Have you ever thought about how Jesus came to be born into a family? In the Bible, we can read about Jesus' family tree in the beginning of the book of Matthew. And you know what’s amazing? Jesus didn’t come from a perfect family! They were regular, imperfect people, just like us, who made mistakes and were learning to trust God in the middle of their messy lives.

But here’s the cool part: God chose to bring Jesus into the world through this very imperfect family. Why? Because God can use anyone! He doesn’t need us to be perfect to do amazing things. In fact, He loves using ordinary people to do extraordinary things, just like He used Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, and even the wise men to tell the world that Jesus was born.

Think about your own family. Sometimes, families can feel a little messy, and we might not always get along. But God has a special plan for each of us, and He uses our families—no matter how imperfect—to show His love. Just like Jesus came from a messy family, He understands what it’s like when things aren’t perfect. And He is with us, helping us love and care for each other, even on the hard days.

Remember, family is special because even though we all make mistakes, we still love each other and are there for each other—just like Jesus loves us, no matter what.

• How does it make you feel to know that Jesus came from a family with people who made mistakes, just like we do?

• What is your favorite Christmas memory?

• What are some of your favorite things that we do together as a family at Christmas?

Gather your family around the table for dinner. Light a candle to represent the light of Jesus coming into our messy world.

Before lighting the candle, pray aloud as a family. Here's a simple prayer you can use: "Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus into a family full of imperfect people. Help us to love each other like You love us. As we light this candle, remind us that Your light shines through us, even when things get messy. We trust that You are always with us.”

As you light the candle, talk about how Jesus is the Light of the World and how His light shines in the messiness of life, bringing love and hope. Let this be a reminder that God sees you, loves you, and is using your family to spread that love. Just like Jesus' family was used by God, your family can do great things together with His help!