What do you know about snow?

In this Family Advent Devotional, Sarah Dixon Young uses the science behind snow to reveal the truths of the Savior born in the city of David. Children will love the snow-themed activities, and the whole family will enjoy stepping back from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season to celebrate Jesus.

This Advent, why not stop and take a closer look at the Savior? He extends an invitation for us to come nearer and to know Him in a personal relationship founded on steadfast love.

Will you let the truths of His advent wash over you, unmake you, and create you anew with a saving knowledge of Him?

This family worship guide was made for the families of Dakota Baptist Church and is available for anyone to use to grow closer to Jesus during the Advent season. Daily reflections include a Scripture to read, a devotional thought, and an activity to do together. Let’s grow closer to Jesus together!

Did you know that snow is frozen water? We often don’t recognize it for what it really is.

When Jesus came to earth, no one recognized Him for who He really was.

-From “Know”

An Excerpt from Know

December 9: Read John 14:4-11

In 1888, a blizzard hit the Great Plains. Only six inches of snow fell during the storm, but the wind was so violent, that many school children got lost trying to get home. The temperatures dropped to forty below, and the storm continued for over twelve hours.

One brave school teacher in Nebraska named Minnie Freeman hoped the thirteen children in her sod schoolhouse would stay warm enough. However, the wind tore off a piece of the roof, and she knew they would need to get to the nearest farm, which was about a mile away. Minnie was only nineteen years old, but she showed great courage as she used a roll of twine from her desk to tie all the students in a line. She tied the end of the twine to her arm, and they set out.  All of them reached the farm in safety, even though more than 230 other people died during the blizzard.

Jesus told his disciples that they knew the way to where He was going, but they weren’t so sure. Thomas said they didn’t even know where He was going! The disciples must have been a lot like those kids in the blizzard. They had to trust their teacher to lead them to safety, just as the disciples had to trust that Jesus was the way to the Father.

Jesus revealed something amazing to His disciples in this passage: He said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus claimed to be God! 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” We need to hold on tightly to Jesus because no one comes to the Father except through Him!

Activity: Choose an adult to be the leader, and instruct everyone else to hold onto a string of twine. Have fun walking through the house and around obstacles while everyone is “attached.” Now, have everyone except for the leader close his or her eyes. Do you trust your leader to keep you safe? Discuss the fact that we can know that Jesus loves us and is the way to the Father.