The Best Christmas Gift: God’s Family – December 31, 2025
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7
The Best Christmas Gift: God’s Family
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Most people love Christmas! It’s the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s full of cookies and candy canes, treats and traditions, music and magic. Christmas means family. And most importantly, Christmas means Jesus.
But here’s the thing—you only fully understand what that truly means when you think what Christmas without Jesus looks like. How would that change the phrase “Christmas means family”?
People love Christmas because it gives them something to look forward to. It’s fun! It makes them feel happy. But we also know life isn’t perfect. There are lots of times we see sin and sadness in the world. Christmas reminds us that we don’t just need fun—we need to belong to God’s family.
Through Jesus, you belong to God’s family!
Jesus didn’t come just to make a few weeks of Christmas cheer. He came to save people from sin and death. He bought you for his family. And in God’s family, you can talk to your heavenly Father anytime—asking for help, peace, and love.
So, when you are afraid of what’s going on in the world, when you feel burdened by your sins, you can call out “Abba, Father”—and your heavenly Father will hear your cry for help because you are his child!
Christmas means you belong to God’s family. As part of this family, you get to wear Christmas clothes! Mom and Dad make sure you have nice clothes to wear for a service. Did they tell you to keep them clean for a nice picture? Christmas gives you something even better: Jesus gives you holy white robes of heaven! That means you get to live as someone who belongs to God’s family.
Christmas means Jesus. And because of Jesus, Christmas means family—God’s family.
Prayer:
Abba, Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, that through him you call us your children. In the joy of belonging to your family, may we continue to keep our “Christmas clothes” clean by living lives according to your will. 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 are some blessings of belonging to God’s family?
- How can you show thanks to your heavenly Father for these blessings?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- Why did Jesus have to be born “under the law”?
- How did Jesus keep the law as your perfect brother?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- What do you think it means to be an “heir of God through Christ”?
- How can knowing you belong to God’s family help you be a more caring member of your family?
