I loved reading through our Advent scripture this week and seeing how God weaves together the smallest details to make a significant impact for His kingdom – much like a symphony. I pray this week that God stirs your heart with excitement and anticipation for the birth of our Savior!
Monday, December 14 – Day 11 – Micah 5:2 –5a
The king will be born in Bethlehem.
Key Points:
- 700 years before Jesus was born a prophet predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
- Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth but Caesar Augustus issued a decree that everyone must return to their hometown for a census. So, Joseph and Mary traveled back to Bethlehem because that is where Joseph was from.
Today’s Takeaways:
- God cares about the small and insignificant details of our lives! Even the ones we don’t think about, like maybe the city we live in! How does you think God feels about the big details of your life if he cares about the small ones so much?
Tuesday, December 15 – Day 12 – Luke 1:5-25
The birth of John the Baptist is foretold.
Key Points:
- Elizabeth was old and promised a child – that must have been hard to believe! But God promised her a son for the purpose of carrying out His mission.
- The angel told them very specific details about their son – his name, John, that he will be a joy and delight, that he will be filled with the holy spirit, that he will bring back the people to Israel.
Today’s Takeaways:
- Even with all these specific details about his son, Zechariah still doubts. The ways God speaks don’t always make sense, but we can trust that what he says is true. Look up 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and write it down!
Wednesday, December 16 – Day 13 – Luke 1:26-56
The angel Gabriel announces to the virgin Mary that she will give birth to God’s promised Son whose kingdom shall never end.
Key Points:
- The first thing the angel does is remind Mary that the Lord is with her.
- The angel gives Mary a lot of detail about this little baby(just like he did with Elizabeth) – that He will be great, and rule and His kingdom will have no end.
Today’s Takeaways:
- Mary was living in Nazareth and waiting for a savoir just like all the other Jews. How do you think she felt when she got the news she would be the one to deliver the Savior?
- What does God’s choice to send a baby tell us about Him?
Thursday, December 17 – Day 14 – Luke 1:57-80
The birth of John the Baptist.
Key Points:
- In those days it was customary to name a baby boy after his father. So, it was a BIG deal when Elizabeth spoke up and said his name was to be John. And when Zechariah agreed by writing that his name would be John.
Today’s Takeaways:
- I love that God gives Mary and Elizabeth similar stories. The Bible tells us they are related(probably cousins). We aren’t meant to walk through life alone and God gives us people to share our stories with! Is there anyone in your life that stands out to you as an especially close friend?
Friday, December 18 – Day 15 – Matthew 1:18-25
The righteousness of Joseph.
Key Points:
- We know that all of the gospels(Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) tell a lot of the same stories in a different way.
- Matthew’s gospel tells us about the birth of Jesus with an emphasis on Joseph’s perspective.
- Joseph responds to God’s call even though it was hard and it didn’t make sense.
Today’s Takeaways:
- Because Joseph was obedient to God, he was the father of the Messiah on earth. What a privilege! Sometimes God asks us to do hard things and we can’t always see the reason why. Has God ever asked you to do something hard?
Munger Kids 