am the Angel Gabriel, and God has sent me to tell you this news. Since you can't believe what I say, you won't be able to say anything until all these things come true."

And that's what happened! Zechariah went home and he couldn't say a word. But his wife did have a baby later on. And Zechariah, who couldn't say anything, finally believed God. He asked for something to write on and he wrote "His name is John!" Everything the angel said came true!

God gives us wonderful promises, but sometimes it's hard to believe them. So God gives us stories like the one of Zechariah so we can believe and trust.

Talk to your child about other times it's hard to believe God. Maybe about a time when someone was sick and was waiting to get well and then finally did recover.

Then say:
God promises to make everything wonderful in the end. Sometimes it takes a long time, but the time will come when everything is good. If it doesn't happen here on earth, it will happen in heaven.

Jesus came to die for our sins so someday we can go there and see angels and be with everyone who trusts him. I can't wait!

Feel free to add other thoughts or stories.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you
for always hearing me
when I pray.
Help me to wait
for your answer.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Luke 1:14.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
You will have joy!
You will be glad!
You can trust God.

Put out the candles.

A Lifetime of Favor

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Light three candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
when we are bad,
or sad or mad,
forgive us,
and give us your peace.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 30:4-5.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Praise the Lord!
Always give thanks to God!
When we are bad,
God doesn't stay mad.
God's love makes us glad!

Tell your child this story from the Old Testament book of Genesis, or use your own Bible story book.
Once there was a young man named Joseph.

Joseph’s brothers did mean things to him. Once, they threw him into a deep, dark pit! Some of his brothers even wanted to leave him there! Instead his brothers decided to sell him.

So Joseph was taken away to the land of Egypt, to be a slave.

The Bible tells us a long story about Joseph after that. God helped him many times, and, after a long time, Joseph wasn't a slave anymore. He was rich and important!

A long time later Joseph’s brothers were in trouble. Those were the same brothers that had hurt him long ago. They needed his help.

So Joseph’s brothers went to Joseph and they begged him and said "Please forgive us!"

Do you know what it is to "forgive" someone? It's like when someone does something bad and you don't do something back to them. It's like being friends again.

Anyway, Joseph's brothers begged him to forgive them and to help them. They didn't have any food and Joseph was rich and could help them.

So they said “Joseph please forgive us.” And Joseph told them “Don’t be afraid, I will take care of you and your children.

And he spoke to them kindly, and made them feel better.”

Joseph forgave his brothers!

He didn't stay mad, did he?

That story in the Bible is there to show us how God forgives us too.

He doesn't want us to do bad things, and he wants moms and dads to teach their children to do good, but he doesn't want us to stay made either.

Because of Jesus, God forgives us. And we forgive each other too.

Talk together about times when you've had to lovingly discipline your children and then you have forgiven them, or about times when your child forgave someone who hurt them.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
when we are bad,
or sad or mad,
forgive us,
and give us your peace.
Add your own thoughts and prayers, perhaps including a prayer for forgiveness or friendship or peace.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 30:4-5.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Praise the Lord!
Always give thanks to God!
When we are bad,
God doesn't stay mad.
God's love makes us glad!

Put out the candles.

Our God Comes to Save

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Light three candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming
to save me and everyone else.
Help us let others know!

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 45:21-22.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase, perhaps in rhythm?
Africa, China, America, Asia -
No matter where,
only one savior.
Is God's love big enough
for everyone everywhere?
YES! and He says
"Come to me everyone!"
Come and be saved!

Ask your child...
What's your name?
They'll probably tell you their first name or first and last names.
What's your whole name?

How many ___ ___ ___ (child's first middle last names)
do you know?
If perchance they know more with that name, add something like "5 year old ___ ___ ___" or "blonde ___ ___ ___"... so they'll say "only one."

Do the same thing with your name...
What's my name?
What's my whole name?
How many ___ ___ ___ (your first middle last names)
do you know?
Again, add something to it if you think they know more than one, like "moms" or "dads" who are named ___ ___ ___ ...

Is there anyone exactly like you?

