Countdown to Christmas with Zach - An Advent Podcast for Kids

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“Ho, ho, ho! And a merry Christmas to you!” bellowed a tall Santa at the entrance to Mia’s favorite toy store. Mia and her dad were doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. They needed a few more things for the shoeboxes they were filling for kids who lived in orphanages in poor countries. 

“Dad, why do I see so many Santas around at Christmas instead of manger scenes?” Mia wondered aloud. “Everywhere I look I see Santa! See, there’s a gigantic stuffed Santa right over there!”

“I agree, there’s a lot more of Santa than Jesus in most stores at Christmas,” said Dad. “I think the tradition of Santa has overshadowed the truth of Jesus’ birth. However, not many people know the story of the real Saint Nicholas where our tradition of Santa began. Do you want to hear it?”

“Of course!” said Mia.

“According to history scholars, Saint Nicholas was born a long time ago around 280 A.D., which means 280 years after Jesus’ birth,” Dad explained. “His parents were very wealthy and left him a large inheritance when they died. Nicholas was a Christian, so he decided to share his wealth by giving gifts and money to the poor and sick in his town. He later became a Christian bishop in the church and eventually became Saint Nicholas.”

“So, did he wear a red suit and have a white beard?” asked Mia.

“No one really knows what Saint Nicholas looked like. All we know is he had a reputation of giving to those in need,” Dad said. 

“Just like we’re filling those shoeboxes for the needy kids!” Mia exclaimed. 

“Exactly!” said Dad. “People often associate Santa with getting a lot of presents. Instead, I think we should think of Saint Nicholas and giving to others. And remember, the reason Saint Nicholas gave to others was to show Jesus’ love to them. As a Christian, he knew the greatest gift we could ever receive was Jesus, who became human in order to save us from sin. That’s really what Christmas is all about—celebrating the gift of Jesus!”

Do you focus on giving to others at Christmas? Sometimes it’s easy to make Christmas all about getting presents for ourselves rather than thinking of how we can give to others. Money and presents aren’t the only ways to give. Share a kind word, do something extra around the house, or let someone go ahead of you in line. When you give, you point to the greatest gift of all—Jesus.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV

Give generously to others.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 11-15

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“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Seth,” Jaden told his big brother. They were playing one of their favorite video games while waiting for Mom’s homemade pizza to finish cooking.

“You could start by actually playing!” Seth paused a moment, then said, “No, really, what’s up?”

“Well, you know Brenden, that really awkward new kid in my grade I was telling you about?” asked Jaden.

“Yeah, it reminds me of how I felt when we first moved here and I was just starting middle school. That was not fun!”

“I know, that’s why I’ve been trying to help him out and sit with him at lunch, but now I almost wish I hadn’t. His birthday is coming up, and his mom told him he’s only allowed to invite one person over for his party to stay overnight at his house. Guess who that lucky person is?” Jaden said sarcastically. “Me!”

“That’s not so bad,” Seth said.

Jaden looked back at him with a very unconvinced frown. “It just happens to be on Friday–the Friday we have our last kid’s club at church before Christmas break, the Friday when everyone gets to take a big prize home instead of just hoping they win the prize drawing! If I ride the bus home with Brenden, I’ll miss kid’s club! I asked him if he could come, but his mom doesn’t know anything about it, so he’s not allowed to. I’d have to miss it, and miss my chance to get a prize!”

When Mom called the boys to dinner, she told them she had overheard them talking about Jaden’s problem. “It reminded me of what we read in the Bible this morning about Jesus giving up the glory of heaven to come into this world as a baby to save us,” Mom said. “Remember how we talked about looking for ways to show that same kind of love to others this Christmas?”

“Yeah.” Jaden sighed. “Okay, I’ll tell Brenden I’m in. Maybe I can tell his mom more about kid’s club and she’ll let him come with me. Then neither one of us will miss out on the fun–and Brenden can learn more about Jesus!”

–Alicia Albert

Have you heard the Christmas story many times, but never let it really sink in? Think about what Jesus gave up by coming into this world to save us. He left heaven to become a helpless baby so He could one day die for our sins on the cross. When you think about what He gave up for you, you may find it’s a little easier to give something up so that you can help change another person’s life in an awesome way!

"I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another." John 13:34 CSB

Live the Christian message

Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 1:21-23; Philippians 2:5-8

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As Sarah wound Santa-shaped lights around the Christmas tree, her stepsister, Laura, came in carrying a wreath.

