Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Hebrews 4:13

"We're finally going to Seattle!" Mom exclaimed after checking in at the airport.

"Attle?" Billy said. "Who's Attle?"

Susan gave him a funny look. "We're going to see Grandma."

Billy tried but failed to hide his smile. "Mom just said we're going to see Attle."

Susan groaned. "Seattle. The city." Billy laughed.

As they waited at the security gate, Mom asked, "Billy, are all your toy cars in your backpack?"

Billy placed his backpack on the conveyor belt. "Sure are!" All except the Formula One race car in his pocket--his favorite. But nobody would see it.

Mom and Susan emptied their pockets into the bin and walked through the metal detector first. When Billy entered, a buzzer blared. He froze. Busted.

Immediately a security guard stopped him. "Empty your pockets." Billy handed over his race car. The officer inspected the toy and made Billy walk through the metal detector again, this time with empty pockets.

Once he had cleared the checkpoint, Billy walked to where Mom and Susan were waiting for him. He held up both hands. "Sorry."

Mom shook her head as they started for their gate. "Billy, you thought if I didn't see the race car, the metal detector would miss it too, is that it?"

He shrugged. "I guess I thought I had everyone fooled."

"Well, if you're ever tempted to fool me--or anyone else--again, remember you can't hide things from God. He knows what's in our pockets--and in our hearts too."

Billy thought for a second. "He even knows what I'm thinking, right?"

Mom nodded. "Every thought."

Susan grinned. "He even knows when you're not thinking. You really thought

you could slip a race car through security?"

Billy sighed. "It wasn't my finest moment, I'll admit."

"The good news is that even though God knows everything about us, He still loves us and forgives us for our wrongs," said Mom. "We don't ever have to hide anything from Him because Jesus paid the price for all our sins on the cross."

Billy stuffed the race car deep in his pocket. Every time he saw that car, he'd remember that he could never hide anything from God.

–Matt Shoemaker

How About You?
Have you ever done something you shouldn't have and tried to hide it? Our human hearts are naturally sinful, and sometimes we try to hide our wrongs. But God sees our sin--He knows everything about us and loves us anyway! And He offers us forgiveness through Jesus, who took the punishment for our sin. If there's a sin that's bothering you, don't try to hide it. Confess it to Jesus, and consider talking to a trusted Christian adult about it too.

Today's Key Verse:
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. (NIV) (Hebrews 4:13)

Today's Key Thought:
God sees the unseen

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:7-16

"Look! I had just the right amount of string to attach the candy cane message about Jesus to each candy cane!" Loralee declared.

"Great! Now we're ready to deliver them," Loralee's mother replied.

That afternoon, Loralee and her mother knocked on doors in their neighborhood. As they strolled from house to house in crisp, cool weather, Loralee looked forward to talking with people about how the red-and-white-striped candy told the message of Jesus and the sacrifice He made to forgive people for their sins.

Standing on a broad porch, Loralee handed a candy cane to her neighbor Miss Zelda.

"I like this candy, but I'm not sure I'll read the little story about Jesus." Miss Zelda smiled and shut the door.

As Loralee and her mom turned back to the sidewalk, Loralee sighed. "Mama, I don't know if this is doing any good."

"What do you mean?" asked Mama.

"Most of our neighbors weren't home, so we just left the candy canes hanging on their doorknobs. And the ones who were home didn't seem to care about Jesus being the real reason for Christmas."

"Loralee, you want others to know about Jesus, right?" Mama asked.

"Of course! I gave my life to Jesus last year and trusted Him to forgive my sins, and now I want our neighbors to trust in Him too so they can be God's children."

"When you began a relationship with God as His child, do you know what He poured into your heart, Loralee?"

Loralee scuffed her shoe on some fallen leaves. "I don't know."

"His love! The Bible tells us He pours His love into our hearts."

Loralee smiled. "If God's love is in my heart, that means I have God's love to give to others."

