Christmas Plans

When Jesus was born into human existence, it was the most epic interruption to human history that has ever happened. God loves us enough to punctuate history in human skin; not as a king, president, or noble warrior, but as a helpless newborn. This reading plan studies the people surrounding Christ’s birth and their response to (or role in) this divine interruption on the timeline of history.

Christmas: The Divine Interruption 

One of the many Christmas traditions for families is to set out a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus.  Usually, we see Mary, Joseph, shepherds, sheep, and wise men surrounding a tiny baby in a manger.  It’s a picturesque scene to remind us of Jesus’ birth.  But our familiarity with the nativity scene can cause us to forget the humanity of each person present on that special night. 

The Nativity Scene

Stevie Wonder wrote a popular song for Christmas called "That’s What Christmas Means to Me.” In it, he talks about all these things (and more!) that represent Christmas to him. What about you? Have you ever asked yourself what Christmas means to YOU? The world will tell us all sorts of things about Christmas but what do WE believe about Christmas?

That's What Christmas Means to Me...

Joy is here –– in the middle of the struggle, in our everyday lives, and in the places we least expected. Start finding joy in the big and small this Christmas season.

JOY IS HERE

With excerpts from the book "Shh… Baby Jesus Is Sleeping" by Lisa Tawn Bergren, parents and young children can think about, talk and share, and pray together as they explore some of the Christmas story. 

Shh... Baby Jesus Is Sleeping

With twenty-five entries, if you start on December 1, you’ll end this devotional on Christmas Day. Once you’ve read a day together with your children, discuss the main topic. See if your children know these songs, or the stories behind the songs, or the reason we sing these songs. 

The Songs Tell the Story: A Family Advent Devotional

Many of us will not travel to every corner of the world except through stories. Stories transport us into countries, communities, churches, and homes we may never visit. 

In this global Advent, you are invited into the stories of children around the world who have experienced God with them. In their stories, you will see how Christ's hope, peace, joy, and love are still vibrantly expressed in our world. 

A Global Advent: 25 Stories of God With Us Around the World

It’s easy to feel small in a world filled with seven billion people, especially when there are people with titles like president, king, or even influencer. But most of the people in the Christmas story weren’t all that powerful or famous, and yet they played a part in one of the greatest stories ever told! This four-day devotional will remind us that everyone has a role in God’s story.

Good Enough for God

This six-part advent devotional is a call to rediscover the meaning of the Christmas story and to prepare your heart for Christmas. The study goes through the themes of hope, peace, joy, love, trust, and rejoicing. Each section connects part of the Christmas story to a biblical passage and approaches the text with thought-provoking questions. 