Countdown to Christmas with Zach - An Advent Podcast for Kids

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Has this podcast blessed your family? Support our ministry at keysforkids.net/donate Credit Due “Guess what, Mom?” Taylor yelled breathlessly, running up the driveway to where her mom was painting the window trim of their new house. “I got the lead part in the school play!” “Oh, Taylor! That’s terrific!” Mom put her paintbrush down and hugged her daughter. “Yeah,” said Taylor. “It’s about time my teachers notice how good at acting I am. Oh! We also got the results of our band tryouts today. I’m first chair flute! I did it!” Taylor danced around. “And I got an A on a tough math test too. This is the best day of my life!” “Wow, honey! That’s great. But…” Mom motioned for Taylor to sit down beside her on the porch swing. “What is it?” asked Taylor. “You do so well in math, and you’re also very talented in music and drama,” said Mom. “But how much credit can you actually take?” Taylor was puzzled. “How much credit can I…” Suddenly her face broke into a smile. “Oh, sorry, Mom! You helped me with the audition lines for the play, and Dad quizzed me in math. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” “Okay! Enough!” Mom laughed. “That’s not what I meant. Think about it this way—we’re enjoying our brand-new house, right? Well, if it could talk, should it be bragging about how well-built and beautiful it is?” “Of course not!” Taylor giggled. “Dad should get the credit! He built it—well, him and the workers from his construction company.” “So you think it would be ridiculous for the house to praise itself for its top-notch design and structure instead of giving credit to the builder?” Taylor nodded. “Well,” Mom continued, “the Bible says we are God’s workmanship. He’s the one who created us and gave us the talents we have—yet nothing we can do could ever compare to the great things He has done, like saving us from sin and changing people’s hearts. Sounds to me like He deserves the credit and praise, not us. What do you think?” Taylor sighed. “You’re right, Mom. I need to give God the credit for the things I can do.” How about you? Do you give God credit for the things you can do? After all, He made you and gave you your talents and abilities. The Bible tells us not to boast (or brag) about anything except for the Lord, because He’s the one who created us and sent His Son, Jesus, to save us by dying on the cross for our sins. Everything good comes from Him. Thank Him for all He’s given you, and the next time you feel like bragging, brag about Him! Key Verse "In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever." Psalm 44:8 NKJV Key Thought Boast in the Lord. Further Reading Jeremiah 9:23-24; James 1:17; 3:13

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Has this podcast blessed your family? Support our ministry at keysforkids.net/donate Just Like Sammy “Sammy is so sweet!” whispered Hayden, gazing at her brand-new brother. As she watched the baby, Sammy stirred and opened his eyes. He waved chubby little arms in the air. “He’s so tiny!” Hayden said in awe. Then she frowned as the baby began to cry. Mom came and leaned over the side of the crib. “Maybe it’s time for a change of position.” She turned Sammy on his side and gently patted his back. He soon stopped crying. “I can’t wait till he’s big enough to play with me,” said Hayden. “But I guess that won’t be for a long time, huh?” She looked at Sammy thoughtfully. “Babies are pretty helpless, aren’t they, Mom? All they do is sleep and eat.” Mom nodded. “Yes, but before you know it, he’ll be much bigger and will learn how to do all kinds of things.” A little later, the baby began to cry again. “I think your brother is hungry,” said Mom. “It’s time for Sammy to eat.” She went to pick him up. “Mom,” Hayden said after the baby was fed and once again fast asleep, “since it’s Christmastime, we’ve been learning about the things that happened when Jesus was born. He was helpless, just like baby Sammy, wasn’t He?” “Yes, He was,” Mom replied. “You know, Jesus could have come to earth as a fully grown man or even as a mighty king if He wanted. But He didn’t—He chose to be born as a helpless baby, dependent on His family to take care of Him.” “I wonder why?” said Hayden. “Well, the Bible says Jesus humbled Himself—He didn’t come as a rich, important ruler, but in the form of a servant. The Bible also says Jesus is able to sympathize with us because He knows what it’s like to be human—He’s experienced things we do like feeling hungry or tired or sad. He even knows what it’s like to be tempted, even though He never sinned. I think we’re able to understand and trust Him more, knowing that He came to earth as a tiny baby, just like we did.” Mom smiled. “He did that for us because He loves us so much. Isn’t that great?” Hayden smiled too and nodded as she glanced down at her baby brother. How about you? Do you realize how much Jesus humbled Himself by becoming a helpless baby? Christmas is a good time to thank Him for loving you so much that He was willing to do that for you. Thank Him for growing up as a human, facing the same temptations you face, and understanding all your needs and problems and questions. Thank Him for all He has done for you. Key Verse "There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 NKJV Key Thought Thank Jesus for coming as a baby. Further Reading Luke 2:8-14; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Has this podcast blessed your family? Support our ministry at keysforkids.net/donate After-Christmas Cookies Jenny slumped onto the couch. “I’m so bored!” In the few days since Christmas, she had been moping around the house with nothing to do. “How about trying out your new basketball?” Mom suggested. “Or putting one of your new puzzles together.” “I already did all that,” Jenny said. Mom sighed. “All those Christmas toys and nothing to do?” Then she snapped her fingers. “I know! Come into the kitchen. We’re going to make cookies.” Jenny wasn’t sure she wanted to do that, but Mom insisted, and soon they were up to their elbows in flour. “Mom, we made all kinds of cookies before Christmas—we even have some left. How come we’re still making cookies?” Jenny asked. “Because we’re going to give them away,” Mom said. “You know that bored, letdown feeling you’ve had ever since Christmas ended? Other people may be feeling bored and let down too, especially shut-ins and people in nursing homes or hospitals. They had lots of attention before Christmas—carolers, visitors, programs, and so on. Now Christmas is over, and they may be lonely. Would you like to go and cheer them up?” Jenny cracked a smile. “Okay, let’s do it. I’ll fix a nice box of cookies for them. It’ll be an after-Christmas present!” When Jenny and her mom returned home that afternoon, Jenny’s eyes sparkled as she told her dad about their visit to the nursing home. “Everyone there was so glad to see us! And you know what? One man asked me why we were bothering with them after Christmas. I didn’t know what to say, so I just told him that Jesus loves him after Christmas too. He said he didn’t know much about that. Then Mom talked with him, and he decided to trust Jesus as his Savior! We’re going to go see him again—and all the other people too!” “That’s wonderful!” Dad said. “You remind me of the shepherds in the story of Jesus’ birth. After seeing the baby Jesus, they went and told others about Him.” He reached for a Bible sitting on a nearby table. “Let’s read that story again together. Christmas may be over, but we should still remember how Jesus came to save us—and keep sharing His love with others.” How about you? Do you feel bored or let down after the festivities of Christmas are over? Many people do—especially those who don’t have family around them every day. Can you think of a way to share Jesus’ love with them? You could give someone a helping hand or make them an after-Christmas present. Let others know Jesus loves them every day of the year! Key Verse "After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child." Luke 2:17 NLT Key Thought Make Jesus known. Further Reading Luke 2:15-20

