Skip to content

Month: December 2025

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 30th

Tuesday: Struggle

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.

Lord God, we want to trust you and in your plans, but sometimes we worry and feel uncertain. Help us to believe your Word, and to live each day in faith. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Luke 2:8-12

That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What do you typically do when you are frightened, like the shepherds were? How does this help you?

Child: What do you think the “brightness of the Lord’s glory” might have looked like? How might that have changed the night sky (especially in a time before electricity)?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, please be with all those who work at night, like the shepherds in today’s story. Keep them safe, and help them stay awake to do their jobs well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you be filled with gladness, as the shepherds were! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 29th

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, we ask you to be with us now as we settle in to hear your Word. Help us to better understand the amazing story of how your Son came down to earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Luke 2:1-7
About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David’s family.

Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: It probably took Mary and Joseph nearly a week (or maybe more) to walk to Bethlehem. What do you think the hardest part of that journey might have been?

Child: It’s about 90 miles between Nazareth and Bethlehem. What is the farthest distance you have ever walked? If our family was going on a long journey on foot, what are some things we might take with us?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, be with those who are travelling today. Please protect them and keep them safe, as you did for Mary and Joseph so long ago. 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.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 28th

Sunday: Worship

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.

Gracious Lord God, as the year draws to a close, bless each person here. Walk beside us in the New Year, and guide us, so that we may lead lives that are pleasing to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Psalm 40:5

You, Lord God, have done many wonderful things, and you have planned marvelous things for us. No one is like you! I would never be able to tell all you have done. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why is it so helpful to know that we can trust and rely on God?

Child: God has planned marvelous things for us, even though we do not yet know what they are! What are some of your hopes and dreams for the New Year?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, thank you for being involved in our lives, and for watching over us. We praise you, and love you! Help us to serve you today, and in the year to come. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you be blessed in the New Year! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 27th

Saturday: Generosity

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.

Mighty Lord, stir up your Holy Spirit in us, as you did for Elizabeth so long ago. Help us to follow where you lead, today and always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Luke 1:43-45
[Elizabeth said,] “Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.”  (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why do you think Elizabeth’s baby became happy and started to move around? Have you ever seen a happy baby? How does a baby show joy?

Child: According to Elizabeth, why was God pleased with Mary? Do you believe that God keeps his promises?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Dear Lord, we want to have faith like Mary did. Help us with this, and make us into the people that you would have us be. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you believe God’s promises! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 26th

Friday: Trust

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, help us to understand more about your will as we study Luther’s Small Catechism today. Thank you for all that you do for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Listen: Pay close attention to this reminder from Luther’s Small Catechism.

The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it will also be done among us.  (Luther’s Small Catechism)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Luther says that God’s will is “good” and “gracious.” How can remembering that help us when we are worried about something?

Child: If God’s will is done even without our prayer, why is it still important to pray to God? Has God ever answered one of your prayers even before you thought to ask for something?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, we know that we can completely trust you. Help us to grow deeper in faith as we learn more about you each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you trust in God’s good will for your life! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 25th

Thursday: Compassion

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.

Dear God, bless those gathered here today, as we talk and pray together. In our daily lives, help us to show kindness to each person we meet. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

Mary told the angel, “Yes;
I’m God’s servant; I’ve been blessed.
I will carry God’s own son.
I will bear the Chosen One.”

Then she left and went to tell
Someone who would listen well;
‘Twas her older cousin, who
Soon would have a baby, too!

“Mary,” said her cousin dear,
“I’m so glad to see you here!
God has blessed you; this I know,
For my babe has told me so.”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Mary must have liked Elizabeth, since she went to tell her about Jesus. Who was the first person you told when you found out you would have me as a baby? How did you tell them, and how did they respond?

Child: Elizabeth welcomed Mary to her home with kindness. What are some ways we can welcome people who come to our home, school, and church?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Holy God, thank you for the people who care for us, and who are happy when we have good news! May we rejoice with others when they have good news to share, as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you welcome others with kindness!  Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: December 24th

Wednesday: Mercy

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.

Almighty God, thank you for showing us mercy, and for caring for us each and every day. Help us to grow closer to you as we study your Word now. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Luke 1:42
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary: “God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have.” (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Elizabeth said that Mary was “blessed.” What does it mean to be blessed by God? In what ways has God blessed you with good things?

Child: Do you think God can use people like us to be a blessing to others? How might that happen?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

God of grace, thank you for good friends and relatives, who give us courage and strength. May we lift up the people around us, and help them see the blessings in their lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you be a blessing to others! Amen.