These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the December 20, 2020 Sunday worship service. We pray they are a blessing to you and your family!

Why study God's Word and pray together?

• Bible study and prayer strengthens faith and brings you closer to God and to one another.
• Study of readings and hymns for the weekend prepares you for worship.
• The way parents express and model their faith helps shape young people’s faith lives.
• God's Word gives life!---new life now and eternal life with Jesus in heaven. (John 20:31)

• Five Days of devotional material. Catch up or review on the 6th day, worship on Sunday!
• Bible Readings are the LCMS 3-year lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday.
• Talk about It and Dig Deeper guide discussion and meditation on the Bible passages.
• Kid Talk has questions and activities especially for kids and families.
• Prayer starters are given--add your own as well! Scroll to the bottom for the Lord's Prayer and Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

Mary could not understand the mystery of her Son’s birth, but she believed God’s word from the angel and humbly submitted to His will.

• How is the Virgin Mary an example for all Christians?

The Bible teaches that Jesus is true God and true man.

• Why is it necessary for Jesus to be true God and true man?

• Look up the explanation of the Second Article of the Creed (Part 1) in Luther’s Small Catechism to review.

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

For nothing will be impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

Notice how David sought God’s will.

• How might David’s action be an example for us as we make decisions in our life, our family, or our church?

David’s focus was on building an earthly temple for the Lord. But God’s focus was not on what David would do for Him, but what He would do for David: building an everlasting house and kingdom (verse 16).

• In whom does this promise to David come true?

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

The final words of Paul’s letter to the Romans summarizes the essence of the Gospel.

• What is the proclamation about? When was it revealed? For whom? To what end?

• How do Paul’s words to the Roman Christians assure them (and us) that God has been and will continue to be active in their lives and in their world?

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

“Faithfulness” is a word repeated three times in these five verses.

• What comfort does it give you that the Lord is faithful?

Some have called Psalm 89 a “poetic expression” of 2 Samuel 7 (see this week’s Old Testament reading).

• Re-read both texts and note the similarities.

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame:

“All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favored lady.”

Gloria!

“For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be,

All generations laud and honor thee;

Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,

Most highly favored lady.”

Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;

“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said.

“My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name.”

Most highly favored lady,

Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born

In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:

“Most highly favored lady.”

Gloria!

Public domain

Though we do not worship her, Mary is held in high honor because she is the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

• How does the hymn express the honor we give to Mary?

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.