Today we learned about the High Priest on our Journey to the Manger.

Israel’s High Priest served to show the people the way to God. He gave them God’s instructions on how to live. The High Priest acted as a mediator between God and man, offering sacrifices of atonement to cover the Israelites’ sins. God created this sacrificial system to prepare the people for the perfect sacrifice: His own Son.

Jesus came to be our High Priest and King. He stepped down to connect us back to God. He shed His blood to pay for our sins, and now sits at the right hand of the Father ever making intercession for us.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens–Jesus the Son of God–let us hold fast to the confession.

– Hebrews 4:14

We woke up Jackson and Lauren early this morning for a special treat. To kick-start our Journey to the Manger today, we hid clues throughout the house for a Christmas Treasure Hunt. The kids (and their teddy bears) excitedly ran in their pajamas from clue to clue, following the instructions to find the treasure. Just as the High Priest gave instructions to help the people connect with God, the kids had to follow each step to reach their treasure. Tucked inside their stockings at the end of the hunt were Hershey bars and special take-along cards to remind them of God’s love and presence.

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Jesus is our way to God. He is THE way, THE truth and THE life. He came to personally show us what God expects and how we can live to honor Him. He fulfilled every role of the High Priest, and His complete sacrifice paid for all our sins once and for all!

Click here to learn more about celebrating Advent with your family this Christmas, including access to a Scripture plan, free downloads and activity ideas. For more on Journey to the Manger, an advent experience from Focus on the Family, visit the Thriving Family website.