Advent Devotional 2015 revised · 2015-11-24 · Week!One:!!A!Humble!Savior!!...

The Joy Of Waiting The season of Advent is when we wait for the coming of our King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s face it… waiting is never easy! I remember how hard it was to wait out the last month of the school year for summer vacation. Perhaps you remember waiting for a special day like your birthday, Christmas morning, or your wedding day. There are difficult seasons of waiting, when we are sick, looking for a job, or trying to find the right person to spend our lives with. When we really think about those times, there is such a blessing in the waiting. It is during those times of waiting that we recognize we are lacking something and depend on God’s grace. We wait with anticipation for God to pour out His joyous blessings. It is during the times of waiting that we look to God with our palms up, and we know He is the only one we can trust and depend on. If you have children in your life, then you know they will get crazier and crazier as Christmas day approaches. Instead of dreading that, use this time as a teaching tool to explain what Christmas is really all about. In our anticipation for Christmas we remember the centuries that God’s people waited for the Savior that had been promised by God. The waiting was often difficult, but it was worth it when Jesus was finally born. We no longer have to wait for Jesus to save us because He already did that. However, by celebrating Advent, we celebrate all that He accomplished by coming to save us and we can focus on waiting for His return. Advent means “coming” and it is the season of waiting for our coming Lord, Savior and King. As a church we want to spend it together, focusing on what this time is all about. This devotion is to be used by singles, married couples, and families with children. There are two sessions per each week of Advent, and each section has scripture to think/talk about, a time of worship & reflection, and optional family activities. Find any two times during each week of Advent to complete the sections. Feel free to pick and choose what parts of this devotion can be helpful to you and/or your family. To make the devotional most useful you will need the following:

• A Bible • An advent wreath (you can make your own or buy one in stores) • A copy of the CD Prepare Him Room (Can be bought at church or on itunes/other

music sites). • Time! Carve out a half hour to 45 minutes twice each week by yourself, with your

spouse or with your whole family. We understand that not every part of each session will be for you. You can mix, match and choose what you want to do. This will enable you to prepare for Advent and be ready to worship with our church family. Each Sunday we will sing together the “song of that week,” which you will listen to as a part of the devotional and Pastor Jamie will preach a message from one of more of the scriptures that you will read. We hope this will help our church family make this Advent season a rich blessed one full of the true meaning of Christmas. Blessings To You This Advent, Jamie & Lauren

Week One: A Humble Savior

The first week of Advent, we focus on God’s love for us that was shown in the great humility of Christ. We will sing the song “God Made Low,” which brings out the theme of a mighty God who became a humble savior for us. We will read scriptures that will teach us the prophecy of long ago fulfilled in Emmanuel, the God who came to save us. And how that humility was not just found in a manger but on a cross. A bloody cross of torture, where God Himself died so that we could live. We will light the first purple candle, which is called the prophecy candle, or the candle of hope. Complete these two sections between Sunday, November 29th & Saturday, December 5th. May God remind us of how much He loves us, shown to us in the humility of Christ, who was born in a humble manger and died on a humble tree.

Session One

Warm Up Read together the following verse and chorus from our song, God Made Low, and discuss the warm up questions. Prophets promised long ago A King would come to bring us hope And now a virgin bears a son The time to save the world has come Emmanuel has come to us The Christ is born, Hallelujah! Our God made low to raise us up Emmanuel, has come to us

Ø What important themes of Advent does this song remind you of? Ø What does “Emmanuel has come to us” mean?” Ø What does “God Made Low to raise us up” mean? Ø What does the humility of Christ have to do with your life?

Open in prayer. This is a good time to pray for God to teach you during this Advent season. That He would reveal Himself to you in a deeper and richer way. Optional Children’s warm up: Draw a picture of Jesus in a manger and explain how this is “God Made Low.” Then draw another picture of when Jesus was made low and humbled Himself (help may be needed for this part).

