PHOTO CAPTION: One way of sharing the love is to catch the wonderment of the season as seen through the eyes of a child.
It’s easy this time of year to get so wrapped up in the preparation and festivities that we forget why we are celebrating. We forget to share the love or maybe that’s just me that forgets. I think busy moms and grandmas can relate to my feelings of being super busy. Between concerts, buying gifts, decorating, parties and all the other stuff that goes with it, the good news of Christmas may get lost in the shuffle. Yet, I am incredibly thankful for the good news. I am grateful that the good news is for humble shepherds, wise men and for me. I am thankful that the good news of God’s amazing love is for everyone, even kids. It’s for everyone who reaches out to take hold of that love.
I want to stop for a minute and savor Christmas. I want to live in the stories of Christmas, not literally of course. I like my warm home and I love spending time with my family. I would really hate to be pregnant and giving birth in a stable, but I do want to pause and think about what it was like to live during those days when Jesus was born.
Let’s consider the humble shepherds who were simply going about their job. It wasn’t a glamorous job watching over their sheep in the fields. It was most likely smelly, dirty work. It may have been cold especially in the evenings. I don’t think the job of shepherding was a highly respected or sought after position. It was just their job. Perhaps it was something that their fathers and grandfathers had done for centuries.
Then one night, something remarkable happened. An angel appeared to these humble shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified, that means really, really scared. Who wouldn’t be terrified seeing an angel and then having the glory of the Lord shine around them too? I imagine they thought they had seen their last days, but the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring great joy for all the people… a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Just like that, the shepherd’s lives were changed forever. After the angels left, they hurried to see the baby. They found Jesus just as the angel had said lying in a manger and they believed the good news the angel had brought to them.
After seeing the baby, the shepherds wasted no time in spreading the word. They told about their angel visitation. They shared the good news that the Messiah was born with anyone who would listen. Then they returned to their flocks praising God for all the things they had seen and heard. I imagine that after that divine encounter, many an evening found them sitting around their campfire, watching their flocks and talking about that special night, that night above all nights where God sent His angels down to visit some humble shepherds who were simply doing their job. To think that they, simple shepherds, would be some of the first people to hear the announcement concerning the birth of God’s Son must have boggled their imaginations. I think they continued to talk about that night for a long time and they also continued to share the good news with anyone who would listen to their story.
You see, God didn’t come just for kings in palaces or for religious leaders or people in high places. God came for shepherds, for ordinary people like you and me. He came to the world He created because He loved. He loved the shepherds and He loves you and me.
What have you seen and heard? What has God done for you? You may not have experienced an angel visitation like the shepherds, but God does love you. He loved you enough to give you a very special gift, His only Son, Jesus. After seeing the baby, the shepherds told everyone they saw. They shared the good news. They shared God’s love. We can share God’s love with others too.
God dared to enter our world to share His love. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” That means you. God came to shepherds in the midst of their daily lives and God wants to meet us right where we are. God shared His love with us in a remarkable way. Can we not also share love with others? Whatever you are doing this week, thank God for His incredible gift, Jesus. Then as you are working, playing, shopping, wrapping or whatever you are doing, share the love. Someone needs to hear it.
PARENT PRAYER:
Father God,
Thank you for the incredible gift of your Son, Jesus. You gave Jesus, your one and only Son, because you love us. You love me. Jesus, thank you for coming to earth. You came as Immanuel, God with us. You lived with us and then you died for us and rose again that we might have hope and eternal life. Because you are alive, you are still with me everyday. You walk with me through the mundane, ordinary stuff of life and you walk with me during the hard times as well. Thank you that you meet me right where I am at. No matter what I am doing, you are there. You are there for ordinary people like shepherds and moms like me. Give me opportunities this week to share your love with others. I can give because you never stop giving. Show me how I can love my family and others better. Amen
WAYS TO SHARE THE LOVE
I tend to be a little quieter, a little shyer person. I don’t consider myself to be an introvert because I love being around people and I love parties. I am just quieter especially compared to my husband who always has a story and usually a joke to go along with it. Even if you have already heard it before, he is more than willing to retell it to you. Needless to say, when we go out together, I barely get a word in edgewise. Maybe that’s why I’ve devised ways to “share the love” when I am out in public and with my family. If I didn’t have some ideas in my back pocket, I might never share. Here’s a few ideas I’ve used. I would love to here back from you too. Please feel free to comment on ways that you “share the love” in the comments section. Thanks!
