Today’s Reading:
Read Hebrews 1-4
Think of a time when you gave a gift to someone that they really loved. What was the gift? What made it special? Spend some time discussing this statement as a family, “It is better to give than to receive.” What do you think that means? Do you agree or disagree with that statement?
At Christmas time, we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Celebrating a birthday typically means giving a gift to someone. What gift can you give Jesus this year? Think about the fact that the real gift at Christmas time is that Jesus was born for us. He is the gift we receive as a result of what we celebrate at Christmas. The author of Hebrews helps us to see why Jesus is a gift and why his coming to earth was such a blessing!
The author of Hebrews confirmed for the Jewish believers that Jesus was God’s son. He walked through the prophecies and promises that were made about the coming Messiah and pointed out how Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophecies. Jesus was “crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.” (Heb 2:9) Jesus was faithful to the one who appointed him. (Heb 3:2) Jesus became our high priest, the one who could represent us in front of God! The author Hebrews reminded the believers that Jesus was a priest who was able to understand their weaknesses because of what He experienced on earth. And because of the gift of Jesus, we are now all able to approach the throne of God with confidence.
The gift of JESUS allows us as Christ followers to have access to God through prayer.
Application/Prayer:
Thank God for sending Jesus! What a gift He is! Spend some time as a family discussing what gift you could give to Jesus this year. What is a commitment or a promise you could make to Jesus that could be a gift for Him this season? Draw a picture of that decision and place it under your family’s Christmas tree as a reminder of the gift you are giving to Jesus this year.
December Memory Verse:
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Using the daily reading prompts from George H. Guthrie’s Read the Bible for Life, here’s how to use this devotional:
- Bring your Bible! Your kids need to see that everything you are reading to them or learning about comes from an actual Bible!
- Each day starts with a reading prompt. Read the selection as a family. If your kids are readers, encourage them to read along with you.
- After you’ve read the passage, read the short devotional thought that goes along with each passage.
- Prayer and application are important any time we read God’s word! After each devotional, there is a challenge to help apply what your family has read that day.
- There is a reading for six days of the week. The last reading of the week is a Gospel Conversation Prompt to help you connect the reading from the week with God’s plan for salvation.
Other Resources:
December memory verse coloring sheet