“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 (NIV)
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” Luke 2:15 (NIV)
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 (NIV)
SEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives!
Our ADVENTure series continues to ask, Do You See What I See? In this conversation, we look through the eyes of the shepherds; ordinary people who suddenly found themselves peering into an extraordinary, sacred mystery. God had long held His plan as a secret thing, but on that night outside Bethlehem, He revealed a glimpse of what He had been preparing since the beginning of time. When the shepherds saw it, they didn’t shrug it off or keep grazing their sheep; they responded with urgency and curiosity, saying, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened.” Mystery didn’t push them away; it pulled them onward. In the same way, God invites us, not to live on the surface of the Christmas story, but to search deeper, think harder, and seek Him with our whole hearts. The greatest mystery of all time deserves our full attention and active pursuit. So let’s “Seek Him” about this now!
(Along the way, take a few moments to listen to the podcast about The Mystery conversation here.)
WHAT: What is God saying through this Scripture?
What began as a secret in the heart of God became a shout of glory in the night sky, and the shepherds were the first to hear it. The shepherds recognized the angels’ messages as from the Lord Himself. The angelic words spoken and sung to them matched ancient prophecies, and when they heard these, they acted upon them. You see, God has always revealed His plan step by step. In Deuteronomy, He reminded His people that some things will remain hidden until the right time. In Luke, the shepherds became the first witnesses of the Christmas mystery unfolding before their eyes. And in Colossians, the full picture is revealed: the mystery was always about Jesus, who came not only to dwell among us but to dwell within us. God reveals truth in His timing and way, and the Christmas story is the moment when what had been hidden through the ages was finally unveiled. ~ What do you notice about how God reveals His through his words, and in history? How do the shepherds help you understand what God was doing at Christmas? Why do you think God reveals some things slowly over time? If you had been one of the shepherds, what would have surprised you the most?
WHY: Why does this Scripture matter?
These Scriptures reveal the heart of God’s plan: He wants us to know Him. He doesn’t just reveal mysteries for the sake of surprise or “wow” factor. He reveals them so we will find hope, purpose, and life in Him. The mystery proclaimed in the heavens on that first Christmas was meant to reach us, transform us, and bring God’s hope into our lives as well. When we see that the mystery leads to Jesus, we see that our lives are part of God’s unfolding story, grounded in the hope only Christ can give. The shepherds teach us what to do when God reveals truth: We move. We go. We seek. We see. God’s revelation should be followed up with our response. God didn’t show the shepherds the angels just so they could say, “Wow, that’s amazing!” He got their attention so they would go to Bethlehem, find Jesus, and then become witnesses to others of what they had seen. Let’s do the same when He reveals truth to us. ~ Why does it matter to you that God wants to be known, not hidden? How does it affect you to realize that God’s mystery leads to hope? What does it mean to you that Jesus is the center of God’s plan? Where have you seen God’s mystery bring hope into your own life?
HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth?
Deuteronomy 29:29 ends with a purpose statement: “…that we may follow all the words of this law.” In other words, God reveals SO we will follow. God shows SO we will respond. God opens mystery SO we will walk toward Him. The shepherds didn’t wait, debate or delay. They said, “Let’s go and see,” and they moved their lives toward what God had revealed. This week, we follow their example. When God shows us His truth, we keep searching it out, leaning into His Word, and following where He leads. ~ Where is God inviting you to “go and see” something He’s revealing? What helps you keep following God when you don’t understand everything? How can your family keep seeking God together this Christmas? Is “Christ in you”? If so, how does “Christ in you” give you hope today?
SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others!
When the shepherds found Jesus, they didn’t keep the revealed mystery to themselves. They are an amazing example of our motto, “Seek Him, Speak Him.” Scripture says, “When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told to them about this child.” (Luke 2:17). They didn’t wait for professional training or complete clarity or perfect timing; they simply shared what they had seen. This is the perfect example for discipleship with Family Disciple Me. We don’t wait until we are spiritual experts to share with others what God has entrusted to us. Once the mystery of Jesus becomes revealed to us, and we experience what God has done in our own lives, we carry that truth to others. We tell our kids. We tell our friends. We tell our families. We let our lives point others toward the One we’ve found, just like the shepherds did.
WEEK 3 ADVENTure Activity: Mystery Manger Hunt
Overview:
This week’s Mystery Manger Hunt becomes a playful and powerful way to help your family understand that God’s ways sometimes feel mysterious, but His truth is always good, and His plan is always worth talking about. His plan is also deeper than we imagine. He reveals what He chooses, when He chooses, and He invites us to slow down, look closer, and discover the mystery of His salvation unfolding in Jesus.
Out of all the ADVENTure activities, this one is intentionally more involved — because mysteries themselves are involved. They require patience, curiosity, and attention. In the middle of a busy December, this experience helps your family slow down enough to notice what God reveals.
How it works:
You’ll set up a simple “mystery path” using clues, Scripture passages, and small objects that move your family step-by-step toward the final discovery: the manger. As you plan this ADVENTure Activity and follow the clues to discover more of God’s story, remember the shepherds: They saw the mystery, and they spread the word. Let’s do the same.
Step 1 — The Hidden Things (Deuteronomy 29:29)
Clue Idea: Something is covered or wrapped — a cloth, a box, or a hidden envelope.
Connection: God has hidden things known only to Him. The story of Jesus was partially hidden… until the right time.
Step 2 — New Things Revealed (Isaiah 48:6–7)
Clue Idea: Reveal something brand new — a folded paper that “appears,” a message written in invisible ink, or a sealed envelope opened only now.
Connection: God reveals things “newly created and not known before.” The birth of Jesus is God revealing what humanity had never seen.
Step 3 — A Prophecy Piece
Clue Idea: A Scripture from the Old Testament about the Messiah (Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, etc.) taped somewhere your family must search.
Connection: Mystery deepens: God leaves clues all throughout Scripture.
Step 4 — A Journey Piece
Clue Idea: A small “path,” footprint cutouts, a star, or a compass leading to the next clue.
Connection: The wise men followed a star; mysteries often require following a trail.
Step 5 — A “Look Closer” Moment
Clue Idea: A magnifying glass next to a tiny reference or hidden code (e.g., “Luke 2:11”).
Connection: Mysteries make us examine things carefully — just as God invites us to examine His Word.
Step 6 — A Reveal Through Light
Clue Idea: A clue that only appears under a flashlight or candlelight.
Connection: Jesus is the light who reveals what we could never see on our own.
Step 7 — The Near-Final Discovery
Clue Idea: A piece of straw, a small lamb, or a small wooden box.
Connection: Your family is getting close. The mystery is almost unveiled.
Step 8 — The Final Revelation: The Manger
Clue Idea: End at the nativity or a manger your family sets up together.
Connection: God’s greatest mystery — Christ in you, the hope of glory — is revealed in the simplest place.
Up Next:
Our final pre-Christmas Conversation in this ADVENTure Collection is about JOY – – – take a few moments along the way, and be sure to start the ADVENTure activity at the beginning of the week!
