ADVENT A
Week 1: Waiting
Visual Aid: calendar with dates marked off to count down the days until Christmas to demonstrate waiting for something special.
Week 1: Waiting
Visual Aid: calendar with dates marked off to count down the days until Christmas to demonstrate waiting for something special.
Let readers take turns reading scriptures.
The first candle we light is the prophesy candle.
Have you ever heard the expression “Good things come to those who wait”? Well, Jesus was certainly a good thing. In fact, He was the BEST thing!
Psalms 5:3 NIV
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
The Israelites had been praying and waiting for many years for the Messiah to come, but when He came, so many of them missed Him, because He didn’t come the way they thought He would. They thought He would come as a mighty king who would deliver them from their earthly troubles. Even though God tried to prepare the people for how He would come to earth by giving messages to the prophets, they missed Him when He came, because He didn’t come like they expected Him to. This verse tells us that when we pray, we should wait in expectation for God to answer. God’s answers come in His way and in His time and sometimes those answers look different than we think they should, but His answers are always for our best.
Psalms 38:15 NIV
I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God.
Did you catch that? He will answer. When God came as a little baby born of a woman, born in a stinky stable, in a little town called Bethlehem, He did answer their prayers for Messiah to come, but He answered those prayers in seemingly strange ways. The people thought He would deliver them from their earthly problems, but God had oh, so much more in mind!
Micah 7:7 NIV
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
I wait for God my Savior! Jesus came not just to deliver the Israelites from their earthly troubles, He came to deliver all of us from our sins! He came to be our Savior!
Acts 1:4 NIV
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
Jesus was telling His disciples to wait for the gift. The gift He was referring to was the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was born, He was called Emmanuel, God with us. He was God here on this earth in human form. When He grew up and did His ministry of miracles and teaching, He was with His followers in person. Then He died and rose again, then when He was preparing to go back to Heaven, His promise of the Holy Spirit meant that although He wouldn’t be with them in His human form anymore, He would now be with them and with us in the form of the Holy Spirit. He would live inside us and be with us always! I’d say the gift of the Holy Spirit was definitely worth waiting for!
Titus 2:13 NIV
while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Even though we are no longer waiting for The Messiah to be born and deliver us from our sins, and we no longer have to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are still waiting for something. Do you know what it is? We’re waiting for Jesus to come back and take us all to Heaven to live with Him forever!
We also sometimes have to wait for Him to answer our prayers. It seems like we spend lots of time waiting, doesn’t it? Listen to this verse.
Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.
Isaiah 49:23
Not just wait, but hopefully wait. While we wait for Him to show us His plan and while we wait for His return, we should wait hopefully, fully expecting Him to answer in His own time, in His own way, and trust Him, even if His answers look a little different than we thought they would. He is always worth the wait!
------------------------------------------
Week 2: I Am the Door
Week 2: I Am the Door
I wrote this for my family one year when we were going to be traveling during the holidays, so we ended up combining two weeks of advent into one. You may use as is or modify it to fit your family's or ministry's needs.
Visual Aid: door (actual size, dollhouse, made from cardboard, or just use a picture of one)
The 2nd and 3rd candles remind us of the angels and shepherds. God sent the angel to announce to Mary that she would become the mother of the Promised One, the Messiah. Her body would become the door through which God would enter the earth. God sent the angel to announce to Joseph that Mary would have the baby and that he was to go ahead and marry her. Joseph would open the door to his home, his carpenter’s shop, and his heart to the Messiah. The angels announced the Savior’s birth to the shepherds. They rushed to the door of the stable, so they could worship this newborn King.
We can learn a lot from the example of a simple door. Often certain doors in life are closed, but then God opens new ones. Sometimes while we wait for the new doors to open, He will give us little peeks inside to what He has next for us. The thing about doors is that you don’t really know what’s on the other side of the door until you open it and step inside. Sometimes opening a new door can be a little scary, but if we trust in the Lord, we’ll be sure to find something very exciting and better than we could have ever imagined. (If possible, this would be a good time to watch the scene from the movie Monsters Inc., where all the doors are going by and they’re trying to find the one that leads to Boo’s room.)
Ask child to read Matthew 7:7: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Ask another child to read: Matthew 7:8 says, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
I think sometimes we go through life thinking that if we just push or pull on a door hard enough, it will open, but no matter how hard we push or pull, we just cannot get it opened. It’s stuck tight. That’s because we’re trying to open the door by ourselves instead of letting God open the right door at the right time and allowing Him to carry us through it. Have you ever seen a movie where a couple gets married and the groom carries the bride over the threshold into the home they will now share together? We are the bride of Christ and He wants to carry us through the doors He has prepared for us...in His time and in His way.
There’s one more thing I want to tell you about doors. Listen to this: In John 10:9, Jesus says, "I am the door ; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Jesus said He IS the door. In other words, Jesus the Son is the ONLY way anyone can have a relationship with God The Father. He is THE Way, THE truth, and THE life. No one can get to the Father, except through Him and Him alone. Did you hear what happens when we enter through Him? We will find pasture. Jesus used this example, because He was talking about how a shepherd protects his sheep by not allowing predators near the door of the sheep pen. When it’s time to let the sheep out into the pasture, the shepherd leads them safely through the door of the pen and allows them to graze freely in the pasture. They are free to graze, but the shepherd’s watchful eye is always on them, making sure they’re safe and protected. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, yet He is also the Lamb of God, who laid down His life for us. Therefore, it should really come as no surprise that His birth was first announced to shepherds as they tended their sheep.