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Has this podcast blessed your family? Support our ministry at keysforkids.net/donate When Love Is Difficult Mom turned from the sink when she heard a door slam and feet running quickly down the stairs. “Mom!” Alicia cried as she ran into the kitchen. “Candice is being mean to me, and she even said she hates Christmas!”  Alicia’s foster mom dried her hands. “I heard some loud voices up there and wondered what that was all about.”  “I wanted her to help me look for Christmas toys online,” Alicia explained, “but she just got mad and yelled at me.” Mom poured Alicia a glass of water as they sat at the table. “Honey, Candice just moved into our house a month ago. She’s still having a hard time adjusting to the big changes in her life. You can remember what that’s like, can’t you?” Alicia shrugged as she drank her water. “Christmas can be a hard time for people,” Mom continued. “Instead of being a celebration, it can sometimes remind them of the people and things they have lost.”  “Oh, like Mrs. Jameson next door?” Alicia asked, remembering how they brought meals to their elderly neighbor after her husband had died. “Yes, exactly,” Mom replied. “Mrs. Jameson is probably going to have a difficult Christmas this year missing Mr. Jameson. Maybe we can think of a way to show love to her.” Alicia brightened. “She really likes my chocolate chip cookies! Could I make some for her?”  “I think that’s a wonderful idea. How about you give some to Candice too?” Alicia’s face clouded again. “But she was just so mean to me. Why should I make her cookies?” Mom pointed to a plaque above the sink that read, People need loving the most when they deserve it the least. “Candice may not be acting very loving toward you, but that doesn’t change the fact that she needs our love. Wouldn’t we be in sad shape if Jesus only loved us when we deserved it?”  “Oh, I guess that’s true,” Alicia agreed. “Sharing chocolate chip cookies is a pretty small thing compared to how much Jesus loves me.”  Mom smiled. “That’s a great attitude, honey. You go ahead and get started on the cookies while I go upstairs and talk with Candice.” So how about you? Do you feel like you should only love people who are loving toward you? That’s not the way Jesus loves us—He showed us His love by coming to earth and dying for our sins when we least deserved it. This Christmas, look for ways to show love to people who might be sad or hurting and perhaps not acting in a loving way toward others. Be like Jesus and love others even when they don’t deserve it. Key Verse “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV Key Thought Love one another. Further Reading John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-11

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Giving Back to God “Come on, Angie,” Lanita said as she studied the Christmas list in her hand. “We’ve still got gifts to buy before we meet Mom by the Christmas tree. We have to be there in an hour. C’mon.” “Coming,” Angie replied as she pulled her attention away from a man demonstrating a remote-controlled helicopter. She pointed to it, adding, “I think we should get that helicopter for Dad.” Lanita shrugged. “Let’s see what else we can find first.” They were still shopping for their dad’s gift when they met their Sunday school teacher and her daughter Brynley. Mrs. Kimble smiled and pointed to the bags the girls were carrying. “It looks like you’re doing some Christmas shopping.” “Wow!” exclaimed Brynley. “You must have done a lot of work to earn enough money to buy all those presents! Or do your parents give you money for them?” “We earned some of it,” said Angie. “But Mom and Dad gave us extra money to buy gifts.” Brynley grinned. “So you’re probably buying your parents gifts with their own money,” she said. “That’s what I do too.” In Sunday school the next day, Angie and Lanita grinned at each other when their teacher used them as an illustration. “Giving your parents gifts bought with money they gave you is a great example of giving to God,” she told the class. “Everything we have—life, time, talents, and our money and possessions—comes from God. Even our ability to do good things comes from Him, because we could never do good on our own—we need Jesus to give us His goodness. So God sent His Son to earth as the greatest gift of all. But sometimes we forget that everything we have really belongs to God. When we give Him our time or money or use our talents to do good for others, we’re only giving back what is rightfully His.” Angie raised her hand. “Even though the money for my parents’ Christmas gifts comes from them, they still love to get gifts from me, and God does too, doesn’t He?” “Yes, He does,” said Mrs. Kimble with a smile. “He loves it when His children joyfully give back out of love for all He’s given them.” How about you? Do you remember that all you have comes from God? Every gift you give Him came from Him in the first place, from the money you put in the offering plate to the time you spend helping others. Even the kindness and love you show others came to you through His best gift of all—Jesus! He gave you each of those gifts because He loves you, and He loves every gift you give Him in return. Key Verse "Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!" 1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT Key Thought All you have belongs to God. Further Reading 1 Chronicles 29:10-14

