Today’s Reading:
Read Revelation 1:1-2:12; 2:17-19; 3:1-22; 4; 5
Growing up in my house, we had a tradition on Christmas Eve. We could each pick one present to open before bedtime on Christmas Eve. All of the other presents had to wait until Christmas morning, but there was always one present that we got to open on Christmas Eve. Opening that one present made the excitement for the remaining presents grow!
The book of Revelation was written by John, and it was written many years after Jesus had returned to heaven. Jesus came to John in a vision and encouraged him to write letters to the seven churches in Asia. The messages in the letters gave clear instruction, encouragement and discipline to each church. In his vision, John saw a special scroll that was sealed and no one could open. The book of Revelation also included some imagery and descriptions of what heaven will look like.
The scroll needed to be opened by someone who was worthy- someone who had fulfilled the prophecies contained in the scroll. Jesus was that someone! John saw a “slaughtered lamb” and was told it was the “Lion of Judah, the root of David.” Remember, Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would suffer and be killed like a lamb to slaughter and that the Messiah would come from the line of David. (Isaiah 53:7; Isaiah 11:1) Jesus had fulfilled those prophecies.
Reading about Jesus being worthy to open the scroll because of what He had done for us with his death and resurrection should excite us to learn more about what heaven will look like!
Application/Prayer:
Spend some time worshiping as a family tonight. Sing some Christmas carols together that remind you of what Jesus did for us! Thank Jesus for being willing to come as a baby and grow up to be our sacrifice so that we can one day go to Heaven and be with Him!
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