Christmas Devotion - Bread of Life

"I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from Heaven, which people may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." 
-- John 6:48-51

Without bread no one in ancient Israel would have survived for long. So it seems entirely reasonable for Jesus, in what has become known as the Lord's Prayer, to instruct His disciples to pray for their daily bread. On the cross, the body of Jesus became that bread that was "broken for us," to save us from our sins. Yet the Lord also challenged His followers not to work for food that spoils, announcing Himself as the only food that would enable them to live forever. In fact, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means "house of bread."

Bread was baked daily in the ancient world. Made from a variety of grains (barley for the poor and wheat for those with money), it was usually shaped into small round loaves. Because bread was a primary staple, it was also used in various aspects of worship. The Bread of the Presence at the Temple, consisting of twelve loaves of bread without yeast, served as a constant reminder that it was God who sustained the twelve tribes of Israel. Psalm 78:24-25 speaks of how God's people were fed in the wilderness: He (God) rained down manna for the people to eat, He gave them the grain of Heaven. Human beings ate the bread of angels; He sent them all the food they could eat.

When Jesus fed the five thousand, the bread filled the people up and made them glad. It caused them to recognize that God was giving them a sign, like manna in the desert. Surely this was the Messiah and many wanted to make Jesus king. Jesus quickly withdrew from them because He wanted to do far more than feed bodies that would soon perish. He wanted to nourish souls that would live forever. But the people only wanted more cheap bread. When His disciples found Him He said to them: Stop working for food that spoils. Work for the forever food that I will give you. The work you need to do is to believe in Me. I am the bread of life.

It's easy in our world to stuff ourselves with the world's cheap bread - money, success, comfort and pleasure. The danger is that we will fill up on the bread that only satisfies for a moment but can't feed us for eternity. We need to ask Jesus to make us hungry for Him, for His Presence, for the Bible and for prayer. He is the only bread that will truly satisfy us.

Discuss: Jesus knew that bread is one of life's necessities, so what did He mean by saying He was the bread of life? What do you think He meant when He said that "This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world?"

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I hunger and thirst for so many things that do not bring real life. Yet you speak of food that will enable me to live forever. Satisfy me with Your body and Your blood, the bread of Your holy Presence. Nourish and sustain me now and at the hour of my death. Amen

Song: Do You Hear What I Hear, Mary Did You Know

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Christmas Devotion - Christ, Messiah

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."
-- Mark 8:29

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
-- Acts 2:36

Most of us are so familiar with the title "Christ" that we may think it is Jesus' last name. But what exactly does it mean? Like "Messiah," "Christ" means the "anointed one." The phrase "anointed one" refers to someone who has been set apart for a special mission. That was how the first Christians thought about Jesus, as Israel's Messiah.

The Jews had been waiting for years and years for the promised Messiah. When Jesus began His public ministry, He was recognized by His followers as the Messiah, the Christ. But what He did wasn't in line with what they thought the Messiah would do. The Jewish people were under the rule of Rome and they hated it. Their hope was that the Messiah would be a powerful political and military figure who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel to its glory days under King David.

What they couldn't understand was that God wasn't as interested in their current status as He was in their eternal status. God knows that what we all need saving from the most isn't from another person but from the sin that holds us captive. We need to be saved from the sin that will sentence us to eternity separated from God.

That's what Jesus, the Messiah, came to do...to rescue us from sin.  And that's one of the reasons why they crucified Him. Jesus didn't live up to their wrong expectations of what the Messiah ought to be. They didn't understand, until He rose from the dead, that He saved them from so much more...from an eternity in Hell, separated from God.  Jesus was anointed and given the mission to put an end to our deepest troubles - to rebellion, sin and death. When we pray to Jesus Christ, we are praying to the Messiah, the Anointed One, whose mission involves calling the world back to God through the power of His love.

Discuss:  Talk about the name(s)/title(s). What does it mean to be "anointed"? What are some examples of "anointing" in the Bible?

Prayer:  Jesus, my Messiah, I praise You for triumphing over the powers of sin and death. Thank you for allowing Yourself to be raised up on a cross and then raised from the grave. Cover me with Your forgiveness, and fill me with Your Spirit so that my one purpose will be to glorify You now and forever. In Your name, Amen. 

