On this day in 1907, for the first time a ball dropped at Times Square to signal the new year.

This is the last day of the year—New Year’s Eve. Are you going to a party? Do you plan to stay up late to watch the ball drop and ring in a new year?

We celebrate this night because we made it through another fifty-two weeks. It’s the end! But it’s also the beginning. So we think of starting fresh and we make resolutions.

It’s good to look ahead and set goals for the next 12[TMD2] months. But this day also provides a great opportunity to look in the rearview mirror, to see where we’ve come from. We need to know where we’ve been before deciding on where to go.

The Bible tells of the people of God reflecting on all that God had done for them in the past. Deuteronomy 32:7 says: “Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.” Remembering God’s great works would give the people hope for the future. And they would keep in mind the lessons learned back then. Past experiences would help guide their future actions.

We can also learn from what others went through. That truth is emphasized in the verse for today in which Paul explains the importance of reading the Bible. Then he says: “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

So take a few minutes to reflect on this past year. What victories and defeats did you experience? What lessons did you learn from those events? In what ways did you see God work in your life and in your family?

Then thank God for being with you each step of the journey.

All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close (1 Corinthians 10:11).

To Do

Ask each family member what he or she considers to be the highlight of the past year. Also ask what lessons were learned from those experiences.

Also on this day

This is Make Up Your Mind Day.

This is also Unlucky Day.

1999—Sarah Knauss died at the age of 119 years. Born on September 24, 1880, she was the world’s oldest person.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1809, wearing masks at balls was forbidden in Boston.

Yesterday it was a woman wearing pants in public, and today it’s wearing masks at balls. What’s the deal with Boston and weird laws?

Wearing masks is popular at Halloween, Mardi Gras, and costume parties. Hiding behind a mask and pretending to be someone else or just clowning around can be fun. You could wear a mask and pretend to be George Bush, Mickey Mouse, Little Orphan Annie, a gorilla, Spiderman, Oprah, Hillary Duff, Aslan, LeBron James, or some other person or character.

People wear masks in other ways, even without putting anything over their faces. They pretend to be a different kind of person by acting a certain way or by trying to look the part. They might try being funny or tough or cool because they want to be friends with a certain group. Some people just don’t like the way they are; they want to be more outgoing or better looking. Others are trying hard to be popular. That’s why some intelligent kids pretend to be dumb. Have you ever known anyone who did that?

Maybe you’ve worn a mask. Probably you discovered that we may fool ourselves and others for a while, but we never fool God.

God knows you, the real you, and everything about you. He sees through and behind your masks. Not only that, he loves you the way you are. So it makes no sense to try to hide from him or to trick him.

Drop the mask and be honest with God. Be yourself with others too.

O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you (Psalm 69:5).

To Do

For fun, play a little game with your family at dinnertime. Explain that when you say an emotion or an attitude, each person ought to make a face that expresses it. You could say, “sad,” “cool,” “horrified,” “tough,” “shy,” “in love,” “spiritual,” and so forth. Then you could explain today’s devotion to them.

Also on this day

This is Universal Human Rights Month.

1953—The first color TV sets went on sale for about $1,175 (that would be more than $8,330 today).

1973—We received the first picture of a comet from space.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1852, Emma Snodgrass was arrested in Boston for wearing pants.

Don’t you wonder what possessed Emma to wear pants when she knew it was forbidden? Maybe she just had a stubborn streak. Perhaps it was a demonstration; she wanted to show that she didn’t agree with the weird law. Or maybe she just wanted to be a trendsetter.

Clothes aren’t usually so controversial, but we sure spend hours thinking about them and deciding what to wear. Clothes protect us from the weather, keeping us warm and dry. Clothes also protect us from rough ground, prickly plants, mosquitoes, and sunburn. And, of course, we wear clothes out of modesty.

Over the years, clothes have become much more than coverings. They have become statements of who we are or who we’d like to be. The fashion business is humongous because everyone wants to be in style. Often we wear clothes only because they’re fashionable. Some fashions make no sense, but a designer has an idea and a celebrity or two picks up on it, and soon everyone is wearing it.

