Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Emmy wriggled off her mother's lap and toddled toward the brightly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. "Hold it, little girl!" Mom scooped her up and brought her back to the couch. "Grandpa's going to read us a story."

Grandpa began to read the familiar story of the birth of Jesus. Emmy's sister Joelle let her mind wander while he read about the angels and shepherds and the wise men bringing their gifts. Emmy's going to love the teddy bear Arlo and I bought for her! Joelle thought.

Grandpa finished reading, and Mom prayed, thanking God for the Savior who came to give eternal life to all who trust in Him. Then gifts were passed out.

"This one's for you, Emmy," said Joelle, putting the gift from her and Arlo on the floor in front of her little sister. "Open it." Emmy giggled, but she didn't seem to know what to do. She just patted the ribbons. "Here, like this," Joelle said as she pulled off a bow. Emmy grabbed the ribbon and put it in her mouth.

"At this rate it will take her all night," said Arlo. "I want to see what she thinks of the gift we got her." So he and Joelle began removing the wrapping paper.

"See the fluffy bear," said Joelle as she put the bear in Emmy's lap. Emmy looked at it for a moment, then flung it aside and reached for the wrappings. She laughed as she crinkled the colorful paper in her fingers and draped the ribbons over her head. Then she climbed into the empty box.

"We gave her a really nice gift, and she doesn't even want it!" said Arlo. "She'd rather play with the paper and ribbon."

"I can see that you kids are disappointed in Emmy's reaction to your gift," said Grandpa. "Do you think God ever feels that way at Christmas?"

Arlo and Joelle looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?" asked Joelle.

"Emmy got caught up with the wrappings instead of the gift you gave her, and we can get caught up in all the bright and shiny fun of Christmas like presents, shopping, and parties and ignore the real gift," Grandpa explained. "The gift of Jesus and the eternal life He offers us."

-Jan L. Hansen

How About You?
What does Christmas mean to you? Does it mean parties and good food? Does it mean shopping and presents? Or do you think about God coming to earth as a baby? Do you thank Him for coming to save you from your sins? Have you accepted the most wonderful gift of all--eternal life through Jesus? Don't ignore the real gift of Christmas. Trust in Jesus today! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (NKJV) (1 John 5:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Accept God's gift--eternal life

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

Carly stood on stage with the other shepherds at the church's Christmas play. She scowled at Miss Lena, her Sunday school teacher in the front row.

Carly wanted to be Mary. She wanted to hold baby doll Jesus. Tessa, who had the role of Mary, wasn't even a good actress.

Then Carly had an idea. When the angel came to tell them the good news of Jesus's birth, the shepherds calmly followed the star toward the stable on the other side of the stage--except Carly, who sprinted ahead.

Tessa gasped. "Carly, what are you doing?"

"My name's not Carly!" Carly leaned toward Tessa's microphone. "My name is Mary, and you stole my baby. Give him back!"

Carly tried to grab baby doll Jesus. Tessa backed into the cardboard stable, which crashed to the ground. A few of the little sheep actors started crying.

Miss Lena ran onto the stage. "Consider this a brief intermission," she said to the church members. "Give us a minute to sort this out."

Carly's mom stepped onto the stage as well. "Carly, what were you thinking?"

Carly's stomach twisted with regret. "I…I don't know." She wanted to be the star. But instead, she'd ruined the play.

"Come sit with me for the rest of the play, Carly," Miss Lena said.

Carly hung her head. "Okay."

As Carly watched the rest of the play, she realized Tessa was a great Mary. The real Mary was humble and kind. She didn't think she was better than everyone else, like Carly just did.

On the ride home, Carly said, "I was only thinking about myself with what I did today."

Mom nodded. "You know, the Bible talks about putting others first. Jesus did that when He became human and died for our sins to save us. He did that for us because He loved us. And because we trust in Jesus, we can love others and live like Him. We can be joyful and content in whatever role we have."

"Even if it's the role of a shepherd or a sheep?" Carly asked, and her mom nodded. "I want to love others like Jesus," Carly said. "And I can start by telling Tessa and Miss Lena I'm sorry."

-Becca Wierwille

How About You?
Have you ever fought to be the center of attention? Do you sometimes think so much about yourself that you forget about the people around you? We all have times when we can be selfish. But Jesus saved us from sin so we could live with love and unity, and He will help us put others before ourselves. Humbling ourselves and thinking of others first is a great way to show the love of Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (NIV) (Philippians 2:3)

Today's Key Thought:
Put others first

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:8; Proverbs 24:13-14

"Grab your backpack, Millie. It's time to go to Mimi and Pop's house," Mom called.

Millie grabbed her backpack and hurried downstairs. She loved spending the night at Mimi and Pop's house. Tonight they were going to bake Christmas cookies while Mom and Dad went Christmas shopping.

Millie loudly led Mom and Dad in singing Christmas carols all the way there, and when Dad pulled into the driveway, Millie was the first one out of the car. Mimi opened the door and Millie ran and gave her a big hug.

"Mind your manners," Mom said as she gave Millie a kiss on the forehead.

"I will."

"See you tomorrow afternoon," Dad called out.

After waving goodbye, Millie and Mimi went inside. "Come give me a hug," Pop called from the living room.

Millie ran and gave Pop a big hug, then dashed off to the kitchen. Mimi was already busy getting everything out that they would need to make the cookies. They were going to frost and decorate them too.

"Wash your hands and you can start mixing," Mimi told her.

After mixing the ingredients together, they shaped the dough into balls and flattened them on the cookie sheet. Once the cookies had cooled, they frosted and decorated them.

