Christmas: God’s Gift of Jesus

December 23, 2022

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

John 3:16-21

Memory Verse

John 3:16

For 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. (NIV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

A text box across the first panel: Love into action.
Casey is outside on a clean driveway. She’s got a shovel in her hand. Her mom has her arms wide. We see a side of the car that Mom just drove. Mom is saying, “I love that you cleared the driveway before I came home. Thank you!”

A text box across the second panel: God’s joyful presence
On the couch by the Christmas tree, Casey and her grandfather are looking at old photos. Grandfather is saying, “That’s me in my first year of college. What a blessing that year was!

A text box across the third panel: Giving peace
Casey has done a beautiful job setting the family table at Christmas. Dad walks in just as she is finishing up. Casey, “No worries, Dad. I’ve set the table.” Dad is awestruck!

A text box across the fourth panel: God’s ultimate hope
Dad is reading John 3:16 as the family with the one set of grandparents listens with smiles around the dinner table. Casey says, “Amen!”

Print Comic

It’s here! This is the day that we have looked forward to all month. We have shared Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love in the acts of kindness for others, and now we see how God’s gift of Jesus pulls all of these themes together at Christmas.

You may know today’s verse by heart, but did you ever think of it as an Advent verse?

“For God so LOVED the world that he gave his one and only Son…”

He loved us so much that he did something! Remember, God’s love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. How have you put your love for him and for others into action this Christmas season?

“That whoever believes in him…”

Believing is one way we “keep in step with the Spirit.” It is how we tap into the JOY of seeing God in our lives. How have you shown people God’s joyful presence in their lives?

“...shall not perish…”

Think of the PEACE that this promise gives us. We are safe in God’s hands and do not need to worry. Have you taken away the worries of people around you this season?

“...but have eternal life.”

Because of God’s gift of Jesus, we have the ultimate HOPE that we will live with him forever. That hope gets us through difficult times. What have you done to give people hope in difficult times this Advent?

“Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights.” (James 1:17) Because God has given us all the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love at Christmas, we are able to share those gifts too. When we share the gifts of Christmas, we point others to the ultimate gift: Jesus.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for loving the world so much that you send your one and only Son, Jesus. Thank you for giving us all the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love at Christmas, so that we are able to share those gifts too. Amen.

Related Resources

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Gifts of Kindness Advent Calendar and Devotionals

Liz and Friends

Beyond Belief

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Bible Story Coloring Packet 3: God Sends a Savior

Activity

Know Your Bible Activity Book Christmas Part 4!

Bible Story

The Wise Men

Ron VandenBurg

Senior Producer of Children’s Ministry at ReFrame Ministries

Ron VandenBurg joined the ReFrame Ministries team in 2014. He plans and develops projects specifically for the spiritual formation of children. Before coming to ReFrame, Ron taught middle-school for 27 years. Ron completed a M. Ed. degree in Teaching, Learning and Development at Brock University. Ron and Rachel have three fantastic adult children and one grandchild and reside in Ontario.