WEEK 3 JOY- December 15-21
Dec. 15 - What Is Joy?..................................................................
Dec. 16 - Luke 1:14.......................................................................
Dec. 17 - Gal 5:22..........................................................................
Dec 18 - Shout For Joy All the Earth .......................................
Dec 19 - What is “The Truth”?...................................................
Dec 20 - Joy To The World..........................................................
Dec 21 - Luke 2:10........................................................................
Week 3 devotionals were written by Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 15
Sunday - What is Joy?
How do you feel when you get great news? Do you feel joy? Joy is a feeling of great happiness that comes from knowing Jesus. We have great joy at Christmas because of the birth of Jesus, who came to save the world. When we follow Jesus, we can have great joy all year long.
Bible Verse : Luke 2:10 “The angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank you for the joy that we can feel when we choose to follow Him. Today, let the story of Christmas fill us with joy that others can see. Amen.
Small activity-of-the-day: – Tell your mom or dad how you feel when you hear great news. What are some things that bring you joy?
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 16
Monday - Luke 1:14
The angels said that Jesus would be a joy and delight. Jesus grew up as a child just like you. He probably had favorite fun things to do. His parents found joy in Him just like your parents find joy in you. Jesus can also be our friend. We can find joy and delight in Jesus because He loves us. We don’t have to be afraid, and we are never alone. Jesus is with us.
Bible Verse – Luke 1:14 “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of His birth.”
Prayer – Dear Jesus, we are thankful that you lived on earth just like we do. You understand the things that we go through as children and then grown-ups. Your birth on Christmas brings us great joy and we are delighted to call you our friend. Thank you Jesus, for the many good things you give to us.
Small activity-of-the-day: – take a selfie with your family. Then have each person tell something that they like about each person in the picture.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 17
Tuesday - Gal 5:22
According to the Bible, how should we live our lives? Jesus was our example of showing love and forgiveness. What can you do to be the example that Jesus wants us to be? What is one thing that you can do this week to show kindness to your friends or family? When we live our lives with love and kindness, it brings great joy to Jesus.
Bible Verse – Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, thank you that you have shown us how to live with love and kindness. Help me to show kindness to those around me this week. I want others to know about Jesus because of the love, kindness, and joy that I have in my life.
Small activity-of-the-day: – make a banner with the “fruit of the spirit.” Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Use words, draw pictures, be creative with supplies that you have.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 18
Wednesday - Shout for joy all the earth
Do you shout when you score a goal? Do you shout when you win a game? When you get a great gift? A fun toy is a great gift, but the best gift of all is Jesus’ birth on Christmas day. We can shout for joy because of the gift God gave us in his son Jesus. Shouting with joy for Jesus and signing songs about Him are great ways for us to praise God. What are some things you can do to praise God this week?
Bible Verse – Psalm 100:1-2 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
Prayer - Heavenly Father – thank you for the gift of your son Jesus. Thank you that you gave us a voice to shout and sing praises to you. Help us remember to praise you anywhere – in the car, at bedtime, even when we are playing. Thank you for joyful songs.
Small activity-of-the-day: – tell your family some of your favorite songs that help you
praise God.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 19
Thursday - What is “the truth”?
The truth is that God sent his son Jesus to be our Savior. God also gave us the Bible to help us walk in the truth. The bible says that we should honor our parents. That means that we listen to them and follow their directions – we obey them. Our parents are pleased when we obey. In the same way, it brings God great joy when we follow what he tells us to do – be obedient and walk in the truth.
Bible Verse – 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, help us to walk in the truth this week. Help us to follow what our parents ask of us, but more importantly, help us to follow what you ask us to do. Help us to show others that we are walking in the truth and to bring joy to
you through loving others.
Small activity-of-the-day: - make a list of things that you could do this week to show kindness to others. Check them off the list when you have done them.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 20
Friday - Joy to the World
A favorite song at Christmas is “Joy to the World.” Joy to the world, the Lord has come. The song says that fields, floods, rocks, hills, and plains sing for joy. Can you imagine that? In the same way, that should be what we do. All of us can sing. You can please God by singing anywhere and anytime. Take time today (or even now) to sing some songs that bring joy to Jesus.
Bible Verse – Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you that you brought joy to the world. Help us to receive you as King and let all our hearts be filled with joy. Help us to sing of the wonders of your love and to share your love with those around us.
Small activity-of-the-day: – With your family, google the song, “Joy to the World.” See how many different versions of the song you can find. Listen to several and have a family vote to see which one is the favorite.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 21
Saturday - Luke 2:10
What was the good news that the angels shared? It is the story of Christmas. Think of that – angels in the sky, baby Jesus in the manger, shepherds and wisemen nearby. The story of Jesus' miraculous birth and life as a boy and man. He brought us peace, hope, love, and joy. When we believe in Jesus, we know the best news of all!
Bible Verse – Luke 2:10 “The angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
Prayer - Dear Jesus, thank you for the good news that the angels shared. Thank you for the story of Christmas and your birth in the stable. Thank you for coming to bring us peace, love, and joy. Help us to remember that Christmas is about God’s love coming to earth. Thank you for my family and for others you have put in my life to help me learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Small activity-of-the-day: – make a Christmas decoration or ornament from supplies that you have (wrapping paper, cardboard box, markers) to help you celebrate the joy
of Christmas.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
Sunday - What is Joy?
