Week Three

This week we will reflect on God’s Mercy. Because of the gift of Jesus, we can experience the mercy of God in our lives. Jesus is the gift that sets us free and that is a beautiful reason to celebrate this season.  As you spend time in this week’s readings and activities, be sure to reflect on how Jesus has brought us mercy.

Every Good Gift Prayer Box

As a family or in your own quiet time, grab 2 small pieces of paper and write down a sentence or phrase that answers the following:

How has God been merciful to you this year even when you didn’t deserve it?  Write it down and celebrate it.

Ask God to reveal to you an area in your life where you need to be more merciful and forgiving of others. Write it as a prayer and place it in the box. Remember that you are forgiven and redeemed because of the mercy we have in Christ and that He can empower you to go and do likewise.

Place those pieces of paper in the box to be opened on Christmas day.

Mercy

Luke 1:57-80

The text for this week tells us of John’s birth and includes yet another song in response to the work of God on behalf of His people. Immediately after Mary’s song we jump ahead to the birth of Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist. Very quickly, her neighbors and relatives recognize that this is no ordinary birth but one that only occurred because of the mercy and favor of God. It is a story that echoes the work of God in Abraham and Sarah who also conceived a son in their old age. God is on the move!

But on the eighth day when the child was brought to be circumcised, Elizabeth is asked the fateful question: what will her son be named? Whether Gabriel had also spoken to Elizabeth, or if Zechariah had somehow communicated to Elizabeth what he had been told is unclear; but whatever the case, Elizabeth confidently asserts that her son’s name shall be John. All those with her are confused because it was customary to give the firstborn son a family name, such as his father’s name. Confused, they inquired of Zechariah and the second he agrees and affirms that the child’s name shall be John, his speech is restored!  With all of these signs and wonders their family and friends raise the big question, “What then will this child be?”

Following these events, Zechariah sings a song of praise to the Lord for His deliverance: past, present, and future. The first half of his song is rooted in Israel’s prophets, reminding us that Yahweh has shown great mercy to His people by delivering them from their enemies, remaining faithful to the covenant that He made with Abraham even when the Israelites failed to be faithful. The result of this mercy is that Israel will be restored in their relationship with God and will be able to do what they were made to do – “serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.”

In the second half of the song, Zechariah transitions to addressing his newborn son. He focuses on John as a prophet of God and his role as the forerunner of Jesus. He praises God prophetically for the actions of Jesus and for the salvation He will bring and He bases this salvation on the mercy of God. Zechariah knows that God’s people haven’t done a thing to deserve the forgiveness of their sins and a restored relationship with a Holy God. He rightly points to the fact that their salvation depends wholly on the tender mercy of God the Father.

May we never forget that our sins will always be dwarfed by the overwhelming mercy of God through the perfect sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Family Activity

We celebrate Christmas because it’s a big part of an even bigger story. Spend some time as a family talking about the gift we celebrate at Christmas as it relates to the gospel. Have a little extra fun by finding one of the suggested items for each of the following sections from around your house to represent the part of the story you are talking about.

Creation – flashlight, stuffed animal, play-dough

Read Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-27.

What makes you special?

Why did God make us different?

God created everything, but he made us special because He wanted a relationship with us. God said everything was good.

Sin – a fruit, a snake, something broken, something stained

Read about how sin entered the world in Genesis 3, read about how that sin affects us in Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23.

Why was it sinful to eat the fruit?

Have you ever chosen your way over God’s way? When? What happened?

When we sin, we choose something other than God and that separates us from Him. Sin breaks and separates what God created and called good.

Jesus – Christmas ornament, nativity scene, Bible, baby doll, a star

God knew we needed help. Read about how he sent Jesus to be born to Mary  Luke 1:26-36. Read about the birth of Jesus and the news told to the shepherds in Luke 2:1-14.

Why is Jesus the best gift?

What made the birth of Jesus special?

Why was it important for God to send Jesus to be human like us?

God sent Jesus to earth to be our savior and to be an example of how we should follow God. He taught and healed and loved and changed everything for us.

Cross – nails, hammer, band-aid, a cross

Read about the sacrifice Jesus made in Mark 15:21-41 and what that means for us in Isaiah 53:5, John 3:16, and Romans 6:23.

Why did Jesus do this for you?

What did Jesus’ sacrifice change about our relationship with God?

Jesus lived a sinless life and paid a debt we couldn’t pay by becoming a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus’ death on the cross was a punishment we deserved, but Hetook it instead. He died on the cross for our sins and was buried in a tomb.

Empty Tomb – rock, folded blanket, empty box or container

Read about how the story didn’t end there in Mark 16:1-19!

How did Jesus’ friends feel to find out he was alive?

Read Romans 8:10-11. How does Jesus’ resurrection give us life?

Do you believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead for you?

Because Jesus rose from the dead, now He can live in us. He is the greatest gift because he paid for our sin and gives us the gift of life with God forever. We celebrate his birth at Christmas, understanding that it’s a big part of a much bigger story of our relationship with God.

For next week’s family activity be sure to pick up a kit this coming Sunday, December 12th, to help supply you with what you need to get started!

Daily Reading