Advent: Week 1

Wait Expectantly for the Lord

Think About It: Have you ever waited for something to happen? What did you wait for? How did you feel while you were waiting? What did you do while you were waiting?

Listen To It: Jesus said, “No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows. … Always be ready! You don’t know when the Son of Man will come.” (Matthew 24:36, 44, CEV)

Talk About It: Have you ever heard people trying to predict when the world will end or trying to predict when Jesus will come again? What are your thoughts when you hear these kinds of conversations? Do Jesus’ words frighten you or give you hope? Explain.

Learn From It: In Jesus’ time, just like today, there were people who were anxious to know when the world would end. But Jesus does not want us to be concerned about such matters since only God knows. Rather Jesus wants us to prepare our hearts so that we are always ready to receive him. When Jesus was born, no one expected the Messiah to come as a baby. But God often surprises us in wonderful ways! In the coming days, as you begin to get ready for Christmas, be open to God’s surprises in your life and prepare your heart so that you will be ready to welcome the Savior. (Read Matthew 24:36-44 .)

Pray About It: Lord Jesus, help me to wait for you. Prepare my heart to receive you. My hope is in you. In your holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Act On It: While waiting for Christmas, purchase a Scripture-based “window” Advent Calendar (one with Bible verses on the back flap of each window) or make your own Advent Calendar. If making your own calendar, photocopy the month of December from a wall calendar or create your own on a sheet of white drawing paper, and copy the following Bible verse citations from Luke’s Gospel in each of the 25 boxes for the first 25 days in December: 1:5-7; 1:8-10; 1:11-13; 1:14-17; 1:18-20; 1:21-22; 1:23-25; 1:26-28; 1:29-33; 1:34-38; 1:39-45; 1:46-50; 1:51-53; 1:54-56; 1:57-58; 1:59-60; 1:61-62; 1:63-64; 1:65-66; 1:67-68; 1:69-71; 1:72-75; 1:76-80; 2:1-7; 2:8-20. Read the assigned Scripture each day and affix (or draw) a star (from a sheet of star stickers) in each day’s box.

Advent: Week 2

Get Ready for the Lord

Think About It: How are you starting to get ready for Christmas? What things do you see taking place in your home, in your church, in your community? What are your hopes and expectations as you begin getting ready for Christmas?

Listen To It: Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said, “In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’” (Matthew 3:3, CEV)

Talk About It: What was John the Baptist’s message? Why was it important? How do you think people at that time reacted to such a message? If you saw someone on a street corner delivering the same message today, what would be your thoughts?

Learn From It: John the Baptist was a prophet who preached in the desert, telling people that they needed to get ready for something new that God was going to do. He warned them to get ready by turning back to God and being baptized. As you continue to get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, be open to ways you can “get the road ready for the Lord.” To whom might you tell the good news about Jesus? (Read Matthew 3:1-12.)

Pray About It: Lord God, prepare my heart for the many wonderful and new things you are planning for me. Teach me to prepare for the coming of your Son, Jesus, and to tell others the good news. In all I do may you be glorified. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Act On It: Create hopeful hearts. Materials needed: construction paper, heart pattern (approximately 6 inches high), scisssors, pencils/pens. Cut out several hearts. On each one invite members of your household to write something they hope for. Gather the hearts into a small basket. Each day during the week use the basket of hopeful hearts as part of your devotional time and pray about each hope that is expressed.

Advent: Week 3

Put Your Hope and Trust in the Lord

Think About It: Have you ever hoped for something to happen, only to find out later that it either didn’t happen or that something else happened instead? Were you disappointed? surprised? As you prepare for Christmas this year, trust in God’s love and think of ways you can share that love with others and fill their hearts with the hope that the birth of the Savior brings.

Listen To It: Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? … Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king’s palace. What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. (Matthew 11:7-9a, CEV)

Talk About It: How did Jesus describe John? What is your reaction to the response Jesus gave? Explain.

Learn From It: John the Baptist is sometimes called the last “Old Testament prophet” because of the warnings he brought about God’s judgment and because he announced the coming of God’s “Chosen One” (Messiah). While he was in prison, he had heard about Jesus and posed a key question concerning Jesus’ identity. Describe the essence of Jesus’ response to John’s question in your own words. What do Jesus’ actions reveal about himself? (Read Matthew 11:2-11.)

Pray About It: Loving God, my hope and trust are in you. Help me to share with others, to do your will, and to bring the light of your message to those who are in spiritual darkness. May their hearts be filled with the hope that comes from you. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Act On It: Prepare messages of hope and love. Materials needed: used Christmas cards or other greeting cards (cut in half so that only the front picture remains), construction paper, scissors, glue, markers/crayons. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and paste one of the used greeting card pictures on the front cover. Inside prepare a list of Christmas wishes – blessings you wish for someone else. Encourage members of your household to make several cards and deliver these “messages of hope and love” to a local hospital, convalescent home, other community organizations, or to homebound neighbors.

Advent: Week 4

Welcome and Receive the Lord

Think About It: Christmas is almost here! Are you ready? When you know a guest is coming to visit, how do you get ready?

Listen To It: So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:22, 23, CEV)

Talk About It: What does “God is with us” mean to you? When do you sense God’s presence in your life?

Learn From It: In Matthew 1:18-25, the focus is not so much on Jesus’ birth as on his origin and purpose. It is God’s Spirit that brings about Jesus’ conception, and an angel confirms this to Joseph in a dream. The Gospel writer uses “fulfillment” language (“just as the prophet had said”) to emphasize that God’s purpose takes place in Jesus. The Hebrew name, Jeshua, which is translated as “Jesus,” means “the Lord saves.” In saying that the child will be called “Immanuel,” Matthew quotes from the Greek version of Isaiah 7:14. (Read Matthew 1:18-25.)

Pray About It: Lord Jesus, with all my heart I praise you. I trust in God’s promises, and with joy and anticipation I await the celebration of your birth. Thank you for being my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Act On It: Make “Welcome Jesus” Doorknob Hangers. Materials needed: heavy paper (card stock); doorknob hanger pattern; scissors; glue, glitter; markers/crayons; stickers (optional). Trace the doorknob hanger pattern on a sheet of heavy paper. (It should be rectangular in shape and measure 7” x 10” with the corners rounded off.) About 2” from the top, cut a hole about 2-1/2” in diameter and then cut a diagonal slit from the top left-hand corner to the hole. In large letters write *WELCOME JESUS on the doorknob hanger. Outline the letters in glue and sprinkle glitter over the letters. When dry, decorate the doorknob hanger with stickers or with artwork. Use the doorknob hanger as a welcome sign or decoration at home. (*You may wish to substitute with “IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US”)