Investigate The Scriptures

Read Isaiah 7:10-‐14 & Matthew 1:18-‐25 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

King Ahaz was king of Judah during the time of great trouble for Judah as they were being threatened by Syria and Israel. The Prophet of Isaiah spoke the words of God to Ahaz to trust God and not turn to the foreign nation of Assyria. God told Ahaz to test Him by asking for any sign he could imagine. Ahaz refused because he wanted to rely on human strength like gold, armies and weapons. The line of David, which included Ahaz, wearied God, but He still would provide a sign for His people to trust Him. The sign would be child born to a virgin and His name would be Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This would be a sign that it is God alone who delivers and saves and not anything from this world. The passage from Matthew shows us the fulfillment of what God promised through Isaiah. It was many generations later and the people of God were under the threat of Rome. The people desperately sought for that sign that God would come and save them. In the midst of all that, was a poor carpenter named Joseph, who was betrothed to Mary. In those days, being betrothed was a contract that could only be broken by legal divorce. They were not living together and had not consummated the marriage. Typically, about 15 months after betrothal, a man would take his wife and she would go and live with him and the marriage would be consummated. When Mary had shown she was with child, Joseph was brokenhearted because he saw that to be her unfaithfulness to him. So Joseph, being a compassionate man, decided to divorce Mary quietly and not publically shame her. God sent His angel to Joseph and said that Mary being pregnant was the sign Israel had long awaited. He would be a boy and His name was to be Jesus, which means “He saves.” We learn that Jesus was the sign of Immanuel and literally became “God with us.” We see in Jesus that sign that God alone is to be trusted for salvation. His name means “God saves” and His title is “God with us.” We do not depend on the world and it’s riches to save us, but we trust in God alone. Jesus is God Himself who came to save us from our sins.

Think & Discuss…

1. What is significant about the title “Immanuel?”

2. When you think about God, as creator of the universe, born in such a humble way, how do you feel?

3. Why do you think Jesus was born in such a humble way?

4. Why did Jesus come to dwell with us?

5. What do you usually trust in when you are upset?

6. What does Jesus come to save us from? Have you trusted in Him?

Family Activity (Optional) Immanuel Acrostic Poem (Immanuel and Emmanuel are interchangeable) Materials: Paper, pencil. Other art supplies are optional: markers, crayons, colored pencils, glitter glue, etc. Objective: Connect with the meaning of Immanuel, God with us.

Create an acrostic poem from the name Immanuel. Write Immanuel down the side of your paper. Together as a family, or as individuals, think of a word, phrase, or sentence that begins with each letter of the name and describes an attribute of Christ. For example, “incapable of sin,” or “infinitely wise” for “I.” As you write your poem, engage your children in conversation about what it means to have God With Us. When you are finished, leave your paper as is, or decorate it to add a personal touch. Display the poems around the house and leave them up through the Advent season. Use them as a visual reminder of God’s precious gift to us.

Worship

v Choose someone to read this – the 1st CANDLE – (purple) is THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

v Someone light the candle after the reading is completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song God Made Low by Sovereign Grace

Music.

v Close in prayer. If you are in a group then give everyone the opportunity to pray.

Session Two

Warm Up Read together the following verse & Chorus from our song, God Made Low, and discuss the warm up questions. For all our sins one day He’ll die To make us sons of God on high Let every heart prepare Him room The promises have all come true Emmanuel has come to us The Christ is born, Hallelujah! Our God made low to raise us up Emmanuel, has come to us

Ø Why was Jesus born? Ø What did Jesus being made low do for you? Ø What does “Let every heart prepare Him room,” mean? Ø Have you prepared room in your heart and life for Christ? Ø What specific parts of your life revolve around Christ? Which parts do not?

Open in prayer. Ask for God to help you understand the great sacrifice Jesus made for you. Ask God to help you to live as His child. Pray for the humility of Jesus to be on full display in your life and in our church. Optional Children’s warm up: Talk with your children about what a promise is. Have them write down some promises they have made and if they kept them. Talk about some of God’s promises and that He always keeps His!


Read Philippians 2:1-‐11 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family or group).

At this point in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, he was encouraging them to have humility towards one another. Just like any church or group of people, some pride was getting in the way of their relationships. In the first five verses, Paul tells us to put one another’s interests before our own. The most esteemed virtue of the Christian is humility, which was not a virtue in the secular culture around them. To show that humility should be an essential quality of the Christian’s life, he uses Jesus as our greatest example. Paul then writes what many think is an early “hymn of Christ” that was familiar to the church. Jesus was in the form of God “but emptied Himself by taking the form of a slave and dwelt among men.” Jesus voluntarily put aside His rights to His glorious place in heaven to be born a poor carpenter’s son. Then, Jesus was further humbled on an accursed cross of death. The cross was an obscene word and the most gruesome death anyone has ever devised. So God Himself saved us by going to this horrible accursed death in our place. After His death, Jesus was raised in victory and every knee will bow to Him as king. We learn the reason God humbled Himself to live among us as a poor carpenter’s son and went to the accursed cross, was to save us from our sins. Paul teaches us that Jesus is our great example for how to live for Him. We, as His people, let go of our own privileges to put others before us. God was made low willingly for us, so we shall make ourselves low for others. Think & Discuss…