The sheep trust their shepherd to take care of them. We can trust our Shepherd to take care of us, to close certain doors in our lives and to open other doors, and we can trust Him to carry us through those doors to see what exciting things He has in store for us. Is the door of your heart open to Him this CHristmas? He stands and knocks and waits patiently for us to open our heart’s door, so He can come in and transform us into His image. Let’s make sure to leave the door wide open for Him to do anything He wants to do in any way He wants to do it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J-E-S-U-S
Week 1 - J
There are 5 candles here and there are 5 letters in Jesus’ Name, so each week our devotional will have one of the letters in Jesus’ Name as the theme. That means that tonight’s lesson will involve the letter “J”. (Light one candle.)
“J” reminds us of our Justification through Jesus Christ.
Listen to some verses found in Romans in the NIV translation of The Bible:
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."
Now listen to those same verses from The Message, which makes it a little easier to understand:
"The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public - to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it's now - this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness. So where does that leave our proud Jewish insider claims and counterclaims? Canceled? Yes, canceled. What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade. And where does that leave our proud Jewish claim of having a corner on God? Also canceled. God is the God of outsider non-Jews as well as insider Jews. How could it be otherwise since there is only one God? God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it, both those who follow our religious system and those who have never heard of our religion.
But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it."
Paul was the one writing this and he was a Jew. What this passage tells us is this: Because of what Jesus did at the cross, He made all of us - Jew and Gentile alike- justified to stand before a holy God. Now, when God looks at us, instead of seeing our sin, He sees us as innocent, clean, and pure.
Think about how our justice system works. When someone commits a crime, who do they have to appear before? A judge. He and sometimes a jury have to decide whether the criminal is guilty or innocent...whether to make him do time in jail or let him go free. We all appear before the Judge, God, as guilty, because we are all sinners. Because God loved us so much, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, take our sins upon Himself, and die for our sins. When we say Yes to Jesus, and accept His gift of salvation, what happens is this: We stand before our holy Judge, God. He looks at us and instead of seeing all that yucky sin, He sees His Son’s blood, which paid the price for our sins. He looks at us and proclaims us innocent, clean, and pure. In other words, because of what Jesus did for us, we are justified to stand before a holy God, and not just stand before Him, but have a face to face, loving, intimate relationship with Him.
Aren’t you thankful for the greatest gift of all - the gift of Jesus?
Have each family member name something that begins with the letter “J” that they would like to give Jesus as a birthday gift.
Suggestions: Joyful service, Jubilant praise, Jolly attitude, Journey hand in hand with Him
Sing Joy to the World and Jingle Bells.
------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2
E=Emmanuel
We are spelling out the Name of Jesus. Last week we discussed the fact that we are Justified to stand before and have relationship with a holy God because of Jesus’ blood. Tonight we will talk about Who Jesus really is. Yes, He is God’s only Son. Yes, He is our Savior. Yes, He is our Lord. I think once of the most mind-boggling aspects of Who He is would have to be Emmanuel. God with us. GOD with us. God WITH us. God with US. Think about it. God, the Creator of the entire universe, the Holy One, set aside His glory, left His rightful throne in Heaven, and came to earth as a human being...why? Was He bored in Heaven and wanted to come to earth for a little excitement? Of course not! Why then? Why did He come to earth as a baby, live a sinless life, die a cruel death, and rise again? What was the purpose? The point? Listen to these verses and see if you can figure it out.
Isaiah 7:14 the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us). That’s Isaiah’s prophesy about Jesus’ birth. Here’s the fulfillment of it:
Matthew 1:18 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) 19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. 20 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus - 'God saves' - because he will save his people from their sins." 22 This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term: 23 Watch for this - a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us"). 24 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. 25 But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
Here’s why He came:
John 6:38 MSG
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.
John 9:39 MSG
Jesus then said, "I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind."
John 10:10 MSG
...I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
John 12:48 MSG
I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I'm saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word.
1 Timothy 1:15 MSG
Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
1 John 5:20 MSG
And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God - what a gift! - and we are living in the Truth itself, in God's Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life.
In other words, He came as Emmanuel, because when sin entered the world through Adam, fellowship with God was broken and He wanted to restore that fellowship. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son. We don’t deserve such a precious gift, but because of His amazing grace, He gave it anyway. He didn’t just come as Emmanuel when He was a baby, but He is still Emmanuel, because He is always with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Emmanuel. What a precious, priceless Name!
Sing Mercy Me’s song: God With Us
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
S=Savior
Throughout history, certain “saviors” had come to Israel to rescue them from the hand of their oppressors, but each of these so-called saviors only had temporary success.
Judges 3:9 MSG
The People of Israel cried out to God and God raised up a savior who rescued them: Caleb's nephew Othniel, son of his younger brother Kenaz.The Spirit of God came on him and he rallied Israel. He went out to war and God gave him Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. Othniel made short work of him.
Judges 3:15 MSG
The People of Israel cried out to God and God raised up for them a savior, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjaminite. He was left-handed. The People of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon king of Moab.
For centuries, prophets had prophesied about the coming of a savior who was far greater than all the rest. Still, the savior they were expecting was one who would rescue them from the harsh Roman rule. They were so limited in their view of exactly what the amazing name of Savior actually meant.
Isaiah 19:20 MSG
It will show how the God-of-the-Angel-Armies has helped the Egyptians. When they cry out in prayer to God because of oppressors, he'll send them help, a savior who will keep them safe and take care of them.
That’s why so many had trouble believing that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior who would rescue them. They expected a mighty leader who would become king and save them from the evil Romans. What they got was an ordinary baby born in a stinky stable...a simple carpenter, who hung out with the dregs of society. What they failed to see was that God had oh so much more in mind that just saving them from Roman rule. He wanted to save them from their sins...not only them, but all of mankind. Their expectation was so very limited.
