December 9: Let the Children Come

*Today's gift will require a photo of each child when they were a baby. I wrap each one separately and label them with names so each child can open their own picture.

• Read Luke 18:15-17.

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"

• Explain that when Jesus grew to be a man, he began to teach people how to live a life pleasing to God. This story is about one of those times, when Jesus was teaching people about God.

• Allow the children to open their gifts.

• Spend time sharing with each child about their birth and your decision to "bring them to Jesus," just as the parents in this passage did. Perhaps this was in the form of a child dedication, or simply a prayer around the time of their birth.

• Emphasize that Jesus thinks children have remarkable faith and encourages them to come to him.

• Ask each child to share something they would have said to Jesus if they would have been a child in this Bible story.

• Encourage your children to pray at the conclusion of your time, saying the very things they would have told Jesus if they were part of this story in Scripture.