1. How did Jesus humble Himself when He came to dwell with us? Why is that important?

2. What did the cross accomplish for Jesus? For us?

3. How does the knowledge of Christ’s humility inspire us to live?

4. What are some specific ways you struggle with being selfish or prideful?

5. What are some ways you can put others before you this week?

6. What are some ways you can show humility and the love of Christ to

other people?

7. As we think of all Jesus gave up for us, what should be our reaction?

Family Activity (Optional) Act of Selfless Love Materials: Paper, pencils, common household containers such as bowls, baskets, buckets, or food storage containers, common household goodies such as candy, pom-‐poms, small toys, building blocks, or Legos. Objective: To understand Christ’s humility and selflessness that we may begin to display the same in our lives.

Fill a container (bowl, basket, etc.) full of an item your children love (candy, Legos, etc.). If you have young ones who enjoy bath time, you could even use a cup of water in the tub. Read the Philippians passage again with emphasis on verse 3, “in humility count others more significant than yourselves,” and verse 7, “[Christ] emptied himself.” Dump out the contents of the container and repeat as desired. Watch the contents scatter across the floor or table. Say, “Christ emptied himself for us because he loves us and wants us to be saved. How do our empty containers represent this? How is it similar? How is it different? When he came to Earth, Jesus set an example of perfect humility. He emptied himself so we may have life.” Engage in conversation about humility and selflessness.

Write the name of each of your family members on the left side of a piece of paper. Draw three boxes to the right of every name. Display the paper on the refrigerator or tape it to a wall. Over the next few days, catch each other in selfless acts and make a tally (check mark, smiley face) for each one. Add more boxes if needed!

Worship

v Choose someone to read this – the 1st CANDLE – (purple) is THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – God fulfilled all of His promises for a savior to come redeem us. Therefore, we can have hope that He will come again “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

v Someone lights the candle after the reading is completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song God Made Low by Sovereign Grace

Music.


Week Two: God’s Glorious Plan

The second week of Advent, we focus on God’s plan to save us by sending His own Son to die for us. We will sing the song “Who would Have Dreamed,” which praises God for His glorious plan to save the world, through a humble child, born in a humble place, to die a humble death. We will light the second purple candle, which is called the prophecy candle, or the candle of hope. Complete these two sections between Sunday, December 6th & Saturday, December 12th. Let us remember the price our savior paid, as we go from cursed by God to being part of His family.

Session One

Warm Up Read together the following verses and the chorus from our song, Who Would Have Dreamed, and discuss the warm up questions. On a starlit hillside, shepherds watched their sheep Slowly, David’s city drifted off to sleep But to this little town of no great renown The Lord had a promise to keep Prophets had foretold it, a mighty King would come Long awaited Ruler, God’s Anointed One But the Sovereign of all looked helpless and small As God gave the world His own Son And who would have dreamed or ever foreseen That we could hold God in our hands? The Giver of Life is born in the night Revealing God’s glorious plan To save the world

Ø Imagine you were a shepherd on that night. How would you feel? What would be your thoughts?

Ø If you went to the house to see the Savior and found this baby in a manger, what would you be thinking?

Ø When is it hardest for you to believe what God says and to trust God? Open in prayer. Ask God to help you reflect on what it means that Jesus was born in a humble place and that the Angels announced it to humble shepherds. Ask God to increase your faith in His great promises during the Advent season.

Optional Children’s warm up: Draw a picture of the Shepherds in the fields as the angels appear. Show the shepherd to look the way you think you would feel if that happened to you. Talk about the pictures.