Luke 2:11 MSG
A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.
Acts 5:31 MSG
God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven.
How about us? Do we limit who our Savior really is? Do we understand everything the word “savior” actually means? Do we comprehend what it is we have been saved from?
Acts 4 says:
By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. 11 Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' 12 Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."
Titus 3:
1 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand 2 No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. 3 It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. 4 But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, 5 he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. 6 Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. 7 God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come - an eternity of life!
Spend some time praising God as our Savior and remembering just what that means for each of us.
Sing “Hallelujah What a Savior” and “Silent Night”.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 4
U=Unspeakable Joy!
1 Peter 1:8 KJV
Whom having not seen , ye love ; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing , ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory
KJV was the only version I could find this phrase “joy unspeakable”. Here’s the same verse in an easier to understand translation. (New American Standard ) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
We don’t see him in the flesh, but there were a few who did on that most holy night so long ago. Listen to the way it goes in The Message:
7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. 8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. 19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. 20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! 21 When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God 23 as commanded in God's Law: "Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God," 24 and also to sacrifice the "pair of doves or two young pigeons" prescribed in God's Law. 25 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. 27 Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, 28 Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: 29 God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. 30 With my own eyes I've seen your salvation; 31 it's now out in the open for everyone to see: 32 A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel. 33 Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. 34 Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, A figure misunderstood and contradicted - 35 the pain of a sword-thrust through you - But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are. 36 Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years 37 and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. 38 At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.
Everyone in this story responded in some way to what they saw and experienced. (Read each person’s response)
The shepherds, angels, Simeon, and Anna responded outwardly with much joy by running, speaking, singing...but Mary pondered it all in her heart. Could it be that she was filled with unspeakable joy? Joy too full to know what to do with? However, listen to how Mary responded to the Lord while she was still pregnant: 46 And Mary said, I'm bursting with God-news; 47 I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. 48 God took one good look at me, and look what happened - I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, 49 the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. 50 His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. 51 He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts.
What about us? We can’t see Jesus with our human eyeballs, but He is alive and active in our lives. We have faith that He is real. He is Lord. He is Savior. He is Life itself! What is our response to Him? That’s what worship is: responding to God ‘s goodness. Read poem about worship. Have each person find a Bible verse which demonstrates a way of responding to God in worship.
Watch video of Chris Tomlin’s Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
Sing Up on the Housetop
--------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas Eve
S=Searching for The King
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory - this was during Herod's kingship - a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. 2 They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him." 3 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified - and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. 4 Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?" 5 They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: 6 It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel." 7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. 8 Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship." 9 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. 10 They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. 12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country. 13 After the scholars were gone, God's angel showed up again in Joseph's dream and commanded, "Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him." 14 Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. 15 They lived in Egypt until Herod's death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: "I called my son out of Egypt." 16 Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he'd gotten from the scholars.) 17 That's when Jeremiah's sermon was fulfilled: 18 A sound was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lament. Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace, Her children gone, dead and buried. 19 Later, when Herod died, God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: 20 "Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead." 21 Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother, and reentered Israel. 22 When he heard, though, that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as king in Judea, he was afraid to go there. But then Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. 23 On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
(Some of the following was borrowed from a website, but I don't remember which one. Please forgive me for not giving proper credit to the author)
Did you notice how many prophesies are mentioned here which Jesus’ birth fulfilled? The scholars or wise men had studied the prophesies and knew the importance of finding this baby king. Even the gifts they brought prophesied of this king’s future. Listen to what one author says about these gifts.
Before I begin to talk about the gifts that the wise men gave Jesus, I think it’s important to first set the stage... we know that King Herod wants to have Jesus killed and Herod has asked that the wise men let him know where Jesus is so he can “worship” him…we know he just wants to know his location so he can kill him. Of course the wise men are too “wise” for that and never return to King Herod to tell him where Jesus is.
After following the star the wise men find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It’s interesting in verse 11 that as soon as the wise men find Mary and Joseph they enter the stable and immediately begin to worship Jesus. As soon as they saw the baby they wanted to worship Him. Why? Because they knew that he was the King of Kings… and the gifts they then gave him was further credit to that. It’s interesting to note that we never find out what the names of the wise men were. Although they were giving Jesus these rare and expensive gifts they had no desire to be known, they just wanted to be sure that he received them. So why did they give these 3 gifts? I mean frankincense and myrrh is not one of those gifts that you would say “Oh, I got frankincense and myrrh for Christmas!…Yes!”
These type of gifts were typical back in those days to give to kings. In 1 Kings when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon she brought him Gold and spices. Gold, Frankincense were rare, valuable and precious items and many wanted to give their best for their king.
The wise men…recognizing Jesus as King of Kings wanted to give their best as well. Each of the three gifts given had both a symbolic meaning and a practical use.
Let’s start with the easy one first…Gold
Gold
• Gold, as it is today was very valuable. To find gold you have to dig underground and find which was very difficult back in Bible times because you didn’t have the tools you have today.
• Gold has always been a means of exchange…something that for Mary & Joseph would come in handy as they would soon travel to Egypt and would need food, clothing and shelter.
• Symbolically Gold represents kingship. The King that Christ is for us. It also represents the purification process we go through in our trials as a Christian.
• Gold is one of the only metals that when heated with fire will not lose anything of it’s nature, weight, color, or any other property. Genuine faith is the same way. Gold is used in scripture when talking about the strength of someone’s faith. Job refers to gold after he has been through all his trials. Job 23:10 Jobs says, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure gold.”