- Smile at someone and wish them a “Merry Christmas!”
- Let someone go in front of you in line.
- Wave at the child and frazzled mom behind you in the check out line.
- Invite someone to attend your church’s Christmas Eve service with you.
- Take an hour to go through your child’s toys with them. They will get more at Christmas time anyway. It’s a great time to donate nice, gently used toys to someone in need – or buy a new toy to donate.
- Be grateful, say, “Thank you!” to someone who has helped you in some way. Don’t forget to thank your family too.
- Do something nice for your family just because. Thank God for your family too.
- Be ready to share what Jesus means to you with someone. You never know when God might open up an opportunity to tell someone about His Son, Jesus. If you are not sure what to say, try writing out a short paragraph ahead of time so that you will be ready should anyone ask you why you celebrate Christmas or what Christmas is all about.
Kid’s Section
STORY: Luke 2 – May wish to use a child friendly Nativity set to illustrate this story.
Mary & Joseph traveled all the way to Bethlehem and they were very tired. (Yawn) They looked for a place to rest, (Knock, knock, knock!) but all the places to stay were full. Mary knew it was time for baby Jesus to be born. God helped Mary and Joseph find a place in a stable where they could rest.
Later that night, something wonderful happened! Baby Jesus was born! Mary wrapped Him in warm soft cloths (blankets) and laid Him in a manger on a bed of hay. (Wrap baby doll in a blanket and place in a box to represent a manager.)
In a field near by, some shepherds were taking care of their sheep. (Say, “Baa, baa, baa.”) All of a sudden they saw a bright angel! (Say, “Look, an angel!”) The shepherds were very frightened! (Look frightened.) They had never seen an angel before. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you. Today in Bethlehem a Savior is born. His name is Jesus. You will find Him lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a lot of angels appeared, praising God. (Raise arms and say, “Praise God! Jesus is born!”) When the angels left, the shepherds said, “Let’s go see this baby the angel told us about!” They hurried to Bethlehem, (Say, “Come on, let’s go!” Get up and walk around ending up by your Nativity.) and found baby Jesus in the manger just like the angel said they would.
The shepherds were so happy and excited to see baby Jesus. They were happy that Jesus was born. Everywhere they went, they shared the good news. They shared God’s love with everyone. (Cup hands by mouth and say, “Jesus is born!”) God loved us (Hands on heart.) so much that He gave us His best gift, Jesus. (Hands out as though giving a gift.) Jesus came for everyone, even shepherds and kids! He came to be our savior or rescuer and forever friend. Let’s thank God for Jesus. ‘Dear God, Thank you for giving us your best gift. Thank you for Jesus. Amen’
God loved us and gave us so much, how can we can share that love? Who can you help this week? Who can you show love to? When you love and help others, you are sharing God’s love. Who loves you? God loves me. What can you share? I can share God’s love.
MEMORIZE: Luke 2:11 NIRV – (Hold hands like holding a book.)
… A Savior – (Cross arms and then swing outwards.)
Has been born – (Rock a baby.)
To you. – (Extend hands outward.)
He is Christ the Lord – (Point upwards.)
A savior is someone who rescues and helps us.
KNOW: God loved us and gave us Jesus. He came for humble shepherds and He came for everyone.
TALK ABOUT: Giving – God gave His best gift. What can I give?
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me.
AND DO… Share God’s love. Give to someone else simply because you love.
FUN IDEA FOR THIS WEEK:
* Turn up the Christmas music and sing along or sing a cappella – just sing and be silly together with your preschooler. Afterwards thank Jesus for coming to earth.
* Pray for people around the world. Pick a country, a missionary or your neighbor and then watch for ways that you and your preschooler can pray and help this week. Help at home too. Pray and share God’s love with someone.
PRAYER: Dear God,
Thank you for giving us Jesus, your best gift. I want to give to others and share your love too. I’m glad that you love me. I’m glad that the good news about Jesus is for everyone even kids. Amen
Faith Steps and More 