What Child is This? He Does Big Things for Little People – Family Devotion – December 20, 2021

Read: Luke 1:39-55

And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
Luke 1:46-49

What Child is This? He Does Big Things for Little People

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Of all the people who have ever lived in the history of the world, Jesus has appeared in the most paintings and sculptures. Do you know who is the second most painted and sculpted person? It’s the Virgin Mary. Why is Mary so famous? Because she is the mother of Jesus.

Jesus could have been born to a royal queen in a palace. God could have given baby Jesus to a rich woman with a fancy life or a genius with super brainpower. But God chose that Jesus’ mom would be a young small-town girl. Mary was probably a young woman when Jesus was born. She was not rich or famous. People call her “humble” because she didn’t have much to be proud of. But now, Mary is recognized worldwide—not because she was the prettiest or the smartest or the fastest. She’s famous because of what God did for her.

God often chooses small humble things to do his big important work. Jesus was born to a humble woman, and he lived in a small, modest country. Jesus loved to be with little children and even with adults who didn’t have anything to be proud of.

That is very good news for you and me! Have you ever felt like you are too small to make a big difference? You are precisely the kind of person God loves to work through. He knows your name and will never forget it.

Do you ever think you aren’t very good at things? Jesus considers it extra special when people hear about God’s love from humble folks who make mistakes. That way, the world sees that Jesus is the most powerful and we are his humble servants.

Do you ever feel like you are a low-down sinner who doesn’t deserve God’s love? You are precisely the kind of person Jesus came to save. If you were perfect, then you wouldn’t need a Savior.

God loved humble Mary, and he loves humble people like us. Jesus is coming this Christmas because God loves little people who mess up and need a Savior. And just like Mary, we will praise God because he lifts up the humble!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for your undeserved love to little people like us. You have done great things for us! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What did God do for Mary that made her famous?
• What are some great things God has done for you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How did Mary respond to God’s blessings?
• Discuss two “humble” ways your family can respond to all of God’s blessings this Christmas.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why did God choose Mary to be the mother of Jesus? (Come up with some incorrect answers and then say the actual reason.)
• Agree/Disagree: God loves humble people more than he loves great people.