12 Days of Christmas Family DevotionalSample

READ TOGETHER

You know the story of Christmas, right? You’ve heard of the baby boy born in a manger? The one who came to save the world? The one we call Jesus? You probably know all about the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men who journeyed to find the newborn King. But . . . did you know that this is not the beginning of the story? The Christmas story, when Jesus, the Son of God, came to live on Earth actually started all the way back at the beginning. The very, very beginning . . .

In the beginning, God created the world. Take a moment and think of something amazing that you have seen in creation. Are you thinking of a beaming sunrise? Or a colorful bird? Or maybe the roaring ocean? God created all of it! And best of all, he created people, like you and me! He created Adam and Eve, and he created them in his image. That means that he made them (and you!) to be like him, to be loving and kind, to be loved by God, and to love him back.

Adam and Eve were living in the most beautiful garden created by God. They took care of the plants and the animals, and they could eat from any of the delicious fruit trees in the garden except one. There was just one tree that God told Adam and Eve not to eat from. He told them not to eat it and at first, they listened. They trusted God, and they loved living in the garden and walking with God whenever they wanted! But then, along came a sneaky snake. He was God’s enemy, Satan, in disguise. He told Adam and Eve that God was lying to them! And he convinced them to eat the fruit.

At that moment, when Adam and Eve chose not to trust God, their perfect relationship with him was broken and sin entered the world. Because of their choice, we all live with sin in our hearts and in our lives. But God didn’t give up on Adam and Eve, and he won’t give up on us either. Even after they ate the fruit, God came looking for them in the garden. He called out, “Where are you?” God is always looking for you—even when you make a mistake, even when you don’t feel loveable, even when you aren’t looking for him. And even when Adam and Eve left the garden, God was already working on his rescue plan to bring them, and us, back to him.

TALK TOGETHER

1. Why do you think God came looking for Adam and Eve in the garden, even after they ate the fruit?

2. God is already looking for us. How can you “look for God” together as a family?

PRAY TOGETHER 

Father God, thank you for creating this beautiful world for us to live in. Thank you for creating us in your image! Please forgive us for the times that we have chosen not to trust you. Help us remember that because of your great love for us, you are always looking for us. We love you! In Jesus’ name we pray,  amen.