“Oh,” said Laura. “Aren’t we using white lights?”

Smiling, Sarah shook her head. “My family used these every Christmas, and I’d like to share them with you since it’s our first holiday together.”

Laura touched the lights. “Well…my family doesn’t decorate with Santa stuff. We believe Jesus should be the focus of Christmas.”

“He still is,” Sarah said, pointing to a manger scene nearby.

“I just feel uncomfortable,” said Laura. “Maybe we could use white lights instead.”

“Maybe,” said Sarah, taking down the Santa lights. “Um, I’ll be back.”

Sarah walked to the garage, where her dad was organizing. She sat on a box and sighed.

“Decorating with Laura is impossible. All I did was put up Santa lights, and she freaked out.”

Dad glanced at Sarah. “Laura and her mom haven’t been Christians long. They might think it’s wrong to include Santa in their Christmas decorations.”

“That’s silly! Santa’s just a fun tradition. Laura needs to get over it.”

Dad looked around and then slapped his forehead. “I’m out of tape! Can you drive out and buy some?”

Sarah laughed. “I can’t drive!”

“There’s nothing to it. Hop in!” Dad opened the truck door, and Sarah climbed into the driver’s seat. Dad pointed down the steep driveway. “Careful on that ice. If you skid, you’ll end up in the ditch.”

Sarah swallowed hard. “I don’t think I can do this. I haven’t been to driver’s ed!”

Dad leaned on the frame of the truck window. “You’re a lot like Laura. You need training. If I urge you to drive before you’re ready, you might hurt yourself. Laura needs training too—Bible training. Along with freedom from sin, Jesus gives us freedom to enjoy many things, but Laura doesn’t fully understand that. If you push her to do something she believes is wrong, you’ll cause her to sin—and you’ll be sinning too. We need to be patient as she gains more experience and understanding as a Christian.”

“I hadn’t thought of that!” said Sarah. “I’ll use white lights on the tree this year. I’ll go ask Laura to help me put them up!”

Do you know someone who’s uncomfortable doing something that you think is harmless? Perhaps you disagree on how God feels about certain books, clothes, or TV shows. Base your choices on God’s Word, and enjoy the liberty Jesus gives you. But never push others to read, wear, or watch something when they believe it would be wrong. Be patient and trust God to help them understand the freedom they have in Jesus.

"Yes, we know that 'we all have knowledge' about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church." 1 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV

Be patient as others learn.

1 Corinthians 8:4-13

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Sarah looked longingly at the fluffy stuffed kitty on the shelf. It was just what she wanted for Christmas, right down to the glittery collar around its neck. Slowly, she placed it in the cart.

Mom bent down to check the price. “Sarah, this one doesn’t fit our budget. We have to pick out something else for our little girl.”

Every year, Sarah’s family participated in a program that sent shoeboxes with gifts to children around the world who would otherwise not receive any Christmas presents. More importantly, the kids were also told about Jesus and His love for them.

“I know, Mom.” Sarah’s lip trembled a little. “This girl needs the kitty more than I do, so you can get it for her instead of me for Christmas.”

Mom smiled. “Then we will get it for her. I can see Jesus shining out of your heart right now. You are being the gift by sacrificing what you really want so someone else can have something special.”

Sarah nodded at Mom. “Just like Jesus is the gift to us! He didn’t have to come to earth as a baby in a manger. He didn’t have to give His life up and die on the cross for us…but He wanted us to have forgiveness for our sins and eternal life with God.”

“Now, that is the ultimate gift!” Mom said with a smile.

They continued walking down the aisles of the store. “Toothbrush, bar of soap, socks…” Mom checked items off her list. “Looks like our girl has everything she needs!”

“And some things she might want too.” Sarah winked.

Mom paused, looking thoughtful. “When we trust Jesus to be our Savior, He not only gives us eternal life; He also gives us everything we need for this life.”

“Like toothpaste?” Sarah asked.

Mom laughed. “Toothpaste too, but I was thinking of His spiritual blessings—like the ability to love others, say no to sin, and persevere in hard times. He gives us everything we need for a life of godliness.”

Sarah grinned. “I’m so glad Jesus was the gift to us so we can follow His example and be a gift to others!”

Mom nodded. “Me too, sweetie!”

