Day 3 - The Promise to Noah

God always keeps His promises

Ornament: Rainbow

Scripture Readings: Genesis 6:5-14
Gen 7:15-9:17
Matthew 24:36-39

Verse: Genesis 9:15a "I will remember my covenant."

Christmas Song: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Hymn: This is my Father's World

Jesus Storybook Bible: A New Beginning (38-47)

Big Picture Story Bible: Life Outside the Garden  (51-66)

The Biggest Story: Chapter 2 (29-41)

The Ology: Sin Spreads like a Disease (68-69)

     God keeps His promises. A simply stated truth I often forget. To help me remember, I begin every Bible story time with these words: "Children, the Bible is God's true Word. Every Word of the Bible is true. God always keeps His promises." I love today's reading because God gives us something we can see as a reminder of this truth: the rainbow. Everyone knows what a rainbow is - from the toughest of men to the smallest of children. So what is it that makes the world stop and marvel at God's perfect artistry? Is it the beauty of knowing a storm is almost ended? Is it having to look through the rain to catch a glimpse of it? When we get lost in life and forget God, creation itself cries out to us that God keeps His promises.  Even during something that might seem unlovely (like a world wide flood) God still keeps His promises. Even in the loss of a relationship, a job, a possession, a reputation, or just being overwhelmed by the evil of this world - God keeps His promises. God is always on the move to save His people, and God always keeps His promises.

     From Ark to Advent - how do we connect the dots for our children? Share with them the promise of God - the promise to save His people through Jesus, the Snake Crusher. And just as God gives us the hope of sunshine peeking through the clouds when we see a rainbow, He gives us the living hope of His Son. It is this Son who will one day burst forth in heavenly splendor and be our Forever Light. God, in his grace, continues to paint His splendid bow in the clouds for us to see ... and to remember. Aren't you thankful that creation seems to whisper beautifully and gently after a storm, God keeps His promises? So, when you see a rainbow, whisper to your children, sing in your hearts, and shout to the world that God always keeps His promises. He always has, and He always will. Let this be the battle cry of our hearts and our children's hearts: God always keeps His promises.

     I wanted to share a stanza from one of my favorite hymns:

O Love that Will Not Let Me Go
by George Mattheson

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

Tidings and tidbits:

• Ornament credit to my oldest for his design and coloring skills. It's not always pretty with kids, but at least it's meaningful!
• Here is a fun idea for an ornament Christmas exchange you could plan for next year with a church group or friends. These are much prettier than mine are!
• The Biggest Story hits this day of advent out of the park. Even if you don't read this book to your children, read it for yourself.