Bible Reading: Matthew 1:21-23; Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:5-8

"Grandpa, look at this map book I found," said Casey.

"That's my old atlas," Grandpa answered. "I used that atlas to teach your mom about places of the world." Grandpa turned some pages and said, "See that green star? I put that on the town where I was born in Iowa. This other star is where Grandma was born." Then he turned to a page that showed the whole United States. There was a star on Iowa and a star on New Mexico.

"Look, here's New Mexico where we live," said Casey. She traced a line between the two states. "Grandpa, you started in Iowa, and now you and Grandma live in New Mexico, right across the street from us!"

"Yes, we moved a thousand miles to be close to the people we love most." Grandpa showed Casey another map with green stars on it. "My parents were born here, in Austria."

"Austria? Kangaroos live there!" Casey said.

"No, honey, kangaroos live in Australia. Austria is a country in Europe."

Casey turned some pages and found a map with a large gold star on it. Grandpa touched the star and said, "I know someone who was born here, and so do you."

"Is it Uncle Gilbert? Mom said he lives far away."

"No. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. I put a special star on it, like the star that shone there when He was born. After Jesus was born, what happened to Him?" Grandpa asked.

"He grew up, and He was the only person who never sinned. But we do sin, so we need a saver."

"Savior," corrected Grandpa. "Then what happened?"

"He died on the cross, but then He rose again, and now He lives in us because we trust in Him," said Casey.

"That's right. Grandma and I moved a long way to live close to you, but Jesus came all the way from heaven to save us so He could live in us. We were separated from Him because of our sin, so Jesus became human and died for us. When we trust in Him, He is always with us through the Holy Spirit, and one day we'll see Him face-to-face."

Casey smiled and said, "I'm glad He came to be our saver."

"Savior," said Grandpa with a wink. "Me too."

–Teresa Ambord

How About You?
Do you know someone who moved to be closer to family and friends? Many people try to live close to those they love, like their grandchildren. That might mean moving a great distance to live near them. Just think how far Jesus came to be close to those He loves--like you! He came all the way from heaven to save you so you could live with Him forever. Have you trusted in Him? (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.)

Today's Key Verse:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV) (John 3:16)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus came to save us

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 9:23-24; James 1:17; 3:13

"Guess what, Mom?" Taylor yelled breathlessly, running up the driveway to where her mom was painting the window trim of their new house. "I got the lead part in the school play!"

"Oh, Taylor! That's terrific!" Mom put her paintbrush down and hugged her daughter.

"Yeah," said Taylor. "It's about time my teachers notice how good at acting I am. Oh! We also got the results of our band tryouts today. I'm first chair flute! I did it!" Taylor danced around. "And I got an A on a tough math test too. This is the best day of my life!"

"Wow, honey! That's great. But…" Mom motioned for Taylor to sit down beside her on the porch swing.

"What is it?" asked Taylor.

"You do so well in math, and you're also very talented in music and drama," said Mom. "But how much credit can you actually take?"

Taylor was puzzled. "How much credit can I…" Suddenly her face broke into a smile. "Oh, sorry, Mom! You helped me with the audition lines for the play, and Dad quizzed me in math. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Okay! Enough!" Mom laughed. "That's not what I meant. Think about it this way--we're enjoying our brand-new house, right? Well, if it could talk, should it be bragging about how well-built and beautiful it is?"

"Of course not!" Taylor giggled. "Dad should get the credit! He built it--well, him and the workers from his construction company."

"So you think it would be ridiculous for the house to praise itself for its top-notch design and structure instead of giving credit to the builder?" Taylor nodded. "Well," Mom continued, "the Bible says we are God's workmanship. He's the one who created us and gave us the talents we have--yet nothing we can do could ever compare to the great things He has done, like saving us from sin and changing people's hearts. Sounds to me like He deserves the credit and praise, not us. What do you think?"

Taylor sighed. "You're right, Mom. I need to give God the credit for the things I can do."

–Lyn Jackson

How About You?
Do you give God credit for the things you can do? After all, He made you and gave you your talents and abilities. The Bible tells us not to boast (or brag) about anything except for the Lord, because He's the one who created us and sent His Son, Jesus, to save us by dying on the cross for our sins. Everything good comes from Him. Thank Him for all He's given you, and the next time you feel like bragging, brag about Him!

Today's Key Verse:
In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever. (NKJV) (Psalm 44:8)

Today's Key Thought:
Boast in the Lord

Bible Reading: Romans 6:11-13; 12:1-2

"Grandma, let's play a guessing game," Aiden said after his parents dropped him off at his grandmother's house for the afternoon. "I'll tell you a riddle about what I have in my backpack, and you try to guess what it is. Here goes. I come in lots of colors. I am constantly changing. You've most likely played with me. Guess what I am!"

"Hmm." Grandma rubbed her forehead. "Can I have another hint?"

"Nope. Time's up!" Aiden reached into his bag and pulled out some plastic containers. "It's playdough!"

"That was a good one!" said Grandma. "I suppose you're going to want to take that stuff out of the containers now, aren't you?" Aiden smiled and nodded, and for the next hour, Grandma and Aiden squished and molded the playdough into every shape they could think of.

"Yesterday I looked online to find facts about playdough for a project at school, which made me think to bring some here," Aiden said as he rolled a piece of yellow dough across the table. "Did you know that it was first invented in the 1930s as wallpaper cleaner? Or that over three billion containers of playdough have been sold? That's enough playdough to stretch all the way to the moon!" Aiden put the last piece of dough in place and showed off his creation. "Look, a hamburger and French fries!"

