Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4

Josiah sat in front of the woodstove, soaking up the warmth and staring at the flickering flames. It was very cold outside, and he was happy his grandpa kept the fire going. He and his mom had just made the long trip north from Virginia after his dad left them. Josiah missed his dad, and he missed his friends.

"Time to empty the ash pan," Grandpa announced as he came into the den.

"What?" asked Josiah, who had been lost in his thoughts.

"The ash pan," said Grandpa. "When the wood burns, it leaves behind some ash that collects in a pan at the bottom of the stove. Every few days, I have to empty it." Grandpa put on large gloves and used a special shovel to scoop the ashes from the pan into a bucket.

Josiah peered into the bucket. It was filled with light-gray flakes and dust. "That looks messy," he said. "What do you do with all that useless stuff?"

"Useless?" Grandpa shook his head. "It's not useless to me. Let me show you something."

Grandpa pulled a scrapbook off the shelf and flipped it open. It was filled with photos of roses and blue ribbons. "This is my blue-ribbon rose book," he said proudly.

"You won all those?" asked Josiah. "Wow."

"Sure did," replied Grandpa. "Do you want to know my secret?" Josiah nodded eagerly. "Ashes," said Grandpa.

"No way!" said Josiah in disbelief.

Grandpa nodded. "Wood ash contains lots of nutrients that my rosebushes need. Every spring, I spread an inch around the base of each shrub. It helps my plants produce prize-winning blooms." Grandpa looked at Josiah. "You know," he continued, "I know someone else who likes to make beauty from ashes." Grandpa paused and pointed heavenward. "God can take something that seems pretty useless and use it to make something wonderful. I know you miss your dad and aren't thrilled to be here, but Jesus can use even the hard things in our lives for good. He used what seemed like the worst thing of all--His death on a cross--to bring us the wonderful gift of eternal life with Him. If we keep our eyes open, I'm sure we'll see Him make something beautiful from your situation as well."

–Laura Kuehn

How About You?
Does your life seem to be filled with useless ashes right now? Is it hard for you to see how God could make it better? Don't be discouraged. God loves you very much--so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you--and He promises to do good things in your life. Pray and ask Him to help you. Then trust Him to take the difficult situation you're going through and bring something beautiful out of it.

Today's Key Verse:
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (NIV) (Romans 8:28)

Today's Key Thought:
God can use hard things for good

Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-20

"Time to leave!" called Mom.

"I'm almost done with this level," said Timothy, eyes glued to the computer screen.

Mom stepped into his bedroom. "Get dressed now," she said. "We don't want to hold up the pageant rehearsal." She hurried down the hall, calling for Timothy's little sister, Gabby.

"I don't see why I have to be in the Christmas pageant," muttered Timothy. "I'm just a dumb shepherd, anyway."

He dug a brown robe from a pile of clothes and pulled it over his head. He looked at himself in the mirror. "Boy, I hope no one from school sees me wearing this!"

Timothy walked into the kitchen, tugging at the rope wrapped around his waist. "This costume is itchy. Do I have to do this?"

Mom was struggling with Gabby's angel costume. "Stand still, honey. These buttons are hard to see." She blew a wisp of hair from her face. "We've made a commitment, Timothy. We can't let everyone down. Besides, you're in the pageant every year."

"That's just it," said Timothy. "It's the same old thing, every single Christmas. A bunch of shepherds, a few wise men. It's not like we're telling a new story. It's boring!"

Mom stood up. "Come here, Timothy." She held out her arms and hugged him.

"I know you don't want to do this. But some things can't wait. Some stories need

us to tell them--over and over again, right now!"

"But I'm just a shepherd," said Timothy. "They're not interesting. Not like the angels." He pointed at Gabby. His little sister smiled and twirled in her angel costume.

Mom straightened Gabby's halo. "The angels' job was to tell the shepherds about Jesus's birth. The shepherds were the first people to learn and spread the word that God had sent Jesus as a Savior to the world!"

"That is pretty cool, I guess," said Timothy.

"It sure is," said Mom. "And did the shepherds say, 'Let's go to Bethlehem in the morning, when it's light outside'? No. Did they say, 'Let's find someone to watch these sheep, and then we'll go to Bethlehem'? No! They said, 'Let's go to Bethlehem now!'"

"Okay, Mom," said Timothy, heading for the door. "I guess we do need to get to church. To tell the story of Jesus--now!"

–Jennifer Dillard

How About You?
How many times have you heard the Christmas story? Twenty times? A hundred times? Even if the story feels familiar, try to experience it the way the shepherds did--as a glorious revelation from God that can change your life right now! Pray that God will help you feel the urgency and power of the story this Christmas season and share it with others.

Today's Key Verse:
The shepherds said to each other, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this." (NLV) (Luke 2:15)

Today's Key Thought:
Feel the excitement of the Christmas story

Bible Reading: Romans 8:1-9

"Hey, Reece! Did you forget that flying is for birds?" joked Uncle Ryan as he looked at the cast plastered around Reece's ankle. "Your mother tells me you jumped off the garage roof. Good thing you landed in the shrubs or you might have broken both ankles."

"It was higher than I thought," replied Reece, embarrassed.

"You probably have a new respect for the law of gravity," said Uncle Ryan. He sat down on the couch. "I've come to appreciate all of God's laws."

"You mean the Ten Commandments?" asked Reece.

"Yes, but those are only part of God's laws," Uncle Ryan said. "When God created the world, He put into place every scientific law there is. He made botanical laws that say certain seeds produce certain fruit, and He made biological laws that say people require food and water to stay alive. Chemical laws say that certain mixtures of gases will create explosions, and there are reproductive laws that say chickens hatch chicks--never ducks. Mathematical laws say two plus two equals four."

