Monday: Understanding
Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God's name.
From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, be with us now, as we hear about those who came before us so long ago. Thank you for their courageous examples of faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.
Matthew 2:7-12
Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too.”
The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star.
When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. (CEV)
Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.
Child: The wise men were people who studied the stars. What do you know about stars? Is there anything you can tell me?
Child: Why do you think the wise men left their homes? What had they seen? What do you think they expected to find at the end of their journey?
Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.
Heavenly Father, you guide us every day, just as you did for the wise men. Lead us in the year ahead, and be with those who feel lost and alone at this time of year. Help them realize that you love them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Have each person in the family bless one another with these words:
May you follow where God leads you! Amen.