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Guest of Honor “We’re still at the mall, Mom,” Soren said, frustrated. “The car won’t start, and a guy from a garage across the street is working on it now. Dad says we’ll be there as soon as we can, but it’ll be a while. He said to tell you the show must go on, whatever that means.” Mom knew what Dad meant. He was talking about the surprise birthday party they had planned for Soren. Dad had taken Soren shopping just to get him out of the house. The guests were in the living room now, waiting for him to come home. Mom knew Dad was telling her to go ahead with the games and food. An hour later, Soren burst into the house. “Mom,” he called, “we’re home. You’ll never guess—” “Surprise! Surprise!” his friends shouted, interrupting him. Soren was surprised! “About time you got here,” said Patrick, one of the guests. “We were about ready to give your birthday presents to somebody else.” “Nuh-uh! They’re Soren’s,” protested Soren’s sister, Penny. She slipped her little hand into her big brother’s. “It’s his birfday.” “It’s okay, Penny. We wouldn’t give his gifts to anyone else,” Patrick assured her. He handed a present to Soren. “Here, open mine first.” “Glad you finally made it, Soren” said another friend after Soren had opened all his gifts. “Your birthday party just wasn’t right without you.” After all his guests were gone, Soren sat down to eat a piece of his birthday cake. “I wish I hadn’t missed the games, but at least the car was fixed in time for me to see everyone and open my presents.” “I’m glad too,” said Mom. “As Penny says, it’s your ‘birfday,’ and a birthday celebration without the guest of honor—the birthday person—just isn’t worth much.” “Happy birfday, Soren,” Penny said, grinning. She pointed to the nativity set on a nearby table. “And happy birfday, Jesus!” Mom laughed. “Thanks for the reminder, Penny. With everything going on this time of year, it can easy for us to forget that we celebrate Jesus’s birthday at Christmas and how He became human so He could save us from sin. Let’s make sure He’s our guest of honor at Christmas and celebrate the wonderful gift of His birth.” How about you? Is Jesus the guest of honor in your Christmas celebration? Without Him, there would be no Christmas. In all the excitement of gifts, parties, and other Christmas events, don’t forget Jesus. As you go about your holiday activities, celebrate the gift of His birth. Jesus is God, but He became human so we could be saved through His death and resurrection. Now that’s something to celebrate each and every Christmas! Key Verse "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 NKJV Key Thought Christmas honors Jesus’s birthday. Further Reading Luke 2:4-11

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers The True Meaning of Christmas Evelyn glared out the car window as Dad pulled into the parking lot. It was Christmas Eve, and working at a soup kitchen was not how she wanted to spend the afternoon. She and Mom always baked Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve, and Dad let her help build a fire in the fireplace, and then they’d all watch a Christmas movie together. But her parents decided they needed to start a new tradition this year—serving others in need. Evelyn sighed in frustration. She still had presents to wrap! Evelyn got her serving assignment at the door and dragged her feet as she made her way over to a man stirring a big bowl of mashed potatoes. He smiled when he saw her. “Hi, I’m Doug,” he said, and he showed her how to dish out the gravy. Soon the main entrance was opened and people started streaming in. Doug smiled and talked with everyone as he served them potatoes, wishing them a merry Christmas. Evelyn just scooped the gravy, wishing there would be fresh-baked cookies waiting for her when she got home. She was glad when it was finally time to leave. “Evelyn, I can’t believe you got to serve food next to Douglas Remington!” Mom said as they got in the car. Evelyn looked at her mom in disbelief. “That was Douglas Remington? The guy who started that huge tech company?” Mom nodded. “He’s a Christian, and he helps out at the soup kitchen a lot.” “A good example of the meaning of Christmas, don’t you think?” said Dad. “Even though Douglas Remington could spend the holidays throwing lavish parties for his family and friends, he serves the hungry at a soup kitchen. Who else left their place of honor to help those in need?” “Um…Jesus?” answered Evelyn. “Right!” said Dad. “Jesus left the glory of heaven to become human and die for our sins so we could have eternal life with Him. That’s the true meaning of Christmas.” When they got home, there were no cookies in the oven, no fire in the fireplace. But Evelyn thought it was the best Christmas Eve she’d ever had. How about you? Do you ever think about what Jesus gave up when He came to earth as a baby? Heaven was full of His glory and splendor, but He left all that to suffer and die so you could be saved and live with Him forever. Don’t pass up His offer of eternal life—He gave up everything to give it to you! Trust Him to save you. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) Key Verse "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 6:38 NKJV Key Thought Jesus left heaven to save you. Key Thought John 3:17; Hebrews 1:3-4; 2:9-11

