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…
Bible Reading: Psalm 139:5-7; Matthew 1:23 Through the door, up the stairs, and into a new room again. Ruby had been to so many foster homes, and this one was no different. Why did I have to move on Christmas Day? she thought as she put her bag down on the floor. She’d felt so…
Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 “Hi, Aunt Julie!” exclaimed Victoria when her aunt and uncle arrived for Christmas Eve dinner. “Hi, Uncle Joe.” “Hi, yourself,” said Uncle Joe as Aunt Julie gave Victoria a hug. “All day we’ve been so busy wrapping gifts and baking goodies that we were almost late getting here,” Aunt Julie…
Bible Reading: Luke 2:1-20 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,” Abby’s Sunday school teacher read from the second chapter of Luke, “keeping watch over their flock…” Mrs. Peters’ voice started to fade away as Abby daydreamed about the new bike she expected to get for Christmas. I can…
Bible Reading: Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21; 1 John 5:11 Dad had done everything he could to make this Christmas feel the same. He hung the outdoor lights, no problem. That was his task every year. He’d even whistled while he hung them. Mia smiled when she heard it. Dad hadn’t whistled much since Mom died…
Bible Reading: Psalm 103:8-12 Lucas looked down at his hands in his lap. He was spending another afternoon in the principal’s office. He knew Jane and Steve were going to send him back this time. He just knew it. When his foster mom came to pick him up, they rode home in silence. “Here we…
Bible Reading: 1 John 5:10-12 “What’s on your Christmas list?” Mia asked her brother. Elijah looked up from the paper he was writing on. “A new bike helmet, a skateboard, knee pads, a space station building set, and a remote-controlled car.” He tapped his pencil on the table. “I might add a new board game….
Bible Reading: John 14:6-18 Noel reached up high on her tiptoes and placed a sparkling silver bell on an empty tree branch. “Look, Gi-Gi! Just a few more branches and we’re finished!” Noel’s great-grandmother smiled at her excitement. “Noel, I enjoy this tradition of decorating with you every year. It’s amazing how high you can…
Bible Reading: Luke 2:15-20 Jenny slumped onto the couch. “I’m so bored!” In the few days since Christmas, she had been moping around the house with nothing to do. “How about trying out your new basketball?” Mom suggested. “Or putting one of your new puzzles together.” “I already did all that,” Jenny said. Mom sighed….
Bible Reading: Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Austin woke with excitement and quickly jumped out of bed, wondering what would be in the wrapped presents under the tree. “It’s Christmas Eve, Mom!” he said as he ran into the kitchen for breakfast. Austin’s family had a tradition of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve….