"Exactly!" said Mama. "People may not want to talk about their beliefs or hear about Jesus, but because you have God's love in you, you have something special to share. Just keep sharing God's love with others and trust Him with the rest."

Loralee started walking faster. "Let's go, Mama! We have more of God's love to give to our neighbors today!"

–Allison Wilson Lee

How About You?
Do you ever wonder if your acts of obedience to love others really matter? God's Word tells us that when we trust Jesus to forgive our sins and give us new life in Him, He pours His love into our hearts. So when we show love to others, we're sharing God's love with them. That's a very special gift to give! Even when no one seems to care, keep sharing God's love and trust Him to use your gift to do good things.

Today's Key Verse:
God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (NIV) (Romans 5:5 )

Today's Key Thought:
God's love is in His children

Bible Reading: Galatians 6:2-10

Brenda put down the birthday card she'd gotten from her relatives. "Bobby, when's the last time we saw Aunt Vicky and Uncle Al?"

Her brother shrugged. "It's been a long time. They're always too sick."

Just then Dad walked into the kitchen, wiping his hands on a rag.

"Hey, Dad," Bobby said. "Did you fix the go-cart yet?"

"Still working on it. But it's getting cold outside, so I wanted to get a warmer coat."

"Dad," Brenda said, "how come we never see Aunt Vicky and Uncle Al anymore?"

Dad grabbed a cookie and sat down. "Aunt Vicky has developed severe allergies to many foods, so it's hard to get together for dinner. And perfumes and other odors make her break out in a rash. And her immune system is really weak, so I'm afraid one of us might pass on a virus or something."

Bobby frowned. "It seems like trying to visit them is more trouble than it's worth." Brenda gave her brother a surprised look. "I mean, I want to see them and everything," Bobby said. "But it seems like anything we do will just create problems."

Dad thought for a moment. "You know how I've spent most of the day working on the go-cart?"

Bobby and Brenda nodded.

"This job should have taken an hour at the most, but things keep going wrong," said Dad. "I'm tempted to just throw the whole thing over the back fence into the field. I tell myself, 'It's not worth it! I could be playing golf or something.' Then I remember how much fun we had riding that old go-cart, and I figure it's worth all the trouble to fix it. It's kind of like that with visiting your aunt and uncle. It's getting harder and harder, but I know a visit would really encourage them. When we put in some creative effort to show someone we care, we're showing them the same kind of love Jesus shows us."

"What about going over to their house and caroling outside?" asked Brenda. "We'd keep far enough away so we wouldn't give Aunt Vicky our germs, but we'd still be able to cheer them up."

Dad liked that. "That's being creative, Brenda. I think they'd appreciate that a lot. Some things are worth the extra effort."

–Mike Dize

How About You?
Is there someone you know who is going through a tough time right now? Does a friend or family member need some encouragement? The Bible tells us to love and do good to others, even when it's not easy, so they can see the love of Jesus in us. Think of some creative ways you can show someone going through a hard time that you care about them and want to help.

Today's Key Verse:
But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. (CSB) (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Find creative ways to help others

Bible Reading: Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 1:21-23; Philippians 2:5-8

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Seth," Jaden told his big brother. They were playing one of their favorite video games while waiting for Mom's homemade pizza to finish cooking.

"You could start by actually playing!" Seth paused a moment, then said, "No, really, what's up?"

"Well, you know Brenden, that really awkward new kid in my grade I was telling you about?" asked Jaden.

"Yeah, it reminds me of how I felt when we first moved here and I was just starting middle school. That was not fun!"

"I know, that's why I've been trying to help him out and sit with him at lunch, but now I almost wish I hadn't. His birthday is coming up, and his mom told him he's only allowed to invite one person over for his party to stay overnight at his house. Guess who that lucky person is?" Jaden said sarcastically. "Me!"

"That's not so bad," Seth said.

