Infinitum Family Advent, Week 4Намуна

Words are pow-er-FUL (powerful)! The wrong words have the power to hurt us, and the right words have the power to heal us. We think of words as a normal part of life—just a fact!—but words travel, words touch, words are sticky, words can grow bigger, and words have a lot of power.

I’m sure, like me, you’ve said words to hurt someone else and discovered that your own words hurt you even just by saying them! But I’ll bet you’ve also used words you saw hit someone and make them smile, feel better, and make that person more of your friend.

Jesus’ mom (Mary) visited her cousin before Jesus was born & his aunt (remember? Elizabeth) did a really beautiful thing when Mary arrived at her house. Elizabeth used her words to give Mary a true gift.

In our scripture today (on the next screen), you’ll read Elizabeth’s words to Mary. And as you do, you’ll see that Elizabeth was incredibly generous to Mary in this “gift.” We don’t always count words as gift options - we think more of things to give people - but if we would start to think about our words as a way to be generous with people, this Christmas, it could take our gift-giving from a single day of unwrapping and spread our generosity all over the month!

When can you remember someone saying words to you that felt like a gift?

Can you explain what it means that ‘words can grow bigger’ after they’ve been heard?

Can you name 2 or 3 people who could benefit from your being generous to them with your words?

Have you ever thought about how the act of encouraging someone else takes courage? Why is that, do you think? Is there something you can do/think to help you have the courage to be encouraging to others?

Try it on for size. Spend intentional time telling those in your proximity (at school or home, etc.) how you see God at work in your lives. For example: ‘I see God at work in the way you are so kind to me.” Perhaps even try a word of appreciation for strangers in the grocery store! Both acts of courage flex the muscle of generosity in our lives!