Christmas ADVENTure | “Do You See the Promises?” | Convo #1

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!” Luke 1:45 (NIV)

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet…” Matthew 1:22–23

“God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.” Acts 13:23b (NIV)

SEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives!

The story of Christmas is a story of God keeping His promises. Generations before Mary, God declared through the prophets of Israel that a Savior would come. When the angel Gabriel spoke God’s Word to Mary, she recognized the prophecies, saw the promise, and believed the Lord. Mary became an example to us. We can also believe what God has spoken, trust what He has planned, and watch His promises unfold in His perfect timing. Christmas calls us to look again and truly see the promises God kept through His Son, Jesus, and remember that He still keeps His promises today. As we begin our ADVENTure journey, Do You See What I See?, let’s spend some time with the Lord and “Seek Him” about our Scriptures today!

(Along the way, listen to the podcast about this conversation here.)

WHAT: What is God saying through this Scripture?

Luke 1:45 tells us something very important: God fulfills His promises, and our faith believes what He has said even before it happens. Mary believed what God told her through the angel. She also trusted that the ancient promises spoken through the prophets were unfolding right in front of her. The verses in Matthew echo this truth, for Jesus’ arrival wasn’t random; it was the exact fulfillment of what God had declared generations earlier. Acts 13:23b reinforces it again: Jesus is the promised Savior. Jesus is the proof that God finishes what He begins.~ Why is it important that God keeps His promises? What does Jesus’ birth tell you about God’s reliability? How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises strengthen your faith?

WHY: Why does this Scripture matter?

God’s promise didn’t stop with Mary, and it didn’t stop with ancient Israel at Bethlehem. Scripture says that if we belong to Christ, we are heirs of the same promise (Galatians 3:29). The faithfulness God showed to Abraham, Isaiah, David, and Mary is the same faithfulness He shows to us. When we look at Jesus, we see God’s promise fulfilled and extended to us in His Word. Christmas reminds us that God works across generations, across literally thousands of years, carrying His people, keeping His covenant, and finishing what He starts. How wonderful that we are part of this story! Our children and grandchildren and friends can become part of this story, too. God’s promises are our foundation, our hope, and our strength in every season, not just at Christmas. ~ How does knowing you are an heir of God’s promise encourage you? Who in your life needs to be reminded that God keeps His Word? How does this shape the way your family talks about faith and trust?

HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth?

We can respond to God’s fulfilled promises the same way Mary did: with trust, obedience, and a willingness to follow God’s Word even when we don’t yet see how it will unfold. God kept His promise in sending Jesus, and He will keep every promise He has made to us. We can choose to believe and take Him at His Word. This week, let your heart echo Mary’s response: “Be it unto me according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38). ~ What is one promise of God you need to trust more deeply right now? How can your family live this week in a way that reflects trust in God’s promises? What step of faith might God be inviting you to take?

SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others!

Our ADVENTure theme asks us again: Do You See What I See? When we see how faithfully God keeps His promises, we can’t keep it to ourselves; we want others to see Him too. Because God kept His promise in sending Jesus, we can live as people who keep our promises and reflect His character. When we share His kindness, we help others see the promises of Jesus for themselves. So let’s Seek Him, Speak Him with our words and actions!

WEEK 1 ADVENTure Activity: The Secret Promise Gift

Overview:

This week, we’re asking, “Do You See the Promise?” Just as Mary trusted God’s Word before she saw it fulfilled, we can trust that His promises are already at work and quietly unfolding in our lives. This family ADVENTure gives you a chance to live out that truth and bless others in a simple, powerful way.

This first week of ADVENTure includes Saint Nicholas Day on December 6. This is a day that celebrates a man who lived out the spirit of God’s promise through quiet generosity. Nicholas gave gifts in secret so others could see the love of Christ without ever seeing the giver. Nicholas’ faith reminds us that when we give unseen, we mirror the heart of the God who gave His Son in the hiddenness of Bethlehem.

How it works:

This week with your family, give a Secret Promise Gift together. Choose someone God puts on your hearts to bless. As a family, decide on a simple, meaningful gift or act of kindness. Deliver it secretly—no names, no spotlight, just joy.

Spiritual Connection:

Before you give it, say together: “God, thank You for always keeping Your promises. Help us share the hope of Your greatest Promise in Jesus with others.”

Family Reflection:

Later, talk about what it felt like to hold a promise in your hearts and then let it unfold in someone else’s life.

Remind your family: Every time we quietly keep our word, give with faith, or love unseen, we reflect the God who always keeps His promises—just like Saint Nicholas did so long ago.