Frankincense
• Frankincense is made by cutting a tree named “Arbor Thurisfrom” found Persia, Arabia and India. It’s like a sap that is gathered and then dried for 3 months and becomes a like a hardened resin or gum.
• Frankincense is used as a perfume but mostly it was burned as a sweet incense during worship. During the Exodus Aaron would burn Frankincense at the alter as a sweet offering to the Lord.
• Practically Frankincense would be a familiar smell to baby Jesus as this was the same God that was worshiped in the Old Testament. It would also help it getting the stable smelling better with all those animals in there with them. You could say that Frankincense was kinda of the Yankee Candle of that time.
• Symbolically Frankincense represented the divinity of Christ because as mentioned Frankincense was burnt as an offering to God.
Myrrh
• Myrrh, like Frankincense, also is the sap from a tree that is hardened and then used. However, unlike, Frankincense which is sweet…Myrrh has a bitter taste to it.
• Myrrh was mostly used to embalm the dead because it had the property to preserve. It was also used as a perfume, an ingredient of holy ointments mentioned in Exodus but it’s most practical use for Mary & Joseph would be it’s medical uses. Today Myrrh is used today in toothpaste, mouthwash and make-up.
Lastly, Myrrh represents the bitter cup that Christ had to drink in suffering for our sins and the healing for us that his death brings.
So they brought gifts to the baby and worshiped Him, but how did they find Him? They searched the night skies and studied the stars. Scientists have attempted to explain the phenomena that could have possibly produced such a star, but all theories have some sort of flaw. Could it be that the star was yet another miracle surrounding Christ’s birth?
The interesting thing is that while the wise mean searched for Jesus, Jesus searches for us. Matthew 18:12 says, "What do you think ? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying ? “ Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who searches for us, because He loves us and wants us to stay close to Him. Let’s spend some quiet time letting Him find us now. Ask Him what gifts He wants from you for His birthday. Allow time for sharing if anyone hears something specific from Jesus.
Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
--------------------------------------------------------------
ADVENT C
Week 1
Mom: Our circle of light begins. (light candle) We have waited what seems like a long time for this night, but before Jesus was born, people waited hundreds of years for God to do what He promised - send a Savior.
Child reads Isaiah 7:14, 9: 2, 6, 7
Dad: God promised He would send Jesus to save us from our sins. We call the first candle the prophesy candle to remind us of God's wonderful promise.
Child reads Matthew 1:21-23.
Dad: This promise did come to be and His name was Jesus: Emmanuel, God With Us.
All: Sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2
Light 2 candles.
Mom: This candle is a reminder of the preparation that was made for the coming of the Savior. The promise of God made it clear exactly where Jesus would be born.
Child reads Micah 5:2.
Child reads Luke 2:1-7.
Dad: The second candle is called the Bethlehem candle. This was part of God's special plan concerning the birth of His Son - a plan that was prophesied 400 years earlier. With so much advanced notice, you'd think they would have been prepared for such an important event, but they weren't.
All sing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
Light 3 candles.
Mom: What would it be like if you were gazing at the stars one peaceful night and the sky suddenly exploded with hundreds of angels singing praises to God? That's what happened many years ago, the night the Good News of great joy was brought to all people. The candle represents the angel and the fantastic message of the birth of Jesus.
Child reads Luke 2: 8-14.
Dad: There were no announcement cards sent out when Jesus was born. Instead an angel announced the wonderful news! The angel came to Bethlehem that night to announce the most incredible event in human history.
Child reads 2 Corinthians 9:15.
All sing O Come, All Ye Faithful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4
Light 4 candles.
Mom: The circle of light is almost complete. The waiting is almost over. God is faithful and the Son has been born. It is important that we reflect the Light of the world in our daily lives, as we share the Good News!
Child reads Luke 2: 8-20.
Dad: The fourth candle represents the shepherds. They were excited about all they had heard and seen about Jesus! Suppose you were one of those shepherds - how would you have responded?
Child reads Matthew 1:18-25.
Sing Silent Night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve
Mom: Christmas is a time to show love. Our love for others, our love for God, and His wonderful love for us.
Child reads 1 John 4:9-10.
Dad: We greet Your coming, Lord Jesus, with love and amazement! As a family, we declare, "Joy to the world - the Lord has come!"
Child reads Luke 1:68-69.
Sing Joy to the World.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVENT D
The Names of Jesus
Week 1 - Wonderful Counselor
Old Testament Prophesy: Isaiah 9:6
New Testament Prophesy Fulfilled: Luke 1:31-33, Matthew 1:20-21
Sing: No Other Name But the Name of Jesus
Lesson Focus: Wonderful Counselor
What is a counselor? Dictionary Definition: wonderful=astonishing, admirable, excellent; counselor=an advisor
Think of examples of Jesus being our Wonderful Counselor
Hands-on Activity: Make banner that says "Wonderful Counselor".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2
OT Prophesy: Isaiah 9:6
NT Fulfilled: Luke 2:4-7
Sing: Away in a Manger
Lesson Focus: Mighty God
Definition: mighty=having might, powerful, strong
God=the perfect, omnipotent originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions
Discuss: attributes of God that make Him mighty.
Sing: Our God is an Awesome God
Hands-on Activity: Make banner that says "Mighty God".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
OT: Isaiah 9:6
NT: Luke 2
Sing: Glory, Glory, Glory to God
Lesson Focus: Eternal Father
Definition: eternal=without beginning or end, lasting, timeless
father=male parent, male ancestor, forefather, man who creates, founds, or originates something, first member of Trinity
Discuss: Jesus was God the Father in human form. Because He is eternal, we can trust Him to always care for us as our Father.
