Thank you for joining Keys for Kids Radio's Countdown to Christmas Advent Activity! Read the story below, answer the questions on the cards, and send us a voice message with your answers! Then you could hear yourself on Keys for Kids Radio as we talk through each day's story! Send In Your Answers Christmas Every Day “Visit our store and enjoy Christmas every day of the year!” Anissa read the billboard out loud as she and her family traveled home from a week-long vacation. “Cool! That’s in the town at the next exit, isn’t it? Can we stop at that store?” Dad shrugged. “Why not? It will be a good break for us. Watch for signs so we’ll know where to turn.” They found the store, and everyone smiled when they heard “Jingle Bells” playing over the loudspeaker as they walked in. The store was filled with all kinds of Christmas decorations–ornaments, trees, twinkling lights, and wreaths. In one corner, a woman was handing out fruit punch and decorated Christmas cookies. “All these things are nice,” said Dad, “but while we eat our cookies, let’s go over there and think about the real meaning of Christmas.” He led the way to a manger scene that looked so real, Anissa could almost imagine she was in Bethlehem. As she thought about the events of that night long ago, she imagined Mary putting baby Jesus in a manger, and the angels singing and the shepherds and wise men arriving at the stable to worship Him. “Come on, kids,” said Dad, interrupting Anissa’s daydreams. “Time to be on our way.” Anissa continued thinking about the manger scene as they continued toward home. “I wish we could celebrate Christmas all year long like they do at that store,” she said. “We can,” said Dad. “What is Christmas, Anissa?” “It’s the time when we remember the night Jesus was born,” replied Anissa. “Exactly!” said Dad. “The night God sent His Son to earth as one of us so He could save us from sin. Don’t you think that’s something we should celebrate all year long? “Well, sure,” said Anissa. “We should thank God every day for sending Jesus, shouldn’t we?” She grinned. “So can we put the Christmas tree back up when we get home?” Mom laughed and shook her head. “We’ll save that for next December,” she said. “We can remember the real meaning of Christmas without the tree.” So how about you? Are you thankful every day for God’s amazing gift? He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to take the punishment for your sin so you could have eternal life. There is no better gift than that! Don’t wait until next December to thank God for His great gift—Jesus is the reason to celebrate Christmas all year long! Key Verse 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Key Thought Think of God’s gift all year long. Further Reading Luke 2:1-7