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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, teach me to include you in all my planning - Christmas and otherwise! Amen.

Jesus told a crowd, "The end of the world is going to catch you by surprise, just like the flood caught everyone but Noah, who had built his ark. If two people are working or making bread, one will be taken to heaven; the other will be left. So, be ready, because you don't know when the end of the world is coming."

For kids, the time before Christmas is usually exciting. There are parties to go to and gifts to think about (for yourself and other people); every place you go, from churches to shopping malls, is decorated. Adults might find preparing for Christmas stressful, but for a kid, it's all good!

This week's Gospel (Matthew 24:37-44) is about preparing, too - but Jesus talks about preparing for hard times, from a flood to the end of the world.

To make sure you're ready for Christmas, you might make a list of people you'd like to give presents to and a list of presents you'd like to get. Some of those gifts are dreams - you can't give anyone a new car, and you won't get a pony - but you can dream!

In the Gospel story, Jesus wanted to make sure people get ready for hard times as well as good ones. When God warned Noah about a flood, Jesus said, Noah built an ark so he could float away.

When the end of the world comes someday, people shouldn't be taken by surprise by that, either. For one thing, Jesus told us about it in advance; for another thing, He taught us how to get ready. People who try to be good and stay close to God are prepared.

As much fun as it is to plan for Christmas, a lot of that is focused on parties and presents. Jesus wanted everyone to remember God in all their planning, too!

(11/25/10)[[In-content Ad]]

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