Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 ESV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV

We are in the month of December, the last month of the year! And what holiday is this month, do you know? If you said Christmas, you are right! Someone super special was born at Christmas! Do you know who? If you said Jesus, yay!

Our two verses today come from the writings by the prophet, Isaiah. A prophet is someone who speaks God’s words to the people. Isaiah is telling the people that God is sending a child, His own Son to the people and that He will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” God’s love for each one of us, is why Jesus was born. And Jesus’ love for each one of us is why He chose to die on the cross.

Jesus is also called the Messiah, which means the anointed one or the chosen one of God. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Jesus was born! The Israelite people waited and watched for the Messiah all that time. We are waiting and “watching” for Christmas so that we can celebrate the birth of Jesus. We only have to wait 23 more days!

But during those 23 days of waiting and watching for Christmas to celebrate Jesus, I want to give you, and all of us, a special challenge. One way we can celebrate Jesus is to do things that we think Jesus would do. Things like loving and helping other people. You could be kind to the teachers and kids at your school; smile and be friendly, be helpful to your teacher. And don’t forget to be kind and loving to your family.

Talk with your parents, maybe your whole family can show Jesus’ love and kindness to others. Cook a meal for someone, make Christmas cards for people that might not get any, smile and wish people a “Merry Christmas” and even tell others the Christmas story about Jesus. And when we show love and kindness to others, it makes us feel good, too!

Enjoy the days of “waiting and watching” by letting other people see Jesus through you! I would love to hear how you and your family chose to be like Jesus.

Blessings and joy as you celebrate Jesus by helping others just like He would do!