Scooter is tired of getting no respect from his friends so he decides to win a go-kart competition—no matter what it takes. See if Scooter’s plan will work on this week’s Kids Corner.

Have you ever been tempted to cheat? To bend the rules just a little? Then you should meet Jacob.

Jacob and Esau were twins, but Esau was born first. Before the boys were born, the LORD told their mother, Rebekah, that he had an amazing plan for Jacob’s life. Now there were very specific rules for families to follow at the time Jacob lived.  Jacob knew the rules, and he knew that because Esau was technically the older brother, the rules favored Esau….and Jacob didn’t like that at all. Jacob knew two things: God said he had a special plan for Jacob and the rules gave Esau most of the power. Which was more important to Jacob?

When Jacob’s father decided to give his blessing (and inheritance) to his oldest son, Esau, Jacob and his mother decided that playing by the rules would not work. So they tricked Jacob’s father into giving Jacob the blessing that was meant for Esau. Jacob cheated, but he now had his father’s blessing—he won!

Or did he? Jacob broke his own father’s heart by lying to him. Esau was so furious he vowed to kill Jacob, so Jacob was forced to run for his life. Jacob would spend the next twenty years living in a foreign land.  Jacob’s cheating destroyed his family.

But what about God’s original promise? God never needs to use cheating to make his promises come true. God used Jacob’s separation from his family to get Jacob’s attention. Jacob had a lot of growing up to do during those long years before he was ready to let God take control. God worked in Jacob’s life and through him created the nation of Israel in which God’s own son would be born.

What about you? The next time you are tempted to cheat, remember Jacob. The next time you are tempted to think that following rules won’t help, remember Jacob. His cheating cost him his family. It’s not worth it!

Cheating. We are all tempted to cheat at one time or another. We may want to get an answer for a test, or lie about our tax deductions, or win a contest. We want to win at something, anything. And what will we win? A “victor’s crown” in one form or another.

We can tell stories of many people in public life who cheat. Sometimes it seems that their cheating is worth it. But there is a Judge who is not fooled by cheaters. God may let us get away with our cheating for a while, but eventually we will be accountable. The Bible tells us that God disciplines us for our good (Psalm 94: 12, Hebrews 12: 6, 10).
Holding us accountable is actually an act of love.

When we cheat, we are not following the rules. And when we don’t follow the rules, we may win but the crown we receive is quickly tarnished.

Someone has been messing with Liz’s stuff, so Liz really wants to get revenge. Help Liz figure out what to do on this week’s Kids Corner.

Forgiving other people is really hard to do. Have you ever wondered just how often we need to forgive? Once Peter asked Jesus, "How many times should I forgive someone who sins against me? Is seven times enough?" Jesus answered Peter's question with this story:

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who decided to collect all the money that his servants owed to him. One servant owed this king millions of dollars, but he couldn't repay the debt. The king said, "If you cannot pay the money you owe to me, then your whole family will be sold as slaves."

The man begged the king for more time. The king felt sorry for the man, so he said, "All right. You don't have to pay me back any thing. I will forgive the millions of dollars that you owe to me. Go take care of your family."

Rejoicing, the man left the king's palace to tell his family the wonderful news. On the way home, the man saw another servant who owed him a few dollars. What did the man do? He grabbed this other servant and demanded the few dollars. When the servant asked for more time, he refused. What a lousy thing to do when his million-dollar debt had just been forgiven! Several other servants saw what happened, and they told the king. The king was very angry and threw the ungrateful servant into jail.

Jesus wanted Peter (and us) to know that God is our king who is willing to forgive all of our sins-every single one. But, if we are not willing to forgive others, we are like the ungrateful servant going after a few dollars. As thanks for our forgiveness, we need to pass on the gift of forgiveness to others. Forgiving others is Jesus' way. It's the only way.

