A Moment with the Messiah: Day 9

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 2:15—18  

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

Reflect: There are a few key principles in these verses: (1) the shepherds heard the Truth; (2) they became seekers of the Truth; and, (3) they told others about the Truth. Hear. Seek. Tell. It’s not a prescription, but it is a worthwhile discipline because we know from verse 18 that “all who heard it were amazed.”

Respond: Father, often I hear, but I don’t seek. Or, I hear and seek, but don’t tell others. Help me to have complete follow-through and to rightly apply Truth. Let it permeate my entire being so I can confidently tell others who You are and they can be amazed by You.

Tot Time: Have them practice saying: Hear, seek, tell. Explain what each of those words mean. Afterwards, you can pull up Go Tell It On The Mountain on your phone and have them sing with you!

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 8

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 2:13—14

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Reflect: While there’s no definition of what “a great company of the heavenly host” looks like in Scripture, it’s probably no chancel choir. Isaiah 6:3 speaks of the seraphim who surround the throne and call to each other, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” His favor of salvation rests on you and that is reason enough to praise Him and cry, “Glory to God in the highest heaven!”

Respond: Holy, holy, holy, are you Lord Almighty! Glory to God in the highest! You are worthy to be praised and I continually proclaim Your name.

Tot Time: Talk about what praise means and then teach about how we praise God and can also praise and encourage those around us.

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 7

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 2:8—12

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Reflect: During Jesus’ day, shepherding was not an upper-crust career. The angels first appeared to people living in fields, not city lofts. What a comfort to know that while the world influences us to “put on a good show,” God’s true desire is humility. Praise God today because He proclaimed to you the good news that caused you great joy! 

Respond: Giver of joy, how wonderful it is to declare Your truth of salvation. Thank You for the free gift of grace through Jesus and for bringing me the good news.

Tot Time: Have her or him share about exciting news she or he once received. What made that news so much fun? Parallel this idea with what the shepherds must’ve felt when the angel told them about the Messiah being born.

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 6

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 2:5—7

5 He [Joseph] went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 

Reflect: God is never early, or late. Whether or not you’ve personally experienced birthing a child—know this: when it’s time, it’s time. There is no holding off or rushing forward; you must yield to the pace and the place. Mary wasn’t at home or in a posh guest room awaiting the baby’s arrival. She was in a crazy-crowded town, hunkered in a stable, giving birth to the salvation of the world. That may not have been what she pictured in her mind when the angel visited her, but it was God’s plan. And friends, when it’s God’s plan–no matter our surroundings or circumstances–it’s better to yield and say, “When it’s time, it’s time, my Lord.”

Respond: Perfect Father, how often I want to hold Your hand back or inch it forward to control my world. Yet, you have the best pace and the optimal place. Teach me to willingly yield to Your will and Your way.

Tot Time: Talk about babies being born and what that means to you as a friend, family member, or parent. Remind the little ones how loved they are and how God planned for them to be born. God knew the time and the place. It was just as He wanted!

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 5

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 2:1—4

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 

Reflect: We must stop and consider all that God was orchestrating. It was necessary for Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem and have the baby there because it would fulfill the prophecy from Micah 5:2. God is continuously at work on your behalf and the Lord is over all (Colossians 1:15). Let this truth sink in! Just as God prompted Caesar Augustus to conduct a census, so He prompts us to act in accordance to His will.

Respond: Supreme God, how mind-blowing it is to consider all You do. Thank You for threading me into Your beautiful fabric of salvation and using me as an instrument to help prepare and ready others. I’m so glad I’m an heir to the line of Christ.

Tot Time: It was roughly 100 miles from Nazareth (where Mary and Joseph were from) to Bethlehem (where they were traveling to). Back then, there were no trains, planes, or cars. This could’ve been a scary trip for Mary and Joseph because it would’ve taken 8—10 days to make the journey. Ask your children these questions: “Do you ever get scared? What are ways to be brave and carry forward, even when you’re afraid? What do you think Mary and Joseph did on their journey to keep going?”