Sing: Abba Father
Make banner with "Eternal Father".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4
OT: Isaiah 9:6
NT: Luke 1:21-38
Focus: Prince of Peace
Defnition: prince=hereditary ruler, king
peace=freedom from quarrels and disagreements, harmonious relations, inner contentment, calm, serenity
Discuss: practical solutions to living at peace with one another. Memorize verses dealing with peace. Discuss how we serve the Prince of Peace not the prince of strife!
Sing: Silent Night
Activity: Make banner with "Prince of Peace".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve
Matthew 2:1-12
Discuss: tradition of gift-giving, Jesus is God's greatest gift!
Sing: The Best Present of All
Recap: meaning of Advent (preparing for Christ's arrival). The spirit of advent shouldn't end when Christmas is over. We still need to prepare for His coming again! John 14:1-3, Rev. 22:20
Sing: Happy Birthday to Jesus!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3: Seeking
Visual Aid: telescope, binoculars, etc. to represent seeking and searching.
The 4th candle is for the wise men. Here are a few thoughts on the guys who have come to be known for their wisdom, the "wise men", or Magi. What was it that made them so wise? (These were borrowed from another source, but unfortunately I don't recall where I found them, so I cannot give proper credit to the original author. My apologies.)
1. First, they didn't let their culture, or backgrounds get in the way of seeking the King! The Magi were Gentiles. They had their own religion . They lived in a distant land, in a culture that really had nothing to do with the Jewish faith, or the Bible. Yet they left everything behind to pursue the truth, and as a result they found Jesus. They found what they were looking for. What about us? Are we willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus?
2. Second, the Magi were wise because they worshiped the newborn King. These great men of learning willingly bowed down before Jesus and gave Him costly gifts. That was, in fact, the reason for their journey! What is the reason for your spiritual journey? Is it to worship and give, or be entertained and receive? The only way to find true wisdom is by bowing your life to Jesus and worshiping Him by giving the gift of your life.
3. Finally, the Magi were wise because they listened to God. After they saw Jesus they had a dream in which God told them not to return to Herod, so they went home a different way (Mat. 2:12). What would have happened if they hadn't listened? Be wise this Christmas and listen. Spend time specifically listening to God by praying and reading His Word, by retreating from the BUSYness of this Season and finding a quiet place to hear.
Here's hoping that we'll all spend this Christmas, and our lives, wisely!
Children read: 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Psalms 9:10 NIV
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalms 27:8 NIV
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Psalms 63:1 NIV
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you...
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Luke 11:9 NIV
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Why did the wise men seek Jesus? In Matthew it says in the KJV "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold , there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying , Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled , and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together , he demanded of them where Christ should be born .And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor , that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared .And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said , Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again , that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed ; and, lo , the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was . When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down , and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."
They were seeking Him, so they could worship Him. What happened when they got to the house where Jesus was? They fell down. They worshiped Him. They gave Him gifts.
What can we learn from these wise men? We approach The King with humility, awe, and respect.
We worship Him, because He is worthy of our worship, our unrestrained worship.
2 Samuel 6:21-22 says, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this.”
Psalms 47:1 NAS O clap your hands, all peoples ; Shout to God with the voice of joy.
1 Chronicles 16:9 NIV Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Nehemiah 8:6 NIV all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
2 Samuel 6:14 NIV David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might,
Luke 6:23 NIV "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.
Psalms 126:2 NIV Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
The book of Acts record the events of Pentecost when the Holy SPirit came. Listen to all the ways worship occurred.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?
Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?
Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome
(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine. "
Peter Addresses the Crowd
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!
No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Many other spiritual gifts are recorded in scripture and they are all to be used to worship the Lord and strengthen the church.
Many other types of worship are listed as well.
We should worship Him in spirit and truth, not only in ways that we are comfortable with, but in ways He leads us to, no matter how strange it may seem to us or those around us. his ways are not our ways. It’s not about us, it’s about Him. We should worship Him the way He wants to be worshiped.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve
Celebrate by worshiping Jesus, singing Happy Birthday to Him, and having birthday cake!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve
Celebrate by worshiping Jesus, singing Happy Birthday to Him, and having birthday cake!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVENT B
J-E-S-U-S
Week 1 - J
There are 5 candles here and there are 5 letters in Jesus’ Name, so each week our devotional will have one of the letters in Jesus’ Name as the theme. That means that tonight’s lesson will involve the letter “J”. (Light one candle.)
“J” reminds us of our Justification through Jesus Christ.
Listen to some verses found in Romans in the NIV translation of The Bible:
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."
Now listen to those same verses from The Message, which makes it a little easier to understand:
"The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public - to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it's now - this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness. So where does that leave our proud Jewish insider claims and counterclaims? Canceled? Yes, canceled. What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade. And where does that leave our proud Jewish claim of having a corner on God? Also canceled. God is the God of outsider non-Jews as well as insider Jews. How could it be otherwise since there is only one God? God sets right all who welcome his action and enter into it, both those who follow our religious system and those who have never heard of our religion.
But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don't we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it."
Paul was the one writing this and he was a Jew. What this passage tells us is this: Because of what Jesus did at the cross, He made all of us - Jew and Gentile alike- justified to stand before a holy God. Now, when God looks at us, instead of seeing our sin, He sees us as innocent, clean, and pure.