Read Micah 5:2 & Luke 2:1-‐20 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

The Prophet Micah predicted that someone from the line of David would come and save a faithful remnant of Israel. That shepherd king would be born in the unlikely small town of Bethlehem, which was the birthplace of David. The prediction was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, which we read about in the gospel of Luke. Caesar wanted more money so he levied a tax on people and they all had to return to the birthplace of their ancestors. Therefore, Joseph had to journey to Bethlehem with his very pregnant wife. There was no room for the family and Mary has to give birth to Jesus in the place where the animals lived. All of this, though Caesar thought was his plan, was really part of our sovereign God’s plan, which was foretold by the prophet Micah. The scene of Jesus in a manger shows the sin of humanity as Jesus was rejected. Eventually, Jesus would be rejected by His family, His hometown, the religious leaders and even by His own followers as He faced the cross alone. It shows the wickedness of sin as humanity rejects their God. The scene also shows Jesus’ humility as He comes do dwell and die for us so we can live. Though Jesus was born in an obscure town, it was such a glorious event that God had to announce it to someone. God sent His glorious angels to announce it to the despised shepherds working in the fields. God announced the good news of Jesus to the lowly shepherds. The angels told the shepherds that God Himself had come to be their savior. The shepherds responded in faith. It is not enough to just hear the good news but you must respond with obedience, joy, worship, and then spread the news to others. Think & Discuss…

1. What emotions do you feel when you think about Mary & Joseph getting rejected and where Jesus was born?”

2. Why did God choose the lowly shepherds to announce such wonderful

news?

3. What does it mean that Jesus came to bring peace? What kind of peace?

4. How did you respond to the good news of Jesus when you heard it for the first time?

5. Would you say that your life is marked by obedience, worship and joy?

6. Do you long to share that joy with others? Why or why not?

Family Activity (Optional) Alphabet Gifts Materials: none Objective: Recognize God’s daily blessings in addition to the greatest gift of all: Christ, and salvation through Him. The shepherds were some of the very first people to lay eyes on the Christ child, what a blessing and privilege. Play this game to think about the multitude of blessings God bestows on us every day. This includes things we can see, but many we cannot. Go through the alphabet naming gifts from God that begin with each letter. For example, A – ancestors, B – bathtubs … S – substitutionary atonement (okay, maybe they won’t come up with that one on their own!), etc. Make it as difficult or as easy as you want. You can even make each person repeat all of the previous blessings before they create their own. Spend time in discussion and prayer, giving thanks to God for his gifts, blessings, and provision for us.

Worship

v Choose someone to read this – the 2nd CANDLE – (purple) is THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘

v Someone light the candles (both of them) after the reading is

completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song Who Would Have Dreamed by Sovereign Grace Music.


Session Two

Warm Up Read together the following verse and the chorus from our song, Who Would Have Dreamed, and discuss the warm up questions. Wondrous gift of heaven: the Father sends the Son Planned from time eternal, moved by holy love He will carry our curse and death He’ll reverse So we can be daughters and sons And who would have dreamed or ever foreseen That we could hold God in our hands? The Giver of Life is born in the night Revealing God’s glorious plan To save the world

Ø What was God’s glorious plan for Christmas? Ø What does it mean “He will carry our curse and death He’ll reverse

So we can be daughters and sons?” Ø What does it mean that this plan of God was moved by love?

Open in prayer. Ask God to help you reflect on His love for you. Thank Him for the specific ways He has shown you His love in your life. Optional Children’s warm up: Have your kids make a list of all the things they love and why. Talk to them about what they would do for the things they love. Also, talk to them about how much God loves them and what He did for them because of that love.


Read Isaiah 53 & Galatians 3:10-‐14 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

The Prophet Isaiah has four different Servant Songs, where he predicted a suffering servant would come to save the faithful remnant of Israel. The most descriptive song is found in Isaiah chapter 53. In it we see amazing details that Christ would fulfill at the cross hundreds of years later. The brunt of the suffering can be found in Isaiah 53:4-‐6:

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. In the Galatians passage, Paul is contrasting living under the curse of the law and living under the freedom of knowing Christ. Many in Paul’s day thought they could earn their way to God by their religious works. The problem is that if you sin in any way, you break the whole law and you are then cursed under God’s judgment. None of us can keep the whole law and therefore we are under the curse of sin, judgment and death. We will be eternally separated from God. Why then did God come to save us? We were under the curse of the law. But Jesus came to “bear that curse, moved by love, so we could become sons and daughters.” We go from cursed, to blessed, and from separated from God, to being His children. Why? Jesus took our curse for us. There is no effort that can free us from the curse and judgment. Instead, there is only our faith. Our faith in Jesus, who became our curse and took our judgment. He was stricken for us, bore our sorrows, and took our afflictions. Christmas is not just about a baby boy, but it is about our Savior who bore our curse.