Have you received the gift God freely offers? The Bible tells us God loves us so much He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to save us. When we trust in Him, He gives us eternal life with Him forever. He also gives us a new life here on this earth with everything we need to live for Him. If you are God’s child, you have every spiritual blessing in Christ. How can you follow His example and be a gift to someone today?

You will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 NLT

Be a gift to others.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Ephesians 1:3-8; 2 Peter 1:3-8

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“All right, boys. Turn off that video game and help set the table.” Ethan hit the pause button. “We should be able to beat that level after dinner,” he told Levi as they scooted into the kitchen.

Mom was balancing the baby on her hip and stirring a bubbling pot of spaghetti sauce. “Don’t forget to put out napkins,” she told the boys. “And don’t forget we’re heading out to do some Christmas shopping after dinner.”

“We’re in the middle of a video game, Mom,” Levi said.

“You’ve been playing that game for over an hour. It’s time to take a break. We need to get presents for your cousins, pick up ingredients for Christmas cookies, and buy some extra Christmas tree lights.”

“Can’t we go shopping tomorrow?” Ethan asked.

Mom shook her head. “We have rehearsal for the Christmas play tomorrow.”

Dad walked into the kitchen and pulled a strand of spaghetti from the pot. Mom turned and handed him the baby. “You seem really stressed out,” Dad told her. He turned to the boys. “I’ve got an idea.”

“Does it involve video games?” Levi asked.

“It does not involve video games, but it does involve hot chocolate. I’m going to make a batch of hot chocolate, and we’re going to sit down as a family and watch a Christmas movie.” Dad already knew what Mom was thinking. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll get up early and take care of all the shopping. It sounds like everyone needs a little break from the craziness of the Christmas holiday. Think of it as a Santa pause.” Everyone laughed, even Mom.

“I guess you’re right,” she said. “Even Jesus and His disciples needed some time to rest. If I remember the Bible story correctly, Jesus told his disciples to come with Him to a quiet place and rest because so many people were coming and going that they didn’t even have time to eat.”

“No time to eat!” Ethan said. “There’s not a crowd big enough or even a video game that could keep me from your spaghetti, Mom!”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Mom said. “But we still need to take time to rest and remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas—Jesus coming to save us.” • Jared Hottenstein

Do you need some time to rest? Sometimes life can get very busy, especially around the holidays. We’re busy doing a lot of really good things, but there’s nothing wrong with hitting the pause button and taking a break. Jesus knew what it was like to be tired. If He took some time to rest, so should we. Take a breather and spend some time with Him. After all, He’s the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

"[Jesus] said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" Mark 6:31 NIV

Take time to rest.

Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:30-32

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“What do you think about this one?” Mom asked.

“It’s too skinny. We need something fatter.” Dad was pretty particular about finding the perfect Christmas tree. It was a family tradition. The entire family would hop into the van and drive an hour to a Christmas tree farm in the middle of nowhere. Next came a long hike through drifting snow until the perfect Christmas tree was found.

“Can’t we just get a fake tree, Dad? I can’t feel my feet.”

“Just a little bit longer, Noah. We have a thermos of hot chocolate waiting in the van. Where’s your Christmas spirit?”

“I think I left it back in the van with my gloves.”

“Very funny.” Dad pointed down the row of trees. “I think your mom and sister just found the perfect tree. Let’s go help them cut it down.” Noah trudged through the snow, trying to warm his hands by tucking them into the sleeves of his jacket.

“That’s the perfect tree! Nice job, ladies!” Dad crawled under the tree and started sawing. It didn’t take long for the tree to topple over onto its side and the rich scent of pine to fill the air.

“Seriously, Dad. Why do we go through all this trouble just for a Christmas tree?” Noah asked as he took the saw and folded it up.

“I go through all this trouble because it reminds me what Christmas is all about,” said Dad. “Think about it. This tree is the real thing. We couldn’t bring it home without cutting it down—it had to die. And just like this tree, Jesus is the real thing. The Bible says He’s the way, the truth, and the life. And just like this tree, God sent Him to earth to die for us. I go through all of this trouble because I don’t want to forget what Christmas is all about.”

Noah smiled. “That’s pretty good, Dad. Maybe I’ll continue this tradition when I get older. Just don’t forget to put some gifts under this tree. That’s also why we celebrate Christmas—Jesus was God’s gift to the world.”

Dad smiled. “I already know the perfect gift for you, Noah. A pair of gloves!” • Jared Hottenstein

Are you remembering what Christmas is all about? It’s easy to think only about the piles of presents and bright shining lights. But the most perfect present of all is God’s gift to us—His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the real thing; there’s nothing fake about Him. He really lived, He really died, and He defeated death and rose from the dead. He’s alive!

