{Day Twenty}

A Christmas Feast

One night this week, plan to eat a “Christmas dinner” together. Let your kids decorate for the meal by coloring pieces of paper to make placemats, wrapping up homemade “presents” or building a centerpiece “tree” out of sticks and leaves you find outside. Then invite a friend or two to celebrate with you.

For an extra challenge, you could use red and green ingredients. Try making pizzas with pepperoni and green peppers, green eggs and bacon or spaghetti and green beans.

During dinner, read Isaiah 9:2-7 again.

“The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them.

Lord, you will make our nation larger. You will increase their joy. They will show you how glad they are. They will be as glad as people are at harvest time. They will be as glad as soldiers are when they share the things they’ve taken after a battle.

You set Israel free from Midian long ago. In the same way, you will break the heavy yoke that weighs Israel down. You will break the wooden beams that are on their shoulders. You will break the rods of those who strike them down.

Every fighting man’s boot that is used in battle will be burned up. So will every piece of clothes that is covered with blood. All of them will be thrown into the fire.

A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.

The authority of his rule will continue to grow. The peace he brings will never end. He will rule on David’s throne and over his kingdom. He will make the kingdom strong and secure. His rule will be based on what is fair and right. It will last forever. The Lord’s great love will make sure that happens. He rules over all.” Isaiah 9:2-7

Thank Jesus for coming to rescue us!

https://youtu.be/NDL3Eq5YWjA

{Day Nineteen}

Christmas Lights

By now, you’ve probably started seeing some Christmas lights decorating houses, trees, stores, or even cars.If you have some up at your house, turn them on (or ask your parent to light a candle). Then read John 8:12.

Jesus’ Witness Is True

“Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

What do you think Jesus means when he calls himself “the light of the world”?

Try turning off all the lights, except for those Christmas lights (or candle), and walk through your house.

Did you notice that even though it’s dark, you can still see?

That’s because light ALWAYS overcomes darkness and guides us in the right direction—just like Jesus (the light of the world) will always overcome evil and show us where to go!

Christmas lights reflect the light that Jesus is to the world. When you see light displays, notice the lights and remember to thank Jesus for coming to the world. You can tell him how much joy and hope his light brings you by singing along with this song: 

All Our Hope

https://youtu.be/Ul1oRGws1io

Take some time to thank God for providing light to our world.

Just for fun.

See how far people have gone to light up the world @ Christmas! No matter how magnificent the display, there will never be anything more glorious than the light of the world Jesus our Savior!!

Check out this crazy Christmas light display!!

https://vimeo.com/54649301

{Day Eighteen}

Thanks for Angels

Did you know that angels are God’s warriors? (fights in battles and is known for having courage and skill)

Whenever they appeared, they frightened people; that’s why they told the shepherds not to be afraid in Luke 2:8-12.

The Christmas Story – The Shepherds (2/3)

Angels Appear to the Shepherds

“There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby. It was night, and they were looking after their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them. And the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Here is how you will know I am telling you the truth. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

We don’t know exactly what angels looked like, but this might help:

Take some time to thank God for protecting you. With your parents approval, head outside to your driveway or an area of solid surface, lie down and have a sibling or parent use chalk to draw around you the shape of angels with wings like snow angels. Use colored chalk to color it on. Maybe use other household items like foil to decorate your angel. If you have snow now, have fun thanking God and making real snow angels!!

{Day Seventeen}

Be a Blessing

In Luke 1:46-56, Mary praises God for blessing her in crazy, awesome ways—like choosing her to be the mother of Jesus!

Did you know that God blesses us all the time too?

Make a list of 10 different ways that God has blessed you this year.

How has He blessed you this month? Week? Today?

It’s great to feel blessed.

Try blessing somebody through a random and unexpected act of kindness.

Generosity and Blessing

https://youtu.be/VyXe25LyrcY

Blessed Defined:

https://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/bless

{Day Sixteen}

Pray Like Paul

Prayer is one of the best ways we can help others. Paul constantly prayed for others, and Romans 1:8-10 is just one place where we read about this. Christmas can be a sad time for some people. Maybe they can’t visit their friends or a family member is far away.

Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” Romans 1:8-10

But it’s also an incredibly happy time, because it reminds us of God’s love for us! Think about someone you know who is struggling this Christmas season and then, as a family, pray for them. Don’t forget to thank God for sending His Rescuer (Jesus) and for all the wonderful ways we are blessed!

Did you know that you can pray for anyone…anytime?

Watch the video below to learn about how you can pray ANYTIME and ANYWHERE.

https://vimeo.com/kidsclub/youcanprayanytime

{Day Fifteen}

Family Matters

Did you know that when Joseph first found out that Mary was pregnant, he almost didn’t marry her? That’s what the Bible tells us in Matthew 1:18-25.

https://youtu.be/zRWlEzyMn9o

Jesus Christ Is Born

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary and Joseph had promised to get married. But before they started to live together, it became clear that she was going to have a baby. She became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph was a godly man. He did not want to put her to shame in public. So he planned to divorce her quietly.

But as Joseph was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. She is going to have a son. You must give him the name Jesus. That is because he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this took place to bring about what the Lord had said would happen. He had said through the prophet, “The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel.” The name Immanuel means “God with us.”

