Immanuel: The God of Peace with Us

By Sabrina

STORY
I have many happy memories of what Christmas nights were like when I was a kid. Our greatest joy was not to receive Christmas gifts, but to try to find out how we would receive the gifts. I remember one year, my dad put all the presents on the roof and when he went to get them, guess what happened? Of course, he fell off the roof! Another year, he left the presents by the pool and when he went to get the gifts, what happened? Of course, he fell into the pool! 

What are your favorite Christmas memories?

SCRIPTURE
Read Matthew 1:18–24.

THINK
Wow, this is the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus! Matthew tells us about Jesus' first Christmas, how God took care of Joseph and Mary, and even what His name would be. Isn't this incredible? And even today, more than 2,000 years later, once a year we can stop, think, remember, and retell the story of Christmas.

Imagine you asking Jesus what Christmas is all about. He would probably answer you that Christmas is in His name: God is here, God with us! Yes, when Jesus was born, God was present among us. He came to live with us here on earth and save us from our sins so that He could live in our hearts and so that we could live with Him in heaven! 

I really like a song that says that "God is not far away in the sky without caring about me, but He is by my side because every day; I feel Him taking care of me and that is why I can have peace." He is among us, He came to bring peace to the world! That is the meaning of Christmas.

DO SOMETHING
Imagine that you are going to have a special meeting with Jesus today. Take some notes of what you want to say to Him. Pray and tell Him everything you wrote. He's with you today, right now!

PRAY
Thank You, Jesus, for being here and for taking care of me and my family. Thank You for Christmas and thank You for bringing us peace! Amen.