Today’s verse says that Christians shouldn’t “copy the behavior and customs of this world.” Some kids find that confusing. Does this mean we shouldn’t wear clothes that are in style? Not really. It’s all right to look good and to be fashionable. The problem comes with we become so focused on stylin’ that we take our eyes off God and forget who we really are. And it’s OK to spend money on clothes, but not too much—not at the expense of tithing and helping others.

A popular phrase says, “Clothes make the person.” But that’s wrong. Who you are is much deeper than what you are wearing. God loves the real you and he wants you to conform to his style on the inside.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is (Romans 12:2).

To Do

Get out an old photo album with pictures of your parents when they were teenagers. Check out the clothing styles. Ask your mom or dad to explain why she or he wore those clothes.

Also on this day

1848—U.S. President James Polk turned on the first gaslight at the White House.

1851—The first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was organized in Boston, Massachusetts.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1869, William E. Semple of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, patented chewing gum.

People chew gum for many reasons. Some think it helps digestion. Some chew to fight bad breath. Others like to blow bubbles. But most people enjoy chewing gum because of the taste. Whether mint, cinnamon, or fruit flavor, the taste brightens the mouth without filling the stomach. So it’s frustrating when a piece of gum loses its flavor and becomes stale and gooey.

Way back in 1959, English musician Lonnie Donegan released a pop song with the title and musical question, “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?” Eventually it reached number five on the U.S. charts. The song was catchy but silly; yet it touched on the problem of gum losing its flavor, whether in the mouth or stuck and saved somewhere else.

All of our pleasures seem to end way too soon—having fun with a friend, consuming an ice cream cone, playing on a snow day off from school, enjoying a vacation, watching a favorite TV show, and having perfect weather. We want the flavor to last and last.

Days come and go. Pleasures fade. Friendships change. And, eventually, every person dies. Nothing lasts forever—nothing, that is, except everything connected with God. In Genesis 17:19, God tells Abraham, “I will confirm my everlasting covenant.” Deuteronomy 33:27 promises, “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.” Yesterday’s verse highlights “the Lord’s plans.” First Corinthians 13:13 says, “There are three things that will endure—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” And think of all the verses that speak of eternal life.

So for flavor that lasts, stick with God.

But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children (Psalm 103:17).

To Do

Buy a few packs of gum and pass out sticks to family and friends. Each time say something like, “God’s flavor lasts!”

Also on this day

In Mexico, this is Day of the Innocents.

1945—The United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is National Bingo Month.

You yell, “Bingo!” because you were the first to fill in the squares on your card vertically, horizontally, or diagonally (or the four corners). Winning this game feels good, but you know it’s mostly just luck. Your success in this game is determined by how the letter and number combinations drawn match what you have.

Many people feel the same way about life, that it’s all about luck and chance. Good things happen to a person, they believe, simply because he or she is in the right place at the right time. They believe that’s how bad stuff happens too.

Others say that everything depends on our choices in life. We control our own destiny—everything depends on what we choose to do or not do.

The Bible presents a much different view—God is in control. Nothing happens without his knowledge and his permission. Proverbs 16:9 states, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

This is wonderful knowledge, especially when everything going on around us seems crazy. Knowing that God is all-powerful and all-knowing gives a great feeling of security.

Remember when you were little and got scared at night? You would go into your parents’ bedroom and sleep with them. You could relax and sleep peacefully knowing that Mom and Dad were with you and would take care of you.

That’s how it is with God. He’s right with you, watching out for you. Your life doesn’t depend on luck—it depends on him. And that’s true on both good and bad days.

But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken (Psalm 33:11).

To Do

Watch television news, and during each story think, “God is in control.” Watch how that truth affects your attitude.

Also on this day

This is National Fruitcake Day.

1938—The first snowmobile course in America opened in North Conway, New Hampshire.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is National Whiners Day.

Whoever made up this day probably did so because of so many people complaining about Christmas gifts. Besides the verbal complaints, this is one of the busiest days of the year for stores because of all the presents being returned or exchanged.

