Family Devotions to Accompany the Count Down to Christmas...

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Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

#CDCXDF

Family Devotions to Accompany the Count Down to Christmas

Children’s Activity KitEnclosed are eight FREE reproducible devotions. Each lesson has a classroom devotion and a family devotion. You may make as many copies of the devotions as you would like for use in your own organization.

Here are some ways to use them . . . • Give a classroom devotion each week in Sunday school, as part of

worship time in your Christian day school, as part of devotions for midweek school, or during the Sunday morning children’s sermon. Send home the family devotion for that week.

• Give a complete kit and all four family devotions to your families during a family activity time four weeks before Christmas. Encourage them to use one devotion each week as they prepare to celebrate Christmas.

• Host a Mom’s Day Out or other community event. Use the classroom devotions to tell the story of Christmas to all the children who attend. Then give each family a complete kit and their own set of devotions to take home.

However you choose to use the Count Down to Christmas Activity Kit, we pray that it will draw many individuals and families closer to their Savior, Jesus, during the Advent-Christmas season.

May our Lord continue to empower all the work you do for his people!

Pullout Reproducible Page * * * Count Down to Christmas Activity Kit * * * Pullout Reproducible Page


Week 1: HopeGlory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14

Classroom DevotionGetting StartedTo set up the activity, assemble one Christmas tree from the Count Down to Christmas kit, and have a set of stickers ready to show the children. Each time your students are together, you will hand out a sheet of stickers to take home for the coming week and add your sheet of stickers to the classroom tree, counting off the days until Christmas. Meanwhile, at home day by day, the children will decorate a tree of their own to sit on the table at Christmas dinner.

To make this possible, after you introduce the activity, send home a Count Down to Christmas tree and sticker kit with each child. Send along the family devotion for Week 1, too. Then in the three weeks that follow, duplicate and distribute the three family devotions, each on the appropriate week, so students can share them with family members.

For the first devotion, you will need an empty cereal box. Assemble your Christmas tree from the Count Down to Christmas kit and locate the stickers you will use to decorate it. Choose a special candle as a Christmas devotion candle. (Or use an Advent wreath.)

IntroductionChristmas is almost here. As we think about Christmas, we can think about Jesus’ coming in three different ways. 1) We celebrate his coming to earth as a baby at Christmas; 2) we remember that he will come some day to take us home to heaven to live with him and with everybody who knows and loves him; and 3) we thank him for coming into our hearts to give us faith and new life.

Getting to the HeartToday we will begin our countdown to Christmas. As I light our Christmas candle, let’s say, “Jesus is the Light of the world.”

Teach this song to the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”:

Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing hope and lasting cheer.Count the days till Jesus comes,Bringing hope to everyone.Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing hope and lasting cheer.



(Hold up a cereal box.) This morning I woke up really hungry for some cereal. As I walked into the kitchen I thought, “Boy, I hope I can have a big bowl of cereal this morning.” (Shake box upside down.) But the cereal was gone! It didn’t matter how much I hoped for cereal—I couldn’t have any.

When we talk about Jesus, we use the word hope in a different way. The hope Jesus gives us is different from the hope and promises people give each other. The hope Jesus gives us is not just a happy wish. The hope Jesus gives is always real, always true.

Jesus was born as a real baby on Christmas morning. He grew up to become a real man. He lived a real life for us—a perfect life! Then Jesus died for our sins. He really died—and he really came to back to life. That gives us real and certain hope. We can be full of hope because of Jesus. The Bible says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,” (Romans 15:13). These words remind us that real, certain hope comes from God. That kind of hope brings joy and peace, too.

Taking It HomeFor the next several weeks, we will use our tree to count the days till Jesus’ birthday. We will talk about people in the family of faith who lived in godly hope long ago. Each day, you can put one of this week’s six stickers somewhere on the “hope” panel of your tree, as you think about the hope Jesus gives. As you do that, you will be counting down the days until Christmas. (Show the children the family devotion they will take home today. Point out the people and Scriptures that appear in the list there.)

You will each take a tree and stickers home to use with your families. Then you can add one sticker to your tree each day until Christmas. If you like, you can use the completed tree to decorate your table on Christmas Day. There’s even a prayer you can say together with members of your family. It goes like this:

Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your hope each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.

I hope you like using your Count Down to Christmas tree. I hope you have fun getting ready for Christmas. I know Jesus will take you to heaven, just as he has promised. Jesus came at Christmas to bring us hope.

Pray: Close with a prayer thanking Jesus for coming to earth to win for all believers the sure hope of eternal life.


Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible. #CDCXDF



Week 1: HopeGlory to God in the highest,


Family DevotionGetting StartedHelp your child(ren) assemble the Count Down to Christmas tree and find this week’s stickers in the kit. This week’s focus is hope. Consider choosing a special Christmas candle to use during family devotions. On the other hand, if your church uses an Advent wreath, you may want to make a simple one for use at home, too. Arrange three blue—or purple—candles and one pink candle in a circle. If you wish, place a white candle in the center to light on Christmas Day.)

IntroductionTo begin, light the candle and say as a family, “Jesus is the Light of the world.” Then sing this song together to the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”:

Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing hope and lasting cheer.Count the days till Jesus comes,Bringing hope to everyone.Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing hope and lasting cheer.

Getting to the Heart Find today’s sticker and the “hope” quadrant of the Christmas tree. Ask your child to explain how the hope Jesus brings is different from a “happy wish.” Help them understand that Jesus’ hope is real, certain, sure. Then talk about times you have hoped to do something as a family but found your plans changed because of weather, sickness, and the like.

Because Baby Jesus was born on Christmas to be our Savior, we have new life with God now here on earth, and we will have eternal life with him in heaven, too. The life Jesus gives is real, and it will never end! The hope Jesus brings is a real hope, a certain hope. Jesus gave his life to save us!

The Bible says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,” (Romans 15:13). Real, certain hope comes from God. When we have that hope, we also have joy and peace.

Help your child affix the first sticker somewhere on the “hope” section of the Christmas tree. Read the sentence that goes with the sticker (below) and, if time will allow, find and read the Bible text that tells about the person on the sticker.

Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for being born as a baby so you could grow up to give your life for us and win for us the sure hope of heaven. We love you, Lord Jesus. Amen.



Then pray these words in unison:

Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your hope each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.

Day-by-Day at Home: Each day this week, light the Christmas candle (or one blue/purple candle on your Advent wreath) with your family. As you do, repeat the words “Jesus is the Light of the world” and sing the Christmas song at the beginning of the devotion. Each day, you will add one new sticker to the “hope” quadrant of the tree (save the star sticker from each sticker sheet so that on Christmas Day you can add a star to each side of the tree). Then explore the Bible passage related to that day’s sticker.

This week’s “hope” stickers include:

#1 for December 1—God gave Adam & Eve hope; after they sinned, he promised to send a Savior. (Genesis 3; 24 days before Christmas)

#2 for December 2—God gave Abraham hope, promising the world’s Savior would come from his family. (Genesis 12:1–3; 23 days before Christmas)

#3 for December 3—God gave his people Israel hope, rescuing them from slavery in Egypt and parting the Red Sea so they could escape their Egyptian slave masters. (Exodus 14:19–31; 22 days before Christmas)

#4 for December 4—God gave Joshua hope that he could lead the people into the Promised Land, even though they would face many enemies. ( Joshua 1:1–9; 21 days before Christmas)

#5 for December 5—Through the words of the prophet Isaiah God gave his Old Testament people hope that he would send the Savior. (Isaiah 9:1–7; 11:1–10; 53:1–12; 20 days before Christmas)

#6 for December 6—Jesus gave Jairus hope by bringing his little daughter back to life. (Mark 5:21–24, 35–43; 19 days before Christmas)





Week 2: PeaceGlory to God in the highest,


Classroom DevotionGetting StartedYou will need a stuffed animal for this devotion.

IntroductionToday we will talk about the peace Jesus gives us. As I light the candle, let’s all say, “Jesus is the Light of the world.”

Today, teach the new lines in the song you introduced last time. It’s sung to the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”:

Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing peace and lasting cheer.Christ brings peace to every mind,Leaving fear and loss behind.Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing peace and lasting cheer.

Getting to the HeartAs you speak the three couplets below, say the first sentence in each pair as if you feel frightened. Hide your stuffed animal behind your back as you do so. As you speak the second sentence, hug your stuffed animal and speak as if you feel extremely peaceful.

A big storm is coming!I feel peaceful.

I don’t have any money to buy food!I feel peaceful.

A big, growly bear is chasing me!I feel so peaceful.

Why are you laughing? It’s funny to talk about being frightened and peaceful at the same time, isn’t it? But that’s the kind of peace Jesus brought to earth. It’s the kind of peace he brings to our hearts right now. The Christmas angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). God’s peace is one of the best Christmas gifts we could receive.