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NLT

Jesus is the real thing.

John 3:16; 14:6

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Ezra, Clark, and Genevieve sat in the living room with their parents, holding small boxes in their hands.

It was their family’s yearly tradition to go to a special Christmas ornament store where each person would pick out one ornament to put on their family Christmas tree.

Ezra, the youngest, had chosen a blue ornament with his name on it. Clark, who was interested in all things at sea, had picked out an ornament that looked like a ship. Genevieve had chosen one that looked like a nativity scene and was made with wood from Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born. Mom had found an ornament that was in the shape of a giraffe, her favorite animal. And since Dad played the saxophone, he had brought home an ornament featuring a picture of the instrument.

After they had all placed their new ornaments on the branches, the family stood back to admire their tree. Mom smiled. “You know, I can’t help but see the way our unique personalities—the way God made each of us—come through in what we picked to decorate the tree.”

Dad spoke softly. “’That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.’”

“What?” asked Ezra.

“It’s our memory verse right now,” explained Genevieve. “Adorn means decorate, right?”

“Exactly,” said Mom. “We’re told to decorate God’s doctrine—the truth of the good news of Jesus—with all we do. That’s a lot like us decorating the Christmas tree. Just like each of our ornaments is different but decorates the same tree, each Christian has different talents, interests, and life circumstances, but we all represent the same truth—that Jesus loves us and died to save us from our sin.”

Dad nodded. “The Christmas tree, like God’s truth, is beautiful on its own, but God calls us to decorate His truth to help others see just how beautiful it is. In fact, just like ornaments, God uses us as part of the beauty of His good news. When we share what Jesus has done for us and use our gifts, personalities, and actions to express our love for Him and for others, we bring out the beauty of His love and grace.”

Did you know that your life is an ornament that decorates God’s message of hope in Jesus? In today’s passage, Paul speaks about all kinds of Christians—each with unique circumstances and abilities. God has also given you these things. If you know Jesus, you can show others you love Him by using those gifts in godly ways. When you look at your Christmas tree, think about how you can point others to the beauty of Jesus.

"That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Titus 2:10 NKJV

Decorate the good news of Jesus

Titus 2:10-14; John 14:6

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“You’ll never capture me!” Ava yelled to her friend Jack. They were in Ava’s backyard pretending to be medieval knights.

“On my noble steed, you’ll never outlast me!” cried a galloping Jack.

As Jack caught up to Ava, they both drew foam swords and shields. “On my honor as a knight, you’ll never get your hands on the king’s treasure!” Ava stood with her hands square on her hips, proudly showing off her knight’s tunic over her pink leggings.

The door to Ava’s house opened. “Ava, it’s time to come in!” Mom called.

Ava lowered her sword and shield. “This was fun!” she said.

“Yeah! Let’s meet here again tomorrow to play some more!” Jack said, shivering. “We don’t have much time before it’ll be too cold to play outside.”

When Ava entered her house, the warm smells of oregano and garlic bread greeted her. She had forgotten Dad said it was spaghetti night! Ava found her mom sorting through a box of candles. “What are you doing?” Ava asked.

“Putting a candle in each window of our home,” said Mom. “Candles are often used during Advent to help prepare our hearts for Christmas. I thought it would be a good tradition to start.”

“To prepare for the presents we’re gonna get?” Ava asked with a grin.

“No, goofball, to prepare for the gift of Jesus!” Dad said, giving Ava a silly eye-roll from where he stood stirring the tomato sauce. “Let me put it another way. I know you love history, so I’ll tell you how people think the custom of candles in windows at Christmastime may have started. In the Middle Ages, the light of a single, large candle was used to represent the Star of Bethlehem, which is what led the wise men to seek and find Jesus. Shining out from a window at the coldest time of year, it reminded people to seek the King who came to earth as a baby so we could have His warmth and light in our lives.”

“And that’s not something we remember only at Christmas,” Mom said, holding out a candle for Ava to put in the window. “Jesus became human and sacrificed Himself so we could be saved. That’s something to celebrate all year long.” • Lauren N. Simmons

How does your family prepare for Christmas? Do you put up a tree? String lights up outside? Those are great things to do, but you can also prepare by thanking Jesus for the sacrifice He made when He came to earth as a baby so He could one day die for our sins. When the world was dark and cold, He came and shined His light on us. How can you share His warmth with others this Christmas—and every other time of year?