Do you have a list that you keep—a list of people who have wronged you, or misunderstood you, or failed you in some way? Is that list long or short? How old are the items on that list? How does that list affect your relationship with God? With others? This list can keep you from making new friends, or from deepening your relationships with old friends. It can even become a barrier in your relationship with God. Every human being is going to fail you at some point and unless you forgive this, you will become closed off to even the people you love.

God sacrificed His own Son so that you can live in relationship with Him. What are you willing to sacrifice to live in open meaningful relationships with God and with others? Are you willing to sacrifice your right to be right? Are you willing to admit your own need for forgiveness and then, having received God's forgiveness, give it to others?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands us to forgive and even says the forgiveness He extends to us depends somehow on how forgiving we are to others. Lay your hurt, disappointment, injury at the cross and experience the freedom of forgiveness, not only from your own sin, but also from the sins others have committed against you.

Families especially need to learn and live forgiveness. Forgiveness needs to be practiced and verbalized daily so that children learn how to ask for and to give forgiveness. When we teach our children to add "Please forgive me" to "I'm sorry," and to say "I forgive you" instead of "That's okay," they will learn to be the forgivers Jesus wants them to be.

Liz, Spike, and Morrie don't want to look like fools to their classmates so they give in to Skink's challenge-and end up having a close call with a train on abridge over a river.

Have you ever been dared to do something dangerous?  Or something hurtful?  If you’ve ever had to stand up to negative peer pressure, then you should meet Daniel.

When he was a young man in a foreign country, Daniel was chosen to serve in the king’s palace.  Everyone was given good food to eat, but Daniel had a problem:  the food came from animals that had been sacrificed to foreign gods.  Daniel faced pressure—how could he possibly say “no” to the food the king wanted him to eat.  Daniel politely asked the person in charge for some different food.  The Bible says “God caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel” so he let Daniel eat different food.

Another time, some of Daniel’s friends faced pressure to bow down before the king or get burned alive in a fiery furnace.  They politely said that they could only bow before God—no matter what.  They got tossed into the furnace, but God sent an angel so they didn’t get burned.

Yet another time, a wicked king was frightened when some words appeared on a wall.  The queen called for Daniel to interpret the words (which said the king was wicked and would be punished that very night).  Can you imagine telling a wicked king that he’s about to get punished?  But Daniel politely told the king exactly what the words said.

That king died that night, but the next king liked Daniel.  Unfortunately, other officials were jealous of Daniel and tricked the new king into making a law that everyone could only pray to the king or get thrown into a den of starving lions.  Daniel, knowing about the lions, continued to pray in his room.  When he was tossed into the pit, an angel came and shut the lions’ mouths to protect him.

Wow!  Daniel faced a lot of pressure throughout his entire life to turn away from God, but he never gave in.  How did he do it?  By praying to God each day, by asking for God’s help, by trusting in God no matter what!  God protected Daniel each time he was tempted to give in—God promises to do the same for you!  Don’t give in; stand politely for God just like Daniel!

For kids the pressure to fit in, to be like everyone else, to be popular, is powerful. I like the Phillips translation of our memory verse because the pressures of being popular, or smart, or athletic, or whatever the group has declared is cool can get so great that they squeeze us into a shape that is acceptable to others, even if it is not who we really are, or who God wants us to be.

Peer pressure should be a regular topic when you talk with your children. Take time to talk with your kids about what kind of pressures they feel at school or with their friends. Ask them what the kids at school think is cool? Do they ever feel like they have to do something in order to be popular, and what would that be? Give them the tools to stand up against peer pressure—unconditional love, a strong sense of identity as a child of God, wisdom to know when they are being pressured and why. And, pray with them and for them for God's wisdom and the power of the Spirit to withstand the pressure and to be God’s person. Make Romans 12:2 one of your prayers for your children: Father, don't let the world around them squeeze them into its own mold, but re-mold their minds from within, so that they may prove in practice that your plan for them is good, meets all your demands and moves them towards the goal of true maturity.

