Supplies: an ice cube and a small treat for each child

I know that Thanksgiving has just ended. We’re all still eating turkey leftovers and the last bits of pie. But, can anyone tell me how many days are left until Christmas? (Wait for response.) Just 25! Wow! What are you excited about when it comes to Christmas (Wait for responses, such as presents, cookies, Santa, etc.) Oh, no. When I think about it, 25 days seems like a long wait.

It’s hard to wait, isn’t it? Let’s see how good you are at waiting. Can you hold an ice cube in your hand without letting go, no matter how hard it is to wait? Let’s see. (Distribute ice cubes.)

You know, people who lived during the days of Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, had a really long, hard wait. They were living during a time when God’s people, the Hebrews, weren’t doing so well. The Romans had all the power – and they pushed the Hebrews around. And God didn’t rescue them, because they had turned away from Him so many times that He needed to let them learn a lesson. So God stayed pretty quiet for hundreds of years.

Except, well, there were these promises spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah told God’s people that there was hope and that God would save them – in time. Isaiah’s promises helped God’s people to hang in there, because something good was going to happen. Here’s one of those promises. (Show verse.) Let’s read it out loud together.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

Can anyone guess who this child is? What little baby could be called “Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace”? (Wait for response.) Jesus.

Isn’t it funny that Isaiah was around years and years before Jesus, but he doesn’t say that a child “will be born,” but that he “is born”? Jesus wasn’t born yet. How could he say that he was? Isaiah talked about Jesus’ birth like it already happened, because when God makes a promise, it’s a “done deal.” It’s like it already happened.

Are your hands freezing? Wait! We’re almost done. Before we finish, I just want to remind you that you can count on God. All of the promises He makes to us in His Word are a “done deal,” just like the promise of Jesus. And, just like Jesus, they are worth the wait. So, don’t give up. No matter how long or hard the wait, it always pays to trust in God. (Exchange treats for ice cubes.)

Based on Isaiah 9:1-7

Isaiah 9:1-7
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--

[2] The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

[3] You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

[4] For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

[5] Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

[6] For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[7] Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.