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Our Redeemer

Children's sermon
Titus 2:11-14
The Nativity of our Lord - B
Object: 
Store or product coupons plus some specially-made coupons that have crosses on them and the word "Jesus." On the side or back the words say, "Redeem this for eternal life." Make these up ahead of time.
Many of you have seen coupons before. Chances are your parents use them. But how do coupons work?

Stores give coupons to help people decide to shop at their stores. People want to shop at these stores because when they have a coupon, they turn it in and either get money off the price of a product or perhaps even get it free.

I brought these store coupons with me because when we take coupons like these to the store and trade them in for products, the word we use for this is "redeem." I give the store the coupon and they give me the product. That's how it works. Now it so happens that the word "redeem" is a word used in our Bible reading today. We even call Jesus our "Redeemer." How many of you have heard Jesus called our "Redeemer"? (Let them respond.)

Jesus is very much like a coupon for God. God gave us this coupon named Jesus. We use him to give us eternal life. Without this coupon we would not celebrate this great night of Christmas. Without Jesus, we would not have God. Jesus is our coupon for the greatest gift any of us could ever have: eternal life!

If God asks us why he should let us into heaven, we just tell God, "Because I have this coupon: Jesus!" Jesus is our Redeemer -- the one who saves us from our sins and death and gives us eternal life.

I brought along some coupons I made up to show us how Jesus is the one who Redeems us. (Give each child a Jesus coupon.)

So, if someone asks you what your favorite gift for Christmas was, you can show them this coupon and say, "Jesus"! Jesus is our very best Christmas gift! Jesus is our coupon for eternal life.

Dear God: Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Amen.
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A time for silent reflection

P: O God, may your love free us,
C: and may your Spirit live in us. Amen.

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(A)
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