Think & Discuss…

1. Think about what Jesus did for you and then describe how much God loves you.

2. Are there ever times you don’t feel loved by God? When? Why do you

feel that way?

3. Do you ever rely on your good works or religious acts to please God? Why is that dangerous?

4. If you are having a day or longer, when you have been disobedient to

God, do you feel like God doesn’t want you? Why is that dangerous?

5. Does looking at how much Jesus fulfilled God’s plan, as foretold in the prophets, help you trust Him more today? Why or why not?

Family Activity (Optional) Reverse the Curse Snowball Fight Materials: Newspaper or paper and chalk, masking tape, timer, disposable wipes. Jesus took the curse of sin for us, was crushed for our transgressions. Play this game to help your family see the effects of sin on our lives, and the beauty of God’s gracious plan to rescue us from it. Split your family into two teams. If there are only two of you, play one on one! Place some masking tape (or other divider) on the floor to mark two halves of the room. On your signal, crumble the newspaper into “snow” balls. If you do not have newspaper, rub some chalk on regular paper and use that instead, or substitute as you see fit. The idea is to have the ink (or the chalk) from the newspaper, rub off on your hands while you are playing. Have the teams take their places, and quickly throw the “snow” balls at the opposing team for two minutes. When the time is up, count to see who has more/less balls on their side. Collect the paper, and wipe your hands clean. Ask questions like, “How do your hands look after the snowball fight? How is the newspaper like sin? How are the wipes like God’s grace?” Discuss the problem of sin, and the wonders of God’s grace.

Worship Choose someone read this – the 2nd CANDLE – (purple) is THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God prepared His people through the words of His prophets. “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.” Let us light this candle in preparation for Christ who bore our sin and shame so we could become God’s sons and daughters.

v Someone light the candles (both of them) after the reading is

completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song Who Would Have Dreamed by Sovereign Grace Music.

v Close in prayer. If you are in a group then give everyone the

opportunity to pray.

Week Three: The Light Of Life

The third week of Advent, we focus on how Jesus was born as the light of life shining into our darkness of sin and death. We will sing the song “Come All Ye Faithful,” which calls us to worship Christ, who humbly took on flesh to triumph over our sin. We will light the pink candle, which is called the Shepherd Candle or The Candle of Joy. Complete these two sections between Sunday, December 13th & Saturday, December 19th. We come faithfully to adore Him because He is our light and the giver of life.

Session One

Warm Up Read together the following verse and the chorus from our song, Come All Ye Faithful, and discuss the warm up questions. True God of true God, Light from Light eternal Humbly, He enters the virgin’s womb Son of the Father, begotten, not created O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord

Ø What themes of Advent do you see in these verses? Ø What do you like better, light or darkness? Ø What does it mean that God came “Light from Light eternal? Ø Jesus is referred to as the “light of the world – what does that mean?

Open in prayer. As the Advent season continues, use this time to thank God for sending Jesus into this dark world. Thank Him for all He has done and continues to do for you. Ask Him to bless you to be able to focus on His Word during this time. Optional Children’s warm up: The season of Advent is all about waiting. For these four weeks we wait for Jesus, it represents the many years that God’s people waited for the Savior to come. Write down things you have to wait for and how difficult is it to wait for them. What do you do why you are waiting?


Read John 1:1-‐18 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

The fourth gospel begins differently than the other three accounts of Jesus life and ministry. John connects the birth of Jesus all the way back to the creation account of Genesis chapter one. John tells us that the Word was Jesus, the second person of the trinity. It was by Him and through Him everything was made and God called it very good. John the Baptist was a witness that God Himself would be born as the light coming into the dark world. Jesus is the infinite Word, who was not recognized by the world because it was blinded by darkness, sin and rebellion. The Word, God eternal, took on flesh and became man in the form of Jesus Christ. Those who did receive the Word, God gave the right to become children of God. John wrote, “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.” We cannot possibly know the infinite holy God unless Jesus shows Him to us. He is the light that shattered the darkness of our sin and gave life to our certain death.

Think & Discuss…

1. What does darkness symbolize in the Bible? What does light symbolize?

2. What does it mean that Jesus as the light could not be overcome by the

darkness?

3. What does John mean by saying we have received grace upon grace? Can you define grace?

4. Two people are described. 1. Has not received Jesus and is in darkness.

2. Has received Jesus and is in the light. How would those two lives look different?

5. Have you received Jesus and believed in Him? If so, how has your life

changed since you received the light of life?

