Jesus is More Than a Baby in a Manger
As I write this on December 13, it is 12 days until Christmas. If you have a set of Adore-naments, it is the perfect time to begin talking about the various names of Jesus during the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Discuss and place one ornament on your little tree each day. One name per day is the perfect attention span for littles. If you don’t have a set of these ornaments, you can still read each Scripture for the 12 names of Jesus and make a symbol out of construction paper. The 12 Adore-naments are 12 names of Jesus. Let’s prepare our hearts to worship our King, Who was born in Bethlehem!1. Immanuel (Baby in a manger) – Matthew 1:23. We don’t fully understand the mystery of how Jesus can be both God and man, but we know that Jesus is “God with us.” He is our Immanuel2.The Door (Door) – John 10:9. “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Jesus is the door to the sheepfold and keeps us safe. John 14:6.3. The True Vine (Vine) – John 15:5. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Jesus produces fruit of the Spirit as we remain connected to the Vine.4.The Giver of Living Water (Water) – John 4:10. God wants us to understand that just as we thirst for water on earth, we need to thirst even more for Living Water from heaven!5. The Light of the World (Candle) – John 8:12. Jesus spoke, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” As we decorate our homes and trees with lights, may those lights remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world.6.The Bright Morning Star (Star) – Revelation 22:16. Like the wise men who followed the star in the east to find baby Jesus and worship Him, let us seek, follow, and worship Jesus in our hearts!7. The Lion from the Tribe of Judah (Lion) – Revelation 5:5 says…”behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah…” Jesus is called a lion in the Bible because He is our mighty King and his mother, Mary, came from the family of King David and the royal tribe of Judah. Aslan reminds me…!8. The Lamb of God (Lamb) – John 1:29. Jesus is the perfect sacrificial lamb who bore our sin upon a cross and died for sinners like you and me. Jesus is both Lion and Lamb – strong and yet meek.9. The Good Shepherd (Shepherd Staff) – John 10:11. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” The good shepherd cares for all his sheep, even the ones who wander away. Jesus takes good care of us and provides for all our needs!10. King of kings and Lord of lords (Crown) – 1Timothy 6:15. “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords...” He is above all the rulers of other nations of the entire world. The gift we can give Jesus this Christmas is to trust Him, believe Him, and obey.11. The Bread of Life (Bread) – John 6:35. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” Jesus was telling his followers that they needed more than daily bread; they need to know God and His Word.12. Savior (Cross) – 1 John 4:14-15. “The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” With all the presents at Christmastime, let us remember that Jesus is the greatest gift of all. God gave us the gift of a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! ~~ MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU and YOUR FAMILY! ~