Jaden looked back at him with a very unconvinced frown. "It just happens to be on Friday--the Friday we have our last kid's club at church before Christmas break, the Friday when everyone gets to take a big prize home instead of just hoping they win the prize drawing! If I ride the bus home with Brenden, I'll miss kid's club! I asked him if he could come, but his mom doesn't know anything about it, so he's not allowed to. I'd have to miss it, and miss my chance to get a prize!"

When Mom called the boys to dinner, she told them she had overheard them talking about Jaden's problem. "It reminded me of what we read in the Bible this morning about Jesus giving up the glory of heaven to come into this world as a baby to save us," Mom said. "Remember how we talked about looking for ways to show that same kind of love to others this Christmas?"

"Yeah." Jaden sighed. "Okay, I'll tell Brenden I'm in. Maybe I can tell his mom more about kid's club and she'll let him come with me. Then neither one of us will miss out on the fun--and Brenden can learn more about Jesus!"

–Alicia Albert

How About You?
Have you heard the Christmas story many times, but never let it really sink in? Think about what Jesus gave up by coming into this world to save us. He left heaven to become a helpless baby so He could one day die for our sins on the cross. When you think about what He gave up for you, you may find it's a little easier to give something up so that you can help change another person's life in an awesome way!

Today's Key Verse:
I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. (CSB) (John 13:34)

Today's Key Thought:
Live the Christmas message

Bible Reading: Isaiah 32:17-18; Luke 2:8-16

When she got home from school, Sybil collapsed into a chair so forcefully it scraped across the floor.

"Sybil!" said Mom. "Be careful! You're going to leave marks!" She sighed as Sybil's little sister started crying in the other room. "This house is like a war zone," she muttered.

Sybil crossed her arms. "Who do you think got the part of Mary in the Christmas play?" she asked sarcastically. "Haeun, of course! She's Mary, and I'm the narrator--again!"

Dad looked up. "Isn't Haeun your best friend?" he asked.

Sybil made a face. "Was my best friend," she corrected.

As four-year-old Emmy helped Mom decorate cookies a little later, she practiced her part for the Christmas program. "Glory to God in…in the highest, and on earth peace, good…goodwill toward men." Then she asked, "Mommy, did Mary get baby clothes for Jesus at the Goodwill store?"

Mom smiled. "No, honey. They didn't have Goodwill stores then. The word goodwill in that verse is talking about the love and favor God showed us by sending Jesus to save us from sin."

"Mom," said Sybil, "when are Aunt Lynn and Uncle Ben coming?"

Mom frowned. "They're not," she replied shortly.

"Not coming!" cried Sybil. "Why not? It won't feel like Christmas without them!" Mom didn't reply, and Sybil looked at her suspiciously. "We haven't seen them since Grandma's funeral. Are you still mad at Aunt Lynn about that picture album?"

Mom wiped a fleck of frosting off her cheek and sighed. "I'd rather not discuss it."

"You're mad at Aunt Lynn," said Emmy, "and Sybil's mad at Haeun. I don't know who I'm mad at." She went back to practicing her lines. "On earth peace, goodwill toward men."

"On earth peace, goodwill toward men," Mom repeated softly. "Jesus came into our world so we could have His peace and love in our lives. But we haven't been doing a great job of showing that peace and love, have we?" She picked up her phone. "I'm going to call Aunt Lynn. It's not too late to invite them to come for Christmas."

Sybil smiled. "Really?"

"Really," said Mom. "And maybe you should do the same with Haeun."

Sybil hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Maybe she can come over and help decorate these cookies."

–Barbara J. Westberg

How About You?
Do you have bitter, angry feelings in your heart toward anyone? Is there a hurt relationship you need to make right? Jesus came to bring peace and goodwill on earth. He came to make us right with God so we could have His peace in our hearts and live in peace with others. If there are hard feelings between you and someone else, do what you can to mend the problem and bring peace.

Today's Key Verse:
Be at peace among yourselves. (NKJV) (1 Thessalonians 5:13)

Today's Key Thought:
Live in peace with others