Dear Parents, The holiday season can be extremely busy for every member of your family. School pageants. Church plays. Shopping. Wrapping. Baking. This doesn’t leave much time to just “be” together. This year, I thought it would be a great idea to give each child a Christmas Activity Magnet. This magnet shares the Christmas story in four parts, each represented by a point of the star. Just five minutes once during each of the four weeks before Christmas can help keep the true meaning of Christmas in focus. I’ve included a devotional guide to help direct your family time together. Use it by itself or as a part of your regular family devotions. The guide is written for children in elementary school, but feel free to adjust it for your child’s comprehension level. Incorporate your entire family in this time. If you have teenagers, ask them to read the devotionals as you encourage responses from your younger children. Younger readers can read the Bible verses from their Bibles, and non-readers can retell parts of the Christmas story they enjoy the best. May God’s love surround your family this holiday season. Merry Christmas!
“Mary ... God has a surprise for you” Luke 1:30
Introduction Ask: What’s the biggest surprise you ever received? (Optional: Share about a special surprise you have received.) Say: Surprises are a lot of fun, aren’t they? Today we’re going to talk about someone from a long time ago who received a special surprise from God. Ask: Can you guess who that might be?
The Best Surprise Ever Say: Mary, Jesus’ mother. This is a picture of what she might have looked like. (Give the Mary portion of the Christmas Activity Magnet to your child.) An ordinary day became extraordinary when Mary received a surprise visit from an angel. (Read Luke 1:26–31.) What a surprise … Mary was going to be the mother of the world’s Savior, Jesus! That was a very special part in God’s plan to save the world. And God chose Mary! Ask: What do you think you would have said or done if you were Mary? Do you know what Mary said to that surprising news? Say: At first she was scared. It’s not every day that an angel stops by with a message from God. However, Luke 1:38 tells us that she agreed to do everything God asked her to do. God had everything planned perfectly. Jesus would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. But when He grew up, He would travel around to show and tell people about God. Part of God’s plan meant Jesus had to die on a cross so we could receive forgiveness for our sins. Now everyone who believes in
Jesus and confesses their sins can live forever with Him in Heaven.
Taking It Home Say: And also like Mary, God has special plans for you and me. He wants us to tell others His good news. Ask: Can you think of someone we should tell about Jesus? What are some ways we can share Jesus’ love with others? (Optional: Share some ways God has used you in the past. Examples might be ministering to someone, teaching Sunday School, or helping someone financially.) Say: We’ll put the first magnet on the refridgerator so everyone can see it and be reminded of Mary’s willingness to do what God asked of her. Let’s pray and thank God for the faith of Mary who was willing to be God’s special servant. Let’s thank Jesus for being born on earth and dying for us so that we can have the best gift anyone could ever receive! Let’s also ask the Holy Spirit to give us a servant’s heart like Mary’s so we can share His love and story with others. Close in your own prayer or pray: Dear God, thank you for choosing Mary. Thank you for loving us enough to send Your Son Jesus to save us. Like Mary, help us to be ready and willing to be used by You. Help us also remember that any ordinary day can be extraordinary! © 2005 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802. Permission to duplicate for local church use. Scripture quotation is from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
“Joseph, … don’t hesitate to get married.” Matthew 1:20 Introduction Ask: Do you know what trust means? (Optional: Give an example of what trust looks like. A good example of trust might be reminding the child of the first time he or she jumped into a pool and an adult promised to catch the child .)
Trusting God Is Easy Say: We learn to trust or distrust people by what they say and do. Imagine for a minute that you have a tall, cold ice cream cone. Now, imagine that you have a friend who begs to hold it but promises not to take a lick. Would you let your friend hold the ice cream cone? You would if you trusted that friend. A trustworthy person will do what he says he will do. Today we’re going to talk about Joseph. This is a picture of what Joseph may have looked like. (Give the Joseph portion of the Christmas Activity Magnet to your child.) Ask: Can you tell me who Joseph was? Say: Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. Before the wedding Joseph found out Mary was pregnant and he became very scared—not only for his life, but Mary’s too. During Bible times, if a woman became pregnant before the wedding, she and her husband-to-be could be killed. Joseph’s first thought was to break his promise, call off the marriage, and send Mary away, so she would be safe. However, God had other plans for Joseph and Mary. (Read Matthew 1:18–24.) God had everything under control. He wanted Joseph to keep his promise to Mary and to trust
Him. Because Joseph knew that God’s words could be trusted, he obeyed. Ask: Can you imagine what would have happened if Joseph had not trusted God? Say: The Bible doesn’t talk about Joseph very much and yet he played a big part in Jesus’ birth. God took an ordinary man who trusted Him and gave him a wonderful gift—a chance to be the earthly father of Jesus, our Savior.