Think about how our justice system works. When someone commits a crime, who do they have to appear before? A judge. He and sometimes a jury have to decide whether the criminal is guilty or innocent...whether to make him do time in jail or let him go free. We all appear before the Judge, God, as guilty, because we are all sinners. Because God loved us so much, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, take our sins upon Himself, and die for our sins. When we say Yes to Jesus, and accept His gift of salvation, what happens is this: We stand before our holy Judge, God. He looks at us and instead of seeing all that yucky sin, He sees His Son’s blood, which paid the price for our sins. He looks at us and proclaims us innocent, clean, and pure. In other words, because of what Jesus did for us, we are justified to stand before a holy God, and not just stand before Him, but have a face to face, loving, intimate relationship with Him.
Aren’t you thankful for the greatest gift of all - the gift of Jesus?
Have each family member name something that begins with the letter “J” that they would like to give Jesus as a birthday gift.
Suggestions: Joyful service, Jubilant praise, Jolly attitude, Journey hand in hand with Him
Sing Joy to the World and Jingle Bells.
------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2
E=Emmanuel
We are spelling out the Name of Jesus. Last week we discussed the fact that we are Justified to stand before and have relationship with a holy God because of Jesus’ blood. Tonight we will talk about Who Jesus really is. Yes, He is God’s only Son. Yes, He is our Savior. Yes, He is our Lord. I think once of the most mind-boggling aspects of Who He is would have to be Emmanuel. God with us. GOD with us. God WITH us. God with US. Think about it. God, the Creator of the entire universe, the Holy One, set aside His glory, left His rightful throne in Heaven, and came to earth as a human being...why? Was He bored in Heaven and wanted to come to earth for a little excitement? Of course not! Why then? Why did He come to earth as a baby, live a sinless life, die a cruel death, and rise again? What was the purpose? The point? Listen to these verses and see if you can figure it out.
Isaiah 7:14 the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She'll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us). That’s Isaiah’s prophesy about Jesus’ birth. Here’s the fulfillment of it:
Matthew 1:18 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) 19 Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. 20 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. 21 She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus - 'God saves' - because he will save his people from their sins." 22 This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term: 23 Watch for this - a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Emmanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us"). 24 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. 25 But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
Here’s why He came:
John 6:38 MSG
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.
John 9:39 MSG
Jesus then said, "I came into the world to bring everything into the clear light of day, making all the distinctions clear, so that those who have never seen will see, and those who have made a great pretense of seeing will be exposed as blind."
John 10:10 MSG
...I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
John 12:48 MSG
I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I'm saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word.
1 Timothy 1:15 MSG
Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
1 John 5:20 MSG
And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God - what a gift! - and we are living in the Truth itself, in God's Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life.
In other words, He came as Emmanuel, because when sin entered the world through Adam, fellowship with God was broken and He wanted to restore that fellowship. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son. We don’t deserve such a precious gift, but because of His amazing grace, He gave it anyway. He didn’t just come as Emmanuel when He was a baby, but He is still Emmanuel, because He is always with us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Emmanuel. What a precious, priceless Name!
Sing Mercy Me’s song: God With Us
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
S=Savior
Throughout history, certain “saviors” had come to Israel to rescue them from the hand of their oppressors, but each of these so-called saviors only had temporary success.
Judges 3:9 MSG
The People of Israel cried out to God and God raised up a savior who rescued them: Caleb's nephew Othniel, son of his younger brother Kenaz.The Spirit of God came on him and he rallied Israel. He went out to war and God gave him Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. Othniel made short work of him.
Judges 3:15 MSG
The People of Israel cried out to God and God raised up for them a savior, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjaminite. He was left-handed. The People of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon king of Moab.
For centuries, prophets had prophesied about the coming of a savior who was far greater than all the rest. Still, the savior they were expecting was one who would rescue them from the harsh Roman rule. They were so limited in their view of exactly what the amazing name of Savior actually meant.
Isaiah 19:20 MSG
It will show how the God-of-the-Angel-Armies has helped the Egyptians. When they cry out in prayer to God because of oppressors, he'll send them help, a savior who will keep them safe and take care of them.
That’s why so many had trouble believing that Jesus was the Messiah, the Savior who would rescue them. They expected a mighty leader who would become king and save them from the evil Romans. What they got was an ordinary baby born in a stinky stable...a simple carpenter, who hung out with the dregs of society. What they failed to see was that God had oh so much more in mind that just saving them from Roman rule. He wanted to save them from their sins...not only them, but all of mankind. Their expectation was so very limited.
Luke 2:11 MSG
A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.
Acts 5:31 MSG
God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven.
How about us? Do we limit who our Savior really is? Do we understand everything the word “savior” actually means? Do we comprehend what it is we have been saved from?
Acts 4 says:
By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. 11 Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' 12 Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."
Titus 3:
1 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand 2 No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous. 3 It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. 4 But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, 5 he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. 6 Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. 7 God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come - an eternity of life!
Spend some time praising God as our Savior and remembering just what that means for each of us.
Sing “Hallelujah What a Savior” and “Silent Night”.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 4
U=Unspeakable Joy!
1 Peter 1:8 KJV
Whom having not seen , ye love ; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing , ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory
KJV was the only version I could find this phrase “joy unspeakable”. Here’s the same verse in an easier to understand translation. (New American Standard ) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
We don’t see him in the flesh, but there were a few who did on that most holy night so long ago. Listen to the way it goes in The Message:
7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. 8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. 19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. 20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told! 21 When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived. 22 Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God 23 as commanded in God's Law: "Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God," 24 and also to sacrifice the "pair of doves or two young pigeons" prescribed in God's Law. 25 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. 27 Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, 28 Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: 29 God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. 30 With my own eyes I've seen your salvation; 31 it's now out in the open for everyone to see: 32 A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel. 33 Jesus' father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. 34 Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother, This child marks both the failure and the recovery of many in Israel, A figure misunderstood and contradicted - 35 the pain of a sword-thrust through you - But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are. 36 Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years 37 and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. 38 At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.
