Monday December 22nd
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 reading what happened when an angel visited Joseph to tell him about Jesus’ birth.
Matthew 1:20–23 (NCV)
But after Joseph thought about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
All this happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
Imagine Joseph’s fear and confusion — everything in his life was turning upside down. But God stepped in with a message of reassurance and love. The baby growing in Mary was the answer to God’s promise, made long ago. His name “Jesus” means He saves. His name “Immanuel” means God with us.
Those two names tell the whole story of God’s love:
He saves us.
He stays with us.
God’s love doesn’t keep Him far away. He doesn’t just watch from heaven. He comes close — into our mess, into our questions, and into our fears. Jesus being born shows that God wants to be near us, not distant.
And Joseph’s obedience reminds us that trusting God’s love sometimes means following Him even when we don’t understand everything yet.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question:
And now let’s ask God to help us.
Father God, thank You that You came close, that Jesus is Immanuel — God with us. Help us to feel Your love and Your closeness today.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase the Holy Spirit might want us to hear.
Matthew 1:20–23 (NCV)
But after Joseph thought about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. The baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.
She will give birth to a son, and you will name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
All this happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be pregnant. She will have a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible passage?
And now let’s say yes to God.
Lord Jesus, we say yes to Your love — thank You that You are always with us.
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.