Read Day 1 of The God of Amazing Gifts, a new Advent devotional from Lizzie Laferton, to help the whole family get even more excited about God’s greatest Christmas gift. This step-by-step guide is perfect for families who want to dig deeper into the Bible this Advent. It includes study and application questions for children and teens at various ages and stages of faith and simple prayers.
God of amazing gifts, please fill us with love for you this Advent as we think about your goodness and generosity. Amen.
Get ready to say the first thing that comes to mind!
As we open the Bible today, we’ll find ourselves hearing from someone who knew exactly what that is like: King David.
As we read the first verse of Psalm 63 together, listen out for what David thought is the best possible gift.
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)
If you have younger or less confident children only, ask the questions on the left.
If you have older or more confident children only, ask the questions on the right.
If you have a range of ages, use the questions marked with stars
David was probably also hungry. But he goes on to write…
I will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (v 5)
Let’s think about why David can say this about God. He also wrote:
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and behled your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. (v 2-3)
Even when life was dangerous and difficult, David’s heart and mind were full of God. His mouth was full of praise. That’s because David knew he already had the most amazing gift of all: God himself. Knowing God is the best gift ever.
Choose the question you think will be most helpful for your family
Each session includes a short prayer that responds to God using some of the ideas from the session. You could use it as it is, add to it, or pray together in your own words.
Perfect, powerful, loving Father, there is no gift better than knowing and being loved by you. Thank you that in Jesus we see your power, perfection, glory and love. This Advent, please give us hearts that long for you and lips that praise you. Amen.
Take a look inside The God of Amazing Gifts by clicking here. Use this devotional to focus your whole family on the reason behind gift-giving at Christmas—the generous and gracious character of God and the goodness of his greatest gift, Jesus. At the back of the book, you’ll also be able to get creative by taking part in various suggested activities that further explore the teaching from each day’s devotion.
Lizzie Laferton is the author of There's a Lion in My Nativity! and co-author of The Garden, The Curtain and The Cross Sunday-School Lessons. She's married to Carl and has two children.
