Sydney Jane And The “Not Fair” Christmas (For Children)Намуна

Road Trip

Christmas was getting complicated. Sydney thought the week before Christmas should be filled with cocoa, movies, and matching pajamas. But instead, Sydney and her mom were driving to the home of G-Honey. And her cousins were going there, too.

“It’s only for a few days, Syd. And you never get to see your cousins,” her Mom said. She looked at Sydney through the rearview mirror.

In response, Sydney narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

After a few minutes, Mom cleared her throat and said, “You know—our change in plans reminds me of the first Christmas.”

“Ugh. Here we go again.” Sydney groaned but then softened. “You mean the Christmas that wasn’t fair?”

Mom nodded. “Yes. That one.”

Sydney scrunched her forehead. “But how?”

“Mary and Joseph were about to have a baby when Caesar Augustus decided to do a census. Do you know what that is?”

“I think we talked about it at church. Everyone had to go to their hometown to be counted?”

“Right. So instead of getting ready for the baby, Mary and Joseph had to change their plans. They wanted to stay in their cozy home preparing for a baby, but instead, they went on a road trip to Bethlehem. But even this road trip was a part of God’s plan for them, Syd.”

Sydney looked out at the trees that blurred as they passed. “Okay, Mom. I get it. We didn’t want to go out of town for Christmas, but maybe God has a plan for it.”

“I know He does, Syd,” mom whispered. “I know He does.”

QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever made plans to go on a trip that got canceled? How did it make you feel?

2. Do you think this road trip for Mary and Joseph was hard? What made it hard?

3. What can you do to trust God when his plans differ from yours?

Prayer: Dear God, I know your plans are better than mine, but I don’t always see what you’re doing. Help me to trust you when I can’t see your plan. Amen.