6. What are some of your behaviors that belong in the darkness and need to be cut out of your life?

Family Activity (Optional) Darkness Cannot Overcome The Light Materials: Warm clothes, family vehicle. Take some time after the sun goes down to walk around your yard or neighborhood together. Observe the brilliance and consistency of the stars and moon. Even when the clouds block your view, the light is still there. Ask questions like, “How is the light of the stars and moon similar to Jesus, the Light of the world? How are they similar? How are they different? Is Jesus’ light literal, figurative, both?” Take time to discuss. Not up for the cold? Pack into the car instead. Drive around town and find every house lit up with Christmas lights. Use the decorative lights to promote discussion instead of the stars and moon.

Worship • Choose someone to read this – the 3rd CANDLE – (pink) is THE

SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

v Someone light the candles (all three) after the reading is completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song Come All Ye Faithful by Sovereign

Grace Music.


Session Two

Warm Up Read together the following verse and refrain from our song, Come All Ye Faithful, and discuss the warm up questions. Come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem Come and behold Him, born the King of angels O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord

Ø What does it mean to be faithful, joyful and triumphant? Does that describe your life right now?

Ø We are implored to come and adore Christ. In what ways can we do that? Ø How do we behold Christ and give Him glory? Be specific

Open in prayer. Take some time to pray for each person in your group or family specifically. If you are doing this alone, pray for people God puts on your heart. Pray for their spiritual life. Ask for God to reveal Himself to them through Christ more and more. Be as specific in your prayer as possible. Optional Children’s warm up: Make the room as dark as you can and give your children a book or picture to look at but cannot see because it is so dark. Explain how Christ is the light of the world that came into our darkness so we could see. We can now see the truth and glory of God. Without Christ it is like trying to read in the darkness, but when we receive Him in faith, we can see! Investigate The Scriptures

Read Luke 2:22-‐38 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

After Jesus was born, His parents brought Him to the Temple to purify Mary and make the proper sacrifices required 40 days after the birth of a Jewish firstborn son. They met a man who was righteous in the faith and had been told by God he would not die until he met the long awaited Savior. Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit at the perfect time to meet Jesus and he recognized the Savior immediately.

As Simeon picks up the baby Jesus, he says, “for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Right away we learn that Jesus came to the Jews first, but also through them to the Gentiles. God sent His Son to be a light to the whole world, not just for Israel. Right from the very beginning of His life, we learn that Jesus came for all who would receive Him. Simeon also said something very serious to Mary, which must have sobered her happiness at that moment. He told her that Jesus would be the cause of the rise and fall of many and that He would pierce her soul. It is here we first see the cross, which for many is a stumbling block because they cannot see Jesus as the only way to God. For many, the cross is salvation because they see Jesus as Lord and Savior. As Mary watched Jesus rejected, beaten and sent to the cross, her soul was pierced but it was also saved! Next, they met Anna, a prophetess who had lived decades worshiping and praying at the Temple. God blessed Anna by showing her the Savior, because He was the One she had wanted to see all her life. She gave thanks to God and spoke of it to everybody. We learn that Jesus, the light of the world, has come to all of us if we would trust in Him alone. Our response, like Anna’s, must be to praise Him, thank Him and spread the good news to everyone we meet. Think & Discuss…

1. Simeon & Anna had waited a long time to see the Savior. Who do you think they represent in Israel? Why?

2. We have learned that the Gentiles had no idea they were even in

darkness, yet Jesus was the light to them. What do you think this means?

3. What can we learn in our own lives about how Simeon and Anna

responded to meeting Jesus?

4. Does your life reflect worship, praise, obedience and the sharing of the gospel? What gets in the way for you?

5. Talk about specific ways you can adore Christ more, make His name

known to others and live with greater and fuller joy.

