Family Advent: Week 4- The Blessing
Bible Verse
Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other. CEV I John 4:11
The four weeks leading up to Christmas are a special time for God's people. This time of year is called Advent. In this month’s devotion and parent blog series, we’ll address The Promise of God to His People, The Servant of God, The Baby Sent by God, and The Blessing from God, which all bring the message of love the season brings. In this fourth week, your family can use the activities to discuss The Blessing from God.
This week's memory verse tells us, “Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other” (1 John 4:11). Because God’s love blesses us, we are to bless and love others. God not only told us that he loved us, but he demonstrated his love through Jesus.
“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16).
This Christmas season and beyond, teach your family to remember the love and blessings we received through the birth of the Messiah. As parents, God calls us to demonstrate that love to our children and teach them how to give God's love to others.
How do we teach our children to love with words and deeds? Brainstorm with your children how they can be a blessing to others as a demonstration of God’s love at Christmas and the weeks after. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Make Christmas cards or thank you notes, and give them to your neighbors. What special notes or memories can you add to make them smile?
Do some chores to help out around the house without being asked.
Volunteer at your church, community center, or shelter as a family, or do a neighborhood food drive and deliver the donations.
Send a card to a friend to thank them for their friendship and share your favorite memory of your friendship.
Sing Christmas carols as a family or church group at the nursing home or local senior center. Invite a friend to come along.
Go through closets and toyboxes and donate gently used clothes or toys another child could enjoy. You could also shop for a new toy to donate. Don’t forget that you can do that any time of year.
Invite someone who may be alone on Christmas to celebrate with your family. Maybe it’s a neighbor or a classmate who might need a friendly invitation.
We pray the lessons learned from Christ's birth have given your family a deeper appreciation of the hope, peace, joy, and love the Advent season brings.
Check out Kids Corner's audio Bible story The Birth of Jesus
Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire’s articles 10 Tips for a Faith-Focused Christmas and Giving Our Blessing.
Natasha Menifee
Natasha Menifee is an educator, writer and most importantly a child of God. She has taught in public schools for 12 years and holds two master's degrees from Georgetown College in Learning & Behavior Disorders and Teacher Leadership. Natasha also serves as the Christian Education Director at her church. She is the proud mother of two daughters. For more information about her, visit www.natashamenifee.com.