There are people who are kind of like us, but not completely.

What about God? How many Gods are there?

There's only one God, isn't there. God made the world and the stars...
(add your own list of other things God made…)
And God came to earth ONE time as a baby...

What was his name?
Jesus

In the world there are some other people who have the name "Jesus."
If you want to, tell them about people like in Mexico who have that name...
but just like there is only YOU, there is only ONE Jesus who is the Savior, one Jesus who came at Christmas, one Jesus who died on the cross for EVERYONE.
Talk about how amazing it is that ONE Savior can save everyone! If you know about missionaries or churches in other countries you can tell them that they tell people about the same Jesus that your child is learning about...

Who do you think we might tell about Jesus...? (or invite to church, or invite to Sunday school, or invite to your house for devotions tomorrow, or...)
God wants everyone to know him as their savior, the one who loves not just me, not just you, but everyone! We can let them know!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming
to save me and everyone else.
Help us let others know!
Add your own thoughts and prayers, including for anyone who needs to know Jesus as their Savior.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 45:21-22.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase, perhaps in rhythm?
Africa, China, America, Asia -
No matter where,
only one savior.
Is God's love big enough
for everyone everywhere?
YES! and He says
"Come to me everyone!"
Come and be saved!

Put out the candles.

Truly Faithful

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Light three candles. See the devotion for Sunday, Dec. 14 about why three.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
you can see everything.
Help us be honest with you.

Read this Bible thought from Zephaniah 3:12-13.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we pray
God will help us be humble and honest.
Being humble and honest is good.

Then talk with your child about "pretending."
Do you like to pretend? What do you like to pretend?
Most children have fun pretending... talk to them about how this is fun. Your child might remember the Christmas program when some children "pretended" to be Mary and Joseph or other characters.

When you pretend, do really change into someone else?
Talk about this for a minute...
Pretending is fun, but we don't really change into someone else, do we? When you pretend, I really know you are still you! You are always you and I'm so glad!
Let your child know you love them just like they are.

God knows when we pretend. It's okay and it's fun. But he also knows who we are and loves us all the time. Even when we do something wrong. We don't need to pretend, we can be honest.
Talk to your child about what "being honest" means. Maybe add some things about when it's hard to be honest....
When you do something wrong, just tell me! I will always love you. God is like that too. He loves us and forgives us when we do wrong.

When we go to church, we can be honest too. God helps us be honest because he loves us all the time.
If it’s your personal experience that going to church helps you be honest, go ahead and share that.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
you can see everything.
Help us be honest with you.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Zephaniah 3:12-13.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we pray
God will help us be humble and honest.
Being humble and honest is good.

Put out the candles.

Believing When Others Doubt

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Light three candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
you are true and good.
Help us always believe.
When we are right, make us strong.
When we are wrong, help us change.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 21:1-23 and Matthew 28.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Many people cheered
when Jesus rode a donkey into the city.
Some important people thought he was bad.
But, in the end, he rose from the dead.

Tell your child more of this story:
When Jesus was on earth, he did many good things...
Go on to tell them that Jesus helped many people, healing them, making them feel sorry for bad things they had done, forgiving them...

Then tell them about what happened in Jerusalem, using words like this. (I admit this is a very simplified version and misses a lot of the story... use your own version if you prefer).
Sometimes, to help people, he got mad...

He got mad at the devil and at people who were hurting others.

He never hurt them back, but he told the truth.

After he rode the donkey into the city,
he went to a place that was a like a big church called the "temple."

Some people there were trying to get rich by selling things.

Jesus said NO and made them stop.

Later those people got so angry that they had Jesus arrested and killed.

But, in the end, he rose from the dead!

One thing we can learn from this is that people don't always believe Jesus is good.

Another thing is that sometimes we do things that aren't good.

We might not always like to learn from Jesus, but, Jesus knows best!

It's always good to listen to what he says.

We learn that in the Bible.

