Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Paige and Akira watched the bag of popcorn rotate slowly in the microwave. They waited until a rush of popping sounds died down before taking it out and letting it cool. They were at a church party, and Miss Martin had asked them to make some popcorn for everyone.

Akira stuffed some popcorn into her mouth. "Yum!" But a moment later, she removed a hard kernel. "Oops!" she said. "This one didn't pop."

Shortly before the party ended, Miss Martin called the kids together. She held two kernels of popcorn in her hand, one small, hard, and dry and the other puffed and snowy white. "I was just wondering," said Miss Martin, "how many of us are like these popped kernels and how many of us are like these hard kernels." She smiled at the puzzled expressions she saw on the kids' faces. "You see," she continued, "we're a lot like this popcorn. When we heated it in the microwave, moisture inside the kernels turned to steam and caused most of them to explode. They changed a lot, didn't they?"

The kids nodded. "But how is that like us?" asked Akira.

"Well, when people hear the good news of Jesus and respond to it by trusting in Him, a change takes place within them," Miss Martin explained. "God says they become new people. There's a change in their attitude and desires that leads to love and care for others."

Paige raised her hand. "My uncle was saved a few months ago, and he's really different now. But I'm not sure if I am or not."

Miss Martin nodded. "The question is, do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who became human to die for your sins--the wrong things you've done--and then came back to life so you could live with Him forever? Do you want to trust Him as your Savior? When you do, He will put a desire in your heart to know Him better and live in a way that shows others His love." She looked around the group. "Search your hearts. If you're still unchanged, like this hard kernel, you can become a new person by trusting in Jesus today."

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Has your life been changed by God? If you were saved as a young child, you may not have noticed many obvious changes. But if you trust in Jesus, He has put a desire in your heart that an unsaved person wouldn't have--a desire to do God's will and show others His love. Have you experienced that? If not, trust in Jesus today and He will change you and make you new. (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:
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (NLT) (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Today's Key Thought:
You can be new in Christ

Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15

"Sammy is so sweet!" whispered Hayden, gazing at her brand-new brother. As she watched the baby, Sammy stirred and opened his eyes. He waved chubby little arms in the air. "He's so tiny!" Hayden said in awe. Then she frowned as the baby began to cry.

Mom came and leaned over the side of the crib. "Maybe it's time for a change of position." She turned Sammy on his side and gently patted his back. He soon stopped crying.

"I can't wait till he's big enough to play with me," said Hayden. "But I guess that won't be for a long time, huh?" She looked at Sammy thoughtfully. "Babies are pretty helpless, aren't they, Mom? All they do is sleep and eat."

Mom nodded. "Yes, but before you know it, he'll be much bigger and will learn how to do all kinds of things."

A little later, the baby began to cry again. "I think your brother is hungry," said Mom. "It's time for Sammy to eat." She went to pick him up.

"Mom," Hayden said after the baby was fed and once again fast asleep, "since it's Christmastime, we've been learning about the things that happened when Jesus was born. He was helpless, just like baby Sammy, wasn't He?"

"Yes, He was," Mom replied. "You know, Jesus could have come to earth as a fully grown man or even as a mighty king if He wanted. But He didn't--He chose to be born as a helpless baby, dependent on His family to take care of Him."

"I wonder why?" said Hayden.

"Well, the Bible says Jesus humbled Himself--He didn't come as a rich, important ruler, but in the form of a servant. The Bible also says Jesus is able to sympathize with us because He knows what it's like to be human--He's experienced things we do like feeling hungry or tired or sad. He even knows what it's like to be tempted, even though He never sinned. I think we're able to understand and trust Him more, knowing that He came to earth as a tiny baby, just like we did." Mom smiled. "He did that for us because He loves us so much. Isn't that great?"

Hayden smiled too and nodded as she glanced down at her baby brother.

-Tanya Ferdinandusz

How About You?
Do you realize how much Jesus humbled Himself by becoming a helpless baby? Christmas is a good time to thank Him for loving you so much that He was willing to do that for you. Thank Him for growing up as a human, facing the same temptations you face, and understanding all your needs and problems and questions. Thank Him for all He has done for you.

Today's Key Verse:
There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (NKJV) (Luke 2:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Thank Jesus for coming as a baby

Bible Reading: Psalm 30:5; John 11:11-17, 34-36; 1 Peter 5:7

Dixon gasped as his bike flipped through the air. A searing pain ripped through his palms and knees. "Owww!" Angrily, he brushed away his tears. "I will not cry!" he said aloud. He picked up his bike and hobbled home.

Dixon's hands and knees ached almost as much as his heart did. Ever since his grandpa had died two weeks before, tears had been hiding right behind his eyes. But he was eleven now--too big to cry.

"Oh, you're hurt!" Mom exclaimed when Dixon limped into the kitchen.

"I was riding my bike and I fell." Dixon's voice trembled as he spoke.

"Come into the bathroom and let's get you cleaned up. Then I'll bandage those sore spots."

Mom gently washed away the dirt and then applied disinfectant to Dixon's injured knees. He gritted his teeth as the medicine stung. "I know it hurts a lot," Mom said, "but it's cleaning the wounds so they can heal."

Dixon took a deep gulp of air and sniffed. Mom put her arm around his shoulders and drew him to her. Dixon stiffened and pulled away. I will not cry, he said to himself. Eleven-year-old boys do not cry.

Mom seemed to know what he was thinking. "Dixon, it's okay to cry when you're hurting." Dixon shook his head angrily. "But it is," Mom said. "Did you know that your dad cried when Grandpa died?"

