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

“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

How About You?
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!

Today’s Key Verse:
I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. (CSB) (John 13:34)

Today’s Key Thought:
Live the Christmas message