Scripture:
“And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;male and female he created them.
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:24-31)
Devotion:
Did you know that the story of Christmas begins on the first page of Genesis? “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” In these first few sentences, we see God created the sun and the moon and the stars. He created the plants and the animals and the fish in the sea. God spoke the whole world into existence, and then, on the sixth day He said, “Let us make man in our image.” “So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
God created humanity to be like Himself, or to “image” Him. One of the most amazing ways we get to do that is by being in relationship with Him. Just as the Father delights in His relationship with the Son and the Spirit, we too get to delight in that community. While God did not need us, Genesis 1 and 2 shows us that He loves us and wants to be with us. God was pleased with His creation. “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” Note, it was only after creating humanity that God was finished with His work and rested.
Throughout the entire Bible you can see story after story of God pursuing a relationship with His people and it all began here “in the beginning.” God wants us to know Him and that is the key to Christmas. As you keep reading this advent season, remember that God’s purpose for us is to bring glory to His name and be in a relationship with Him. God loves the ones He created. He loves us so much that He even came to live with His people in His creation. So just wait until you see what happens next!
Questions:
- What is your favorite aspect of God’s creation? Why is this the case?
- Imagine for a moment what it would be like living in a world free from sin and death. What about this is most appealing to you?
- How can you remind yourself in the coming days that God is the creator of the whole world?
Family Activity:
Today, draw a picture on your ornament showing the world and your favorite part of God’s creation. Talk about what it means to have a relationship with someone and ask your kids how they think they can get to know God better. Pray together with your family or community praising God for being the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing Creator of everything. Thank Him for the relationships He has given you and that He wants to be in a relationship with you Himself!