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers The Most Important Gift Austin woke with excitement and quickly jumped out of bed, wondering what would be in the wrapped presents under the tree. “It’s Christmas Eve, Mom!” he said as he ran into the kitchen for breakfast. Austin’s family had a tradition of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve. Throughout the day, Austin made many trips to the Christmas tree to look at the presents. Just when he felt he couldn’t wait any longer, the evening meal was over and the family gathered to open presents. Austin got a book, a pair of jeans, a movie, and the thing he wanted most of all—a baseball mitt! Austin was already dreaming of summer when Dad reached for his Bible. “Let’s read about the gifts the wise men brought Jesus.” After reading the story, Dad said, “We’ve given gifts to show our love for one another, and we have a gift for Jesus too.” He rattled a shiny red tin that had money from every member of the family in it. Collecting a Christmas offering was another tradition in Austin’s family. It was Mom’s turn to read, and she read a passage from Second Corinthians. “Just like the people in this story who gave gifts to help the apostle Paul, you all gave money to be used for God’s work,” Mom said when she finished reading. “But the most important thing they gave Jesus wasn’t their money. It was themselves. They gave themselves to the Lord by remembering that He died to save them and submitting to His will for their lives. As Christians, we need to do that too. While it’s good to give money, it’s more important to depend on Jesus to guide us in doing His will and help us love others the way He does.” Austin thought about that as he went to bed. He trusted in Jesus, but he hadn’t really given much thought to how Jesus wanted him to live. Suddenly he jumped up and ran into the living room. “I want to give myself to Jesus! I want to ask Him to help me love others and live my life for Him.” He grinned at his parents. “That’s the most important gift I can give!” How about you? Have you given yourself to Jesus? That’s the most important gift you can give. As Christians, we must continually give ourselves to the Lord by depending on Him to help us do His will and show others His love. Give Jesus the gift of yourself this Christmas, and trust Him to use your life to share His gift of salvation with others. Key Verse "They first gave themselves to the Lord." 2 Corinthians 8:5 KJV Key Thought Give yourself to Jesus. Further Reading Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers What Are You Waiting For? Addie wiggled all through the Christmas service. Sitting still was so hard, especially when you weren’t interested in what the pastor was saying. Addie wanted to go home and open presents. Funny, she was more excited about her sister’s present than her own. Abigail had asked for a special movie-making kit complete with video and sound effects. Addie couldn’t wait to make movies with Abigail. But the pastor kept going on and on about the best gift being the baby who was born in Bethlehem. Addie rolled her eyes. That’s all they talked about at church. She figured someday she’d trust in Jesus…when she didn’t have anything else to do. “I liked what Pastor Pete said this morning,” Abigail said later as they were eating cinnamon rolls. “Can we open presents now?” Addie asked. “I’m tired of talking about church. I’ll think about that stuff when I’m older.” She went and got Abigail’s present from beneath the tree. “Here’s yours, Abigail. I can’t wait to see you open it!” Abigail settled down on the couch. “I’m too busy to open it right now.” “Abigail!” Addie tugged at her sister’s arm. “Come on.” Abigail picked up a book she was reading. “First I want to finish this chapter. I want to know what happens.” She started reading. Addie stomped her foot. “Abigail!” She looked to her parents, who shrugged and continued eating cinnamon rolls at the table. Was her family going crazy? “I was thinking,” Abigail said. “Maybe when I’m older. You know, like when I’m eighteen. Then I’ll open my gift.” Addie looked around and noticed everyone looking back at her. “Oh,” she said, finally understanding. “You’re showing me how silly I am for not accepting God’s gift of Jesus now and saying I’ll think about it later.” “Right,” Dad said. “God’s gift of His only Son, who became human and died and rose again to save us from sin, is more important than any gift under the tree.” “I guess I have been kind of silly,” Addie admitted. “I know I shouldn’t wait to trust in Jesus.” “How about trusting in Him right now?” Mom asked. “That would be the best Christmas present ever.” How about you? Have you heard about Jesus from family members or at church, but haven’t really thought about what His death and resurrection mean for you? Maybe you figure you’ll think about it when you’re older. Why wait? Jesus is the best gift anyone could ever get, and the best time to accept a gift is NOW. Trust in Jesus this Christmas Day! (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.) Key Verse "Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life." John 5:24 CSB Key Thought God’s gift is the greatest gift of all. Further Reading John 5:24-30

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Smelly Presents After playing for a while in the basement, little Penelope came upstairs and walked into the living room with an armful of bundles. “Look!” she cried. “I made presents!” She handed one to each member of her family. Bryce wrinkled his nose. “Something stinks!” He sniffed the present in his hand. “I think it’s this . . . whatever it is.” He held up a slightly damp object made from old newspaper. “See? It’s an airplane!” Penelope announced. “We learned to fold them in preschool. I made one for Anna too. And see—I folded hats for Mommy and Daddy. We learned to do them in preschool too!” “Why, thank you,” said Mom with a faint smile. “That’s sweet of you, but . . . Penelope, where did you get newspapers to make these?” “In the basement,” Penelope replied. “There was a whole pile of them by the window.” She looked at her mother anxiously. “Is that okay?” “I noticed that it was damp by that window, and I’ve been meaning to get rid of those old papers!” Dad said. “They’re all wet. That must be why they smell so bad.” “Don’t you like my presents?” asked Penelope. Mom tried to soothe Penelope’s hurt feelings. “It was a very nice idea! Come on, let’s find some construction paper so you can make new ones.” After Mom and Penelope left the room, Bryce and Anna quickly scooped up the smelly “presents” to take them out to the garbage can. “Penelope really did mean well, and I’m afraid she was surprised and disappointed when we weren’t delighted with her presents,” Dad said with a sigh. “She thought they were so nice, but we just see them as smelly junk.” He grinned at the two kids. “Kind of like good deeds.” “Good deeds?” echoed Bryce. “A verse in Isaiah says that the good deeds people do to earn their salvation are like filthy rags,” Dad explained. “Some people think they can please God just by doing their best, but all their good deeds are like those smelly presents from Penelope. Only Jesus can remove the smelly, filthy sin from our lives. We need to trust Him to save us and make us clean.” How about you? Do you think God will be pleased with the good things you try to do and let you into heaven? God won’t accept your good deeds as payment for salvation. They look—and smell—like filthy rags to Him. You need to trust Jesus as your Savior in order to be saved and have eternal life. He will remove your sin and give you a clean heart. Key Verse "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6 NLT Key Thought Good deeds can’t save you Further Reading Titus 3:3–7