But not everyone is going to believe.
Thoughts come to mind about confession and forgiveness, or about disagreements and differences, feel free to share in a spirit of love and humility, leading up to the prayer.
Let's pray that God will help us be strong and to love others, even when we disagree.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
you are true and good.
Help us always believe.
When we are right, make us strong.
When we are wrong, help us change.
Add especially prayers for those who are weak and need help.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 21:1-23 and Matthew 28.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Many people cheered
when Jesus rode a donkey into the city.
But some important people
thought he was bad.
But, in the end, he rose from the dead.

Put out the candles.

The Power to Rejoice

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The third week of advent begins today. Last week we lit two candles. This week we light three. If possible, have four candles ready, arranged in a circle like wreath. This will help your children learn the goodness of waiting.

Light three candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for family.
Thank you for food.
Help us remember
all your good gifts.

Read this Bible thought from First Thessalonians 5:16-24.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Rejoice all the time!
Never stop praying!
Always thank God!

Ask your child:
When you're hungry, what do you want to eat?
Let them answer however they want to.

Do you know why we don't always eat __________ ? (the food they said they would like if they were hungry). Why do we sometimes eat __________? (put a "healthy" food in the blank, one they don't like very much)

Sometimes we need moms and dads to help us know what is good to eat. Moms and dads know about what is healthy. It's our job to help you be healthy, so we want you to eat good food. When we give you ___________ (a healthy food they don't like much) it's because we want you to grow up strong.

Do you think you can remember that? It's good to say "thank you" for all our food, even when it's something that's not our favorite. It's good to say "thank you" for everything God gives us. When we say "thank you" it helps us not be so sad or mad.
Perhaps talk about how you have learned to like a particular food you didn't like as a child, or about something that seems hard to do (like work or house work) that makes things better for you and your family.

Let's thank God for lots of things.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for family.
Thank you for food.
Help us remember
all your good gifts.
Add other thoughts and prayers, making a long list together with your child, thanking God for things that are fun or tasty and things that aren't so much fun or favorite but that are good and healthy for us. Have fun with this prayer!

Read this Bible thought from First Thessalonians 5:16-24.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Rejoice all the time!
Never stop praying!
Always thank God!

Put out the candles.

Where True Power Lives

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Before you begin, see if you can find a picture of yourself as a baby or a VERY little child--quite a bit smaller than your child is now. Have it ready to show. If you can't find that, just use any picture of VERY small child and adapt what follows to talk about growing up and growing strong.

Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we need you
so our love
can be strong.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 80:1-2.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Listen, God!
We need help!
Lead us and protect us,
because you are very strong.

Ask your child:
Are you strong?
Let them answer however they want to.

Show them the picture of yourself as a baby or a VERY little child but don't say who it is.
Do you think you're stronger than him/her? (referring to the child in the photo)
Hopefully they will say "yes!"

Then say:
Do you think you could ________ (Ask if your child thinks he/she could pick up the child in the picture, beat them "fun" wrestling, or something else where your child would think he or she is stronger than the child in the picture)

Then say:
Okay!
Look straight at your child.
Go ahead. That baby is me!
Hopefully they will be surprised! Let them try to do what they thought they could do (like lift you up or whatever)...

Then say:
Jesus came as a baby. He looked weak.

But really, he was very strong!

When he grew up, he probably didn't look extra strong either.

When he grew up, some strong and mean people hated him and hurt him and made him die.

But that's when Jesus really showed how strong he is.

On the third day, Jesus came alive again!

He came alive again to show us how strong he is, and how strong God is!

God can ALWAYS help us and save us!

Because of Jesus, we know God is stronger every time!

Then ask:
Do you know anyone who was hurt by someone stronger than them?
If they don't know anyone, you can mention someone who has been "attacked" by a sickness or "attacked" by sadness if someone has died.
God wants us to get help for them!

When someone is hurt, we want to get help for them.

We can be their friend.

Make sure you tell someone like me if someone is hurt.

And then we can find help for them and pray for them and ask God to help them too. And we can tell them about Jesus who loves them very much.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we need you
so our love
can be strong.
Add other thoughts and prayers, especially prayers for those who are weak and need help.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 80:1-2.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Listen, God!
We need help!
Lead us and protect us,
because you are very strong.