"And like you said, there's the law of gravity," added Reece with a grin.

Uncle Ryan laughed. "Right. God holds the universe together, and His laws never change. It pays to respect God's laws if you want to stay alive." Uncle Ryan picked up a Bible lying on the coffee table and held it up. "And we haven't talked about God's most important laws--His spiritual laws."

"You mean like the things Pastor Burton preaches about in his sermons?" asked Reece.

"Yes," said Uncle Ryan. "Some people don't believe there are spiritual laws, but they're as real as the physical ones. The Bible tells us about them--it says that our sin separates us from God and that we can only be saved by trusting in Jesus, who died for our wrongs on the cross and then rose from the grave. You either respect these spiritual laws and do what they say, or you go your own way and lose out in the end."

"And that's even worse than forgetting the law of gravity and getting a broken ankle," said Reece.

–Jonnye R. Griffin

How About You?
Do you respect God's scientific laws in the world, such as the law of gravity? How about God's spiritual laws? Those laws say that sin separates you from God and that you can only become God's child by trusting in Jesus. Anyone who doesn't will be separated from God forever. Follow God's spiritual laws by trusting in Jesus 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:
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJV) (Romans 6:23)

Today's Key Thought:
Trust in Jesus

Bible Reading: Psalms 121; 139:2-5

Joel was used to the sound of sirens, squealing tires, and people's loud voices all through the night. Living in the city, he heard those things all the time. But he wasn't used to the beeping sound he heard now.

Turning onto his side in his bed, Joel saw that it was three in the morning. He frowned. It was three, and he had definitely just heard the microwave.

Joel got out of bed and crept out to the small kitchen area in the apartment he shared with his mom, stepdad, and newborn brother. He found his mom at the table holding a mug.

Mom grimaced. "Did I wake you?"

Joel shrugged. "Is Baby Robby awake?"

Mom shook her head, smiling as she looked down at the steaming drink in front of her. "Just me."

Joel saw the baby monitor on the table and walked over to look at the screen. His new baby brother was asleep in his crib.

"I was like this when I first brought you home too," Mom said. "Too anxious to sleep because I felt like I needed to be awake to listen for you and watch over you."

"He'll cry loudly if he needs you." Joel had witnessed his baby brother doing just that.

"I know," Mom said. "Deep down, I know that, but I still don't feel comfortable sleeping right now." She stood and put an arm around Joel's shoulders. "It actually makes me think of how God is with us, always watching over us."

"He never sleeps," Joel said quietly. "But you need to. Whenever I have trouble sleeping, you tell me that I can rest peacefully because Jesus is with me and I can trust Him to take care of me. You can trust Him to take care of you too--and Baby Robby."

Mom chuckled and ruffled Joel's hair. "You're right, sweet boy. I think it's time for us both to get some rest."

When Joel returned to his dark bedroom, he stared up toward the ceiling. "You really are like that, aren't You, God? Always up and listening for us?" He smiled. "It feels good to know You're always watching over us."

–Emily Acker

How About You?
Do your problems and worries ever keep you up at night? When you feel anxious, remember that God is always watching over you. He loves you so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to save you from sin, and He promises never to leave you alone. He is always there to listen and care for you the way a loving parent cares for their child. Rest peacefully knowing He is with you.

Today's Key Verse:
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (NIV) (Psalm 4:8)

Today's Key Thought:
God is always watching and listening

Bible Reading: 1 John 3:18-19; 4:19

Each month, Annie went with her grandma to the nursing home to do craft time with the residents. Annie was beginning to love all the residents, especially Miss Tilley.

"You remind me of my Emily when she was a little girl," Miss Tilley told Annie each time she saw her. Annie would always smile and give her a hug.

"Does Miss Tilley have any family around?" Annie asked Grandma on the ride home one day.

"I don't think she does," said Grandma. "Her daughter lives in another state and rarely comes to visit her. A lot of the residents don't get many visitors and are probably lonely."

"That's sad. I'm glad we do craft time with them, Grandma. Thanks for taking me with you each month. I didn't think I would like going, but I look forward to it now."

Grandma smiled. "You know, Annie, when you sit and visit with Miss Tilley and the other residents, you're showing them love through your actions, just like the Bible tells us to do."

"I am?" asked Annie.

Grandma nodded. "There's a verse that says, 'Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.' Because we know Jesus, who loves us so much that He gave His life to save us, we can show His love to others. When you spend time with the residents at the nursing home, you're communicating God's love to them," Grandma said as she pulled into Annie's driveway.

"How was craft time today?" Mom asked as Grandma and Annie walked in.

"Fun, as always! Miss Tilley told me I remind her of her daughter again, and Mr. Kirkman was his usual loving, grouchy self." Annie laughed.

Grandma and Annie sat and told Mom about their evening. "Grandma told me I was love in action. Did you know it says in the Bible that we shouldn't just say we love someone but that we should show it?" Annie asked. Mom nodded and smiled.

Annie jumped up and gave Mom a big hug. "What's the hug for?" Mom asked.

"Just showing you I love you!" Annie bounded over to Grandma and threw her arms around her. "I love you too, Grandma!"

–Lisa Fuller

How About You?
Are you showing God's love to others through your actions? Our kind, loving actions show that we belong to God. We love each other because He loved us first. God showed us how much He loved us by sending Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. That was true love in action. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you can show others the same kind of love He shows us.

Today's Key Verse:
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT) (1 John 3:18)

Today's Key Thought:
Show God's love through your actions