Every Sunday in December, we add another candle to our Advent wreath. By Christmas Day, five bright candles light up the table. So, we open up the children’s Bibles to the nativity and let the kids tell us the Christmas story. Then we reimagine the Advent candles as birthday candles and read Matthew 25:35-39 aloud:
When the Son of Man comes in glory, He will say the sheep on His right, “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Since 2014, it has been our tradition to buy Jesus a birthday present that he would want based on this scripture! So, we open up the Samaritans Purse or Compassion International gift catalog or the Go Near Ministry menu to buy chickens or water or meals or medicine or soccer balls. The kids pick! Of course, after we place the order together, we sing and blow out the candles.