Gifts are supposed to be unexpected and undeserved—just given out of love. But the world tells us that we should expect to receive as much as we give. Advertisers would have us believe that we deserve to receive quality gifts. Then, when we don’t get exactly what we want, we often pout or whine.

The only way to break this bad habit and poor attitude is to remember God’s gift of Jesus and salvation. “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). “Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:9). Salvation is totally free, a gift (Romans 6:23). All we have to do is accept it.

That’s the most important gift of all. Anything else we receive from parents, friends, or anyone else is a bonus. So today, instead of being disappointed in your gifts and letting everyone know those feelings, adjust your attitude to gratitude. Rejoice in your greatest gift, and be thankful for the others too.

Be content.

Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth (1 Timothy 6:6).

To Do

Today, begin writing thank-you notes for all your Christmas gifts.

Also on this day

This is Boxing Day in Canada and Britain.

1927—The East-West Shrine college football bowl game featured numbers on both the front and back of players’ jerseys.

1982—The Man of the Year in Time Magazine was a computer. This was the first time a nonhuman received the honor.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is Christmas Day.

The day is finally here. Hopefully you’ve already had a great time of giving and receiving and celebrating Christ’s birth.

But do you really understand Christmas?

It’s all about incarnation. This word simply means “in the flesh,” and it describes what Jesus did. John 1 says that Jesus is fully God and has always existed, and was even involved in creation. But then John says, “the Word became human and lived here on earth among us” (John 1:14). Today’s passage from Philippians puts it even more dramatically: “He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.”

Imagine that you created a colony of ants in your yard. You love those ants and do your best to protect, feed, and help them. You want to communicate your love for them, but everything you try just frightens them. After all, they see you as gigantic and hear your voice as a roar. So what can you do to get through? Write a big sign? Radio the message? Grab one or two and try to get close to them? They just wouldn’t get it.

The only way to communicate effectively would be to become an ant yourself, to somehow put aside your size, power, and prestige and become a tiny insect crawling around in the dirt.

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He left his heavenly home and put aside the unlimited use of his divine powers and shrunk himself to our size, becoming a mere speck in the vast universe that he had created. He became a baby human.

And Jesus did this because of love—for you and everyone else on earth. That’s Christmas.

Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8).

To Do

Take a few minutes and list all the gifts you have received from God, beginning with the incarnation. Then thank God for each one.

Also on this day

1896—John Philip Sousa titled his melody “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

1914—During World War I, British and German troops observed an unofficial truce and even played soccer together on the Western Front.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

This is Christmas Eve.

Yesterday we discussed “The Night Before Christmas,” but now that day is actually here. Do you have all your shopping done or do you have to make one more, last-second trip? And what gifts are you hoping for?

Even though we like to receive gifts, Christmas is all about giving. That’s the whole reason for this holiday—God gave his Son, the greatest gift. So we celebrate his birth, and we honor him by giving gifts to others.

The gift-giving didn’t end in Bethlehem, however. In today’s verse, we hear Jesus talking with the disciples, his closest followers. Do you see the gift he promises to them? It’s “peace of heart and mind.” And notice that this peace differs from the kind they could expect to find in society. It’s deep. It’s lasting. It’s real. Peace of heart involves security and joy. Peace of mind involves understanding and believing that God is real and in control.

Soon after hearing that promise, immediately following Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples would be scattered and then hunted and persecuted. Jesus knew that he would be resurrected from the dead, but he also knew that he would leave the disciples again and that they would face difficult times in the world. So he promised them peace. He offers us the same gift today.

What a Savior we serve! He just keeps giving gifts. And what an amazing gift this is: peace of heart and mind.

No matter what your life is like and regardless of what you are going through this holiday season, God has a gift for you—his Son, Jesus. Jesus has a gift for you, too—peace. It comes from trusting in him, the Prince of Peace.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).