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Mary's Part Speaking parts were being assigned for the church Christmas program, and Kaylee eagerly waited for her name to be called. She was sure she was the perfect one to take the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus. No one can memorize lines as well as me, she thought.  “Braelyn.” Mrs. Roberts’ voice interrupted Kaylee’s thoughts. “I think you would be a good choice to play the part of Mary.” Kaylee gasped. Braelyn! She stutters sometimes, Kaylee thought. What kind of Mary would she be? Kaylee scowled. Well, that’s just fine with me. Who wants to be in this dumb play anyway? When Mrs. Roberts offered her another part, Kaylee made excuses and refused to be in the production at all. On the night of the program, Kaylee sat in the front row. She had come to laugh at Braelyn’s mistakes. Mrs. Roberts will be embarrassed for making such a dumb choice! she thought in disgust as Braelyn walked up front. That drab outfit looks like it was made from a feed sack. Mom would have made me a much better costume than that! She snickered to herself and rolled her eyes.  Hesitantly, Braelyn began reciting from Luke chapter one: “My soul magnifies the Lord…because…because…” She paused briefly. “Because he has looked with favor on the humble condition of his servant.” Humble condition, thought Kaylee. That sure fits Braelyn! Suddenly another thought struck her, causing her mouth to drop open in surprise. It fits Mary too! Kaylee tried to push that thought away, but she couldn’t. More unwanted thoughts persisted as she watched the rest of the Christmas performance. Mary was willing to obey God and carry out His commands, and Braelyn’s like that too, Kaylee realized. She’s a good Mary! In her heart, Kaylee knew that if she had gotten the part, she would be saying Mary’s words only to make herself look good and be the star performer. But Braelyn was humble like the real Mary was—and like how Jesus was too. They were both willing to obey God and make sacrifices for the good of others. Feeling ashamed, Kaylee prayed silently, asking God to forgive her proud spirit and to help her be humble like Mary—and Jesus. So how about you? Are you humble like Mary? Or do you think you should be the one chosen to sing the solo, answer the questions, or lead the group because you do it best? Jesus wants humble servants who are willing to serve His purpose instead of their own so that He will be honored. Even though He is God, Jesus was willing to die for our sins so we could be saved. Mary was His humble servant. Does that description fit you? Key Verse "Whoever wants to be first among you, let him be your servant." Matthew 20:27 NLV Key Thought Be a humble servant. Further Reading Luke 1:26-33, 46-49

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers What Christmas Is All About Anthony flicked off the radio. He couldn’t stand to hear one more Christmas song. Ever since his dad walked out on him and his mom on Christmas Eve two years ago, Anthony dreaded the holiday season. He sighed and flopped onto the couch as Mom walked into the room. “Hey, Anthony. Uncle Sam just called. Aunt Tricia had the baby this morning! I’m going down to the hospital to see how everyone is doing. Want to join me?” “I guess,” Anthony answered, “as long as I don’t have to listen to any Christmas carols on the way.” When they got to St. Thomas Hospital, they took the elevator to the newborn unit on the third floor. Everyone looked so happy. Great, Anthony thought, more cheery people. When they reached the room, Anthony walked over to a clear-sided bassinet and peered in. There lay his new cousin, all wrapped in blankets. “Anthony, meet Caleb,” said Aunt Tricia. “Would you like to hold him?” “Um…sure,” said Anthony, a little hesitant. Mom had him sit in a chair and told him how to hold his arms to support the baby’s head. She then gently laid Caleb in his arms. He looked down at the baby. He seemed so helpless all wrapped up like that. Anthony glanced across the room and noticed a painting of the Virgin Mary on the wall. She was cradling a wide-eyed, newborn Jesus. The title under the painting read: A Gift for You. Anthony turned his gaze to Caleb and was startled to see similar dark blue eyes looking back at him. “Wow,” said Anthony softly. “What is it?” asked Mom. “I never really thought about how helpless Jesus was as a baby. He sure had to give up a lot to come to earth, didn’t He?” Mom nodded and wrapped an arm around him. “I know Christmas is hard for you because of what happened with your dad. But that’s exactly why Jesus came to earth as a baby—so He could die for our sins and give us hope. Because of Him, we know that even though things go wrong, one day He’ll come again and make everything right. Christmas doesn’t have to be about what happened to you—it can be about what happened for you. Jesus gave it all up for you.” How about you? Does the Christmas season stir up bad memories for you? You are not alone. Holidays can be hard when you’ve lost a loved one. But this year, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you do have—Jesus. He gave up all of the glory in heaven to come to earth as a baby and die to save you from your sins. He’ll always be there to help you, and one day He’ll make everything right. Key Verse "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" Matthew 1:23 NLT Key Thought Jesus came to earth for you. Further Reading Philippians 2:5-11