Put out the candles.

Accepting the Lord

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NOTE: This lesson was one of the harder ones to simplify. The scripture from Matthew 11:16-19 is about how some of the people were not satisfied with either the sternness of John the Baptist or the loving kindness of Jesus. The key at the end of the passage is that "wisdom is vindicated by her deeds," meaning that no matter how the message is delivered, the most important thing is the “deed” the message does, that is, it transforms us and our lives, leading us to accept the Lord.
--------------------------

Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for teachers.
Help us to learn about you.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 11:16-19.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Some teachers are fun.
Some teachers are strict.
It really doesn't matter
as long as we learn.

Ask your child:
What teachers do you know?
If they're not in school yet, they will have adults who teach them in Sunday school. See if they remember their names or anything about them. At our church there are "shepherds" who are with the children each week and other adults who actually teach the classes in the different rooms. Just talk about the teachers and adults who help or teach.

What does/do your teacher(s) teach you?
For Sunday school, you might mention how they taught them the songs for the Sunday school program last week. Otherwise ask about what they are learning in kindergarten or pre-school or grade school.

I like to learn. Right now I am learning about... say something about what you are learning right now, maybe you're a part of Alpha or a Bible study group. Or maybe there is something new you're learning in connection with your job.

It's good to learn, but I hope you'll always learn about Jesus. And I hope you'll always listen to your teachers. Maybe you could say something about a teacher that perhaps was a bit strict but who you learned a lot from.

In the Bible, some people didn't like how Jesus or other teachers taught, but they were teaching very important things. I hope you'll always try to learn--especially learning about Jesus--no matter what. We don't want to not pay attention just because some days might be a little bit hard or not too exciting. Your kids might want to talk more about Sunday school or their other school experience. Listen, even if they complain, but come back to how important it is to try to learn even if they don't like their teachers real well. On the other hand, if there are real concerns, make sure you talk with the teacher or their principal, supervisor or superintendent.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for teachers.
Help us to learn about you.
Add other thoughts and prayers, especially prayers for teacher and learners.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 11:16-19.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Some teachers are fun.
Some teachers are strict.
It really doesn't matter
as long as we learn.

Put out the candles.

A Word of Celebration

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Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we're glad your birthday is near!
Help us celebrate!

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 145:11-12.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
A suggestion is to read the first line quietly, and get louder as you go until you shout "Let's tell the world!"
+ No one can stay quiet
++ about the excellent
+++ marvelous
++++ wonderful things God does!
+++++ Let's tell the world!

Ask your child:
When are you quiet?
Let them answer however they like.

When are you loud?
Let them answer however they like.

When do you get excited?

I get excited when... tell your child about some good thing that you have been excited about that your child can understand... the birth of the child you're talking to, for example, or getting married, or times you can spend more time with your child... come up with your own story to tell...

I couldn't keep it quiet! I had to tell... tell your child who you tell or told about the exciting thing and how you told people... did you have a party? Do you make plans to do something special? Whatever...

Christmas is coming. At Christmas we ... talk about some of the things you do at home that show it's an exciting time... maybe mention the children's Christmas program at church, or, if your child sings in the choir, mention that...

At Christmas we celebrate when God came to earth! Talk about how God came as a little baby. If you have a story book about Jesus, Mary and Joseph, perhaps you could read a bit of it... don't go too long... unless they are interested!

We don't keep it quiet about that, do we?

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we're glad your birthday is near!
Help us celebrate!
Add other thoughts and prayers, especially prayers for those who need help.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 145:11-12.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
+ No one can stay quiet
++ about the excellent
+++ marvelous
++++ wonderful things God does!
+++++ Let's tell the world!

Put out the candles.

Lifting a Burden

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Light two candles. (To remember why we're lighting two, see the introduction to Sunday's devotion.)

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for work and play.
When we are tired
help us to rest.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 11:28-30.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Jesus said:
Come to me.
You don't need to work alone.

