Advent: The Coming of Jesus ChristSample

DEVOTIONAL

Welcome to Day 14 of the Crosstowne Advent calendar! Couples sometimes take a long time sorting through baby names when pregnant. It's one of the many wonders of choosing your child's name as a parent. A person's name is their first impression of themselves to other people. Do you know why your parents gave you your name? Have you ever asked them? Maybe your name runs in the family, or they liked it a lot. Maybe your name has a long history of meaning to your parents. If you're like me, perhaps your parents named you after one of their favorite Star Trek characters! However you got your name, your name is special. Your name is a part of who you are here on earth.

Mary and Joseph didn't have to buy a baby name book because God told them what to call him. Jesus, Immanuel. Immanuel means "God with us". That's exactly who Jesus was! He was God incarnate.

Jesus goes by many names in Scripture, like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. But I bet Mary and Joseph preferred to call Him Jesus.

Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross, we now have a new name that trumps all other names or labels. Beloved Child. We belong to God, and no name is greater than the one we share with Him!

ACTIVITY

Part 1: We may have been called many names throughout our lives. Whether they were nicknames, pet names, or bullying words, those of us who have put our faith in Christ - find our identity in Him, not the labels of man. Words can be hurtful, but they can also heal. Grab your Bibles and write down the following names and labels God gives us in the power of His spirit, and let the truth of His word cover you and do a healing work in your life.

• 1 John 3:1-3; Colossians 3:12-17
• Psalm 46:1-3
• John 10:10
• 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1
• 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 138:3
• 2 Corinthians 5:21;
• Psalm 139:13-14; Ephesians 2:10

Pray, thanking God for your identity found in Jesus our Lord.

Part 2: Christmas Celebrity (group game)

Rules of the game: Cut up small strips of paper, large enough to write a name or character on them. Pass out 5 to 10 strips of paper per player. Each player writes a different name on each strip. The names should be of a Christmas movie character or actor/actress who played a character in a Christmas movie, a person or character that is part of the Biblical Christmas story, or a recording artist or group known for their Christmas record. When a name is written on the strip of paper, fold it and put it in a hat or bowl.

Once all strips of paper are filled, break up into two teams. One team is chosen to go first, and that team selects a player to give clues to the rest of his or her team. Play begins when the clue-giver picks a name out of the pot. From that moment, he or she has one minute to get their team to guess as many names as possible by giving any verbal or physical clues except for part of the name (or all of the name) and before time runs out.

The clue-giver may skip a name, but you can just put it aside. The clue-giver is forced to skip a name if they say part or all of the name on the paper. All skipped names are put back into the pot when the turn ends. All correct answers are tallied and remain out of the pot in a pile.

After the time is up, points are tallied. The next team chooses a clue-giver from their team and plays. Round 1 play continues with each group alternating and with a different clue-giver until all names in the pot are guessed.

Round 2 - Put all names back in the pot. The same rules, except the clue-giver can only say one word.

Round 3 - Put all names back in the pot. The same rules, except no words can be used. The clue-giver must act without making any sound. Silently mouthing the name or part of the name is not allowed.

The group with the most points at the end of Round 3 WINS!