DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Park Cities Baptist Church

Saturday, December 10
Sunday, December 11
When I was five years old, I asked
Santa Claus for a baby sister. I got my
wish five months later when Leslie was
born. Santa Clause was my Dad’s boss
and he knew my mother was pregnant
so he said, “Oh, that’s a great wish,
I’ll work on that.” Of course, he went
and told my parents. From the moment
I was told about my present I knew I
would love her no matter what happens.
She was supposed to be born on my
6th birthday, but my mother got very
ill and my sister was born two days
early. I got to name her, and I chose
the name Leslie after a friend from my
first grade class. I just liked the name.
I’ve always viewed her as this gift, this
present, and I’ve always treated her like
she’s super special. It’s through the gift
of a sister that I asked for that I’m really
able to see God’s love - for me and my
mistakes and compassion for Leslie
and her shortcomings and successes.
My love and protection of my sister
could be compared to God’s love and
protection for humanity. And that’s
why he gave us the greatest gift at
Christmas – Jesus!
For Discussion:
• Think of the gifts and presents in
our lives and the love with which
they are given.
• As a family, list some of your
favorite gifts you have received and
thank God for the people who gave
them to you.
“Dear friends, let us love one another,
for love comes from God. Everyone
who loves has been born of God and
knows God.” 1 John 4:6-8
Robbie McCormac is the Production
Director at PCBC and lives in Dallas.
His hobbies include listening and
creating music, reading and enjoying
time with friends and family.
I stepped outside. It was still there.
Did I awake in New England? No, in
Dallas, Texas, with snow was covering
the ground in 2009. My family had
been here for one year. Even in North
Carolina we had not seen a white
Christmas. I suppose a White Christmas
was due after 51 years of living! My
family played and enjoyed the beauty
of Christmas. In other areas of the
country, this may be nothing new at
Christmas. We welcomed Christmas
in that year as a memory we will
never take for granted.
It is amazing that snow can cover dirt,
rocks, trash, leaves and everything
around leaving them all white. I was
reminded of Isaiah 1:18: “Come now,
let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though
your sins are like scarlet, I will make
them as white as snow. Though they
are red like crimson, I will make them
as white as wool.” No matter what
lurks in our hearts or minds, the love
of Christ can cover it and make it
white. Snowfall gives me a sense of
peace and contentment. The joy of
Jesus gives me the same peace and
contentment.
fulfillment of a Savior cover our paths.
Walk boldly knowing that God knows
each step you take — at Christmas
and for all time.
For Discussion:
• Sing one verse together of “Silent
Night, Holy Night.”
• Ask each family member to picture
images from the song.
• Ask children to draw a picture of
one image from the song.
• Parents, share a special time you
might have sung the song when you
were younger.
Read Isaiah 9:6-7.
• Ask family members to name one
quality they can remember from
this prophecy about Jesus (for
instance, “Prince of Peace”).
• Ask family members to remember a
time in the life of Jesus when this
quality was demonstrated. Share
these thoughts together.
As we all celebrate the birth of Jesus
take time to remember the snows of
2009. The snow was nice but we do
not need snow for joy and contentment.
Let the promise, deliverance and
Marty Lewis is the Minister to
Childhood Education. He and his
wife, Nanette, have two children,
Ethan and Hannah.