Advent Cards Day 3: The True Meaning of Christmas
Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the cards, and send us a voice message with your answers! Then you could hear yourself on Keys for Kids Radio as we talk through each day's story!
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 theyâd all watch a Christmas movie together.
But her parents decided they needed to start a new tradition this yearâserving 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.
âHi, Iâm Doug,â 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. âEvelyn, I canât believe you got to serve food next to Douglas Remington!â Mom said as they got in the car.
Evelyn looked at her mom in disbelief. âThat was Douglas Remington? The guy who started that huge tech company?â
Mom nodded. âHeâs a Christian, and he helps out at the soup kitchen a lot.â
âA good example of the meaning of Christmas, donât you think?â said Dad. âEven 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?â
âUmâŚJesus?â answered Evelyn.
âRight!â said Dad. âJesus left the glory of heaven to become human and die for our sins so we could have eternal life with Him. Thatâs the true meaning of Christmas.â
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 sheâd ever had.
So 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. Donât pass up His offer of eternal lifeâHe gave up everything to give it to you! Trust Him to save you. Learn more about trusting Jesus at keysforkids.org/goodnews.
Key Verse
John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him Who sent me.”
Key Thought
Jesus left heaven to save you.
Further Reading
John 3:17; Hebrews 1:3-4; Hebrews 2:9-11