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Christmas Family Devotional Series
Away in the Palace with
Cushy Pillows for a Bed?
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
Wouldn’t you expect the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to be born in a palace with luxuries all around? That makes sense, but wasn’t the way the birth of Jesus took place. Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
(from What Child is This?) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7 Jesus, the Savior of the world, entered this world under the most humble circumstances. No pomp, no palace, just a barn. I’m confident that the God of the Universe could have arranged for at least one available room in the inn. But, He didn’t. Have you ever wondered why? I have to believe it was done in keeping with the humility and gentleness that Jesus would demonstrate His entire life. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 We never saw Jesus forcing Himself upon others. Rather, we find a loving invitation to come and follow. The invitation is still open. We celebrate Christmas, recognizing the gentle and humble nature of the Savior. What does the circumstances of Jesus’ humble birth teach you about God?
What other reasons might God have had in Jesus’ humble birth?
If Jesus had been born in a palace, would it have made any difference to you? Why or why not? FAMILY TIME:
In most areas, sometime around Christmas, you can find a church or other organizations that host a “live” nativity scene. Take your family on an outing if such an opportunity exists. Alternatively, there are bound to be some nativity displays to be found in your area, even if they aren’t “live.” Visit one of these. Another alternative would be to gather around a crèche in your home. Once gathered, use the above content for a family discussion about the humble circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. | | |
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Christmas Family Devotional Series
Do Not Be Afraid!
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
There are a lot of scary things in our world these days like wars, natural disasters, violence, and economic difficulties. If we don’t keep a close eye on our attitudes and perspectives, fear can creep into our lives. Unchecked fear can paralyze and damage our souls, making it difficult to live life to the fullest, as God intends. In another, long ago dark time of human history, it should not go without notice that when God breaks onto the scene to announce the birth of Jesus, the first thing the angel who appeared to the shepherds said, “Do not be afraid!” “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:8-11 We celebrate Christmas as God loved us so much to give us the gift of Jesus who is able to conquer the fear in our lives as we trust in Him. “Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 John 4:18 “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:17 "Fear not," then said the Angel,
"let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Savior
Of pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might."
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.
(from God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen) What makes you afraid?
How has fear been an obstacle to experiencing joy in your life?
In what ways can celebrating Christmas serve to drive fear out of your life? FAMILY TIME:
Seal an empty box, and wrap it with Christmas wrapping to make it look like a Christmas present. On the side of the box, cut a slit in it, large enough to slip a piece of paper into the box. Set the box under the Christmas tree. Use the content above to have a family discussion about how Jesus came to free us from fear. After the discussion, give each family a piece of paper and a pen. Have everyone make a list of what makes them afraid. When everyone is done, have them place their list in the empty box under the Christmas tree, explaining that as a family, you are symbolically choosing to give your fears to Jesus. Keep the box under the tree until just before Christmas as a reminder that with Jesus in our lives, there is no reason to fear. Remove the box and dispose of it before the family opens their Christmas gifts. | | |
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Christmas Family Devotional Series
Christmas Food for the Soul
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
With Christmastime comes lots of good food. Christmas candy, cookies, cakes, pies, and Christmas dinner are all part of the special nature of our Christmas celebrations. It’s commonly noted that on average, people gain between five and ten pounds during the holiday season. Yikes! But, while we’re enjoying stuffing ourselves with Christmas goodies, how about doing some thinking on our spiritual nourishment? Christmas is a wonderful time to remember that Jesus is the “bread of life.” It’s a powerful illustration of what Jesus is meant to be to our lives. He’s the source of life. He’s the food our souls need! Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.” John 6:35 This Christmas, make sure you’re feeding your soul a healthy diet of Jesus. What are you doing this Christmas to make sure you are filling your soul with Jesus?
Can we ever have too much of Jesus? Why or why not?
FAMILY TIME:
Bake and decorate homemade Christmas cookies. Allow everyone in the family to participate if they want. Everyone should be able to request their favorite kind of cookie. As you make cookies, use the content above to remind your family that Jesus is the “bread of life.”
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Christmas Family Devotional Series
Christmas Can Change Your Life
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
Jesus said, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
(Matthew 3:8 NLT)
One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is The Muppet Christmas Carol. It retains the same story as the classic, but it’s much funnier. The message that it’s not too late to change your life rings loud and clear. So, why not watch the movie and do some reflection on your life? There’s no better time than Christmastime, as we celebrate God’s greatest gift to us, to make a decision to change! Know that the power of Christ is present to help you! Watch The Muppet Christmas Carol with your family and use the content above to debrief after the movie is over. What lessons can we learn from the things Scrooge experienced?
Is it ever too late to change your mind about how you live your life? Why or why not?
If you were to choose one thing that you would change about how you live your life, what would it be? We celebrate Christmas because God sent Jesus into the world to show us our need to change our lives and to follow the example of His life. | | |
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Christmas Family Devotional Series
A Look at the Shepherds
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. - Luke 2:17-20
Having heard the angel’s pronouncement concerning Jesus’ birth, and having heard the heavenly army praising God, the shepherds left their fields and flocks to find Jesus. They wanted to see for themselves. After they had seen Jesus, they didn’t keep the amazing circumstances to themselves. As the Gospel of Luke records, “they spread the word.” Then, they returned to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God. No further description is provided about these shepherds in the Scriptures regarding how their lives were impacted by what they had heard and seen. But, it’s easy to imagine that they were never quite the same. It’s not difficult to believe that they kept telling the story to anyone willing to listen. Today, we’re not much different than the shepherds were. We, like them, have the opportunity to encounter Jesus. We, like them, can be changed by the encounter. We, like them, can share the Good News about Jesus wherever our journeys take us. We, like them, can praise and glorify God. And we, like them, can return to our responsibilities and stations in life and keep telling others about the King of Kings. As we celebrate Christmas, may we choose not to keep the Good News of Jesus a secret, but out of thanksgiving for what God has done for us and in us, let’s praise and glorify God, and share the Good News with whomever is willing to listen. Could you imagine it possible that your belief in Jesus might be traced back to a Shepherd who went to Bethlehem, saw Jesus and told others about he experienced? Why or why not?
What do you find hardest about telling others the Good News of Jesus?
How would you choose to live differently today if you were convinced that your belief in Jesus might influence someone who will live two thousand years from now to also believe?
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