Scripture Reading — Luke 2:17-20They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. . . .— Luke 2:17Because our young family has lived far away from other relatives, my wife and I have often tried to find different Christmas activities that our kids can engage in. We’ve discove
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:15-16The shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”— Luke 2:15My children enjoy making Christmas presents for each other. Especially when they were younger, a big part of our family celebra
Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-2“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”— Matthew 2:2Sometimes the big news story of the day is not the one we think it is—or there is more to it than we realize.As Jesus was born, something els
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:8-14The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”— Luke 2:10“Do not be afraid.”When we think of Christmas, these are probably not the first words that come to mind. We usually focus on the joy and celebratio
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:6-7While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. . . .— Luke 2:6Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us, especially if our schedules are full. For many of us in North America and other places, there are parties to attend, decorations to put up, presents to
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:1-5Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.— Luke 2:1The Christmas story is shaped, in part, by a government decision: a census. People in Palestine likely griped about Caesar’s decree—and, according to tradition, a Jewish ci
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:67-80His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. . . .— Luke 1:67Opening gifts is a big part of our family’s Christmas celebration. Each year, our kids are excited to see what they’ll receive. But one important part of all this is learning about gr
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:57-66Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.— Luke 1:58The story of Jesus’ birth is intertwined with another miraculous birth—that of John, who was born to Elizabeth and Zechariah in their old age. Though Zecharia
Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:22-25“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).— Matthew 1:23Joseph is sometimes an overlooked character in the Christmas story. He never speaks in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. Instead, he con
Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:18-21Joseph . . . had in mind to divorce her quietly.— Matthew 1:19Having looked at Luke 1 already this month, we know about the angel’s announcement to Mary and the miraculous conception of her son, who would be named Jesus.But Joseph did not know all of this at first.
Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:1-24. . . and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.— Matthew 1:16Christmas often brings families together for celebrations. In many ways this can be a wonderful time of celebration and encouragement.
Scripture Reading — Luke 1:46-56“The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”— Luke 1:49One danger we can slip into at Christmastime is discontent. Maybe we long for “the perfect gift” from someone. Or we hope for the perfect family gathering with “just the right people” around the