Show your child the picture below - show them on the computer or print it out. If you click on it it will be bigger.

Ask your child:
What do you see in this picture?
Let them answer however they like.

Do you see the "yoke"? It looks like this:


A "yoke" is a way to make two animals work together.
What kind of work do you think animals could do?
Let them answer however they like, or suggest pulling a heavy load, plowing a field.

When animals work together, they can do more and don't get so tired.

Jesus wants us to help each other too. When we help each other, we can do a lot more! How can you help get things done?
Suggest small chores like setting the table, watering plants, shoveling snow, cleaning the barn, helping a neighbor or relative, whatever you think they can do.

God says it's good to work. When we get tired from working, it's a good kind of tired. Then we can rest and sleep really good.

Who do you think gets really tired?

Let's pray and thank God for everyone who works, and ask God to help us rest.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for work and play.
When we are tired
help us to rest.
Add other thoughts and prayers, thanking God for those who work hard.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 11:28-30.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Jesus said:
Come to me.
You don't need to work alone.

Put out the candles.

Our Saving God

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Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for wanting us
even when we disobey.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 18:12-14.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we get lost,
God looks for us.
When we are found,
God is VERY happy!

Ask your child:
Do you like to play? What do you like to play?
Let them answer however they like.

Do you like "hide and seek"? What do you like/not like about it? Do you like to be the seeker or the hider? What is a good place to hide?
Some kids really like "hide and seek" but others don't. Just get them talking and thinking about that game.

Have you ever really been lost? If they say "yes" ask them to tell you the story. If not tell them about a time you or someone you know was lost as a child.

How did you get lost? They might not know... you might suggest that they weren't paying attention to where you were going, or there was a big crowd, or they were with friends without an adult. If your child has never been lost, tell them how you or someone you know got lost.

Who found you and how did they find you? As in the questions above, let them talk, or, if they've never been lost, talk about how you or someone you know got found. (Stick with an example of being lost physically rather than talking about being lost spiritually. Little children don't understand being "spiritually" lost.)

How did it feel to get found? Sometimes we adults forget to be joyful when our kids are found and instead focus on disciplining them right away. Our children's experience of getting found might be good or bad for them. Just let them talk about how they felt without judging those feelings or judging yourself. If they've never been lost, say how it felt for you to get found, being honest about your feelings, or about how the other person felt...

When we are lost, God wants us to be found! And when we are found, God is very glad. In the Bible there is a story about a man who has lots of sheep. When one is lost, he goes and looks for that one. Every one is important. The man looks and looks and, when he finds, he is very happy! God is like that too.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for wanting us
even when we disobey.
Add other thoughts and prayers, especially prayers for those who need help.

Read this Bible thought from Matthew 18:12-14.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we get lost,
God looks for us.
When we are found,
God is VERY happy!

Put out the candles.

The Heart of Courage

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Before you begin...
Find something that is way too heavy for your child to lift... perhaps a big sack of flour or a big chair. Put the item in front of a door in a room other than the one where you are having your devotions, where the child will discover it as you go through the devotion below. Have something they like on the other side of the door (a favorite toy, a treat, whatever...).

Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we need your strong love.
When we know you love us,
we can be strong too.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 35:3-6.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we feel weak,
God is strong.
Never fear!
God will save!

Then say:
Let's pretend we're going __________
(into that closet, room, outside... through the door that is blocked)
Let your child lead the way. When they get to the door that is blocked, say:
Let's pretend you need to go through that door.
Cheer them on as they try to move the object. Make sure it's big enough that they can't move it.
How can you get through?
They might ask for help right away, if so, that's great, help them get through and continue. If they don't ask for help, encourage them or give them hints that they might ask you to help them. When they get through, say "good job" and let them have the toy or treat that was on the other side.

Go back to the room where you were having devotions, bringing the toy or treat along. Ask:
How did you get through?

You asked for help, didn't you?
It's good to get help!
When we get for help we are stronger than when we do things all alone.

