The first reading is for family with children.
The second reading is from Good News of Great Joy at Desiring God
The Shepherd’s Staff: The Shepherds Come to Jesus
On the night when Jesus was born, there were some shepherds watching their sheep in a field nearby. Suddenly, the sky above them filled with glorious light and an angel appeared! When they saw this, the shepherds were scared. But the angel told them not to be afraid because he had a message of very good news for everyone. He wanted them to know that a Savior was born in the town of Bethlehem. He invited them to go and find the baby, who was wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Then the whole sky filled with brilliant angels singing praises to God and proclaiming peace to his people. When the angels went back to heaven, the shepherds went all the way to Bethlehem in a big hurry to find the baby Jesus! Would you have liked to go and see the baby Jesus? When they found him, they told everyone what the angels said: that Jesus would be a great Savior. They stood and looked at that teeny, tiny baby and they believed that he would save God’s people. Then they returned to their sheep in the field, praising God for sending Jesus to the world.
Dear God, we praise you for sending Jesus into the world, too! Thank you for giving us a Savior who would give us peace with you. Amen.
Bible Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Ephesians 2:12-18
Another Advent Reading Plan is Good News of Great Joy
by John Piper
You can watch an introduction video and/or download the whole book at www.desiringgod.org/books/good-news-of-great-joy
You can also get the daily reading at www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-s-most-successful-setback