The Explanation

Moses stood on a big mountain. God was talking to him.

"Moses," God said. "Tell my people something."

"Bring me gifts. Gold. Silver. Soft blue cloth. Purple cloth. Red cloth. Wood, smooth and strong."

Everyone who wanted to give, could give. Not because they had to. Because their heart said yes.

"Why do you want gifts?" Moses maybe thought.

God had a reason. A big one.

"Let them build me a tent," God said. "So I can live with them."

What Does This Mean?

A tent! For God!

Inside the tent, there would be a special box. Gold, all over. Inside, God's own words would go.

On top of the box, two golden angels. Their wings touched high in the air. Their faces looked down, at the box between them.

"There I will meet you," God said. "Right there, between the wings."

Do you feel that? God wanted to be close. Not far away on a mountain. Close. Where people could come.

There would be a table too, with bread on it. Always bread, every day. And a gold lamp, shaped like a little tree, with flowers on its branches. Seven lights on top.

Light. Bread. And God, right there.

The Common Thread

Long, long after this, God came even closer. Not in a tent this time.

Jesus came. He walked, He ate, He slept, just like us.

Jesus said, "I am the bread." Jesus said, "I am the light."

The tent held bread and light for God's people. Then Jesus came and He was the bread. He was the light. Himself.

God still wants to be close to us. That never changed.

For You

Do you have something you love? A toy, a coin, a favorite sticker?

The people gave their best things to God. Gold rings. Soft cloth. Not because someone forced them. Because they wanted to.

You can give something too. A prayer. A hug for someone sad. A little gift, from your heart.

God does not need golden boxes from you. God wants your heart, wanting to be near Him.

Talk About It

What would you like to give to God, if you could give anything?

Where do you feel close to God? At home? Outside? In your bed at night?

Praying Together

Dear God, Thank You for wanting to be close. Thank You for Jesus, our bread, our light. Here is my heart. I give it to You. Amen.