Liz has a major problem. Should he cheat to get the “A” he wants so much? Help Liz decide on this week’s Kids Corner.

Have you ever wanted something so badly, you couldn’t stand it?  Have you ever thought about cheating to get what you want?  Then you should meet Rebekah.

Rebekah was going to have twins.  The Lord told her that the first baby born would serve the second baby.  Very strange news to hear because in Rebekah’s day, the oldest child was always the most important.  The twins—Esau and Jacob—grew up.  Rebekah loved Jacob more while her husband Isaac loved Esau.

Rebekah knew what God had told her about Jacob, but she also knew that Isaac would want to give Esau his blessing and the better inheritance.  She wanted sooooo badly for Jacob to get his father’s blessing that she was willing to do anything.  Even cheat.  Rebekah made Jacob pretend to be Esau and trick his blind father into giving him Esau’s blessing and inheritance.  She cheated her own husband and her own son.

Rebekah got what she wanted.  But, because of her cheating, her family fell apart.  Esau was so furious with his brother that he wanted to kill him.  Jacob was so afraid that he left his family and did not return for many years.  Rebekah won the blessing but lost both her sons.   Was it worth it? 

The strange part of Rebekah’s story is that she knew that God had promised her exactly what she wanted for Jacob.  All she had to do was to wait for God.  But she didn’t wait.  She cheated and ended up destroying her whole family.

What about you?  When you begin to want something so badly that you are tempted to cheat, what should you do?  Tell God.  Tell him what you want. Tell him how you are thinking about cheating to get it.  Ask him for help.  God wants us to tell him what we need and what we want.  God doesn’t want us to cheat because cheating hurts people.  Just ask Rebekah.

It’s been another bad year for politicians in the state where I live. Out of 8 past governors, the 4th was found guilty and sentenced to jail. Why? Because of cheating and then lying about it. But lying and cheating are not limited to politicians. The tendency to lie and cheat is a part of the human condition (116: 11. There are so many ways to lie and cheat. We lie when we misrepresent ourselves to others. We cheat when we pay less tax than we should. We lie to cover up wrongdoing. 

Teaching our children the difference between the truth and lies, between cheating and honesty is an important component for faith formation. We honor God when we tell the truth. God honors those who tell the truth and deal honestly with each other.

Lucille islooking for an idea for her next article for the Terrene Gazette.

Other than all being in the Bible, what do the following people have in common? Miriam, David, Mary, and Jesus?

Give up? They all thanked God. Their thankful words are recorded in the Bible for us to read.

After God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, the Egyptian soldiers chased the Israelites to the Red Sea. God parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could safely cross, but then he sent the waves crashing in on the soldiers. Miriam sang this song of gratitude with the Israelites: "Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted. The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea"
(Ex. 15: 21).

David had been obeying God all his life, but he had only recently become king when God promised to bless David. David responded, "Lord and King, who am I?...You have done a wonderful thing...Lord and King, how great you are! There isn't anyone like you. There isn't any God but you" (II Samuel 7: 18, 22).

An angel told Mary that God had chosen her to be the mother of the Messiah. How did Mary react? She said, "My soul gives glory to the Lord. My spirit delights in God my Savior. He has taken note of me even though I am not important" (Luke 1: 46-47).

Jesus was God's Son. Jesus was always grateful to God for everything. When Jesus had only some loaves of bread and several small fishes to feed 5,000 people, he took the food and thanked God for it
(Luke 9:16). At the last supper with His disciples, Jesus took the cup and bread, and He gave thanks for them (Luke 22: 17,19).

What about you? I Thessalonians 5:18 says "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Part of having an attitude of gratitude is to thank God daily. Try writing some sentences of thanks to our Lord!

Thank you, Lord, for ___________________________________________!

Thank you, Lord, for ___________________________________________!

Thank you, Lord, for ___________________________________________!