To Do

On a piece of paper, make two columns. Label one “Heart” and the other “Mind.” Under Heart, list the feelings you experience that are anything but peaceful (anxiety, fear, and others). And under Mind list the situations or thoughts that threaten your peace (crime, disasters, doubts, and so forth). Then think of how knowing Christ can calm those feelings and ease those concerns. And thank God for his gift of peace.

Also on this day

This is National Eggnog Day.

1818—Franz Gruber of Oberndorf, Germany, composed the music for “Silent Night” to words written by Josef Mohr.

1948—The first completely solar-heated house became occupied in Dover, Massachusetts.

1965—A meteorite weighing about 100 pounds landed in Leicestershire, England.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1823, the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement C. Moore was published.

This poem by Clement Moore is still popular after almost 200 years. You probably know it best by the first line: “‘Twas the night before Christmas . . .” A lot of what we think about Santa Claus and the reindeer comes from it. If you were asked to name Santa’s reindeer, for example, you’d probably answer, “Donder, Blitzen, Comet, Cupid,” and so forth—right out of the poem. And everyone can identify with the children “nestled” in their beds, dreaming of Christmas day. But what’s the deal with the “visions of sugar plums”?

Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, is an exciting time for everyone in the family, especially children. They can hardly get to sleep for all the excitement, wondering what Santa will bring. No wonder they have such weird dreams.

Anticipation. Expectation. Nothing’s quite like it as we eagerly wait for the wonderful event. Besides Christmas, we eagerly anticipate birthdays, vacations, other celebrations and holidays, and incredible reunions with loved ones.

But the greatest event could come at any moment—and it’s also a reunion—the Second Coming of Jesus. That’s right. One of these days Jesus will return, to judge the world and to bring his people home.

The Bible says that we should watch for Christ’s return—sort of like kids on Christmas Eve. This doesn’t mean spending our time looking to the clouds (the Bible also says that no one knows the timing of this great event). Instead, it means that we should be ready. Here’s a question that can help. We can ask: “Is this something I would want to be doing if Jesus were to return today?” We might live differently if we expected Christ to arrive at any moment.

Are you excited and ready? It’ll be better than Christmas!

What I say to you I say to everyone: Watch for his return! (Mark 13:37).

To Do

Get out a copy of Clement Moore’s famous poem and read it aloud for the whole family. If you have a big and cooperative family, you could even act it out together.

Also on this day

In Mexico, this is Night of the Radishes.

1888—Following a quarrel with Paul Gauguin (another painter), Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh cut off part of his own earlobe. Gogh figure!

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.

On this day in 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray image.

What’s the first X-ray you can remember? Maybe it was at the dentist’s office to check for cavities in those pearly whites. Hopefully you haven’t had to have a leg or arm X-rayed because of an injury. X-rays are extremely useful if you need them. In a matter of minutes, the doctor can spot a hairline crack in a bone, a foreign object in the stomach, or a problem in a joint. So Dr. Röntgen sure invented an amazing, lifesaving machine.

It’s neat to be able to see inside a person, through clothes and skin. Just imagine if you could make your eyes work that way! In the comics, Superman is said to have X-ray vision, so he can spot criminals as he looks through walls.

God sees all that and much more. He sees inside our minds and hearts. He sees right through to the real person on the inside. God knows what we’re thinking and feeling—our motives and fears, hopes and dreams. That’s why we can pray silently, thinking our prayers to him.

So how does that make you feel? Guilty? Afraid? It can be scary to know that we can’t hide from God. And the Bible reminds us that “God knows all hearts, and he sees [us] . . . . And he will judge all people according to what they have done” (Proverbs 24:12).

Even though he knows all about you, God still loves you and wants the very best for you. And he’s always close! Also, as today’s verse reminds us, God continually looks for those who trust him and want to follow him. Is that you?

God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God (Psalm 53:2).

To Do

Ask your mom or dad if they have any X-rays in the house (perhaps in an old medical file). If you can, put one in your room where you can see it to remind you of God’s unlimited knowledge and constant care.

Also on this day

This is Abilities Day.

1882—Thomas Edison created the first string of Christmas tree lights.

1958—The “Chipmunk Song” reached #1.[TMD1]

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.