Because Jesus died to save us from our biggest enemies—sin, death, and Satan—we know that he will help us whenever we feel afraid or worried. (Hug your stuffed animal and sigh.) Hugging my teddy bear makes me feel better, but it can’t bring me the kind of peace Jesus gives. When I am worried or afraid, I pray to Jesus. He fills my heart with peace. He loves me and will help me with every problem.

Let the children find the stickers for this week and attach them to the classroom Count Down to Christmas tree on the



“peace” quadrant. As time allows, talk about the Bible people named and the peace Jesus brought to them. See the family devotion for details regarding the people/Scriptures your students’ families will explore at home this week.

Taking It HomeEven though we hear scary things on the news or at home or in school, even though we feel afraid sometimes, Jesus fills our hearts with peace whenever we feel troubled. We can ask him to help us, and he will always, always do that. Jesus came at Christmas to bring us peace.

Pray: Before you pray, ask the children to mention some things they worry about. Ask Jesus to help all of you feel peace in every situation. Then pray these words in unison:

Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your peace each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.





Week 2: PeaceGlory to God in the highest,


Family DevotionGetting StartedHave a piece of paper and a pencil handy. Help your child find this week’s stickers—the ones focused on “peace.” Also locate the “peace” section on the Christmas tree.

IntroductionLight your Christmas candle (or the first and second blue/purple candles of your Advent wreath) as you say together, “Jesus is the Light of the world.” Then sing this song (tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”):

Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing peace and lasting cheer.Christ brings peace to every mind,Leaving fear and loss behind.Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing peace and lasting cheer.

Getting to the HeartTalk together about fighting, wars, people who hurt one another, and other worries—in an age-appropriate way. For instance, mention a relative’s illness and recall times you have prayed for that person’s health. Then think together about a time when your child was worried about something that didn’t turn out to be a problem—or, at least, not a very big one.

This week as we get ready for Christmas, we think about peace—the perfect peace Jesus will give us someday in heaven. And we think about the peace Jesus gives us in our hearts right now, because whenever we feel worried or afraid, he promises to help us. The Christmas angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Because Jesus died for our sins, we have God’s forgiveness. That brings us peace—and it’s one of the best Christmas gifts we have ever gotten.

(Write the words “Jesus gives us peace” on the sheet of paper and read it with your child.) Let’s keep this piece of paper near our Christmas candle (or Advent wreath) this week. When we hear scary news on TV or when we feel upset with each other, we can get out this piece of paper and read the sentence together.

Pray: Dear Jesus, please bring peace and safety in places where soldiers are fighting. Help us when we feel afraid at home or in school or with our friends. Fill our hearts with your peace all the time. In your name we pray, Jesus. Amen.




Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your peace each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.

Day-by-Day at Home: Each day this week, light your Christmas candle (or two of the blue/purple candles on your Advent wreath). Each day, affix a new sticker to the Christmas tree. As you do, talk about the peace God brought to the people in God’s family long ago and the peace Jesus brings us today. As time will allow, read all or parts of the Bible verses together.

#7 for December 7—The angels brought a message of peace from God to earth on Christmas night. (Luke 2:14; 18 days before Christmas)

#8 for December 8--God gave the High Priest Aaron a blessing of peace to place upon his people. (Numbers 6:24–27; 17 days before Christmas)

#9 for December 9—Because Jesus died on the cross for all believers and rose again, we have peace. (Luke 24:36–49; 16 days before Christmas)

#10 for December 10—Isaiah wrote of the peace God gives us as we trust in him. (Isaiah 26:3; 15 days before Christmas)

#11 for December 11—David committed terrible sins, but when he confessed, God forgave him. This brought David peace. (Psalm 32; 14 days before Christmas)

#12 for December 12—God allowed Solomon, King David’s son and a man of peace, to build the temple in Jerusalem, where everyone could come to worship. (1 Chronicles 22:2–13; 13 days before Christmas)





Week 3: JoyGlory to God in the highest,


Classroom DevotionIntroductionToday we are going to think about the joy Jesus gives us at Christmas time. Jesus’ birthday is coming so soon, we can hardly keep our joy inside of us. Let’s all say, “Jesus is the Light of the world,” as we light our candle (or the candles on the Advent wreath).

Teach the new lines in the song below. (Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”)

Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing joyful Christmas cheer.Bethle’m’s little baby boy,Fills our hearts with lasting joy.Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing joyful Christmas cheer.

Getting to the HeartI’m going to say one word. Then you say all the words that my word makes you think of. (Say the word Christmas and let the children respond.) I noticed you said only happy words in response, words like presents, Christmas tree, Santa Claus, and Baby Jesus.

