Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

"Why would God do that? Why would He send His Son to die?" Arjun wiped powdered sugar from the kalkal he had just eaten off his face.

Reeja smiled brightly, glad to have a chance to tell her friend why her family celebrated Christmas instead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights many of their neighbors celebrated. "Because God loves us that much! The sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, would bring eternal life to whoever believes in Him."

"That's wonderful, but I feel bad for Jesus," Arjun murmured.

Reeja's eyes sparkled. "Arjun, Jesus is alive! After He died for our sins, He rose from the dead three days later--the Bible says so."

"And you believe this? That must take a lot of faith!"

Reeja shrugged. "I just know I have been called out of darkness into the light. When we are without Jesus, we are in the dark. He is the light of the world, and whoever trusts in Him has the light of life."

Arjun's forehead wrinkled in contemplation. "Does it say this in the Bible? Could you show me?"

Reeja pulled her Bible off the table, powdered sugar fingerprints dusting the cover. She flipped to John 8:12. "You see how these words are printed in red? These are the words of Jesus. Here, read them."

Arjun read softly, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Reeja pointed to another verse on the same page. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," she read.

"Truth is important to Hindus," Arjun said. "I will have to think about what I've read and what we've discussed today. It's fascinating!"

Reeja rose from her chair and stretched. "I'll be praying for you, Arjun. Anytime you want to talk more about Jesus's victory of light over darkness, I'm here. Now, do you want to help me finish decorating the Christmas crib?"

"I would, but I'm going to see my cousins today, so I'd better get home." Arjun headed for the door, then turned back. "Thank you for today. If kalkal is involved, I'll come over again tomorrow!"

Reeja laughed and handed Arjun the last fried pastry on the plate. "I hope this will satisfy your craving until then!"

-Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you? The Bible says everyone has sinned and we need a Savior. So God sent His perfect Son as a baby in a manger to meet that need. Jesus died for our sins and then rose again, and He gives His truth and light to all who trust in Him. Have you come out of darkness into the light? If not, trust in Him today! (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (NIV) (John 12:46)

Today's Key Thought:
Jesus is the light of the world

Bible Reading: John 1:1-14

Reeja excitedly gathered colorful light strands and grasses. Decorating the Christmas crib was her favorite part of welcoming the Christmas season. Her mother told her they called it a nativity scene in America, where Reeja's uncle lived. Regardless of what it was called, Reeja was just happy to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

"Maybe this year I'll add a waterfall," Reeja mused as she collected large rocks to incorporate into her Christmas crib. She paused to look at the houses around her. Some neighbors were constructing their own cribs, while other yards were empty. Arjun, the boy who lived next door, walked out his front door. Reeja gave him a friendly wave, and Arjun grinned and headed over.

"Would you like to help me decorate?" Reeja asked.

Arjun nodded enthusiastically. "My parents don't decorate for the Christmas season, but our house looked really nice for Diwali."

Reeja recalled the bright lights and beautiful colors at the traditional Hindu festival of lights. "Yes, I remember your home looked very festive!"

"How come you don't celebrate Diwali?" Arjun asked. "It's about the victory of light over darkness."

Reeja wove a strand of star lights through some of the grasses. "We celebrate a different kind of victory of light over darkness when we celebrate Christmas."

"What do you mean?" Arjun's face looked puzzled.

"Do you know of the Bible? It's the book of truth Christians live by."

Arjun nodded. "I've heard about the Bible, but I haven't read it."

"It starts with the beginning of creation, where everything was created by God and it was good. But then humans disobeyed God and sin and death entered the world. God knew we needed someone to save us, so He sent His one and only Son, Jesus. He came to earth as a baby, and when He grew up, He died on a cross to defeat sin and death. He conquered the darkness with His light." Reeja patted the straw that made up the manger bed.

"Who wants some kalkal?" Reeja's mom's voice rang over the yard. Arjun's mouth watered as he pictured the fried pastry treat in his mind.

"Come on," Reeja said. "We'll talk more after our snack. Mom always makes kalkal with extra powdered sugar!"

-Savannah Coleman

How About You?
Do you have friends or neighbors who don't know Jesus? If you know Him as your Savior, you have His hope inside you like a bright light shining in the darkness. When someone asks you about your faith, trust God for help in speaking His truth to them with gentleness and respect. Share His light with others by telling them about the hope you have in Jesus.

Today's Key Verse:
But you are a chosen people…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV) (1 Peter 2:9)

Today's Key Thought:
Share the light of Jesus

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:12-17

When Sadie walked into the kitchen one morning, she found Dad cradling a tiny orange kitten. The kitten's eyes weren't even open.

"What's wrong with him?" Sadie asked. "Why is he crying?"

Dad used an eyedropper to give him milk. "I found this little guy outside, alone and hungry. I'm afraid something happened to the rest of his family."

"So you're going to take care of him?"

"Yeah, he's too little to survive on his own."

Sadie thought of the first story in the Bible about how Adam and Eve cared for the animals. She wanted to care for God's creation too. "Can I help?"

"Absolutely! I'll show you how."

Sadie was extra-gentle when Dad put the kitten in her arms. He was the color of a carrot, so that's what she'd call him.

For the next few weeks, Sadie watched Carrot grow. His eyes opened, then he started walking with more confidence. Soon he no longer needed the eyedropper--he ate kitten food. Sadie felt proud.

One day, when she was giving Carrot his food, he scratched her arm with his sharp claws. Tears welled in Sadie's eyes. She picked up his food bowl. He didn't deserve food after that.

The front door opened. "Is everything okay, Sadie?" Dad asked.

"No!" She burst into tears. "Carrot scratched me. All I've ever done is love him, and now he hurt me!"