Family Activity (Optional) Moebius Strip Materials: big strip of paper, tape, marker. In Luke 2 we see Simeon and Anna bear witness to the Messiah. They were able to lay eyes on him in human form. How fascinating! At Christmas time we often think of Jesus as a baby. Remember that John 1 tells us that Jesus was present “in the beginning.” This passage shows us that Christ’s life did not begin the day he was born as a baby in Bethlehem, but that he is eternal. The eternal nature of God is a difficult one to grasp. Use this activity to help your family understand that Jesus always was, and always will be. Create a moebius strip. Take a strip of paper and create a loop. Before you tape the ends together, turn one end 180 degrees (half – turn). This will give you a loop that only has one side, and goes on forever. Use a marker to make a path on the middle of the loop until you come back to where you started. Discuss how Jesus is like the moebius strip. When he was born a baby, it was not the beginning of His existence. He always was and always will be. Worship • Choose someone read this – the 3rd CANDLE – (pink) is THE SHEPHERD

CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – Simeon and Anna both responded with great joy when they finally laid their eyes on Jesus. Let our hearts be filled with joy as we meditate on His love for us and all He did for us. We respond with heartfelt worship, thanks and praise. Father help us to let our joy over the birth of our Savior spill out as we share Him to everyone we meet by our words and actions.

v Someone light the candles (all three) after the reading is completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song Come All Ye Faithful by Sovereign

Grace Music.


Week Four: Joy To the World

The fourth week of Advent, we focus on our overwhelming joy that comes with the birth of Christ. We will sing the song “Joy To The World,” which calls us to worship Christ our King, who reigns over all the earth! We will light the 4th candle, which is the 3rd purple candle, called the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love. Complete these two sections between Sunday, December 20th & Thursday, December 24th. It is a short week because you want it all done before Christmas morning. Let us anticipate Christmas with great joy, not because of presents and parties, but because Christ our King has come!

Session One

Warm Up Read together the following verses from our song Joy To The World, and discuss the warm up questions. Joy to the world! The Lord is come Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And heaven and nature sing And heaven and nature sing Joy to the world! The Savior reigns Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy

Ø When you read this, what themes of Advent most stands out to you? Ø Why should all of Heaven and nature sing? Ø Describe the difference between joy and happiness? What is the cause of

each? Ø Why are we called to “repeat the sounding joy?”

Open in prayer. As the Advent season continues, use this time to ask God for more joy. Be specific about the things that God has given you and brought you joy. Optional Children’s warm up: Have your children write down a list of things that make them happy. Next to each, write whether they will last forever or not. Talk about the difference between joy and happiness and how joy is from God and lasts forever, even when we are in pain.


Read Matthew 2:1-‐9 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

What an amazing story! It probably took place a year or two after the birth of Christ and His parents were still living in Bethlehem. They had moved into a house and Jesus was most likely growing into the toddler stage. The magi, educated wise philosophers, came from the East looking for the King of the Jews. Somehow they knew the signs that a new king was born and they came to the city of David to pay their respects to Him. They met the one who called himself the king of the Jews, Herod the Great. Herod was pretending to want to know about this king, but he really wanted to kill him. In fact, all of the Jews in Jerusalem were troubled because of these events. The magi were given the information, found in Micah 5:2, that the king of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem. They followed the star there and found it resting over the house where Jesus was living with His parents. It is verse 10 that we should be drawn to this Advent season. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly, with great joy!” How do you rejoice exceedingly with great joy? It is a description that teaches us that there is no fuller joy a person can have when he/she meets for the first time the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The Magi bowed down and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts. It is debatable whether they knew that He was God. However, we see here a prediction that all would some day bow to Jesus because He is the king of the universe and will reign over all. We have depicted in this true story, the birth of our greatest source of joy, the sovereign God Himself, Jesus Christ.

Think & Discuss…

1. We know nothing of the Magi, except they were Gentiles from the East who came to meet Jesus. Who do they represent?

2. Why do you think all of Jerusalem was troubled at the thought of the

birth of the King of the Jews? Weren’t they supposed to be waiting for Him?

3. Why did the birth of Jesus bring Herod so much angst? Why does the

name of Jesus today make people so upset?

4. At Christmas time do you think of Jesus and feel exceedingly great joy? Why or why not?

5. Think again about the line, “let every heart prepare Him room.” Is that you? Does each day of your life involve an affection for Jesus? What gets in your way?

6. How can you increase your attitude to be more joyous? What specific

activities can you do to make this happen during Advent and beyond?

