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Wrap your wedding ring in gift wrap. Then put a Christmas bow on a large empty box. Put both packages in different corners of the room. Tell your kids that you'd like to show them one of the best gifts you've ever received, and ask them to "open the present." After they open the empty box, show them the smaller package. Explain that appearances don't always tell the complete story.

As the prophet Samuel was looking for the future king of Israel, he was impressed with one individual. But God told him not to be impressed by outward appearance because God looks at the heart. Centuries later, God once again showed that appearance was unimportant when the long-awaited Savior came as an ordinary-looking man.

For more, visit www.thrivingfamily.com/advent