Songs: Jesus, Messiah by Chris Tomlin, Joy to the World

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Craft:  You could build a nativity scene with your child(ren).  The nativity is the beginning of Christ’s earthly walk.  

Service Project Idea:  For the student who accepted Christ as their Savior they can share their testimony

Christmas Devotion - Morning Star

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.
-- Revelation 22:16

In ancient times, the morning star (actually the planet Venus) was thought of as a herald of the new day, signaling the dawn of hope and joy. The brightest object in the sky aside from the sun and moon, it is a fitting description for Jesus, who ushers in a new day for the entire world. When we call on Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, we are calling on the One from whom all darkness flees.

A star also announced the birth of Jesus. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him."...After they had heard the king, they went on their way. and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him.  Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11

Just like our bodies need light in order to help us be happy, our souls long for light as well. Maybe that's why the story of Jesus is associated with light from start to finish. A star announced His birth and like the Morning Star, His second coming will usher us into His Kingdom of Light.

Discuss: Jesus says that He is coming soon. In what ways do you think His second coming will be different from His first? What are your feelings toward His second coming...fear, doubt, joy, hope?

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, You are the brightest of all stars. With Your light, chase away the world's darkness and the shadows that linger in my life. Help me to await Your coming with hope and confidence and to long eagerly for the new day that will never end, the day in which Your kingdom will be finally and fully established. In Your name, Amen.

Songs: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, Christmas Star by CiCi Winans

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Craft: Make this beautiful paper star I first learned about in Hungary. Here is a tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVtc_Un2JCk

Service Project Idea:  Create one of these paper stars and give it to a shut-in to brighten their day.

Christmas Devotion - The Good Shepherd

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
-- John 10:11-18

One of the most tender images of Jesus is one He supplied when referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd. This name reminds us both of our own vulnerability and Jesus' watchful, protecting care. It evokes a sense of belonging, intimacy, and trust, revealing the Good Shepherd as the One who lays down His life for His sheep. When we pray to the Good Shepherd, we are admitting our need for His care and our confidence in His ability to watch over and protect us.

The Bible uses many metaphors to describe God's people - a temple, a body, a bride, a garden, a vineyard, or a flock of sheep. Shepherding, in fact, was an important job, practiced by Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. Also, the first people that got to hear about the Good News of Jesus' birth were shepherds.  The role of the shepherd was to provide three things for the flock in his or her care: food, protection and guidance.

Out of love for His wandering, lost people, God promises to become their Shepherd. Isaiah 40:11 gives us a wonderful image of God as our Shepherd:
He feeds His flock like a shepherd;
He gathers the lambs in His arms;
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently lead those that have young.

Discuss: How does God’s name of Shepherd emphasize his nature as protector?

Prayer:  You can pray Psalm 23 together

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Songs: Adore by Kari Jobe, The First Noel

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Craft: Begin to set up a nativity scene. Put in Mary, Joseph, shepherds and lambs thus far.

Christmas Devotion - Lamb of God

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

John 1:29

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth: He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Isaiah 53:7

"God has a problem, and it's a big one. He loves people but He hates sin. God is completely good and kind and loving, and He hates it when we aren't. How can He love us when He hates our sins? So God decided to solve this big problem by getting rid of our sins rather than getting rid of us. That's why He sent His Son. Jesus took the punishment for all the wrong things we do. Jesus' death took away our sins, so that now, when God looks at us, He doesn't see the sin that He hates but only the people He loves.

It is impossible to understand the title "Lamb of God" without understanding something about the practice of animal sacrifice. The sacrificial system provided a way for God's people to approach Him even though they had sinned and disobeyed His laws. When a lamb was offered, its blood was shed and its body was burned on the altar. Those who offered sacrifices understood that the animal was a symbolic representation of themselves and their desire to offer their own lives to God. 

To the Jews the lamb represented innocence and gentleness. Because the lamb represented the person's pure intentions before God, the lamb had to be physically perfect."

from Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler

Discuss: Imagine that you are walking into the temple holding a young lamb in your arms. He is like a favorite pet, but now he is going to be sacrificed for your sins. How do you feel? Now imagine doing the same thing over and over because no one sacrifice can possibly take away your sins. What thoughts go through your mind? What do you think of when you think of Jesus as the Lamb of God?  

