for He will save His people from their sins.” — Matthew 1:21 (NKJV)
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the law. — Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)
God always had a plan for His people. The day the prophets had been telling about had finally come. The star in the east pointed the way. God’s Son had come to earth as a tiny baby born to a young girl named Mary. He had come into the world so the world could be saved. Never before had there been such a miracle! God became one of us, completely human in every way, but still completely God. Jesus. Even His name was a wonderful miracle, given to Mary by God. Just the mention of His name would cast out demons, heal the sick and raise the dead, and only Jesus can take away our sin. It doesn’t matter where you came from or what the color of your skin is, He wants you to accept Him as your Savior. Some day everyone who ever lived will bow down to Him as Lord. Is Jesus Christ your Lord?
Today's Prayer Lord God, thank You for sending Your only Son to live among us so we could know You. Lord Jesus, thank You for being Immanuel, “God with us,” and coming to earth to save us. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in our hearts.
Today's Activity: Have the children help create or set up a nativity scene where it will remind them every day why Jesus came to earth. (Don’t forget to leave the manger empty until He comes on Christmas Eve.)
Seek & Find Answer to the question in the painting above:
1. The manger is encircled by a heart. “For God so loved the world.”
2. The lamb is a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice as “The Lamb of God.” There are three crosses; one on the hill above the manger and one on each post beside the manger.
3. The empty tomb is found on the distant hillside between the two posts on the right side of the painting.