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers The Exchange Student “That was a good play,” said José, an exchange student from Mexico who was living with Ronan’s family. They were returning home after attending a Christmas program at church. “I’ve heard a lot about the Bible, but I’ve never been to a pageant like that one.” Ronan pointed. “Look! There are some carolers. They go from house to house singing Christmas songs. Do you have carolers in Mexico, José?” “No,” said José, “but we do have what we call Los Peregrinos. Like Mary and Joseph, people go from house to house. They pretend to be looking for a place where they can stay. It’s planned ahead so that the third one they stop at lets them in. There’s a piñata ready for the children and hot drinks for the adults.” “Sounds fun!” said Ronan. “When we get home, I could show you pictures of that and other Christmas traditions we have,” José said. Ronan nodded. “I’d like that.” Later that night, Dad and Ronan wrapped gifts while José talked to his family in Mexico. “Do you like having José stay with us?” asked Dad. “Yeah, I do,” Ronan answered. “We’ve studied Mexico at school, but learning that way isn’t the same as knowing somebody who’s from there. Having José live with us and listening to him explain what people were doing in the pictures he showed me is a better way to learn.” Ronan fastened a bright red ribbon to a package. “If I had just read about Mexico but had never met José, I wouldn’t know half as much about his culture as I do now.” Dad put down his scissors and tape. “You know, it’s the same with knowing Jesus too. Just knowing things about the Bible is much different from having a personal relationship with Jesus and trusting Him with every part of your life.” “Yeah,” Ronan said thoughtfully. “I think we should explain that to José. He seems to know quite a bit about the Bible, but we should make sure he understands why Jesus died and that he needs to know Him personally.” Ronan paused. “I’ll try to talk to him some more about it when I get a chance.” “That’s a good idea,” Dad said. “I’ll do the same.” How about you? Do you know Jesus personally? Do you trust Him as your Savior and Lord? Studying the Bible is great, but just knowing Bible stories, facts, and verses is not enough. You need to understand that you’re a sinner who is unable to earn your own salvation and that Jesus died to pay the price for you to have eternal life. Trust Him as your Savior. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.) Key Verse I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. Philippians 3:10 NLT Key Thought You can know Jesus personally. Further Reading Ephesians 3:14-21

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers A Lot Like Me “Rayna, how would you like to have a roommate for a few days?” Mom asked when she picked Rayna up from school. “Pastor Rollins is looking for places for the Peterson children to stay while their mother is in the hospital. I thought maybe we could take Morgan.” Rayna groaned. “Mom, no! She’d want to tag along everywhere I go.” That evening, Rayna’s family read part of the Christmas story during family devotions. “Imagine Joseph’s disappointment when he asked for a room and the innkeeper turned him away,” Dad said as he closed the Bible. Then he prayed that they would be careful not to do the same thing. Rayna thought about that when she went to bed. In her mind, she could almost hear the innkeeper saying, “Sorry. We have no room!” As Rayna tried to go to sleep, she couldn’t get the phrase out of her head. “No room! No room!” No room for the Son of God! she thought. That’s terrible! Then the words of a Bible verse echoed through her mind: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” She tried to forget those words but couldn’t. Maybe letting Morgan share my room is like offering Jesus a room too. When Rayna sat down for breakfast the next morning, she smiled at her mother. “Did you tell Pastor Rollins to send Morgan to us?” she asked. Mom shook her head. “Not yet.” “Well, let’s tell him,” said Rayna. “I know she’s a lot younger than me, but she needs a place to stay, and maybe I can help her forget her troubles for a while.” Mom smiled. “I’m glad you decided that, but why the change?” “I thought about the innkeeper last night,” said Rayna. “I don’t want to make the same mistake he did.” “The innkeeper?” asked Mom. “Oh. The one who didn’t have room for Jesus?” Rayna nodded. “I realized that Jesus wants me to make room for her this Christmas. Since I’ve welcomed Him into my life by trusting in Him, He wants me to welcome others too. And I don’t want to turn either one of them away.” How about you? Have you made room in your heart for Jesus? Have you invited Him into your life? If you trust in Him, He’s shaping your heart so you can show His love and hospitality to others. Perhaps there’s someone He wants you to make room for in your life, like an older person who is lonely or a classmate who needs a friend. By showing them hospitality, you’re showing them the love of Jesus. Key Verse The King [Jesus] will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV Key Thought Be hospitable. Further Reading Matthew 25:37-40; Luke 2:1-7