A television commercial shows Dad coming home with bags of fast food-something different for each child. But when he distributes them, each child has a complaint about what they've received. We and our children are immersed in a culture of consumerism and entitlement. We want what we want when we want it, and what's more, we deserve it. Gratitude is not a part of the equation. But are we happy?

But we want more for them than just have a grateful attitude. We want them to know to whom to we say, "Thank you?" Without God, we say " thank you" to a vague persona with whom we have no personal relationship.

Someone once observed that he never met a grateful person who was unhappy. Teaching our children to be grateful is an important component for a happy life. (Be sure to read this week's devotion on Gratitude.)

What exactly does the command to “Be Content” mean? Join Liz and his friends as they present two plays on how to be content on this week’s Kids Corner.

When do you feel content? What makes you feel content? If you have ever struggled with not feeling content, then you should meet Saul.

Saul had everything going for him. He was born in Tarsus, an important city with lots of business, education, and travel possibilities. Saul was also a Roman citizen by birth so he was entitled to many privileges throughout the Roman Empire. Yet, that wasn’t enough.

Saul grew up in Jerusalem and was by birth also Jewish. As he grew up, he studied Jewish law under the most important rabbi (or teacher) of his day. Saul knew how to be Jewish better than anyone. Even that wasn’t enough. Saul wanted something more—he just didn’t know what.

After Jesus died, rose, and returned to heaven, his believers went throughout Jerusalem telling people about Jesus. One of these believers, Stephen, was arrested and condemned to die. The Bible says Saul was there, holding everyone’s coats, as Jewish men threw rocks at Stephen until he died. Finally, Saul thought he found something that would satisfy him—hunting down Christians.

Saul arrested every Christian he could find in Jerusalem. Then he decided to travel to other cities to hunt for more Christians. He was on his way to the city of Damascus when…….he met Jesus!

Saul was never the same after meeting Jesus on that dusty road. For the rest of his life, Saul was content. Whether he was at home or far away…..walking or traveling on a ship…..living on an island after being shipwrecked…..beaten and whipped…..with believers or people who hated him….in prison or in a living room….Saul was always content with Jesus in his heart.

What about you? Loving Jesus brings contentment….joy…..peace…..love! If you want to be content, invite Jesus into your heart and your life today. You’ll never regret it! Just ask Saul!

What does it mean to be content? Does it mean that we don’t try to get an education, or a better job? No, that’s not it. To be content means to have an inner peace that no matter what our circumstances are, we trust that God is in them, will work through them, and will provide for all our needs. The secret to contentment is the strength God gives us through Christ to accept, to trust, to rest. We don’t generate contentment on our own. God works it in us by his Spirit. The key to contentment is gratitude. When we are tempted to be unhappy with what we have, or with what we don’t have, making a list of all the things that we do have, and thanking God for them, can do wonders for our state of mind and heart.

Now how does that translate to the world of children? Children face the same temptation to be discontent as adults—their friends or classmates have bigger houses, more exciting vacations, the latest toys, a room of their own, nicer clothes, more friends, better grades. Let’s face it there will always be someone who has more than you do. It’s never too early to teach the habit of gratitude. For discontent, it’s the most effective antidote.

Have you ever wondered what Mary thought about the very first Christmas? Was she scared? Excited? Happy? Listen to Mary’s Miracle on this week’s Kids Corner.

Imagine that every time you sin, an ugly dark X is marked on your heart. Every time you lie, you are mean to someone, or you say hurtful words, another X is written on your heart. Every time you don’t help, you are selfish, or you think mean thoughts, another X is added. Every day, X X X X X X. You can’t even see your heart because it is covered completely with all the nasty things that you think, say, and do.

God looked at your heart and saw each and every X, each and every sin. God cried. Then God decided to do something radical; he decided to send his very own Son into our world to deal with those Xs..