What other times do people need help?
Perhaps mention specific handicaps or illnesses. Then say something like this:
It's good to try our best, but when it's hard, don't forget to ask for help!
You can ask me to help you when you need help. Who else can you ask?
Talk with your child about who they can trust. Then say:
God wants us to ask him for help too. Let's do that now.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
more than anything,
we need your strong love.
When we know you love us,
we can be strong too.
Add other thoughts and prayers, especially prayers for those who need help.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 35:3-6.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we feel weak,
God is strong.
Never fear!
God will save!

Put out the candles.

Waiting in Joyful Hope

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The second week of advent begins today. Last week we lit one candle. This week we light two. If possible, have four candles ready, arranged in a circle like wreath. This will help your children learn about waiting.

Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase
with a pause in the middle.
Dear Jesus,
it's hard to wait.
Pause a few seconds before continuing.
Help me be patient.

Read this Bible thought from Second Peter 3:8-9,14.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
God is not slow.
God is not fast.
God is right on time.

Talk with your child about waiting for good things:

• When I'm hungry, I'm waiting for _______.
• When I'm sick, I'm waiting to __________.

Think of other examples,

• for younger children, talk with them anything they are waiting to do like go to school, ride a two wheel bike, learn to swim, learn to ski, do whatever by themselves...
• for kids who are bit older, think about things like this:
  When I'm in school, I'm waiting for ______. (recess)
  When I'm doing homework, I'm waiting _____. (to be done0
  When I'm in church, I'm waiting for ______. (treats or "church to be over!")
  When I'm in a car, I'm waiting to _______. (get there, be able to drive)
  When it's winter, I'm waiting for ______. (spring, lots of snow, playing in the snow)
  

After you have them talking and thinking about waiting for something good to happen, say something like this:
In Advent we practice waiting.
This week we light two candles. Next week we light three. Then... four... and then...
Christmas!

When we wait, it's good, because something GOOD is coming! Waiting is really good!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase
with a pause in the middle.
Dear Jesus,
it's hard to wait.
Pause a few seconds before continuing.
Help me be patient.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Second Peter 3:8-9,14.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
God is not slow.
God is not fast.
God is right on time.

Put out the candles.

Following Directions

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Light one candle.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we need you
to show us the way.
Help us follow.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 30:19-21. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When you cry, God will hear.
God will always help.
God will always show the way.

Play a game, NOT Simon says, but like that with no tricks. Just give your child directions, "Stand up," "Two Steps Forward," etc. Have them turn around, go in different directions... have them sort of wondering where they're going... Then, at the end, have them end up right in front of you so you can give them a big hug.

Then sit down and talk to him or her...
Did you like that little game? Were you confused at all? How did it end?
Let your child answer how they want to.

Then continue by saying.
Sometimes we get confused and don't know which way to go. Sometimes we get worried. But, just like in this game, God promises to love us at the end.

Maybe there is someone in your family or among your friends and loved ones who is ill or who is having a hard time. This would be a time to reassure your child that God will show his love and make it alright in the end. Include the person in "your own thoughts and prayers" below.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we need you
to show us the way.
Help us follow.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 30:19-21. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When you cry, God will hear.
God will always help.
God will always show the way.

Put out the candle.

The Light of the World

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Light one candle.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for day,
thank you for night,
thank you for light.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 17:1. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Don't be afraid!
God is strong!
God is here!

Say something like this and then ask some questions, letting your child say whatever they want to.
Let's look outside. Is it dark or light?
When it's dark, can you see lights?
Do you see Christmas lights?
Do you like them?

Let's try closing our eyes. Do you think the light is still there?

Let's try going in a closet. Do you think the light is still there?

Even when we can't see the lights, they are there!

Lights are strong! God is strong too. Even when we can't see him, he is very hear. We can talk to him anytime!

When you see a light, and when you close your eyes, or when the door closes tight, the light is still there, and so is God! We never need to be afraid!

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
thank you for day,
thank you for night,
thank you for light.
Add your own thoughts and prayers.

Read this Bible thought from Psalm 17:1. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Don't be afraid!
God is strong!
God is here!

Put out the candle.