Most times, it’s easy to feel joyful at Christmas time, isn’t it? Let me tell you how Christmas joy helped some frightened shepherds. The story comes from God’s Book, the Bible. (Hold your Bible open on your lap to Luke 2:10–11.)

All this happened one night, long, long ago. Some shepherds were camping outside in the hills around a town called Bethlehem. They were sleeping and watching over their sheep. Suddenly God’s angels filled the sky with bright light. It had been very dark. Now it was very, very light! Lighter than the sun at noontime!

How frightened the shepherds felt! But one of the angels said, “Fear not!” Then the angel said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). What was that joyful news? Yes, God’s Son had been born to be our Savior. The shepherds went to find Baby Jesus. After they found him, the shepherds were so glad, they told everyone they saw that our Savior had been born.

The joy of Christmas lasts forever! It never ends. That joy comes into our hearts whenever we hear God’s Word and learn about Jesus. Even in sad times when Christmas is far away, Jesus says, “I love you to pieces. One day I will take you to heaven to live with me forever!” That promise brings us joy. Jesus came at Christmas to bring us joy!


Taking It HomeLet the children find the stickers for the coming week and attach them to the “joy” quadrant of the classroom Count Down to Christmas tree. As time will allow, talk about some of the people/Scriptures the students will explore with their families this week. See the references and names on the family devotion.

Pray: As you pray right now, go around the room, asking each child to thank God for one thing that helps them feel happy. Thank Jesus for these things. Then pray these words in unison:

Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your joy each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.




Week 3: JoyGlory to God in the highest,


Family DevotionGetting StartedYou will need three sheets of paper and some pencils, markers, or crayons. You will add more stickers to your Count Down to Christmas tree this week, so have the stickers for Week 3 (joy) ready.

IntroductionLight your candle (or two blue/purple candles and one pink candle on your Advent wreath), as you repeat together, “Jesus is the Light of the world.” Then sing this week’s song verse to the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”:

Christmas Day is drawing near,Bringing joyful Christmas cheer.Bethle’m’s little baby boyFills our hearts with lasting joy.Christmas Day is drawing nearBringing joyful Christmas cheer.

Getting to the HeartAs we light our candle today, we remember that our hearts can be full of joy because Jesus’ birthday is almost here.

Draw the letters J, O, and Y as big, block letters on separate pieces of paper, one letter per page. Work as a family to fill each of the letters with words and pictures that tell some of the ways Jesus brings you joy.

The Christmas angel told the shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). That joy is for us, too. Because Jesus was born to be our Savior, we have joy even when bad things happen. (Talk about a recent negative experience in your family. Say something like this, adapting it to your situation: “When Janna/Jake fell and broke her/his arm yesterday, I felt so sad. But I know Jesus heard our prayers and is making her/him better.”)

Where can we put our J, O, Y letters so we will see them every day this week and thank Jesus for bringing us joy? (Let your child(ren) make suggestions.)

Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us great joy, lasting joy, joy that will never go away. We are so happy you were born to be our Savior. We love you, dear Jesus. Amen.


Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your joy each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.



Day-by-Day at Home: Each day this week, light your candle (or three of the candles—including the pink one—on your Advent wreath). Add a new sticker to your Christmas tree each day, and talk about the person named on it. As time will allow, read the Bible texts that tell about each person:

#13 for December 13—The Christmas angels brought a message of joy from God to the shepherds. (Luke 2:10; 12 days before Christmas)

#14 for December 14—When the Wise Men saw the star that led them to the Savior, they were filled with joy. (Matthew 2:10; 11 days before Christmas)

#15 for December 15—In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus taught that the angels in heaven are filled with joy over each sinner who repents. (Luke 15:3–7; 10 days before Christmas)

#16 for December 16—Paul wrote to the believers in the city of Philippi about the joy Jesus brings us. (Philippians 4:4–7; 9 days before Christmas)

#17 for December 17—God filled the hearts of his people with joy when Ezra led them in worship. (Ezra 6:16; 8 days before Christmas)

#18 for December 18—Psalm 47 is a song of joy all of God’s people can sing. (7 days before Christmas)





Week 4: LoveGlory to God in the highest,


Classroom DevotionGetting StartedCut a heart from red paper.

IntroductionLight your Christmas candle (or all four candles on your Advent wreath). If this is the last day you will be with the children until after Christmas, you may want to sing to Jesus for his birthday.

Christmas is almost here! Today we will remember the great love that Jesus gives us at Christmas. As I light the candle, everybody say together, “Jesus is the Light of the world.”

