This weekend we continued teaching the kids that God is a great big God, that He loves us with a great big love, and we are part of God’s great big world. We taught the children the biblical account of how Mary shared the good news about Jesus with her cousin Elizabeth. We also taught the children different ways that they can share the good news of Jesus with others. When we hear good news, we want to share it with everyone we know. Everyone wants to hear good news and an exchange of good news is what takes place in this week’s lesson. After hearing Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus, Mary shares this message with her cousin Elizabeth. Even though Mary did not fully understand Gabriel’s pronouncement, she knew how important it was. So she received it and went to a close relative to share the news.

Through the children’s involvement with this weekend’s lesson, they learned to share the good news of Jesus with family and friends. When we think about the good news, like Mary, we do not fully understand all that Gabriel said to Mary. To gain a better understanding, we carefully study this passage in Luke and analyze, scrutinize, and theologize it. Yet all our theorizing only takes us back to Mary’s decision to receive and accept Gabriel’s message, even without complete understanding.

This week as you interact with your children, think about any good news that you have heard within the last month about yourself, family, friends, or even someone you do not know. Take a moment to thank God for this good news. Consider prayer requests in which you are awaiting good news or a positive report. Offer a prayer for those concerns, knowing that God is a great big God and God cares about you and your loved ones. As you share with your children, remember that you are bringing good news to the children. You are providing big truths to the children news they can use forever!

“To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord”. Luke 2:11