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Our last verse to memorize comes from Luke chapter 1:46-47. This is part of a song that Mary sings after the angel, Gabriel, visits her and tells her that she is going to have a baby. The verse says, “And Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

We picked this verse because although Mary isn’t sure what it will look like to have a baby who is also the Messiah, she knows that God is trustworthy and she chooses to worship Him. 

Worship is both a way for us to remember and declare who God is as well as a way to praise and bring glory to Him. From deep within, from her soul, Mary rejoices in God. We too should deeply worship and rejoice in God our Savior! 

For today’s challenge, think back over the activities we have done the last few weeks to memorize scripture and pick your top 2 favorites. If you have multiple kids in your family, it’s okay to have multiple choices. Maybe you enjoyed making a song or getting active. Maybe you liked the silly voices or playing the BINGO game. Maybe it was helpful to break it down or count out the words.

Whatever you decide, do one of your favorites today and save the other for tomorrow. As we do this, let’s worship our Savior by memorizing this week's Bible verses.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 

Wouldn’t it be awesome if one day, we just heard a knock on our door and when we answered it Jesus was standing there!? If you could sit down and have a meal with Jesus, what are some questions or topics you would talk about with him? Think of your top 3 questions you would ask.

It is really cool to think about the character of Jesus in this verse. I mean, He’s Jesus, He could easily knock down the door, or just walk in the house without having to ask, but he doesn't. In the same way, He doesn’t force His way in or require our perfection, instead He waits until we allow Him in. 

This is because Jesus is gracious, patient, kind, and available. 

He has made His presence known in many ways. We find Him in the Bible, in our families, at Ripple Effect/Tsunami, with our friends, and even out in nature. We have endless opportunities to be in the presence of Jesus, but we have to invite Him in. 

How can you use this holiday and time off of school to grow closer to Jesus?

What would it look like to intentionally invite Him in?

Message a friend or share with a family member if you have decided to take a step towards trusting God and allowing Him further into your life. We are not created to do life alone and there are lots of people that would love to continue walking with you and you learn to hear His voice.

“O Lord, in this Advent season, we come before You with open hearts.”

Revelation 3:20 (ESV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken time to pause and prepare room in our hearts for Christ's arrival. Like clearing out a guest room for a beloved visitor, we're invited to examine what fills our inner spaces as we pause and prepare . What occupies our thoughts, concerns, and dreams? While we celebrate a historical event—Christ's birth—we're simultaneously embracing a present reality: God desires intimate fellowship with us today. Opening our hearts isn't a one-time event but a daily choice. Sometimes it means vulnerability; other times, it requires removing distractions that compete for our attention. The Lord stands patiently at the door of our hearts, not forcing entry but waiting for our invitation. This Advent season offers us a fresh opportunity to swing wide the doors of our hearts and welcome Him in. 

Consider how Mary responded to the angel's announcement. Her heart was so open that despite the shocking news, she responded with complete surrender: "Let it be to me according to your word." This openness allowed her to become part of God's redemptive story in a way she could never have imagined. Similarly, Joseph's open heart enabled him to overcome his initial doubts and embrace God's unconventional plan. 

Opening our hearts can feel risky. We're trained to be guarded, skeptical, and self-protective. Yet the incarnation story teaches us that God often works through unexpected openness. When we dare to lower our defenses before God, we create space for divine encounters that can transform our lives. This openness isn't just about emotional vulnerability—it extends to every aspect of our being. It means being open to new understanding of Scripture, open to God's guidance in decisions, open to serving others in ways that stretch us, and open to seeing God's presence in unexpected places and people.

During this Advent season, we're invited to examine what barriers we've constructed that might be keeping God at arm's length. Perhaps it's past hurts that we've allowed to create walls of protection. Maybe it's busyness that fills every space so thoroughly that there's no room for quiet contemplation. Or it could be intellectual pride that resists simple trust in God's promises. The beauty of God's approach is that He doesn't demand we tear down all our walls at once. Like the gentle knocking described in Revelation, He patiently waits for us to open whatever door we're ready to unlock. Each small act of opening our hearts creates more space for His presence to dwell. When we cultivate an open heart, we create space for the miracle of Christmas to become real in our lives today.

Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:

Revelation 3:20 (ESV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 

• What areas of your heart have remained closed to God? What would it look like to fully open them to Him this Advent season?