Prayer: Oh Jesus, Lamb of God, you are worthy of our thankfulness, our praise, and our worship!  Thank you for being so kind and gentle.  Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross that we may one day be with you in Heaven.  In Your name we pray, Amen

Songs: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks, In the Bleak Midwinter

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Craft: Make lambs out of cotton and cardboard. Set them in a little display to remind yourselves of the Lamb of God.

Service Project Idea:  During the cold winter months, many homeless individuals could use a blanket.  You may want to participate in making and/or gathering donated blankets to take to a homeless shelter.

Christmas Devotion - Immanuel

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us.
-- Matthew 1:23

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 
-- Isaiah 7:14

The name Immanuel means "God with us." "When our sins made it impossible for us to come to Him, God took the outrageous step of coming to us, of making Himself susceptible to sorrow, familiar with temptation, and vulnerable to sin's disruptive power, in order to cancel its claim. In Jesus we see how extreme God's love is.

One of the greatest of all the promises in the Bible is this: I am with you. Jesus said it to His disciples (and to us) at the end of Matthew's Gospel: 'Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' If the Lord is with us, what do we have to fear? What do we lack? How can we lose? The same Lord who walked on water, healed the sick, and rose from the dead is saving us, watching over us, guiding our steps.

Remember this the next time you feel discouraged, abandoned, or too scared to try something new. For Jesus is still Immanuel - He is still 'God with us.'"  From Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler

Discuss:  Read and discuss. What are the implications of “God With Us?” What does it mean? How do we know God is with us?

Prayer: Immanuel, I praise You for Your faithful love -- drawing me near when I was far from you. Instead of casting me away from Your presence, You came to call me home. Instead of punishing me for my sins, You came to free from them. Immanuel, my God, You are here with me today. Live in me and glorify Your name, I pray.  Amen

Songs: O Come, O Come Immanuel; God is With Us by Casting Crowns

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Craft: Have the student draw or paint a picture of “God With Us” means to them.

Service Project Idea:  Help set up a community nativity scene (at Christmas) or take part in a community production of the life of Jesus (usually found going on during the Easter/Passover holiday)

Christmas Devotion - A Child

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. 
-- Isaiah 9:6

In a loud voice she (Elizabeth) exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!"
-- Luke 1:42

"One of the reasons I find the Gospel so convincing is that it's nothing I would have dreamed up. Think about it, God became human, a little baby who had to be fed, burped, and bathed. God allowed Himself to get the flu, to be teased, to stub His toe like any other kid.
What if I had been God? Would I have devised an all-loving strategy to woo my people back to myself, developing a plan that would require weakness, humility, and dependency on the part of my child? I doubt it. My strategy would probably have involved more power than love because power seems less risky.

The apostle Paul speaks of Christ's crucifixion by saying: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 But surely God's "foolishness" began when He allowed His Son to be born in a stable and laid in a manger.

Jesus puts it to His disciples like this: 'Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven' Matthew 18:3-4.

But what does it mean to become like little children? Most children don't have much money. They don't have a lot of power. They often lack wisdom. And they aren't afraid of asking for help. Hasn't Jesus already made it plain? If you want to be big in God's kingdom, become small in this world. If you want to save your life, be willing to lose it.

Today, God is calling all of us, adult and child, to become like a little child, asking us to follow Him with humility and trust. Decide to embrace His "foolish-seeming" plan for your life, confident that His strength will be perfected through your weakness." Ann Spangler from Praying the Names of Jesus

Discuss: How would you have saved the world? Why do you think God chose this "foolish" way?

Prayer: Lord, you were cradled in human arms and laid in a manger. How can I begin to understand a gift so unexpected? That someone so great would allow Himself to become so small? Help me to follow You, like a little child. Help me to love You, trust You, and lean on You today, and thank you for showing me the way into Your Kingdom. In Your name, Lord Jesus, I pray, Amen. 

Songs: Away in a Manger, One Small Child, A Strange Way to Save the World

Ornaments: https://biblestoryprintables.com/themed-bible-printables/christmas-bible-printables/names-of-jesus-advent-ornaments/

Craft:  You may wish to create a homemade manger scene, draw a family tree and illustrate it, etc.

Service Project Idea:  Possible ideas include volunteering time in a day care setting for older students, sharing what you have learned thus far in “thinking of you” type cards to shut ins and people in assisted living facilities, creating a puppet show to share with younger children about Jesus being the “first born of every creature,” etc.