Everyone in this story responded in some way to what they saw and experienced. (Read each person’s response)
The shepherds, angels, Simeon, and Anna responded outwardly with much joy by running, speaking, singing...but Mary pondered it all in her heart. Could it be that she was filled with unspeakable joy? Joy too full to know what to do with? However, listen to how Mary responded to the Lord while she was still pregnant: 46 And Mary said, I'm bursting with God-news; 47 I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. 48 God took one good look at me, and look what happened - I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten, 49 the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. 50 His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. 51 He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts.
What about us? We can’t see Jesus with our human eyeballs, but He is alive and active in our lives. We have faith that He is real. He is Lord. He is Savior. He is Life itself! What is our response to Him? That’s what worship is: responding to God ‘s goodness. Read poem about worship. Have each person find a Bible verse which demonstrates a way of responding to God in worship.
Watch video of Chris Tomlin’s Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)
Sing Up on the Housetop
--------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas Eve
S=Searching for The King
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory - this was during Herod's kingship - a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. 2 They asked around, "Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him." 3 When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified - and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. 4 Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, "Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?" 5 They told him, "Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: 6 It's you, Bethlehem, in Judah's land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel." 7 Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. 8 Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, "Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I'll join you at once in your worship." 9 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. 10 They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time! 11 They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh. 12 In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country. 13 After the scholars were gone, God's angel showed up again in Joseph's dream and commanded, "Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him." 14 Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. 15 They lived in Egypt until Herod's death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: "I called my son out of Egypt." 16 Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he'd gotten from the scholars.) 17 That's when Jeremiah's sermon was fulfilled: 18 A sound was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lament. Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace, Her children gone, dead and buried. 19 Later, when Herod died, God's angel appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt: 20 "Up, take the child and his mother and return to Israel. All those out to murder the child are dead." 21 Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother, and reentered Israel. 22 When he heard, though, that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as king in Judea, he was afraid to go there. But then Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. 23 On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, "He shall be called a Nazarene."
(Some of the following was borrowed from a website, but I don't remember which one. Please forgive me for not giving proper credit to the author)
Did you notice how many prophesies are mentioned here which Jesus’ birth fulfilled? The scholars or wise men had studied the prophesies and knew the importance of finding this baby king. Even the gifts they brought prophesied of this king’s future. Listen to what one author says about these gifts.
Before I begin to talk about the gifts that the wise men gave Jesus, I think it’s important to first set the stage... we know that King Herod wants to have Jesus killed and Herod has asked that the wise men let him know where Jesus is so he can “worship” him…we know he just wants to know his location so he can kill him. Of course the wise men are too “wise” for that and never return to King Herod to tell him where Jesus is.
After following the star the wise men find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It’s interesting in verse 11 that as soon as the wise men find Mary and Joseph they enter the stable and immediately begin to worship Jesus. As soon as they saw the baby they wanted to worship Him. Why? Because they knew that he was the King of Kings… and the gifts they then gave him was further credit to that. It’s interesting to note that we never find out what the names of the wise men were. Although they were giving Jesus these rare and expensive gifts they had no desire to be known, they just wanted to be sure that he received them. So why did they give these 3 gifts? I mean frankincense and myrrh is not one of those gifts that you would say “Oh, I got frankincense and myrrh for Christmas!…Yes!”
These type of gifts were typical back in those days to give to kings. In 1 Kings when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon she brought him Gold and spices. Gold, Frankincense were rare, valuable and precious items and many wanted to give their best for their king.
The wise men…recognizing Jesus as King of Kings wanted to give their best as well. Each of the three gifts given had both a symbolic meaning and a practical use.
Let’s start with the easy one first…Gold
Gold
• Gold, as it is today was very valuable. To find gold you have to dig underground and find which was very difficult back in Bible times because you didn’t have the tools you have today.
• Gold has always been a means of exchange…something that for Mary & Joseph would come in handy as they would soon travel to Egypt and would need food, clothing and shelter.
• Symbolically Gold represents kingship. The King that Christ is for us. It also represents the purification process we go through in our trials as a Christian.
• Gold is one of the only metals that when heated with fire will not lose anything of it’s nature, weight, color, or any other property. Genuine faith is the same way. Gold is used in scripture when talking about the strength of someone’s faith. Job refers to gold after he has been through all his trials. Job 23:10 Jobs says, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure gold.”
Frankincense
• Frankincense is made by cutting a tree named “Arbor Thurisfrom” found Persia, Arabia and India. It’s like a sap that is gathered and then dried for 3 months and becomes a like a hardened resin or gum.
• Frankincense is used as a perfume but mostly it was burned as a sweet incense during worship. During the Exodus Aaron would burn Frankincense at the alter as a sweet offering to the Lord.
• Practically Frankincense would be a familiar smell to baby Jesus as this was the same God that was worshiped in the Old Testament. It would also help it getting the stable smelling better with all those animals in there with them. You could say that Frankincense was kinda of the Yankee Candle of that time.
• Symbolically Frankincense represented the divinity of Christ because as mentioned Frankincense was burnt as an offering to God.
Myrrh
• Myrrh, like Frankincense, also is the sap from a tree that is hardened and then used. However, unlike, Frankincense which is sweet…Myrrh has a bitter taste to it.
