Read: Luke 2:8-14; Hebrews 12:1-3

“This is the worst Christmas ever!” Riley told her brother. “Not only did we have to move because of Dad’s job, we have to live in this tiny apartment because we can’t find a house.” She groaned as she tripped over a box on her way to the couch. “There’s no room in here!”

Logan shrugged. “At least we have beds. When Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem, all they could find was a stable. They probably just had straw.”

“Yeah, well, at least they had the gifts the wise men brought them. We don’t have any presents to open because we’ve been too busy moving that we haven’t had any time to go Christmas shopping!”

“Actually, the wise men didn’t bring gifts to Jesus right when he was born,” Logan said. “They didn’t come until later.”

Riley crossed her arms. “Well, at least they had the angels singing. I can’t download any music because the internet isn’t working!”

“It was actually the shepherds who heard the angels singing—not Mary and Joseph.” Logan looked at his sister. “It sounds like you’re having a crybaby Christmas.”

Riley raised her eyebrows. “A crybaby Christmas?”

“Yeah,” said Logan. “You’re complaining about everything!”

Riley threw a pillow at her brother’s head, but Mom came down the hallway just in time and caught it in midair. “Okay, you two. What’s going on?”

“Logan says I’m complaining about everything!” said Riley.

“Well, are you?” asked Mom.

Riley sighed. “Well, maybe. But everything’s a mess, and just because he’s not bothered by any of it doesn’t mean he can make fun of me!”

Mom sat down next to Riley. “I know Christmas is a lot different for us this year, but we can still be joyful. After all, Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth to save us! He cares about us and understands what we’re going through because He went through so much more when He was on earth.”

Riley looked around their small apartment. “But He never complained, did He?”

Mom shook her head. “The Bible says He went to the cross with joy because it was the only way we could have eternal life with Him.” She smiled at Riley. “Trust Him to help you be joyful too.”

–Ruth McQuilkin

How about you? Have you been rejoicing in the birth of Jesus this Christmas season? Or have you been too weighed down by problems to feel joyful? Problems can be hard to deal with, especially at Christmas, but remember that you don’t have to face them alone. Jesus came to earth to save you, and He promises to be with you through every problem you face. Because of Him, you can celebrate Christmas with joy!

Today's Key Verse: The angel said…I bring you good tidings of great joy. Luke 2:10 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Be joyful

Read: Isaiah 9:1-7; John 3:16

Christmas presents made Sam nervous. Santa’s “nice” list made him worried. As the days drew closer to Christmas, Sam’s anxiety about presents increased.

Maybe it was the wondering—is Santa coming? Maybe it was the worry—was I good enough this year? Or maybe Sam was afraid he couldn’t buy the perfect gifts for his family with the little money he had.

“Homemade gifts again,” he said sadly.

On Christmas Eve, Sam’s parents took him and his brother, Bobby, on an outing to the zoo to help get their minds off presents. As they walked around, the family noticed the animals were being extra active and noisy in their enclosures. The eagles squawked. The mountain lions grunted, pacing back and forth. The black bears huffed, as one clawed up a tree stump and the other scratched its backside along the fence.

Then the parrot said, “Hi, Bobby.”

“Did he say my name?” asked Bobby in amazement.

The petting zoo sheep and goats were baaing and maaing louder than ever.

“Why are the animals acting so funny?” Sam finally asked.

“I think animals talk on Christmas Eve,” said Dad, grinning. “I think they’re excited for the birth of baby Jesus, just like the barn animals were on the night He was born!”

Sam was old enough to know the animals couldn’t really talk, but he was warmed by the idea of it. The animals were God’s creation, and perhaps they wanted to celebrate Christmas too.

“It’s not about the presents, it’s about God sending Jesus into the world to save us because He loves us,” said Sam. “He’s the present!”

“You got it! Spending time together at Christmas and giving thanks to God for His wonderful gift is what really matters,” said Mom.

Dad nodded. “Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us eternal life, and He fills our lives with love, joy, peace, and many other good things. There’s nothing better than that!”

That night, Sam slept peacefully and awoke to a beautiful Christmas morning. He jumped out of bed, ready to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

–Elizabeth Janczyk

How about you? Do you worry about presents at Christmas? Maybe you don’t know what will be under the tree or if you’ll be able to buy others the gifts they want. The good news is that the best gift of Christmas isn’t anything anyone can buy. It’s Jesus, and He doesn’t have a “nice” list—He offers eternal life to everyone, even though none of us deserve it. Have you received that gift? Trust in Him today so you can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: Celebrate the gift of Jesus

Read: Mark 4:35-41

“Oh no!” Dad exclaimed as the car slid off the road and into a snowbank. The wind was strong, the snow was deep, and they were stuck!

Dad stepped on the gas pedal and tried to rock the car forward and then back. Nothing happened. So Mom got behind the wheel and Dad, Olivia, and Nina tried to push it free. But it was stuck tight.

Dad sighed heavily. “Last winter I bought a shovel to keep in the trunk in case something like this happened, but then we had such a mild winter that I never needed it. Last spring I put it in the garage—it’s still there.”

Mom pulled out her phone and made a call. Then she flicked on the emergency flashing lights. “I’m afraid we’ll have to wait a while before help can get here,” she said.

She was right. It seemed like a very long time before help arrived, but eventually they were back on the road. “I’m putting that shovel in the trunk the moment we get home,” Dad said as they drove. “While we were waiting, I was thinking about how important it is to be prepared. I was wondering how prepared we would be if we got caught in one of life’s storms.”

“One of life’s storms?” Olivia asked.

“Yes. Think about this,” said Dad. “Up to now, the winter has been mild, so I didn’t pack a shovel. And when things in life are going smoothly, we sometimes forget how much we need Jesus and aren’t as motivated to pray and read His Word. But sooner or later we’re going to be challenged with a storm in life—a difficult problem or time of hardship. We need to be prepared for stormy weather in life, just like on the road.”

“So how do we prepare for life’s storms?” asked Nina.

“When we pray, read the Bible, and go to church, it helps us remember that Jesus died and rose again for us and that He’s always with us,” said Dad. “As we grow in our faith, we’ll be prepared to depend on Him for help when life gets stormy.”

Nina smiled. “We should pray and thank Jesus for helping us through that snowstorm. That will help us remember He’s with us through life’s storms too!”

–Nance E. Keyes

How about you? Are you preparing for whatever may happen in life? If you trust in Jesus, He will always be with you and help you through whatever storms life brings. But sometimes it’s easy to forget that, especially when things are going smoothly. Spending time with Jesus and growing in your relationship with Him will help you remember to trust and depend on Him—not only when life gets stormy, but all the time!

Today's Key Verse: [Jesus] called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” John 6:20 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Be prepared for life’s storms