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Where's the Birthday Boy? “I love Christmas!” Aaliyah told her friend Piper. “Did you see that huge tree in the mall? It went all the way up to the ceiling! And I love the lights everywhere, and parties—and presents! I think I’m getting that new video game I told you about.” “My grandma’s giving me a tablet,” said Piper, “and I want a scooter. I think Christmas is the best time of the whole year! I hope I get lots of stuff.” Mom glanced up from the book she was reading. “Sounds like you two are forgetting what Christmas is really about.” Aaliyah tugged at Piper’s sleeve. “Come on. Let’s go to my room and play with my dollhouse.” The next afternoon, Aaliyah and her mother went to a birthday party for Aaliyah’s three-year-old cousin, Joey. When they got there, most of her cousins were playing in the rec room—but there was no sign of Joey. “Where’s the birthday boy?” asked Aaliyah, who was very fond of her little cousin. “I want him to see the present I brought for him. I wrapped it myself!” Aunt Gabby laughed. “He’s fast asleep in his room. He was so excited about the party that he wore himself out. I’ll get him up pretty soon.” Aaliyah frowned as excited squeals drifted in from the rec room. “I don’t think it’s right for everybody to have fun without Joey,” she told her mother after Aunt Gabby left the room. “It’s his birthday party, and no one’s even thinking about him!” “Hmm. Well, before you get too upset at the kids here, let me ask you something,” said Mom. “Remember your conversation with Piper yesterday?” “You mean about Christmas presents and stuff?” “Yes. You girls talked about all the fun you’d be having this Christmas, but you didn’t say a word about Jesus, even though it’s His birthday we’re celebrating. Christmas is when we remember how He came into the world as a baby so He could die for our sin.” Aaliyah sighed. “You’re right. I was using Christmas to celebrate all the things I wanted instead of Jesus.” She smiled at her mom. “Let’s ask Aunt Gabby to get Joey up now. We can’t let this party go on without the birthday boy!” How about you? Do you enjoy celebrating Christmas? Do you get excited about the parties, gifts, decorations, and other fun things of the season? That’s great, but remember that Jesus is the reason you’re celebrating. Christmas is a special time when we remember how He was born into the world as our Savior. As you do fun things this Christmas season, remember it’s His birthday you’re celebrating. Key Verse "There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11 KJV Key Thought Celebrate Jesus at Christmas Further Reading Luke 2:7-16

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers Now! “Time to leave!” called Mom. “I’m almost done with this level,” said Timothy, eyes glued to the computer screen. Mom stepped into his bedroom. “Get dressed now,” she said. “We don’t want to hold up the pageant rehearsal.” She hurried down the hall, calling for Timothy’s little sister, Gabby. “I don’t see why I have to be in the Christmas pageant,” muttered Timothy. “I’m just a dumb shepherd, anyway.” He dug a brown robe from a pile of clothes and pulled it over his head. He looked at himself in the mirror. “Boy, I hope no one from school sees me wearing this!” Timothy walked into the kitchen, tugging at the rope wrapped around his waist. “This costume is itchy. Do I have to do this?” Mom was struggling with Gabby’s angel costume. “Stand still, honey. These buttons are hard to see.” She blew a wisp of hair from her face. “We’ve made a commitment, Timothy. We can’t let everyone down. Besides, you’re in the pageant every year.” “That’s just it,” said Timothy. “It’s the same old thing, every single Christmas. A bunch of shepherds, a few wise men. It’s not like we’re telling a new story. It’s boring!” Mom stood up. “Come here, Timothy.” She held out her arms and hugged him. “I know you don’t want to do this. But some things can’t wait. Some stories need us to tell them–over and over again, right now!” “But I’m just a shepherd,” said Timothy. “They’re not interesting. Not like the angels.” He pointed at Gabby. His little sister smiled and twirled in her angel costume. Mom straightened Gabby’s halo. “The angels’ job was to tell the shepherds about Jesus’s birth. The shepherds were the first people to learn and spread the word that God had sent Jesus as a Savior to the world!” “That is pretty cool, I guess,” said Timothy. “It sure is,” said Mom. “And did the shepherds say, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem in the morning, when it’s light outside’? No. Did they say, ‘Let’s find someone to watch these sheep, and then we’ll go to Bethlehem’? No! They said, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem now!'” “Okay, Mom,” said Timothy, heading for the door. “I guess we do need to get to church. To tell the story of Jesus–now!” How about you? How many times have you heard the Christmas story? Twenty times? A hundred times? Even if the story feels familiar, try to experience it the way the shepherds did—as a glorious revelation from God that can change your life right now! Pray that God will help you feel the urgency and power of the story this Christmas season and share it with others. Key Verse "The shepherds said to each other, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see what has happened. The Lord has told us about this.'" Luke 2:15 NLV Key Thought Feel the excitement of the Christmas story! Further Reading Luke 2:8-20

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers A Lot Like Me “Mom!” Mason stormed through the living room, past the manger scene and Christmas tree, and into the kitchen. “Look at this.” He held up four baseball cards. “Abby drew hearts all over my best cards!” “Oh no.” His mother closed the oven door. “I’ll talk to her about it after she wakes up from her nap. But you have to remember, she’s only four.” “I know, but I’m tired of her mes