Joseph woke up. He did what the angel of the Lord commanded him to do. He took Mary home as his wife. But he did not make love to her until after she gave birth to a son. And Joseph gave him the name Jesus.” Matthew 1:18-25

An angel told Joseph to accept both Mary and baby Jesus as a part of his family, and Joseph listened and obeyed.

Listening to and obeying both God and your family is important, and it’s something we all need to practice.

Today, ask a family member for advice on a difficult task. Whether it’s how to clean your room or the best way to wrap a Christmas present, try asking for advice–and then obey what they tell you to do.

Take some time to listen to God too: we’re sure He has great things to tell you! We’d love to hear how YOU listened and obeyed today, so feel free to have your mom share it with me (if you want)! It would be just like Bible Time when you share your stories!!!

{Day Fourteen}

Christmas Cards

When angels announced that Jesus had been born, the shepherds went out and told everybody!

Read this passage from the Bible together.

“The angels left and went into heaven. Then the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem. Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby. The baby was lying in the manger. After the shepherds had seen him, they told everyone. They reported what the angel had said about this child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over. The shepherds returned. They gave glory and praise to God. Everything they had seen and heard was just as they had been told.” Luke 2:15-20

Adam & Kid – Joy to the World (Remix)

People still love to tell people to have a Merry Christmas…often in the form of a Christmas card. Since we are less likely to be our and about this season due to Covid concerns, we can still share the good news that Jesus is born!!

Make a homemade Christmas card for somebody today and mail or give it to them. Maybe make them for tour neighbors, grab your mask and then go place the card on the front door. What an awesome surprise that would be!!

Don’t forget your friends and family. If you’d like to get a little crazy, you can mail anything under 13oz. for $1—and mean ANYTHING. So feel free to add plenty of embellishments.

{Day Thirteen}

Another Kind of Gift

Did you know that hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God told the prophet Isaiah some of the reasons Jesus was special?

You can read about them in Isaiah 9:2-7. Then tell Jesus some of the reasons you love him!

“The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them. Lord, you will make our nation larger. You will increase their joy. They will show you how glad they are. They will be as glad as people are at harvest time. They will be as glad as soldiers are when they share the things they’ve taken after a battle.

You set Israel free from Midian long ago. In the same way, you will break the heavy yoke that weighs Israel down. You will break the wooden beams that are on their shoulders. You will break the rods of those who strike them down.

Every fighting man’s boot that is used in battle will be burned up. So will every piece of clothes that is covered with blood. All of them will be thrown into the fire.

A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.

The authority of his rule will continue to grow. The peace he brings will never end. He will rule on David’s throne and over his kingdom. He will make the kingdom strong and secure. His rule will be based on what is fair and right. It will last forever. The Lord’s great love will make sure that happens. He rules over all.” Isaiah 9:2-7

Sometimes knowing why somebody loves you is the best gift you can get.

Choose one person in your family and fill a jar with words or pictures to describe all the things you love about him or her. Then give it to them.

For more fun Christmas Advent activities and inexpensive gifts for kids to make, don’t forget to check out Pinterest!

{Day Twelve}

Sweet Dreams

Read more about the magi together in Matthew 2:1-12.

The Wise Men Visit Jesus

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea.

After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? When we were in the east, we saw his star. Now we have come to worship him. ”When King Herod heard about it, he was very upset. Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too. So Herod called together all the chief priests of the people. He also called the teachers of the law. He asked them where the Christ was going to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied. “This is what the prophet has written. He said,

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are certainly not the least important among the towns of Judah. A ruler will come out of you. He will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called for the Wise Men secretly. He found out from them exactly when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem. He said, “Go! Make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, bring me a report. Then I can go and worship him too.”

After the Wise Men had listened to the king, they went on their way. The star they had seen when they were in the east went ahead of them. It finally stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.

The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, incense and myrrh. But God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their country on a different road.” Matthew 2:1-12

Did you notice that King Herod said he wanted to worship Jesus, but he was actually upset by His birth? He didn’t want another king to be born! God warned the magi in a dream NOT to return to Herod after worshiping Jesus.

Consider some of the dreams you’ve had recently (try to draw a picture of one, if you can!).

Has anyone had a dream that may have been from God? And if you have, what are you going to do about it?

{Day Eleven}

The Magi Find Jesus

After Jesus was born, some magi (some people call them wise men) were eager to find the promised King and give Him gifts to show their love…even if that meant traveling a long, long time.

Read part of their story in Matthew 2:1-2 and Matthew 2:9-11—and check out the road map below to see how far they traveled.

The Wise Men Visit Jesus

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. This happened while Herod was king of Judea.

After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? When we were in the east, we saw his star. Now we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

“After the Wise Men had listened to the king, they went on their way. The star they had seen when they were in the east went ahead of them. It finally stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy.” Matthew 2:9-11

The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, incense and myrrh.”

Imagine you’re one of the magi. Grab some supplies and take a trek throughout the house – or at least across the room. While you’re traveling, click on the video below to listen to a song about their trip.

How would you have felt to go find Him?

The wise men traveled pretty far to find Jesus. Watch this video to imagine you’re on a long, long trip to find the King.

https://youtu.be/u8L8ekhHDqI