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Month: January 2026

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: January 3rd

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, as we continue to study our Bible story, we ask that you would be present with us. Let your Holy Spirit lead us, and help us learn all that you would have us know. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

Luke 2:16-20

They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay. When the shepherds saw Jesus, they told his parents what the angel had said about him. Everyone listened and was surprised. But Mary kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant. As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said. (CEV)

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

Child: Do you think Mary was surprised by all that the shepherds told her about Jesus? What do you imagine she thought of it all?

Child: Artists throughout history have painted little Jesus in many different ways. What do you imagine Jesus looked like as a baby?

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

Dear Lord, please bless new mothers like Mary, who are so full of hopes and dreams for their babies. Give them strength, and help them trust you as they raise their little ones. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

May you be thankful for the gift of life! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: January 2nd

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, as we study the Catechism today, may we have a deeper understanding of all that you do for us, and may we come to love and trust you more. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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

Every day [God] provides abundantly for all the needs of my life... He does this purely out of fatherly and divine goodness and mercy, though I do not deserve it. Therefore I ought to thank, praise, serve, and obey him. This is most certainly true! (Luther’s Small Catechism)

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

Child: What’s the difference between a “want” and a “need?” What are some of the ways that God gives us all that we need in life, even when we don’t get everything we may want?

Child: Has God ever met a need for you in an unexpected way? Tell us about that.

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

Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for all that you do for us. When we get caught up in “wants,” help us to count our blessings. We love you! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you realize that God is with you, helping you always! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: January 1st

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, speak to us through our Bible story today. Let your Holy Spirit be at work in us, drawing us ever closer to you as we learn more about your work in the world. 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.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night
They saw a most amazing sight!
An angel, sent from God above,
Appeared to them, and spoke with love.

“I bring good tidings of great joy!
For just tonight, a baby boy
Has come to earth for everyone!
He is the Savior—God’s own son!”

More angels soon appeared, as well,
To praise the Lord, clear as a bell.
And when they’d gone, the shepherds ran
To see this child in Bethlehem!

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

Child: Why does our world need a Savior? What does Jesus save us from?

Child: Angels told the shepherds about Jesus, and we can do the same for people in our time. Is there anyone you know who has not heard the story of Jesus? How could we share that good news with them?

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

Holy God, you care about us so much that you sent your own Son to save us. We are so grateful that you did not leave us alone in our sin, but broke into our world with hope. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you rejoice, because Jesus came for you!  Amen.