Dixon was startled. "He did? I didn't think men cried."

"Of course they do," said Mom. "Jesus cried when He was on earth, and that means we all need to cry sometimes. Tears are like the disinfectant I put on those sore spots. Tears help us grieve and are an important part of the healing process." Dixon kept his eyes on his stinging palms. Mom put her hands on his shoulders. "God knows we hurt sometimes," she said. "We don't have to hide our hurt. You can cry--God gave us tears to help us. And Jesus tells us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. He understands what we're going through because He experienced pain and sadness too when He came to earth to save us. Wouldn't you like to tell Him right now about your stinging hands and knees--and about how much you miss your grandpa?"

Dixon nodded, and the tears began to flow.

-Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?
Do you refuse to cry when you're hurting? It's okay to cry--God gave you laughter and tears, and they're both a part of life. You don't have to act tough and pretend you're okay. Even Jesus cried, and He wants you to go to Him with all your hurts. He knows what it's like to feel pain and sadness, and He promises to comfort you. So don't hide your tears from Him. He cares for you and wants to help you.

Today's Key Verse:
Jesus wept. (NKJV) (John 11:35)

Today's Key Thought:
It's okay to cry

Bible Reading: Luke 6:31-36; Romans 15:5-7

"I guess Lydia's okay, but having a new kid join your class in the middle of the year just messes everything up," Haley complained when her mother picked her up at school. "I mean, we're in the middle of our science projects, and we've already starting rehearsing our skit for parents' night. We had an equal number of people on our teams in gym class too. And now somebody new comes along and we have to make room for her."

"I'm sure adding one more person to your group can't be that bad," said Mom as she slowed the car to turn onto the ramp leading to the highway.

Haley shrugged. "Well, it's not fun." She braced herself as her mom suddenly sped up to merge onto the highway. "It's nothing personal, it's just that our groups were already all set."

Haley frowned as the cars on the highway roared by in the lane next to the ramp. "Hey!" she said when she saw the end of the ramp quickly approaching. "What's with all these drivers today? They're not moving over to let us in. Don't they know they're supposed to let us merge into the lane with them?"

"They should know," Mom said as she finally darted into the next lane in front of a pickup truck. "I guess they're busy doing their own thing and don't want to bother with anyone new in their lane. They liked it the way it was before other cars started merging onto the highway from the ramp." She glanced at Haley. "I'm sure it's nothing personal."

Haley blushed and didn't say anything.

"It doesn't feel very good when no one wants to make room for you, does it?" said Mom. "I'm sure Lydia knows how that feels. Imagine how hard it must be for her to start a new school in the middle of the year when everyone already has their own groups and routines." Mom looked over at Haley. "It's not always easy to change things when someone new comes along, but Jesus will help you do it. He always welcomes those who come to Him, and He'll help you show the same kind of love to Lydia."

Haley didn't answer immediately. "Maybe I should be the first one to slow down and let Lydia in," she said at last.

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Is there a new person in your school or neighborhood? Has anyone else slowed down to let them in? Maybe God wants you to be the one to make room for a newcomer or a lonely person. How can you include them and make them feel welcome? Think about how you would want to be treated if you were new or lonely, and then go do the same for them. Welcome others the way Jesus welcomed you into His family.

Today's Key Verse:
Welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. (CSB) (Romans 15:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Help new people feel welcome

Bible Reading: John 3:18; 1 John 5:11-13

Daniel listened politely as his elderly neighbor chatted with him and his mom in the front yard. "You and my grandson Benjamin would get along so well together," Mrs. Crane was saying. "He really enjoys skateboarding. And did I tell you that he plays basketball?"

Daniel nodded. "And that he's in my grade in school, and that he has a baseball card collection."

Mrs. Crane smiled and nodded. "I really hope the two of you get a chance to meet sometime."

After Mrs. Crane left, Daniel turned to his mom. "Mrs. Crane is always telling me about her grandson. I must know just about everything there is to know about him. He sounds like a nice guy, but I'm getting pretty tired of hearing about him. I wish she'd either introduce us or forget the whole thing."

The next Saturday, it happened. The doorbell rang, and there was Mrs. Crane and a boy about Daniel's age. "Hi, Daniel," said Mrs. Crane. "This is Benjamin, my grandson." She smiled at Benjamin. "And this is Daniel."

Benjamin was visiting his grandmother for a week, so the boys played together often and had a great time.

"I'm glad Mrs. Crane finally introduced Benjamin and me," Daniel told his parents one day. "I knew all about him for a long time, but now I actually know him."

Mom nodded. "You can 'know about,' or you can 'know.' The elimination of one small word makes a lot of difference, doesn't it?"

"It's like that when it comes to Jesus too," Dad said. "Some people know about Him, but they don't know Him personally."

"I often think of that at this time of year," said Mom. "Many people have heard the Christmas story over and over. But knowing about Jesus isn't enough. It's as useless as knowing about Benjamin without being able to meet him."

"Yeah," said Daniel. "I was really tired of hearing Mrs. Crane talk about him! Knowing somebody personally is so much better than just hearing about them. I'm glad I know Benjamin now, and I'm especially glad I know Jesus."

–Hazel W. Marett

How About You?
Do you get bored hearing the same stories about Jesus coming to earth as a baby and dying on the cross for sinners again and again? Maybe that's because you only know about Jesus, but you don't know Him personally. He loves you and wants you to know Him as your Savior and friend. Trust Him as your Savior and start getting to know Him today. (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:
You may know that you have eternal life. (NKJV) (1 John 5:13)

Today's Key Thought:
You can know Jesus personally