Jesus’ heart was perfect, clean, and beautiful. He chose to give his heart and his life to destroy all of the Xs that have dirtied your heart. Jesus was born as a baby. Jesus died on a cross. He rose from the dead three days later. Now, when God looks at your heart, he smiles. God takes every single X--every lie, mean word, and unkind action--and flings it far, far away. God looks at your heart again and sees your heart as being as perfect, clean, and beautiful as Jesus himself.

Christmas is more than decorations, presents, and candy. Christmas is the coming of God’s great gift of a clean and pure heart through Christ Jesus. Christmas is hearing the angels’ message: Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord! Christmas is singing with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and joy to all God’s children, whom he loves.” Merry Christmas!

This retelling of the Christmas story is a beautiful way to bring the story alive. Mary and Joseph were real people, with misgivings and doubts as well as faith when they were called to be the earthly parents of God’s son. We hope you and your family will enjoy this and that it will enrich your Christmas celebration.

What if you had been there the night Jesus was born? Join Liz on the road to Bethlehem on this week’s Kids Corner.

What if you were there…..in Bethlehem….on the very night that Jesus was born!  Imagine that you live in Bethlehem.  It’s crowded with people arriving for the Roman census.  The streets are filled with tired, dirty travelers.  Your own home is probably filled with relatives staying with your family.  Finally, at night, it’s quiet and you fall asleep, until…

The shouts of shepherds awake you!  You look out the door with your father and see a group of scraggly looking shepherds running down the street.  Your father calls to them, “What are you doing?”  One shepherd breathlessly runs over and begins to talk.

“We were out with the sheep when an angel suddenly appeared out of nowhere.  The sky filled with light—it was terrifying!  Then the angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for everyone.  Today in Bethlehem, the Savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord!  You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’  Then hundreds of angels began to sing:  Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.  Then the angels and the light disappeared.  We knew we had to come to Bethlehem to see what the Lord’s angels told us about.  We are searching for the new king!  Come with us!” 

Your father takes your hand, and you run after the shepherds.  You don’t stop until you reach it---the cave.  You quietly move forward until you see.  A young man and woman sit by a manger.  In the manger…..is the baby.  The newborn king.  Christ the Lord! You kneel down to worship the king. 

You weren’t there on that night, you live 2000 years later.  So how can you make that night special?  Sing.  Pray.  Read Luke 2 and Matthew 1 and Isaiah 9.  Wonder what it would have been like on that night.  Bow down to worship the risen king—Christ the Lord!

In this episode Liz and his friends experience Christmas Eve as visitors to the Bethlehem of Jesus’ time. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be present in that town on that night? Placing ourselves into the story can give us new insight into this event. We can feel the emotion of Joseph who was desperately looking for a place for his wife to rest and to give birth to the baby she carried. We can imagine how Mary felt, without her mother and other family support, facing labor and delivery in a cave where animals were kept. We can feel the terror that the shepherds must have felt when they saw the sky open and heard the angel announcement and the angel choir singing praise to God. 

Think about what the residents of heaven felt when this plan of God was initiated. All the years of hints and promises were now becoming a reality. I imagine that they were excited to see Jesus begin his life work and a little fearful too, knowing that their well-loved friend and leader was risking his all for his Father and for humankind.

The warning that Liz got several times in this episode was not to let his busyness and preoccupation with his play cause him to miss Christmas. That is a good warning for all of us. Don’t miss Christmas—take time to immerse yourselves in the story and get caught up in the wonder of it all. Be sure to make worship a can’t miss event in your Christmas celebrations. Children need to learn the true meaning of Christmas and they learn it from you. What will you do to make your family Christmas Christ-centered?

What’s the true meaning of Christmas? Help Liz figure out how to celebrate the birth of our Savior on this week’s Kids Corner.

Everybody seems to love decorating for Christmas. How do you decorate your house? How many different Christmas decorations can you name? Why do we decorate?

