12 Days of Christmas Family DevotionalSample

READ TOGETHER

Joseph and his brothers lived in Egypt. They had children, and their children had children, and their families grew and grew, just as God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Soon, there were so many members of this special family that the Egyptians became worried. They thought they would take over their land, so they started treating them very badly and making them their slaves. The people cried out to God for help! And God heard their cries, just like he hears ours.

Remember the promise that God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? He told them their descendants would be as numerous as the stars! And he also promised them that one day they would live in their own land. God decided that now was the time! He would make a way for the Israelite family to leave Egypt and begin a very long journey to their own promised land.

God used a man named Moses to get his people out of Egypt, crossing the Red Sea on dry land, guiding them on their way as a pillar of cloud during the day, and as a pillar of fire during the night. God fed the Israelite people special food called manna that fell from the sky every day, so they were never hungry in the wilderness. God did everything he could to show his people that he loved them and would take care of them, as long as they listened to his commands.

But still. Just like in the Garden, the people would not trust God. They complained. They made fake gods out of gold to try to get what they wanted. They did not trust God’s plan for them. God wanted his people, the ones who started from that one special family, the ones he had chosen, and saved, and protected, to live differently. He gave them rules to live a holy life called the Ten Commandments. But the people could not even follow those ten rules! None of this surprised God, of course. You can’t surprise God because He knows EVERYTHING! God knew the people would mess up. He wanted them to realize that they could not live a holy life without his help. 

We can’t live a perfect, holy life on our own either. We mess up every day! But God had a plan. God knew that one day, he would send a special baby to be born to this chosen family. And that baby, God’s only Son, would grow up to live a perfect, holy life. And God’s Son, Jesus, would invite all of us to be a part of that life with him.

TALK TOGETHER

1. Why do you think the people were having a hard time trusting God to take care of them?

2. What are some ways that God takes care of your family like he took care of the Israelites?

PRAY TOGETHER 

Father God, you are a God who provides. You give us what we need and guide us in the way we should go. Best of all, you gave us your Son to make a way for us to live with you forever! Jesus, we are so grateful for you, the life you lived, and that you gave your life for us. We love you! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.