"Mmm, yummy!" Grandma pinched the end of her ball of blue dough to make a fin. "I made a blue whale."

"Cool!" said Aiden. "I love playdough. You can make anything with it!"

Grandma nodded. "Yes, it's fun to play with. But did you know we can learn from it too?" Aiden shook his head. "God's children should be like playdough in His hands," said Grandma. "Playdough is soft and workable, allowing people to shape it however they think is best. And we need to be the same with God, letting Him shape our attitudes and desires so we'll be more like Jesus."

"So, just like playdough, God will mold us the way He knows is best?" asked Aiden.

Grandma nodded. "We can trust Him to shape us into the people He wants us to be--people who reflect the love of Jesus to others."

-Lucinda J. Rollings

How About You?
Are you allowing God to shape you into the person He wants you to be? Or are you trying to conform to those around you or hold on to your old selfish ways? If you know Jesus as your Savior, God is working in your heart to make you more like Him. As He molds you and shapes you, He will help you turn away from sin and show His love to others. Trust Him to help you let go of sinful habits and make you more like Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we all are the work of your hands. (CSB) (Isaiah 64:8 )

Today's Key Thought:
Let God mold you

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:28-31; Colossians 3:23

Why didn't God give me any musical talent? wondered Clara as she watched her family perform in the Christmas program at church. They can all sing so well--all except me.

"It's not fair," Clara said after the program. "All of you can sing, and I can't. I felt dumb sitting there while all of you had lead parts with solos in the Christmas musical. I wish I could sing too."

"Well, we'd like you to join us, Clara, but we don't have a part for a bullfrog," teased her brother.

"Lucas, be nice," Mom scolded. "Clara may not sing, but she has other talents." She turned to her daughter. "Like drawing pictures. That's a special talent God has given you. And you're good at memorizing too. Mrs. Gordon wanted you to recite some Bible verses in the program tonight, but you didn't want to do that, remember?"

"But I want to sing like all of you," said Clara.

When Dad came home from work the next day, he handed Clara a box. "Mom told me you wanted some new paints."

"Thanks, Dad!" Clara tore open the box. "Oh no! There must be some mistake. All of these are blue! I can't paint pictures with just blue."

"Sky and water are both blue. You can just paint those."

Clara looked at Dad in surprise. "Dad, that would be boring! I want to paint more than that."

Dad smiled. "You're right. You need lots of colors to paint beautiful pictures." He handed Clara another box.

Clara eagerly looked over the variety of colors in the second box. "Thanks, Dad. But why did you only give me blue paints at first?"

"Well, I'm hoping you'll see that if all people had the same abilities, it would be like just having one color for painting pictures," Dad replied. "God gives each person different abilities, and when we work together with other Christians to help more people know about Jesus, we give them a fuller picture of who He is and how much He loves us."

Clara nodded. "Instead of wishing I could sing, I'll trust God to help me be the best artist I can be." She smiled at Dad. "And if Mrs. Gordon still wants me to, I could recite some Bible verses at our next program."

-Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?
Have you discovered your own special talents? Maybe you can't sing or draw, but you might be good at math or sports or telling stories. Or perhaps you're good at putting things together or making new kids feel at home. Whatever your abilities are, keep working to develop them the best you can. Trust God to help you use them to show His love to others and point people to Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your strength. (NLV) (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Today's Key Thought:
Use your talents

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-3; 1 John 4:12

"We'll be late for church if Bella doesn't hurry," Parker complained as he laced up his new neon sneakers. "She takes forever to do her hair! I want to show my friends my shoes."

When they were finally on their way, Bella demanded that Parker close his window so the wind wouldn't blow her hair. "Don't you ever think of anything besides your precious hair?" Parker snapped. Bella tried to kick his shoe in response, but he pulled out of the way so she didn't scuff it.

Before going into the church service, Bella went to fix her hair again, giving Parker time to show off his shoes. They both slipped into the row after the lights had dimmed for worship.

When they got home, Parker got out a magnifying glass. "It's fun to use this to look at stuff. It makes everything look really big."

"Let me see," said Bella, grabbing the magnifying glass from Parker.

Dad took a couple little pieces of paper and wrote something on each. He gave one to Parker. "Look at this under your magnifying glass."

Parker looked at it, shrugged, and handed it to Bella. She saw that Dad had written the word God on the paper. Dad handed Parker the second piece of paper. "Whoa, there," he said when Parker reached for the magnifying glass. "Don't put that one under the glass. It's not supposed to be magnified." Parker read it and handed it to his sister. Written in small letters was the word me.

"I get it!" Parker grinned. "We're supposed to magnify God, not ourselves."

"We can't actually see God through a magnifying glass," Bella pointed out.

"But we can see Him in the love and care He shows us through other people," said Dad. "And as Christians, we can point others to Him. Since we know Jesus, we can show others who He is by reflecting His love. Yet it's easy to magnify ourselves instead of God."

"Yeah," broke in Parker with a grin. "Like doing your hair all the time and making everybody late for church."

"Or grumbling about your siblings and bragging about shoes," added Dad. "While it's good to enjoy the things God blesses us with, we want people to see that He is the focus of our lives, not ourselves. God loves us, and when we help others experience His love, we magnify Him."

-Harriett A. Durrell

How About You?
Do you spend too much time focusing on yourself and what you want? Do you grumble and complain when things don't go your way? The Bible tells us to magnify God in everything we do, and that means reflecting the loving character of Jesus, who gave up everything--even His own life--to save us. Think about how your actions affect those around you, and aim to bring glory to God, not yourself.

Today's Key Verse:
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. (NKJV) (Psalm 34:3)

Today's Key Thought:
Glorify God, not yourself