Week 4 devotionals were written by Jessica Pittman and Rex & Shelly Haught.

December 22
Sunday - God’s love is incredible!
God’s love is incredible! It is so big, and it’s for everyone. Sometimes it’s hard to understand it! God showed us this by sending Jesus to be with us.
Bible Verse – “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep his love is.” Ephesians 3:17--18, NLT
Sometimes, what we see and experience is not at all like the love of Jesus. In those moments, we can be honest, and ask God to be with us. God’s love is big enough to make up for what we can’t do on our own . It makes up for ways other people might fail us. We can learn from Jesus how to love others with kindness. God’s love is here now, and that is also coming more and more for us each day.
Prayer - God, thank you for your love for all of us!
In your own words, tell God something you love about him. You can thank him for the ways you have love in your life. You can ask him to show you his love in ways that you need it.
Questions to discuss: Who in your life has shown you love?
Today, who can you show love to? Is there a time someone did or said something that showed you love like Jesus? What was it like, how did it feel?

- Jessica Pittman

December 23
Monday Morning Bonus Devotional - What is Christmas really about?
Advent is a time to help prepare our hearts for Christmas. We light the candles of
Hope, Peace and Joy. This week we light the fourth candle, the candle of Love. Advent is cozy - getting your home ready to welcome a special guest - Jesus, the One we have been waiting for.
What is Christmas really about?
We invite you to listen in on the conversation Charlie Brown and Linus have on this question. Google Linus recites Luke 2 and watch as a family.
Linus's Christmas Monologue [Book Of Luke 2:8-20] Or read it here:
“I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn’t have picked this little tree,” said Charlie Brown. “Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I don’t really know what Christmas is all about. Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about,” said Linus. ” [Linus walks on stage.] “Lights, please.” “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (everyone).” [Linus picks up his blanket and shuffles off-stage.] “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
Bible verse: Luke 2:8-14 (above)
Prayer - Jesus, thank you that you came to earth as a tiny baby on that first Christmas so that I could know how much you love me. Amen.

Small activity-of-the-day: What’s your favorite part of the Christmas story is. Practice reading the verses about your favorite part of the Christmas story out loud a few times this week. Draw and color pictures of your favorite scenes. Write part of the Bible verse below the picture. Put them around your home.
- Rex & Shelly Haught

December 23
Monday Evening - Christmas is God’s way of saying I love you
Do you have a favorite Christmas song? Sing a few of your favorite Christmas carols
together. Did you know that Our Heavenly Father loves you so much that he sings songs over you?
Bible verse: “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
Have you ever noticed that a song will stick with you and you will keep singing it all day long? I heard a song about forty years ago that has been one of my favorites for all of these years. Here are the words.. “Christmas is God’s way of saying I love you. Christmas is more than enough love to share. It’s God asking us to be part of His family. His way of showing us how much He cares. Love is the meaning of Christmas And Jesus, our gift from above, It’s God asking us to be part of His family. Christmas is God’s way of saying I love you. Christmas is all about love.”
Link below: Christmas is God's way of saying I love you.
Prayer - Jesus, each morning I wake up and the first thing I remember is that you love me. Thank you for singing over me with your love and inviting me into your family. Amen.
Small activity-of-the-day - Bake some Christmas cookies. Invite a few friends over for Christmas cookies and caroling. Practice 2-3 favorite carols and go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood or to a person who you think would like a little Christmas love (call a grandparent). Suggested songs - sing Joy to the World, Silent Night and We

Wish You a Merry Christmas. Decide which songs you’d like to sing and share the LOVE.
- Rex & Shelly Haught