Family Activity (Optional) Crown of Joy Materials: yellow construction paper, empty toilet paper rolls, paint, markers, crayons, glue or stapler. When the wise men saw the star of Bethlehem they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” When they saw the Christ child, they “fell down and worshipped him.” While you make this easy craft, talk about the joy that only Christ brings. Worship together in singing songs and praying together. Make a wise man out of simple art supplies. Take an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll. Paint or draw a face and clothes on the roll. Trace your hand on a piece of yellow construction paper. Cut out the hand and decorate the tips of the fingers like jewels on a crown. Write the word “JOY” on the palm of the hand, then glue or staple the “crown” to the top of the paper roll. Decorate as you are inspired!

Worship

• Choose someone to read this – the 4th CANDLE – (purple) is THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” v Someone light the candles (all 4) after the reading is completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song Joy To The World by Sovereign

Grace Music.


Session Two

Warm Up Read together the following verses from our song Joy To The World, and discuss the warm up questions. No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love Let heaven and nature sing (Our God reigns)

Ø When you read this, what themes of Advent most stand out to you? Ø What does this have to do with “joy to the world?” Ø What does it mean “let heaven and nature sing?” Ø How does this song describe what the kingdom of Heaven will be like? Be

specific. Open in prayer. Together as a group/family (or by yourself) choose someone you know who does not know Jesus and pray that He would bring the joy of salvation into that person’s life. You may pray for more than one person. Pray for God to also increase your joy, not just happiness this Christmas and the year to come. Optional Children’s warm up: Have your children pick out their favorite Christmas Christian hymn and sing it or listen to it together. After, discuss what it means to make a joyful noise of praise to the Lord. Talk about the importance of worship and singing to God.


Read Psalm 98 (Take turns reading if you are doing this devotional with your family).

This is a psalm that has long been associated with Christmas. It is about God’s universal kingship and about the marvelous things He has done for us. It expresses great joy that He has given salvation to Israel, but also to the Gentiles. There is such joy when we recognize how God has saved, and His light now shines to the ends of the earth. There is such joy that the only response we can have is noise! We praise God through joyful singing, trumpets, and worship, and all of nature joins with us. The sea roars, the rivers clap and the hills sing. “Let Heaven and Nature sing” because God is our king and because God is our Savior. The reason Psalm 98 is a great hymn to sing during Advent is that it brings out the theme of Christmas. We remember that the world was once full of the darkness of rebellion, sin and shame. Yet, the light of the world, God Himself, took on flesh to save us. Now we come and adore Him, making a noise with all of creation to praise and worship our God because of who He is and what He has done!

Think & Discuss…

1. What does it mean for you to make a joyful noise to God?

2. When you are in church do you sing? Why or why not? Do you like to worship God?

3. Have you ever noticed nature singing praise to God? When?

4. What are some other ways you can worship God?

5. When we regularly worship God, how does our attitude and perspective

change?

6. If we don’t regularly worship God for who He is and what He has done, what do you think tends to happen to us?

Family Activity (Optional) Experience Joy in the Calling Materials: assorted magnets and paper clips. Psalm 98 is a beautiful example of the joy we experience as heirs in God’s family. You can hear the excitement in the words of the psalmist as he shouts praises to the Lord. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. When He calls us, we cannot refuse Him, for He is irresistible! Then we can experience true joy that is beyond understanding. Talk with your family about the joy we experience as members of God’s children, despite the good and bad circumstances we face. As you converse, experiment with some magnets and paper clips. When you bring the paper clips close to the magnets, the magnet attracts the iron in the paperclip and draws it to itself . Ask questions like, “How is God like the magnet? How are we like the paperclip?” “Can I pull the paper clip off of the magnet? Can we be “pulled” away from God?”

Worship

• Choose someone to read this – the 4th CANDLE – (purple) is THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – We think back at the joyful, triumphant chorus of angels, as they made a joyous noise for the good news of Christ. The joy of Christ will never be taken away from us and we can worship Him through any and all circumstances. We thank and praise God because of who He is and what He has done. v Someone light the candles (all 4) after the reading is completed.

v Sing along (or meditate on) the song Joy To The World by Sovereign

Grace Music.


The Christmas Candle

The fifth Candle is lit on Christmas Day and is called the “Christ Candle.” Choose your favorite scriptures about Christmas and read them again

together.

Someone read the following: The 5th CANDLE – (white) is the “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8).‘” Light all 5 candles and Pray for God to remind you of the joy of Christmas every day!

Advent Devotional 2015 revised · 2015-11-24 · Week!One:!!A!Humble!Savior!!...

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Transcript of Advent Devotional 2015 revised · 2015-11-24 · Week!One:!!A!Humble!Savior!!...