Taking It Home Say: Trusting God never has to be scary. God has and will always do what He says He will do. Even when things look bad, God has a perfect plan. Say: Let’s put the second magnet on the refrigerator so it can remind us to trust God’s promises. Let’s pray and thank God for the trusting heart of Joseph who in spite of fear did what he knew was right in the sight of God. We can ask God to help us be trusting and trustworthy just like Joseph! Close in your own prayer or pray: Dear God, help us to trust You with all that we do. Help us also be people who can be trusted by our words and our actions. Help us never forget, in good times and bad, that You are always there for us. © 2005 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802. Permission to duplicate for local church use. Scripture quotation is from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
“A child has been born—for us.” Isaiah 9:6
Introduction Say: Tell me about a time when someone did something special for you. How did it make you feel? (Optional: Share a personal experience of your own.) Ask: Have you ever done something special for someone else? How did it make you feel?
Jesus came to be the line between God and us. He was born on earth so that He could die on the cross for us and take away our sins. Three days later He rose from the dead and returned to Heaven. Now when we pray, Jesus takes our needs and presents them to God for us.
Jesus Is Our Telephone Line Say: Sometimes when we give or do something special for someone it makes us feel so good inside that it’s like getting a present too! When we give to and receive love from others it’s a way of getting to know each other. And because of the gift of Jesus we are able to know and experience God’s love! (Give the Baby Jesus portion of the Christmas Activity Magnet to your child.) Before Jesus’ birth, it was very hard for men and women to know God. Sin got in the way. We needed someone who could take our sins away and be our line to God. Let’s say I want to talk to someone who lives in another state or country. If I stand outside and yell really loud, do you think they will hear me? Of course not! I’m too far away and there are buildings, trees, maybe even mountains and rivers in the way. Ask: What should I do? Why would a telephone help me? Say: A telephone is a line between me and another person. When we talk on the phone it’s almost like all the things in between us disappear. Without that line I can’t really talk or get to know someone who is far away.
Taking It Home Say: The most important part of our magnet puzzle is Jesus. Because He died and rose from the dead, all who trust in Him as Savior will receive the gift of heaven. Jesus promises to be with us always. We need to make sure everyone knows that Christmas is all about Jesus. As we think of the wonderful gift God gave us, let us be thankful for the meaning of that gift. Because of Jesus’ birth, life, and death we can be free from sin and we can talk to God anytime we want. Jesus has promised to listen anytime we call His name. Ask: Is there anything you want to thank God for? Somebody you want to pray for or anything you want to ask for God’s help? Why don’t we take a minute to thank God for all He’s done for us. And thank Jesus for always listening to the things that are on our hearts. (Take turns saying a prayer of thankfulness.) © 2005 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802. Permission to duplicate for local church use. Scripture quotation is from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. .
“We have seen His star in the East.” Matthew 2:2, NKJV Introduction Ask: Who or what is the real star of Christmas? a) Santa Claus b) Gifts c) The Christmas tree d) Jesus Say: Although gifts and decorations are fun, the focus of Christmas should be the birth and life of Jesus. Sometimes we let other things cloud our view of the most important Christmas gift ever—Jesus. He’s truly the star of Christmas.
Oh, Starry Night (Give the star portion of the Christmas Activity Magnet to your child.) Ask: Can you tell me how a star was used to tell about the birth of Jesus? Say: The birth of Jesus is a fascinating story. It happened so simply, but miraculously. God chose a manger for Jesus’ birth and sent His angels to fill the sky, announcing the wonderful miracle. (Read Luke 2:1-20.) Sometime after Jesus was born, when Mary and Joseph were living in a house in Bethlehem, Wise Men from a faraway land came to see Jesus. Ask: How do you think they knew where to go? Say: Yes, a star showed them the way! The Wise Men traveled a great distance, following a star God caused to be raised high in the sky. (Read Matthew 2:9,10.) And verse 11 tells us that when the Wise Men found Jesus, they worshiped Him and gave Him gifts.
were extremely expensive and precious. Only a king would be given such wonderful things. The Wise Men were led to Jesus by a star. The focus of their worship was Jesus. Jesus is the star of Christmas. Ask: Did you know that Jesus even calls himself the bright Morning Star? It’s in the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:16). A long, long time ago it was written that a star would come out of Israel (Numbers 24:17). He would be the Savior. Jesus is that star! He deserves our eternal worship and praise!
Taking It Home Say: Let’s add the last piece of the magnet puzzle to our refrigerator. It’s the top piece, which shows the star shining over the manger scene. (If you placed the pieces together correctly, you should have the shape of a star.) Let’s allow this magnet to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas … Jesus. It may have all started in a manger long ago but because of Jesus’ birth on earth we can live with Him in heaven forever. Close in your own prayer or pray: Dear God, thank you for being the true meaning behind Christmas. Without You, we wouldn’t be celebrating this wonderful holiday. Thank You for your special gift of Jesus. Help us to remember that because of Your gift long ago, we can know and experience love, giving, and forgiveness.
Ask: I know you know what gold is, but can you tell me what incense and myrrh are?
© 2005 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802. Permission to duplicate for local church use.
Say: Incense and myrrh were types of perfumes or spices that smelled good. Gold, incense, and myrrh
Scripture quotation marked (NKJV®) is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
