December 24

Day 24 | Journey

Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

Sometimes taking a trip is fun, like when we go on vacation. Sometimes it’s not so fun, like when we go to the doctor when we’re sick. But usually when we’re on a journey, whether a short trip or a long one, we experience something new. We learn things on a journey.

Mary and Joseph went on a journey. If we were to take the same journey by car it wouldn’t take very long, but because Mary and Joseph were walking, it took a long time.

They had to go to Bethlehem because the country’s ruler said they had to. But it was all part of God’s plan. Mary and Joseph were continuing to learn about God’s plan for them on their journey with Him.

Talk About:
• What new journeys did you take this past year?
• How did you see God’s love and care of you on these journeys?

Prayer: Guide our journeys wherever they take us, holy God. Help us to grow in our love for You every day.

Additional Scriptures:
Micah 5:2

Age-Focused Discussion

Preschool
• Where were Mary and Joseph traveling to?
• How far was the journey?
• How did Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem? 

Elementary
• Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
• If you were traveling for a week on foot, what would be the hardest part for you? • What would you pack for such a long journey?

Middle and High School
• Why was it important that Jesus was born in Bethlehem?
• How might this long journey have brought Mary and Joseph closer together?
• What can we learn from Mary and Joseph about depending on God when things are difficult? 

Gospel Conversation
Hundreds of years before this journey took place, God promised that he would send a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. God doesn't just make promises, He keeps them. He promised a Savior, and He sent Jesus at exactly the right time, in exactly the right place. Because of God’s great love for us, He sent Jesus so that we would have the opportunity of forgiveness of sin and a spot in God’s forever family.