The Best Gift of All

What is your favorite part about Christmas? Making warm sugar

cookies with bright red sprinkles? Decorating the Christmas tree? Visiting your grandparents? Unwrapping shiny presents? All of these are lots of fun. But Christmas is about so much more. One very special Christmas long ago, God gave the best gift ever—a gift from God to you and to me! He sent us His one and only Son, Jesus.

A child will be born to us.

God will give a son to us.

He will be responsible for leading

the people.

His name will be Wonderful Counselor,

Powerful God,

Father Who Lives Forever, Prince

of Peace.

Power and peace will be in his kingdom.

It will continue to grow.

He will rule as king on David’s throne

and over David’s kingdom.

He will make it strong,

by ruling with goodness and

fair judgment.

He will rule it forever and ever.

— Isaiah 9:6–7

A Thank You Prayer

Thank You, God, for giving us Christmas! For my family and

the love we share. For my home that keeps me cozy and warm on Christmas Day. Thank You most of all for loving us so much and sending us Jesus to show us Your love. He is surely the best gift of all! Amen.

Why Do Bells Ring?Why do the bells of Christmas ring?

Why do little children sing?

Once a lovely shining star,Seen by shepherds from afar,Gently moved until its light

Made a manger’s cradle bright.

There a darling baby lay,Pillowed soft upon the hay;

And its mother sang and smiled:“This is Christ, the holy Child!”

Therefore bells for Christmas ring.Therefore little children sing.

— Eugene Field

A Message for Mary

Have you ever been told exciting news? Long ago in a town called Nazareth, a

young woman named Mary received a mes-sage that was hard to believe. Mary loved God very much, and she was engaged to marry Joseph the carpenter. One day God sent a visitor to Mary—an angel named Gabriel. The angel came to her with a sur-prising message: God was pleased with Mary and was going to bless her. She was going to have a baby, and she would name Him Jesus. The baby would be the Son of God! Mary was amazed. She knew that God was keeping the promise He had made long ago, and Mary herself was to be part of His wonderful plan.

— from Luke 1:26–38, 46–55

Silent NightSilent night, holy night.All is calm, all is bright.

Round yon virgin mother and Child,Holy Infant so tender and mild.

Sleep in heavenly peace,Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from heaven afar.Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ the Savior is born.Christ the Savior is born.

Silent night, holy night.Son of God, love’s pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy faceWith the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

— Joseph Mohr

The angel said to her, “You will give birth to a son, and you will

name him Jesus. He will be great, and people will call him the Son of the Most High. The baby will

be holy. He will be called the Son of God. God can do everything!”

— Luke 1:30–32, 35, 37

The One who comes from above is greater than all.

— John 3:31