As they were each enjoying one of their cookie creations, Mimi said, "You know, Millie, frosting the cookies reminded me of a Bible verse that says, 'How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.' God's Word tastes sweet to our souls, just like frosting tastes sweet to our taste buds."

Millie bit into another cookie. "The Bible helps us taste God's goodness, right?"

Mimi nodded. "It shows us how good He is and contains His wisdom and truth. It tells us about Jesus and how He saves us from sin and is always with us. When we read the Bible and let it help us focus our minds on Jesus, we find the love, peace, and comfort that only He can give us." Mimi put the rest of the cookies in a container and closed it. "Now, let's head into the living room for devotions with Pop."

"It's time for some sweetness for the soul," Millie added with a smile.

-Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Do you like the sweet taste of frosting? The Bible tells us that just like honey is sweet to the taste, God's Word is sweet to the soul. It tells us about Jesus and what He did to save us, and it reminds us of who we are in Him. It has words of comfort and encouragement to help us remember God's goodness in tough times. Read what Jesus has to say to you in His Word, the Bible, and taste the sweetness of His love, peace, and joy.

Today's Key Verse:
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. (NLT) (Psalm 119:103)

Today's Key Thought:
God's Word is sweet

Bible Reading: Luke 21:1-4

Sarah wanted one thing for Christmas--the heart-shaped locket in the neighborhood gift shop. One day, she found her friend Gabby looking at the same locket.

Gabby's eyes were glossy. "My mom used to have one like it," she said. "Hers was expensive. We sold it when she got sick." Gabby's mom had been sick for a long time.

"Oh…" Sarah lowered her head.

"I have to go. Merry Christmas, Sarah."

"Yeah, merry Christmas."

A few days later, on Christmas morning, Sarah had one box under the tree.

"Sorry it's not much this year," Dad said.

"But Christmas isn't about opening gifts, right?" Sarah said, remembering her Sunday school teacher's lesson. "We celebrate because God already gave us the best gift. He loves us so much He gave us Jesus. No gift will ever be like that."

Dad kissed her forehead. "You're growing up so fast."

But not so fast she wasn't still excited to open her present. "It's the locket! How'd you know?" She wrapped her arms around him. "I love it."

Then she bit her lip. God had loved Jesus, His only Son, even more. Still, He sent Jesus to die on the cross so Sarah could be saved and live with Him forever. He gave her the best gift. Maybe Sarah could do something more with the locket than keep it for herself. "But, Dad…will you be mad if I give it to someone who needs it more?"

Dad raised his eyebrows. "I'd never get mad at you for being generous, Sarah. God loves a cheerful giver. But are you sure?" Sarah nodded. "Who do you have in mind?" asked Dad.

And so Dad took Sarah across the neighborhood to Gabby's house. When Gabby opened the door, Sarah held out the locket. "I brought you something."

Gabby gasped. But she didn't put it around her neck like Sarah thought she would. "Is it okay if I give it to my mom?"

Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat. "Of course."

And Sarah learned that sometimes, giving gifts was better than getting them. She could give gifts like this because God had given her the greatest gift of all.

-Becca Wierwille

How About You?
Have you ever given away something important to you? We all love getting gifts, but God loves a cheerful giver. We can give to others because God gave us the best gift of all--Jesus. Christmas is a great time of year to practice the kind of generosity God showed when He sent Jesus to be here with us on earth.

Today's Key Verse:
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (NIV) (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Today's Key Thought:
Give as God gave to you

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:6-8

"Mom? Where is Dubai?" Sawyer asked when he got home from school.

"It's in the Middle East," Mom said. "Why do you want to know?"

"Tobias's dad got a job there. They're moving next month," Sawyer replied. He and Tobias, best friends since preschool, were almost inseparable.

"Oh, I see," said Mom. "Come on. Let me show you where it is." Mom turned on her laptop and opened up a map website. "Here's where we live," she said, pointing to a spot, "and…" She pointed to another spot. "This is Dubai."

At first, Sawyer didn't say a word. He just looked sad, and Mom rested her arm softly on his shoulder. "That's really far away!" Sawyer said after a minute. "I'll miss Tobias." He sighed. "We always play together at recess. I'll be all alone--and Tobias will be too. He won't know anybody in Dubai."

"Not at first," Mom said. "It's hard when friends and family move away." She looked at the computer screen thoughtfully. "Hmmm. Close your eyes and point to anywhere on this map." Sawyer pointed to Asia. "Now see where you pointed," said Mom. Sawyer opened his eyes and looked. "God is there," said Mom. "Now do it again!"

Sawyer closed his eyes again, pointed, and then looked at Australia. "God is there too! Do it again," said Mom.

Sawyer closed his eyes and pointed to Mexico. "Guess what?" Mom said. "God

is there too. No matter where Tobias goes, God will be there--and He's also right here with you. He will always be with you. People may come and go, but Jesus will never leave you! He promises to be with those who trust in Him, no matter where we are or what we go through."

"What if I'm here?" asked Sawyer as he pointed to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

"God is there too!" Mom assured him. "But I won't be! So for now, you're staying right here where I can keep an eye on you, young man!" They both laughed, and Sawyer felt better knowing that when Tobias moved away, neither of them would be alone. He was eager to see Tobias and tell him the good news.

-A. W. Smith

How About You?
Have you had to move to a new place? Has a good friend of yours moved away? Perhaps you sometimes feel alone even though there have been no big changes in where you or your friends or relatives live. Remember that God is with you wherever you are. He fills the whole earth, and if you know Jesus, He is always there to comfort you when you're feeling lonely. No matter where you are, you are never alone.

Today's Key Verse:
[Jesus said,] "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (NLV) (Matthew 28:20)

Today's Key Thought:
You are never alone