Some people say that Martin Luther was the first to cut down a tree and bring it into his house for Christmas. Evergreens, both trees and wreaths, do not die during the winter. They symbolize the eternal life Jesus gives us. The star on the top of the tree is for the original star over Bethlehem. Before Christmas lights were invented, people used candles in their houses and on Christmas trees to show how Jesus is the light of our world. Ornaments got started when German people wrapped apples in colored paper and hung them on their Christmas trees. Other things hung on Christmas trees have included fruits, cookies, candies, strings of popcorn and cranberries, flowers, and paper. The shape of a candy cane is supposed to remind us of the shepherds’ staff.

Advent wreaths, candles, and calendars are all used to help us prepare for the coming of the Messiah. Poinsettia plants came from Mexico; legend says that a poor boy had no gift to bring on Christmas. He prayed and a beautiful poinsettia plant grew next to him. Straw and nativity sets are used to remind us of where Jesus was born.

Bells have been used, even before Jesus was born, to announce both happy and sad news to everyone. Sending Christmas cards started in England in the 1800s. Most countries have some version of St. Nicholas who brings gifts to children.

People enjoy decorating for Christmas to celebrate the coming of the Messiah. As you decorate your house, along with Christians throughout the world, don’t forget that it’s Jesus’ birthday you are celebrating. Put Jesus at the center of all your Christmas decorations.

When it comes time to give to people in need, what do you give? Do you go through your closets and toy chests looking for things that you don’t use anymore? Would you give someone your new coat and wear your old, out-of-date jacket another year? Would you give something new, something you received for Christmas?

For children, Christmas seems to be more about getting than giving. What can you do to teach them about giving instead? One thing would be to have them go through their toy collections and sort out the things that they don’t play with anymore. These things could be cleaned up and donated to a local shelter for homeless or needy families. Another would be to have them choose one Christmas gift that they receive and to give that away. Other possibilities for family giving projects are: Going to the local nursing home to sing Christmas carols and visit with the residents. Bake cookies and bring them to your neighbors. The Kids Corner advent calendar has several ideas for Christmas giving. Other options are to participate in Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree project www.angeltree.org or Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child www.samaritanspurse.org. Whatever it is, make giving a part of your Christmas tradition.

Are we really supposed to help everyone? Even if they are not Christians? Check out who deserves our help on this week’s Kids Corner.

Imagine you were there when the star was first sighted. You watch as the wise men, the magi, notice something new. “Look at this bright new star,” they exclaim, “it must mean something important. A king? Yes, a king has been born.”

A king? You wonder about a king who has his very own star. You listen again, for the magi are making plans. “We will go to worship this new king. Gifts—we must bring gifts.” You are told to gather gold, incense, and myrrh to present to the newborn king.

You travel many miles, many days. You feel exhausted, but each night the star appears and your strength returns. Finally, you arrive in Jerusalem, dusty and tired. No one in Jerusalem has heard of the newborn king. How strange. How could they not know that the star for this king has appeared in the sky? You watch as King Herod shouts for his priests and teachers. They scurry around and finally announce that the star must be for someone born in the town of Bethlehem. Herod sends you on your way with the royal command “Go! Make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, bring me a report. Then I can go and worship him too.”

Finally, finally, you arrive. There he is—the newborn king! You kneel before him and give to him the gifts you have brought with you. You are sure that he is looking right at you…..

You didn’t travel with the wise men. You live 2000 years after Jesus was born. You know Jesus is the Light of the world. What do you have to offer a newborn king? I Peter 2:9 says to “declare the praises of him (God) who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Be a like the magi; worship Jesus today.

To whom do you give presents at Christmas? The people you love, right? And, maybe more than that, the people who love you back. It's not easy being nice to people who don't like you, or who have hurt you. It would be even harder to give them a present. But that is exactly what God does for us. He gives us the gift of salvation through his Son Jesus Christ even though we are not his friends, even though we sin against him.

How do we respond to such a gift? Perhaps the words of this Christmas carol say it best:

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what can I give him: give him my heart.
("In the Bleak Midwinter" - Christina Rosetti.)