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers The Grinch Isaac slammed the door and began kicking off his boots while grumbling under his breath. “Everything all right?” his mom asked. “Not according to Mr. Hanson,” Isaac spat out. “Whatever I do for him is never good enough! I mean, it took me an hour to shovel his sidewalk, and what do I get for it? ‘You missed the second step, Isaac. You didn’t get all the way to edge.’ Mr. Hanson is a total grinch! This is the last time I help him out.” Just then Isaac’s sister, Holly, came bouncing into the room. “Mom, the green popcorn is done, and the green soda for our grinch punch is cold. I can’t wait to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas with our special treats!” “I know a real grinch next door,” Isaac grumbled. “Isaac,” Mom said gently, “I know Mr. Hanson can be difficult, but remember that he doesn’t know Jesus. The only way he’s ever going to change is if he allows Jesus to come into his life and transform him. Only God can make that happen, but we can point Mr. Hanson to Jesus by showing him love and joy, even when he doesn’t deserve it.” “Kind of like how the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes when he saw how joyful the Whos were even after he stole all their Christmas gifts and decorations?” asked Holly. “Exactly,” said Mom. “Even when Mr. Hanson is mean, that doesn’t have to kill your joy—it actually gives you a chance to show him the love of Jesus.” “Hmm,” said Isaac, “I never thought about it like that before. I didn’t realize that just by shoveling snow and being kind to Mr. Hanson I was allowing the love of Jesus to shine through me. I’ll try to remember that the next time I shovel his sidewalk.” “I’m glad to hear there will be a next time,” Mom said as she gave Isaac a squeeze. “And now it’s time to watch . . .” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” Holly squealed. “I think I’ll watch that movie with a whole new perspective tonight,” Isaac said with a smile. Rachel Vruggink How about you? When you have grinchy people in your life, do you still try to treat them with love and kindness? When we show others love and joy, it points them to the source of our love and joy—Jesus! He gives us the strength to be joyful in any circumstance. Trust Him to help you joyfully do good for others, even when they least deserve it. Key Verse "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV Key Thought Joy points others to Jesus. Further Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:13-17

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers A Special Baby As Mateo and his friend Tory rode the bus home from school, they talked about their Christmas plans. “Grandpa and Grandma are coming for a whole week this year,” said Tory, “and on Christmas Eve we’re all going to see a movie about Santa Claus! Wanna come with us? I’m sure Mom will say it’s okay.” “I can’t,” said Mateo. “Our family always goes to church on Christmas Eve. We have a candlelight service where we read the Christmas story and sing Christmas carols.” “Christmas carols? Like ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’?” Mateo shook his head. “No, songs about the real meaning of Christmas, like ‘Away in a Manger’ and ‘Silent Night.’” “Oh.” Tory frowned. “The Christmas story is about somebody named Mary, isn’t it? And a guy named Joseph? And about some special baby? What was so special about Him?” Mateo could hardly believe Tory didn’t know the answer to that. “It’s about when Jesus was born. He’s the Son of God,” he explained. “Well, then how could He be born as a baby on earth?” Tory asked. “If He was God’s Son, why did He come to earth anyway?” “Because we needed Him to save us from our sin—our brokenness—so we could have eternal life,” said Mateo, and he did his best to help Tory understand who Jesus is and why He came. When Mateo told his mom about their conversation, she had a suggestion. “It’s possible other friends of yours don’t know the real meaning of Christmas. Would you like to have a Christmas party so you can share it with them? You could play games and have prizes, and I’ll help with singing carols and tell the Christmas story before we have some snacks and hot cocoa.” “That would be fun!” said Mateo. Mateo invited several friends to come. He didn’t know if any of them would believe in Jesus because of the party, but he wanted to give them the chance to hear about the special baby who was born to save the world—the real reason for Christmas. Linda M. Weddle How about you? Do your friends know who Jesus is and why He came to earth? How can you share the real meaning of Christmas with them? Maybe you can have a party where you sing carols and have someone tell the story of Jesus’ birth, or invite them to a Christmas program at your church. You could even simply talk with them about what Jesus has done for you. Share the message of Jesus at Christmas—and all year long. Key Verse "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21 NKJV Key Thought Share Christ at Christmas. Further Reading Matthew 1:18-23

Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the discussion guide, and send us a voice message with your answers! Send In Your Answers The Story of Santa “Ho, ho, ho! And a merry Christmas to you!” bellowed a tall Santa at the entrance to Mia’s favorite toy store. Mia and her dad were doing some last-minute Christmas shopping. They needed a few more things for the shoeboxes they were filling for kids who lived in orphanages in poor countries.  “Dad, why do I see so many Santas around at Christmas instead of manger scenes?” Mia wondered aloud. “Everywhere I look I see Santa! See, there’s a gigantic stuffed Santa right over there!” “I agree, there’s a lot more of Santa than Jesus in most stores at Christmas,” said Dad. “I think the tradition of Santa has overshadowed the truth of Jesus’ birth. However, not many people know the story of the real Saint Nicholas where our tradition of Santa began. Do you want to hear it?” “Of course!” said Mia. “According to history scholars, Saint Nicholas was born a long time ago around 280 A.D., which means 280 years after Jesus’ birth,” Dad explained. “His parents were very wealthy and left him a large inheritance when they died. Nicholas was a Christian, so he decided to share his wealth by giving gifts and money to the poor and sick in his town. He later became a Christian bishop in the church and eventually became Saint Nicholas.” “So, did he wear a red suit and have a white beard?” asked Mia. “No one really knows what Saint Nicholas looked like. All we know is he had a reputation of giving to those in need,” Dad said.  “Just like we’re filling those shoeboxes for the needy kids!” Mia exclaimed.  “Exactly!” said Dad. “People often associate Santa with getting a lot of presents. Instead, I think we should think of Saint Nicholas and giving to others. And remember, the reason Saint Nicholas gave to others was to show Jesus’ love to them. As a Christian, he knew the greatest gift we could ever receive was Jesus, who became human in order to save us from sin. That’s really what Christmas is all about—celebrating the gift of Jesus!” So how about you? Do you focus on giving to others at Christmas? Sometimes it’s easy to make Christmas all about getting presents for ourselves rather than thinking of how we can give to others. Money and presents aren’t the only ways to give. Share a kind word, do something extra around the house, or let someone go ahead of you in line. When you give, you point to the greatest gift of all—Jesus. Key Verse “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV Key Thought Give generously to others. Further Reading 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 11-15