Sunday December 21st
Hello and welcome to Bay Family Adventures!
As we countdown until Christmas Day, we’re spending time thinking about the Christmas story and drawing near to God together. Each week we look at a different theme — and this week we’re thinking about LOVE, and how God showed His love by sending Jesus to be with us.
Let’s start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Lord Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.
God please help us remember our memory verse for this week:
1 John 4:11
Dear friends, if God loved us that much we also should love each other.
Today we’re thinking about the big reason for Christmas – why Jesus came.
John 3:16–17 (NCV)
For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost but have eternal life.
God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him.
These verses are some of the most famous in the whole Bible — and for a good reason. They tell us exactly why Jesus was born. Christmas isn’t just a cosy story about a baby in a manger. It’s the moment God put His love into action. His love moved Him to give. His love moved Him to come close. His love moved Him to save us, not to judge us.
It even says God loved “the world” — not just nice people, or clever people, or people who always get things right. God loved everyone, before we had even thought about loving Him back. Jesus coming into the world is God shouting, “I love you!” for everyone to hear.
And with that is an invitation to receive that love and believe in Him. It’s the biggest invitation ever — an invitation into God’s family, into His love, and into a future with Him.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question:
Have you ever received a gift that made you feel really loved? What was it?
And now let’s ask God to help us.
Father God, thank You for loving us so much. Thank You for sending Jesus to save the world. Help us to understand Your love even more this Christmas.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit wants to say to us today.
John 3:16–17 (NCV)
For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost but have eternal life.
God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him.
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verse?
And now let’s say yes to God.
Lord Jesus, we say yes to Your love — thank You for coming to save us. We say yes to believing and trusting in you.
After enjoying this time together, lets’ say our memory verse one more time:
1 John 4:11
Dear friends, if God loved us that much we also should love each other.
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Let’s point to our mouths.
Lord, please give us the right words and be encouraged to say them.
Amen.