Bible Reading: John 3:16-21 Ethan dragged his heavy feet as he walked down the stairs on Christmas morning. He missed his dad. This was their first Christmas without him. Dad lived with his new family now, leaving Ethan and Mom to celebrate alone. Mom was waiting for Ethan in the living room. Ethan smiled when… Continue Reading…

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…. Continue Reading…

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… Continue Reading…

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… Continue Reading…

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… Continue Reading…

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… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 1:20-23; John 1:14; Philippians 2:7-8 Ella taped the shiny red bow on top of the candy cane wrapping paper. “I think Mom will really like her present,” she told her big sister, Amanda. Amanda smiled. “It is a beautiful scarf. She will love that you knitted it yourself.” While Amanda was finishing… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: John 15:1-5 Dad walked into Pedro’s room to say good night. “You’ve been quiet tonight, Pedro. What’s on your mind?” “I was just thinking about the missionary who spoke at church this week,” Pedro said. “I really enjoyed hearing about the work he’s doing and how people in the village where he lives… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 “Sky, come look at this video!” “Mom, you’re squealing,” Sky said as she walked into the kitchen. “Is it another kitten video?” “No, it’s an animal I’ve never heard of before—a quokka.” Sky watched the video of the adorable furry marsupial and giggled. “It looks like a cross… Continue Reading…

Bible Reading: Luke 2:4-1 “We’re still at the mall, Mom,” Soren said, frustrated. “The car won’t start, and a guy from a garage across the street is working on it now. Dad says we’ll be there as soon as we can, but it’ll be a while. He said to tell you the show must go… Continue Reading…