• Myrrh was mostly used to embalm the dead because it had the property to preserve. It was also used as a perfume, an ingredient of holy ointments mentioned in Exodus but it’s most practical use for Mary & Joseph would be it’s medical uses. Today Myrrh is used today in toothpaste, mouthwash and make-up.
Lastly, Myrrh represents the bitter cup that Christ had to drink in suffering for our sins and the healing for us that his death brings.
So they brought gifts to the baby and worshiped Him, but how did they find Him? They searched the night skies and studied the stars. Scientists have attempted to explain the phenomena that could have possibly produced such a star, but all theories have some sort of flaw. Could it be that the star was yet another miracle surrounding Christ’s birth?
The interesting thing is that while the wise mean searched for Jesus, Jesus searches for us. Matthew 18:12 says, "What do you think ? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying ? “ Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who searches for us, because He loves us and wants us to stay close to Him. Let’s spend some quiet time letting Him find us now. Ask Him what gifts He wants from you for His birthday. Allow time for sharing if anyone hears something specific from Jesus.
Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
--------------------------------------------------------------
ADVENT C
Week 1
Mom: Our circle of light begins. (light candle) We have waited what seems like a long time for this night, but before Jesus was born, people waited hundreds of years for God to do what He promised - send a Savior.
Child reads Isaiah 7:14, 9: 2, 6, 7
Dad: God promised He would send Jesus to save us from our sins. We call the first candle the prophesy candle to remind us of God's wonderful promise.
Child reads Matthew 1:21-23.
Dad: This promise did come to be and His name was Jesus: Emmanuel, God With Us.
All: Sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2
Light 2 candles.
Mom: This candle is a reminder of the preparation that was made for the coming of the Savior. The promise of God made it clear exactly where Jesus would be born.
Child reads Micah 5:2.
Child reads Luke 2:1-7.
Dad: The second candle is called the Bethlehem candle. This was part of God's special plan concerning the birth of His Son - a plan that was prophesied 400 years earlier. With so much advanced notice, you'd think they would have been prepared for such an important event, but they weren't.
All sing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
Light 3 candles.
Mom: What would it be like if you were gazing at the stars one peaceful night and the sky suddenly exploded with hundreds of angels singing praises to God? That's what happened many years ago, the night the Good News of great joy was brought to all people. The candle represents the angel and the fantastic message of the birth of Jesus.
Child reads Luke 2: 8-14.
Dad: There were no announcement cards sent out when Jesus was born. Instead an angel announced the wonderful news! The angel came to Bethlehem that night to announce the most incredible event in human history.
Child reads 2 Corinthians 9:15.
All sing O Come, All Ye Faithful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4
Light 4 candles.
Mom: The circle of light is almost complete. The waiting is almost over. God is faithful and the Son has been born. It is important that we reflect the Light of the world in our daily lives, as we share the Good News!
Child reads Luke 2: 8-20.
Dad: The fourth candle represents the shepherds. They were excited about all they had heard and seen about Jesus! Suppose you were one of those shepherds - how would you have responded?
Child reads Matthew 1:18-25.
Sing Silent Night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve
Mom: Christmas is a time to show love. Our love for others, our love for God, and His wonderful love for us.
Child reads 1 John 4:9-10.
Dad: We greet Your coming, Lord Jesus, with love and amazement! As a family, we declare, "Joy to the world - the Lord has come!"
Child reads Luke 1:68-69.
Sing Joy to the World.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVENT D
The Names of Jesus
Week 1 - Wonderful Counselor
Old Testament Prophesy: Isaiah 9:6
New Testament Prophesy Fulfilled: Luke 1:31-33, Matthew 1:20-21
Sing: No Other Name But the Name of Jesus
Lesson Focus: Wonderful Counselor
What is a counselor? Dictionary Definition: wonderful=astonishing, admirable, excellent; counselor=an advisor
Think of examples of Jesus being our Wonderful Counselor
Hands-on Activity: Make banner that says "Wonderful Counselor".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2
OT Prophesy: Isaiah 9:6
NT Fulfilled: Luke 2:4-7
Sing: Away in a Manger
Lesson Focus: Mighty God
Definition: mighty=having might, powerful, strong
God=the perfect, omnipotent originator and ruler of the universe, the principal object of faith and worship in monotheistic religions
Discuss: attributes of God that make Him mighty.
Sing: Our God is an Awesome God
Hands-on Activity: Make banner that says "Mighty God".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 3
OT: Isaiah 9:6
NT: Luke 2
Sing: Glory, Glory, Glory to God
Lesson Focus: Eternal Father
Definition: eternal=without beginning or end, lasting, timeless
father=male parent, male ancestor, forefather, man who creates, founds, or originates something, first member of Trinity
Discuss: Jesus was God the Father in human form. Because He is eternal, we can trust Him to always care for us as our Father.
Sing: Abba Father
Make banner with "Eternal Father".
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 4
OT: Isaiah 9:6
NT: Luke 1:21-38
Focus: Prince of Peace
Defnition: prince=hereditary ruler, king
peace=freedom from quarrels and disagreements, harmonious relations, inner contentment, calm, serenity
Discuss: practical solutions to living at peace with one another. Memorize verses dealing with peace. Discuss how we serve the Prince of Peace not the prince of strife!
Sing: Silent Night
Activity: Make banner with "Prince of Peace".
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve
Matthew 2:1-12
Discuss: tradition of gift-giving, Jesus is God's greatest gift!
Sing: The Best Present of All
Recap: meaning of Advent (preparing for Christ's arrival). The spirit of advent shouldn't end when Christmas is over. We still need to prepare for His coming again! John 14:1-3, Rev. 22:20
Sing: Happy Birthday to Jesus!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