Today, teach the new lines in the song (tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”):

Christmas Day is almost near,Bringing love and lasting cheer.Love came down at Christmastime;God sent his best Valentine.Christmas Day is almost near,Bringing love and lasting cheer.

Getting to the Heart(Show the children the heart.) I made a special Christmas card for today. Do you like it? What seems unusual about my card? That’s right, it looks more like a Valentine.

I did that because I wanted us all to remember God gave us his very greatest gift of love on that first Christmas. (Read John 3:16.) God loves you so much that he sent his only Son to earth to live as a real baby. That baby—Baby Jesus—grew up to be a real boy, just like all the boys here. He went to school and played with his friends, just like you do. Jesus did all of that, while obeying his mom and his teachers and his stepfather, Joseph, all the time! Jesus lived a perfect life in our place, and then he died on the cross to pay for all our sins.

When God works in us to know and trust this, our hearts get so full of his love that the love just spills over and over! That love helps us do loving things for our family and friends. Who can think of what some of those things might be? (Let the children respond.)



Taking It HomeAffix this week’s stickers to the “love” quadrant on your classroom Count Down to Christmas tree. As time will allow, talk about the people whose names appear on the stickers. Use the Bible references at the end of the family devotion page to share more facts about who these people were and the joy they found in our Savior.

I loved sharing my Christmas Valentine with you. God’s great love will fill your hearts this Christmas and help you share his love with everyone!

Pray: Close with a prayer thanking God for his great love in sending his Son to be our Savior. Then pray these wordsin unison:

Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your love each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.





Week 4: LoveGlory to God in the highest,


Family DevotionGetting StartedYou will need a small box to represent Baby Jesus’ manger and strips of yellow paper to represent straw. (You may wish to make a simple wooden manger and purchase a small amount of real straw at a craft store.)

IntroductionLight your candle (or Advent wreath) as you repeat together, “Jesus is the Light of the world.” Then sing the final song verse, using the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”:

Christmas Day is almost near,Bringing love and lasting cheer.Love came down at Christmastime;God sent his best Valentine.Christmas Day is almost near,Bringing love and lasting cheer.

Getting to the HeartLet’s pretend this box is the manger Baby Jesus slept in and these little pieces of paper are straw that made his bed softer. Every time you think of a way God shows his love, I’ll drop a straw in the manger. We’ll make a warm, poky bed for Baby Jesus. What are some of the ways God loves us? (Drop in a straw for each suggestion—God made us, God takes care of us, God answers our prayers, etc.)

The very best thing God did for us is send his Son to earth to be born as a real baby. Here’s what the Bible says about that. (Read John 3:16 from your Bible.) Jesus grew up to live a perfect life in our place. Then, he died on the cross for us. He loves us that much!

God’s love is so great that it fills our hearts and helps us love one another. Let’s think about ways we can share God’s love with other people this week. (Let everyone suggest some.)

Whenever you see someone do something loving—like the things we just named—you can run to put a straw in the manger. Maybe I will run to put a straw in the manger when (name your child) gets ready for bed without being nagged or scolded. Maybe (name a child) will run to put a straw in the manger when (name another child) carries his/her plate from the table to the sink all by him/herself. (Let your children help think of other, age-appropriate examples.)

By Christmas Day our manger will be full of straw and it will remind us that God’s love is working in us.

Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us so much. We love you, too. Help us to share your love with each other. Amen.




Jesus, we celebrate your birth.You brought so many gifts to earth!Teach us to share your love each dayIn everything we do and say. Amen.

Day-by-Day at Home: Each day this week, light your candle (or all four candles on your Advent wreath). As you do that, sing to Jesus. Add a new sticker to your tree each day and talk about the person named on it. As time will allow, read the Bible texts that tell about each person:

#19 for December 19—Hannah loved her son, Samuel, and sang a song to thank the Lord for him. (1 Samuel 2:1–10; 6 days before Christmas)

#20 for December 20—Jesus told Nicodemus about God’s love in this verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ( John 3:16; 5 days before Christmas)

#21 for December 21—Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and sometimes stayed at their house. (Luke 10:38–42; 4 days before Christmas)

#22 for December 22—The Christians in Ephesus loved Paul and cried when he said good-bye. (Acts 20:17–38; 3 days before Christmas)

#23 for December 23—Paul loved Timothy like his own son. (2 Timothy 1:1–2; 2 days before Christmas)

#24 for December 24—God’s love for us lasts forever. (Psalm 118:1; 1 day before Christmas)

Don’t forget! On Christmas Eve, add the star stickers to your tree!



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