"Oh, Sadie. I'm sorry." Dad hugged her. "The way you care for Carrot reminds me of the way God cares for us. You are kind, gentle, and patient. That's the way God loves us too, only His love is even stronger."

Sadie stopped crying. "Sometimes, I hurt God. When I do things I know I shouldn't." She looked at Carrot's food bowl. "But God forgives me. Jesus died for me so that I could live with Him forever."

Dad nodded. "Jesus set a wonderful example for us."

Sadie knew what to do. She put the food back on the ground. Carrot began to eat. She looked at the blood on her arm. "It's okay, Carrot. I forgive you, and I love you."

Sadie was thankful God often said those same words to her.

-Becca Wierwille

How About You?
Have you ever struggled to show kindness? When someone hurts us, it can be hard to be kind and forgiving. The good news is, God is always kind and forgiving to us. Even though we have sinned against God and hurt others by doing things that are wrong, He still loves us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so we could be forgiven. And we can follow His example by showing kindness and forgiveness to those around us.

Today's Key Verse:
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (NKJV) (Ephesians 4:32 )

Today's Key Thought:
Be kind and forgive

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32:11-12; Isaiah 40:31; Revelation 4:6-11

Kaia dropped her backpack on the kitchen table and sat down with a big smile. "We saw a great video in science today!"

Kaia's mom looked up from her bill paying. "What was it about?"

"Eagles." Kaia showed her mom a large color photo of a bald eagle. The white-headed bird of prey looked to be floating on air, its wings stretched out like the wings of a jet. "Mr. Thompson gave us all a print of this eagle. Isn't it beautiful?"

"It sure is," Mom agreed.

Kaia was excited to share what she'd learned. "June 20 is National American Eagle Day. In 1782, the bald eagle was made a symbol of the United States."

Mom closed her computer. "They're certainly one of God's amazing animals."

"Did you know that their wingspan can be up to seven and a half feet long?" Kaia didn't wait for an answer. "The video said eagles spend their first four years exploring the country, traveling hundreds of miles before they settle down to have a family. And listen to this! When they dive to catch their food, which is mostly fish, they can move up to a hundred miles per hour!"

"Wow! I didn't know they were that fast," said Mom. "But I do remember reading in the Bible that eagles are swift and strong."

"The Bible talks about eagles?" asked Kaia.

Mom nodded. "Many verses mention eagles. After God brought His people out of Egypt, He gave Moses a song to teach the Israelites. In this song, God compares Himself to an eagle protecting its chicks with its wings."

Kaia was impressed. "So the eagle isn't just fast and strong. It's a protector too!"

"That's right. And like an eagle, Jesus covers us with His love and grace. In the book of Revelation, the eagle is also one of four creatures surrounding God's throne, singing, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'"

"We sing that in church," said Kaia. "So, God is like an eagle because He protects us, and we can be like eagles by worshiping Him. I guess God wants all His creation to worship Him!"

"He does," said Mom. "Now and forever!"

-Bonnie Carr

How About You?
What's your favorite animal? All God's creatures are magnificent and purposeful in their own ways. But did you know that all were created for God? When Jesus comes back to rule, and when heaven is established on earth, all God's creatures will rejoice and serve Him in their own way. Today, take some time to worship God and marvel at His creation. Thank Him for covering you with wings like an eagle.

Today's Key Verse:
You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things. (NKJV) (Revelation 4:11)

Today's Key Thought:
Worship God

Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-4, 38-39

"Mmm, this smells so good," Kyle said as he picked up a fresh Christmas wreath out of the back of his mom's car.

"I know. I love the smell of pine too," Mom said. "You can set the wreath on the porch for now."

Kyle was just a couple of feet from the porch when he tripped over his skateboard. The wreath flew out of his hands and hit the ground with a thud. When it fell, some parts of it came loose.

"Oh, Kyle!" exclaimed Mom. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," said Kyle as Mom helped him up. Then they both examined the wreath to assess the damage. "I'm so sorry. Did I ruin it?" Kyle asked.

"It's a little beaten up," said Mom. "But I should be able to fix it." She paused. "Didn't I tell you to put your skateboard away earlier?"

Kyle nodded. "Yes, but I forgot. I'm sorry."

"Why don't you grab your skateboard and take it to the garage where it belongs?" Mom smiled. "That way, no more humans or wreaths will get injured."

Kyle smiled and did as he was told. When he got back to the front porch, his mom had the wreath fixed and was hanging it on the front door.

"How does it look?" Mom asked as she took a step back.

"Looks good, Mom," Kyle replied. "Why do we put wreaths up at Christmastime anyway?"

"Well, I like to think of wreaths as reminders of God's endless love for us," said Mom. "Wreaths are in the shape of a circle, and circles have no end. And there's also no end to God's love for us. Jesus demonstrated this when He came to earth as a baby that first Christmas. He is fully God, but He also became fully human to die for our sins, and even though He is now risen, He will always be human. He will be both God and man--both divine and human--for all eternity! That's how much He loves us. He became one of us so He could be with us forever."

"I'm thankful God's love for us is endless," said Kyle.

"Me too," said Mom. "Whenever I look at this wreath, I remember that, no matter what we do or what we face, God's love is greater."

-Melissa Yeagle

How About You?
Do you know how much God loves you? At Christmastime, we remember that Jesus, who is God, loves us so much that He came to earth as a human and died for our wrongs so we could be saved from sin and death. He became one of us so we could have a home with Him forever. His love for you is endless. Have you put your trust in Him? (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page.)

Today's Key Verse:
So the Word [Jesus] became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. (NLT) (John 1:14)

Today's Key Thought:
God's love is endless