December 24
Tuesday Morning Bonus Devotional - Love one another Jesus shows us how to love and be kind.
Bible verse: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just
as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34
Mary and Joseph are on a long journey to Bethlehem. They are shown kindness and compassion from a stranger. They let Mary and Joseph stay in their stable where they kept their animals. It was the only place left to stay. Mary and Joseph were thankful to be able to stop and rest. I wonder if someone has been kind and generous to you? I wonder how you were grateful. I wonder if you have been kind and generous to someone? How did it feel?
Prayer: Jesus, please help me to show love and be kind to others. Open my eyes and heart to see who needs your love today. Amen.
Small activity-of-the-day - Do something kind for someone without letting them know it was you. It will put a smile on their face and probably yours, too. It might be fun to give extra kindness to someone in your family.
- Rex & Shelly Haught

Tuesday - Perfect love
Bible verse: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..”1 John
4:18
Let’s go back to Bethlehem.. Now we remember the shepherds who were standing in the fields around Bethlehem keeping their sheep. I wonder how you look after sheep. The shepherds were trying to stay awake so the wolves could not come and get their sheep. Suddenly there was so much light in the sky that it hurt their eyes. They were
afraid. I wonder if you have ever been afraid. What did it feel like? The angel reminds us, “Do not be afraid.” God is with us. God is faithful. We can trust Him.
Prayer: Jesus, when I am afraid help me remember that you are with me. Remind me that you love me and will take care of me. I give you my fears. Amen.
Small activity-of-the-day: Go outside on a dark night and look up at the stars. Remember that we can trust our God who loves us.
- Rex & Shelly Haught

December 25
Wednesday Morning Bonus Devotional - The Way to Bethlehem
Jesus shows us how to love even those that are hard to love or that might seem
different than us in looks, words or actions. He also sees and loves the lonely and He wants us to remember to love others especially those who can’t give back to us. There was a lot of love on the way to Bethlehem.
Bible verse: “And the angel said to them, Fear Not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12
The holy family is on the way to Bethlehem and we are going with them. Mary rode and she walked. Joseph was with her. Joseph listened to the angel and said yes to looking after Mary. These two must have been the last people coming up the road to Bethlehem that night. The shepherds were trying to stay awake so the wolves could not come and get the sheep. Suddenly there was so much light in the sky it hurt their eyes. Angels singing, “Don’t be afraid. We bring you tidings of great joy. Peace on earth. Good will to everyone. A Child is born. Go, hurry, run to Bethlehem to see the Child who will change everything. I wonder who your family could love today. I wonder what you could do to show someone that is lonely God’s love.
Prayer: Lead me, Jesus, on the journey you want me to take with you. Your way is a way of love. Help me to always stay on your path and follow you. Open my eyes and heart to the amazing things you want to show me. Amen.

Small activity-of-the-day: Activity: Make cookies and take a plate of Christmas treats to your neighbors. We can even buy several pairs of new fresh clean socks. Buy some energy bars and bottles of water. Wrap up a pair of socks, an energy bar and a bottle of water in a bag with a ribbon. Keep these in your car. Give a bag to someone you see who might need it.

December 25
Wednesday - Christmas
*prepare verses from Luke 2 on slips of paper enough for the number of people present in your home on Christmas Eve before you begin.
Bible verse: Read Luke 2:1-20 As soon as children are old enough to read, let them take turns and read Luke 2 out loud to everyone. Everyone draws a verse or two and reads their verses of the Christmas story to your family.
Prayer - Jesus, you are the greatest gift. Thank you for your love. I love you, Jesus. Help me be more like you and love others around me. It’s almost Christmas. Thank you. Amen.
Small activity-of-the-day: Decorate a mini gift box ‘present’. Write or draw what you are thankful for on the paper • Place your gift of thankfulness into the gift box • Place your gift box under the Christmas tree with all the other gifts. If your family has enough people, you could reenact the Christmas story.
Optional Activity: Make a birthday cake and/or sing to celebrate Jesus’ birth!
- Rex & Shelly Haught
- Rex & Shelly Haught


We hope and pray this advent devotional has been a blessing to you and your family as you anticipated Christmas and the true meaning for why we celebrate! Merry Christmas
-Brittney Howard

We pray these devotionals will help you, as the song says,  "prepare Him room". Merry Christmas Prodigal Church.