The time has come for Santa to pick one of the children and give out the first gift of Christmas.
This scene is huge in the movie. Our main character hasn't believed in Santa and now Santa is asking him what he wants. It doesn't take him long to decide to ask for the bell, the sound that the other kids have been able to hear and he hasn't.
If you could see Jesus and you get to ask him one question, what would you ask?
Take time to think about that. Go beyond the simple what's your favorite food questions to something that you really are unsure about. Maybe if Hell is real, or if God is real, or what about your friends who don't believe.
Write down your question and give God time to answer.
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Thursday, December 15
Wednesday, December 14
Where'e the Line to See Jesus?
Today I needed to break away from the Polar Express to share with you this song and story.
A few years ago, during a shopping trip to the mall a little boy asked his aunt where the line to see Jesus was. He grew up knowing that Christmas was about the birth of Jesus and was confused about the line to see Santa. Being inspired by that question, the following song was penned:
This song makes me think about how much we think of Santa over the Christmas season versus how much we think of Jesus.
Today see if you can spend it only thinking about Jesus and not Santa.
A few years ago, during a shopping trip to the mall a little boy asked his aunt where the line to see Jesus was. He grew up knowing that Christmas was about the birth of Jesus and was confused about the line to see Santa. Being inspired by that question, the following song was penned:
This song makes me think about how much we think of Santa over the Christmas season versus how much we think of Jesus.
Today see if you can spend it only thinking about Jesus and not Santa.
Tuesday, December 13
Where's the Brake?
Have you ever wished you could just slam on the brakes and stop for a minute to catch your breath?
In this clip the kids are looking for the brake. Do you need a break? Has the Christmas season become overwhelming? Are you stressing over what to get that special someone in your life?
Jesus wants us to focus on him this holiday.
Just like the little girl needed to pause and listen for the right sound to know the way, we need to pause and know God.
Be still, and know that I am God, says Psalm 46:10.
How can you today, amongst the busy-ness and stress take time to be still and focus on God?
In this clip the kids are looking for the brake. Do you need a break? Has the Christmas season become overwhelming? Are you stressing over what to get that special someone in your life?
Jesus wants us to focus on him this holiday.
Just like the little girl needed to pause and listen for the right sound to know the way, we need to pause and know God.
Be still, and know that I am God, says Psalm 46:10.
How can you today, amongst the busy-ness and stress take time to be still and focus on God?
Monday, December 12
Arrival
Just like the Polar Express, Mary and Joseph eventually arrived to their final destination.
As you read the the different accounts of Jesus' birth, it is interesting to compare what the Bible says to what we know through songs or pictures.
For example:
In Luke 2:7 it talks about a manger and guest room. We usually think of Mary and Joseph having to staying in a stable because there was no room in the inn.
When I hear stable, I think of barn, but the image that is closer to stable would be a cave in a side of a hill or mountain. And when I hear inn, I think of hotel, but the image that is closer to guest room, would literally be some one's house.
Today I challenge you to check out the stories in the Bible, the accounts of the journey Mary and Joseph took. Read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. See the differences and the similarities and then compare that to what you already knew before your reading of the Christmas story.
As you read the the different accounts of Jesus' birth, it is interesting to compare what the Bible says to what we know through songs or pictures.
For example:
In Luke 2:7 it talks about a manger and guest room. We usually think of Mary and Joseph having to staying in a stable because there was no room in the inn.
When I hear stable, I think of barn, but the image that is closer to stable would be a cave in a side of a hill or mountain. And when I hear inn, I think of hotel, but the image that is closer to guest room, would literally be some one's house.
Today I challenge you to check out the stories in the Bible, the accounts of the journey Mary and Joseph took. Read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. See the differences and the similarities and then compare that to what you already knew before your reading of the Christmas story.
Friday, December 9
Arrival
"We've made it!"
There can be no doubt now that we have arrived.
Today we are going to look at Scripture that comes after Jesus' death. Let's read John 20:24-29:
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Like Thomas and our main character it's not also easy to believe something you haven't seen.
We have seen the North Pole in the movie and it makes you want to believe. As we see the birth of Jesus will you believe?
There can be no doubt now that we have arrived.
Today we are going to look at Scripture that comes after Jesus' death. Let's read John 20:24-29:
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Like Thomas and our main character it's not also easy to believe something you haven't seen.
We have seen the North Pole in the movie and it makes you want to believe. As we see the birth of Jesus will you believe?
Thursday, December 8
When Christmas Comes to Town
In the movie, this little boy spends most of his time alone. According to one boy, he wasn't even a scheduled stop.
Do you ever feel alone?
When the train stops for this boy, our main character encourages him to run faster to make it on the train.
Who in your life encourages you to not give up?
From the above clip through the rest of the movie, these three characters pretty much stay together. In Scripture we read that two is better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9) and that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Life isn't meant to be lived alone. Think of who you can share your spiritual life with and ask that person for some encouragement.
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