Big Idea:

Jesus' birth is the start of God's greatest rescue plan.

Read Together

Matthew 1:1– "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ."

Matthew 1:21– "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

The Story

The Old Testament began with: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

The New Testament begins with another beginning: "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ." It's like a new Genesis!

Jesus didn't just drop out of the sky. He had a family tree—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and many more. His family had heroes, but also people with messy stories like Tamar, Ruth, and Bathsheba.

And yet God chose this family to bring Jesus into the world. An angel told Joseph: "Don't be afraid. Mary will have a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Advent Connection

Christmas is a brand-new beginning. Jesus came to save us from our sins and to bring God's plan to life. Just like Genesis was the beginning of creation, the birth of Jesus is the beginning of new creation.

Talk About It

• Why is Jesus' family tree important? • What does Jesus' name mean? • How is Christmas like a new beginning?

Activity

Family Tree Ornament

• Draw a simple tree on paper. • Add your family members' names on the branches. • At the top, write: "Jesus—our Savior." • Remember: Jesus came into a real family, and He saves our family too.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to give us a new beginning. Thank You that His name means "the Lord saves." Help us to trust Him this Christmas. Amen.

Family Challenge

At dinner, go around the table and let each person say: "Jesus came to save me."