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 4

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 1:46—55 

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

Reflect: Out of the overflow of Mary’s heart, she praised God. She recalled her unworthiness (verse 48) and His might (verse 49). She speaks of God’s mercy (verse 50) and the deeds He has performed to orchestrate that exact moment (verse 51). Declare His praise today, for He is mindful of you and extends His sweet mercy to you. He has fed you, helped you, and will forever be with you.

Respond: Mighty One, You are beyond comprehension and full of beauty and grace. Thank You for Your extension of love to me and Your priceless gift of salvation. While I am a wretched person, You saw it fit to pursue me. Help me “to live a life worthy of the Lord and please [You] in every way” (Colossians 1:10).

Tot Time: With the children, spend some time making a list of all the things you’re thankful for that God has given. Call out God’s characteristics (i.e., loving, kind, patient, etc.) and write them down.

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 3

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 1:42—45

42 In a loud voice she [Elizabeth] exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 

Reflect: The word blessed means “happy.” The Bible is filled with encouraging and inspiring promises to you, and when you choose to believe them, happiness leaps forth. This doesn’t refer to the “happiness” we’re accustomed to hearing about that (supposedly) comes through possessions, money, and fancy cars. No, this is a deep-seated peace and grounding, a joy that only Christ can offer through knowing Him as Savior and Lord (the Supreme One). If you haven’t made the choice to wholeheartedly follow Christ, delay it no longer! You don’t need to repeat an eloquent prayer or wait until Sunday morning–simply confess to God that you believe in His Son, the gift of salvation He offers, and what His Word declares. Then, go forward with joy, knowing you are blessed. 

Respond: Father, You are the Supreme One, and I want to live my life for You. I believe You sent Your only Son, Jesus, to die the death I should’ve experienced. Thank You for Your gift of grace. I did not earn this eternal gift, and I am not worthy to receive it; but, You give out of pure love, and I’m overwhelmingly grateful. I choose to follow You from this day forward. 

Tot Time: Revisit what the word blessed means and have the kiddos talk or write out what makes them happy. Then, encourage them to share the gift of happiness with others this next week.

 

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 2

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 1:26—33

26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Reflect: First off, you are highly favored. Favor wasn’t just for the mother of Jesus. God saw fit to seek you out and use you for His purpose, just like Mary. This was the work of the Holy Spirit in you. The Son of the Most High is not only your Savior; He sits on His throne and has granted you citizenship in His eternal kingdom. Oh, how glorious! 

Respond: Savior of the world, thank You for preparing my heart and sending Your Spirit to speak to my brokenness. You were sent to this earth for me, and I want to not only honor You as my King, but also remember that You are Most High and Most Holy. I stand in awe of You. 

Tot Time: Talk about the child’s name and how it was given to him or her. Then, teach the child how Jesus’ name means “God saves” and how God named His Son, just like the child was named. Names are a special gift and are given in love–just like God gave Jesus to the earth as an act of love.

A Moment with the Messiah: Day 1

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your heart. May you be richly blessed in Him!

Read: Luke 1:11—17

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  

Reflect: Merriam-Webster helps us define the word prepare: “to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity.” Just as John the Baptist was sent before Jesus to prepare the hearts of the people for the Lord, we must also prepare our own hearts for His coming and make ready the way for others.

Respond: Gracious Lord, fill me with Your Spirit and prepare my heart this season. Anchor me so I’m not distracted by the noise and the hustle around me. I want my heart to be still so I can clearly hear Your righteous Word and obediently respond.

Tot Time: Holiday baking creates wonderful memories. Talk with the wee ones about a time they baked a cake or cookies with you (or someone they know) and walk them through how all the ingredients were gathered, the oven was preheated, hands were washed, etc. Each of those acts were preparation (getting ready) for what they were about to do. In the same way, we want our own heart to be ready so we can hear His instructions. How can we get everything ready so we hear from God?