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" John 8:12 NKJV

Jesus is the light of the world

Psalm 27:1

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Summer carefully placed the last glittering ornament on the Christmas tree and grinned. “Cameron, it’s ready!”

Summer’s older brother started the countdown, then plugged in the lights. “It looks awesome!” Cameron exclaimed. “I like how we pick a color theme every year. Red and gold is the best theme yet!”

“Mom, I’ve been wondering—why do we decorate with certain colors at Christmas? You see some colors way more than others, like red, green, and gold,” Summer mused.

“That’s a great question, sweetie! Let’s look it up.” Mom took out her phone. “What do you think red stands for?”

“The blood of Jesus?” Summer guessed.

“You got it!” Mom said. “He became human and then died on the cross for our sins.”

“That probably means the color white stands for purity,” Cameron stated.

“Yes, and for peace as well,” Mom said. “We use green for evergreen trees, which symbolize the eternal life Jesus gives us when we trust in Him alone to save us from our sin. The color gold represents one of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus, which reminds us that He is King. And blue was worn by royalty back in Jesus’ time, so it’s traditionally used at Christmas in honor of Jesus’ mother, Mary, to show her importance.”

“Mom, I’m wearing blue! I must be royal!” Cameron said.

“You wish!” Summer threw some tinsel on her brother’s head.

Mom laughed. “Actually, you are royal, Cameron—and you too, Summer. Blue also represents the sky and reminds us of heaven and how Jesus will return one day and reign over the whole earth—and Christians will reign with Him.”

Summer glanced at the manger scene. “I’m so thankful that God sent Jesus as a little baby in a manger to grow up and save us.”

“And I’m thankful that I’m royal!” Cameron shaped the tinsel on his head into a crown. “Now, please bring me some cookies, royal subjects!” Savannah Coleman

Do you enjoy decorating for Christmas? Did you know that many of the colors and objects we use have meaning? They remind us of the true meaning of Christmas—that Jesus became human, died and rose again to save us from sin, and will one day make everything new. This Christmas, celebrate the birth of our Savior and all He’s done for us.

Celebrate Jesus at Christmas

"A Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11 NIV

Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 2:1-20

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“Dad, Christmas is coming!” said Marisol with a grin.

“Christmas? It’s pretty early for that. You’re not giving me your wish list already, are you?”

“I haven’t even thought about that yet,” Marisol said. “This will be our first winter since we moved here, so I have an idea for making Christmas special this year.” 

“I’m listening,” said Dad.

“Remember when we went shopping and I asked if I could get those red leather boots I saw in the store window?” Marisol asked.  

“I remember.”

“You said that, living here, I’d need waterproof snow boots, so if I also wanted fancy boots I’d have to save up and buy those myself,” Marisol said. “So last week while I was visiting the leather boots—”

“Wait,” Dad interrupted. “You visited the leather boots?”

“Sometimes I go admire them at the store. But this time I saw something else in the window. There was a poster about a toy drive for families that don’t have much money. The police department collects toys and passes them out to kids at a Christmas party. Isn’t that cool?”

“Absolutely. I’ve heard about that. They ask the public to donate new toys. So, did you want to donate a toy?”

“No,” Marisol said. “I want to donate six toys. They have three age groups for boys and three for girls, so six total.”

“That’s a lot of money, Marisol.”

Marisol nodded. “I’ve been saving boot money for months. And I still have my birthday money from Grandma and all the money Mrs. Sadler pays me to walk her dogs.”

Dad smiled. “I love this idea, Marisol, and I’m so glad to see you focused on caring for people, just like Jesus calls us to do. But I’m curious—what made you decide to give up all your boot money like this?”

“Well, I can’t stop thinking about that poster,” said Marisol. “I already have a lot, and some kids have almost nothing. And moving to a new place helped me realize how much Jesus gave up for us—He left heaven and came to earth that first Christmas as a baby. I want to be like that.”

Dad nodded. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our Savior’s birth.”

How can you celebrate the birth of Jesus this year? Even though Christmas is still a couple months away, it’s not too early to start thinking about how you could show others the love of Jesus this holiday season. Celebrate His birth by blessing someone else who could use a small gift, a kind word, or a helping hand. 

Give to those in need.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" 1 John 3:17 NIV

Proverbs 14:31; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8