This Child is the Savior! – Family Devotion – December 22, 2021

Read: Luke 2:1-20

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:10-12

This Child is the Savior!

 

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

Kaia’s mom was already at the hospital when she got there. Mom was having a baby, and Kaia was about to become a big sister. When she walked into the room, she saw the baby in an itty-bitty bed. She touched her sister’s tiny toes and her baby nose as cute as a button. When Kaia got to hold her new friend, she couldn’t stop smiling. Mom and dad were smiling too. Something about welcoming a new baby makes everyone very happy.

Baby Jesus made people happy too. He was the most special baby ever. It wasn’t just because Jesus was placed in a manger instead of a baby-bed. It wasn’t just because Jesus’ father was God. It wasn’t even because Jesus was a perfect baby, the only newborn in history who wasn’t a little sinner inside. We might expect the world’s most special baby to glow gloriously, but he didn’t. Jesus was born in a humble place and around people who were just like us.

What made Jesus special was his mission. The angel announced, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” Did you catch his mission? This baby was here to be the Savior. God sent Jesus to rescue his people from evil in us and all around us. That’s why Jesus needed to live a perfect life. He always listened to his parents to make up for the times when the rest of us disrespect our parents. He always listened to God’s word to make up for when we get bored of hearing from the Bible. Jesus’ mission started the night he was born on Christmas Eve and his mother, Mary, and his stepfather Joseph smiled at him. Happy shepherds came to see him. A while later, the wise men brought him gifts to celebrate the new baby.

Jesus is still making people smile. Are you smiling? Because of Jesus, all your wrongs were made right. He will wipe every tear from your eye, and you will never be sad again. Because of Jesus, you are going to heaven. When you get to heaven, you’ll actually will get to see and smile at him just and Mary and Joseph did that first Christmas! That’s what’s so special about the baby Jesus—this child is your Savior!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to our world on a mission to save us. Help me appreciate how much you love me so that I can be joyful this Christmas. 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

• In your own words, tell the story of what happened the night of Jesus’ birth.
• Name two things that make you happy because Jesus is born.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does it mean that Jesus is your Savior?
• Pretend you’re one of the shepherds who heard the angel’s announcement from today’s devotion. What things might the shepherds have talked about on their way to visit Jesus? What about on their return home?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Do you think people in 2021 are more excited about Christmas or less excited compared to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds? Explain your answer.
• How would you help someone else appreciate the importance of Christmas and a Savior born for them?