Oh, Holy Night

By Nick W.

STORY
Have you ever had something happen to you that you didn’t expect? These surprises can be good or bad. I remember in seventh grade, my mom and dad came to my school to bring me lunch for my birthday! They walked in front of the whole cafeteria carrying balloons and ice cream. I was so surprised, and definitely a little bit embarrassed. It was a normal day school until something unexpected happened that made my day!

SCRIPTURE
Read Luke 2:4–7.

THINK
For hundreds of years, people in Israel waited for a Savior to come. And when He finally did arrive, He didn’t come like they thought He would. Jesus was a king, but His birth wasn’t what you would expect for a king. He wasn't born in a palace or mansion or even in a normal house. Jesus was born in a barn because there was no room for Him anywhere else. He wasn't surrounded by royalty and soldiers and servants; He was with his mom, dad, and a few shepherds that came to visit—people didn't really like to hang out with shepherds because they were seen as dirty. 

Jesus’ birth wasn’t big and fancy, but it was exactly what God planned. The night Jesus was born was holy because the Savior of the world had finally come to earth! For the people in Bethlehem, it was probably a quiet and normal night, even though something amazing happened.

DO SOMETHING
Read Luke 2:4–7 with your parents, and try to think about what Mary and Joseph would have been seeing and smelling on the night that Jesus was born. Write some of those things down!

PRAY
Jesus, thank You for the night that You were born. I’m so grateful that You left Your holy throne in heaven to come to earth to be our Savior. Amen!