How to See Christmas Through the Eyes of Children

Messiah Community Radio Talk Show

With A Jesus Christmas, you can explore God’s amazing plan for Christmas with this family devotional for Advent. This Advent devotional offers an exciting and fresh way for your family to prepare for Christmas. Right from the beginning, the serpent lied to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden – and he has been lying ever since. But right from the beginning, God told us his amazing plan to send Jesus. Each of the 25 readings looks at one of the serpent’s lies from Genesis 3, and then shows how the glorious truth of Christmas beats it every time! There is even space for each family member to make their own notes. So get each family member a copy of A Jesus Christmas and a Bible, and find ten minutes a day in December to look at God’s word together and dwell on the good news of Christmas. A Better Than Anything Christmas is the second Advent devotional for families from Barbara Reaoch, author of the very popular A Jesus Christmas. These daily devotions in the Gospels give a thorough investigation of why Jesus came. In the lead-up to Christmas, families will explore 25 reasons why Jesus came, and they will see that what Jesus gives us is better than anything else we could wish for. Each day there is a passage to read together, questions to think about, an explanation and a prayer. There are also age-appropriate application questions, some for younger children and some for older children, as well as journaling space so that each family member can write or draw their own response to what God has shown them. So why not set aside a little time each day in the run up to Christmas to look at God’s word together with this inspiring and innovative resource? "Nothing thrills me more than to see the great truths of the gospel change kids lives. I love to give adults tools to disciple the next generation. I want every parent and teacher to know that God's Word has power to enable their children to discover the joy of loving God." Teaching cross-culturally changed Barbara’s perspective. She says, "Living overseas I learned in a new way that God's Word can reach children in every situation. No matter what reasons people think they cannot disciple their children - they can! I've seen the power of God's Word help children around the world — from Africa to Asia, India to the Alps, poor or rich. Whatever the challenge - God has given parents the privilege and power to reach their children with the transforming truth of his Word." Barbara and her husband lived in Michigan before moving to Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life skills. With her grandchildren far away, Barbara began to write Bible studies for them to bridge the distance. She drew her first two books, “Why Easter” and “Why Christmas" from those studies. Barbara’s most recent book is “A Better Than Anything Christmas.” After returning to the US, Barbara directed the Children’s Division of Bible Study Fellowship International. Barbara now lives in Minneapolis, MN, where she is learning to love snow again! She and her family are privileged to be a part of the amazing body of believers at Bethlehem Baptist Church.