How do you feel when you get great news? Do you feel joy? Joy is a feeling of great happiness that comes from knowing Jesus. We have great joy at Christmas because of the birth of Jesus, who came to save the world. When we follow Jesus, we can have great joy all year long.
Bible Verse : Luke 2:10 “The angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank you for the joy that we can feel when we choose to follow Him. Today, let the story of Christmas fill us with joy that others can see. Amen.
Small activity-of-the-day: – Tell your mom or dad how you feel when you hear great news. What are some things that bring you joy?
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 16
Monday - Luke 1:14
The angels said that Jesus would be a joy and delight. Jesus grew up as a child just like you. He probably had favorite fun things to do. His parents found joy in Him just like your parents find joy in you. Jesus can also be our friend. We can find joy and delight in Jesus because He loves us. We don’t have to be afraid, and we are never alone. Jesus is with us.
Bible Verse – Luke 1:14 “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of His birth.”
Prayer – Dear Jesus, we are thankful that you lived on earth just like we do. You understand the things that we go through as children and then grown-ups. Your birth on Christmas brings us great joy and we are delighted to call you our friend. Thank you Jesus, for the many good things you give to us.
Small activity-of-the-day: – take a selfie with your family. Then have each person tell something that they like about each person in the picture.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 17
Tuesday - Gal 5:22
According to the Bible, how should we live our lives? Jesus was our example of showing love and forgiveness. What can you do to be the example that Jesus wants us to be? What is one thing that you can do this week to show kindness to your friends or family? When we live our lives with love and kindness, it brings great joy to Jesus.
Bible Verse – Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, thank you that you have shown us how to live with love and kindness. Help me to show kindness to those around me this week. I want others to know about Jesus because of the love, kindness, and joy that I have in my life.
Small activity-of-the-day: – make a banner with the “fruit of the spirit.” Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Use words, draw pictures, be creative with supplies that you have.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 18
Wednesday - Shout for joy all the earth
Do you shout when you score a goal? Do you shout when you win a game? When you get a great gift? A fun toy is a great gift, but the best gift of all is Jesus’ birth on Christmas day. We can shout for joy because of the gift God gave us in his son Jesus. Shouting with joy for Jesus and signing songs about Him are great ways for us to praise God. What are some things you can do to praise God this week?
Bible Verse – Psalm 100:1-2 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
Prayer - Heavenly Father – thank you for the gift of your son Jesus. Thank you that you gave us a voice to shout and sing praises to you. Help us remember to praise you anywhere – in the car, at bedtime, even when we are playing. Thank you for joyful songs.
Small activity-of-the-day: – tell your family some of your favorite songs that help you
praise God.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 19
Thursday - What is “the truth”?
The truth is that God sent his son Jesus to be our Savior. God also gave us the Bible to help us walk in the truth. The bible says that we should honor our parents. That means that we listen to them and follow their directions – we obey them. Our parents are pleased when we obey. In the same way, it brings God great joy when we follow what he tells us to do – be obedient and walk in the truth.
Bible Verse – 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Prayer – Dear Jesus, help us to walk in the truth this week. Help us to follow what our parents ask of us, but more importantly, help us to follow what you ask us to do. Help us to show others that we are walking in the truth and to bring joy to
you through loving others.
Small activity-of-the-day: - make a list of things that you could do this week to show kindness to others. Check them off the list when you have done them.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 20
Friday - Joy to the World
A favorite song at Christmas is “Joy to the World.” Joy to the world, the Lord has come. The song says that fields, floods, rocks, hills, and plains sing for joy. Can you imagine that? In the same way, that should be what we do. All of us can sing. You can please God by singing anywhere and anytime. Take time today (or even now) to sing some songs that bring joy to Jesus.
Bible Verse – Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Prayer – Heavenly Father, thank you that you brought joy to the world. Help us to receive you as King and let all our hearts be filled with joy. Help us to sing of the wonders of your love and to share your love with those around us.
Small activity-of-the-day: – With your family, google the song, “Joy to the World.” See how many different versions of the song you can find. Listen to several and have a family vote to see which one is the favorite.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe
December 21
Saturday - Luke 2:10
What was the good news that the angels shared? It is the story of Christmas. Think of that – angels in the sky, baby Jesus in the manger, shepherds and wisemen nearby. The story of Jesus' miraculous birth and life as a boy and man. He brought us peace, hope, love, and joy. When we believe in Jesus, we know the best news of all!
Bible Verse – Luke 2:10 “The angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.’”
Prayer - Dear Jesus, thank you for the good news that the angels shared. Thank you for the story of Christmas and your birth in the stable. Thank you for coming to bring us peace, love, and joy. Help us to remember that Christmas is about God’s love coming to earth. Thank you for my family and for others you have put in my life to help me learn the true meaning of Christmas.
Small activity-of-the-day: – make a Christmas decoration or ornament from supplies that you have (wrapping paper, cardboard box, markers) to help you celebrate the joy
of Christmas.
- Jay and Annette Wiebe