ADULT ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2014

Transcription

1 ADULT ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2014 Deniece Mason

2 CELEBRATING ADVENT AT HOME The month of December is a busy time. These four weeks are filled with church services, concerts, parties, cleaning, decorating, etc. It can be exhausting and frustrating, but it s exciting too! We encourage you to spend time as a family, in Advent, reflecting and preparing. This small devotional resource is intended to give you tools to have devotions around an Advent Wreath. If you don t have an Advent wreath, 5 pillar candles (one for each week - 3 PURPLE AND 1 PINK - and one for Christmas) will work as well. Devotions are one way to reinforce Advent at home. We have included some additional ways to incorporate Advent into your home life below. You will also find these 3 categories at the end of every devotion: 1. Caring Conversations: While decorating your house and tree, either contemplate or discuss how decorating is part of our preparation and anticipation of Christ s coming. 2. Service: Celebrate Jesus coming by making time to serve others: feed the homeless in Fort Worth on Dec. 8 th with our church; volunteer to help with the cookout for our neighbors at Rocky Point Mobile Home Park on December 27 th ; donate old toys and clothes to CCA; ring bells for Salvation Army. 3. Rituals & Traditions: We all have rituals and traditions surrounding the season. (Baking goodies; decorating; Christmas Caroling; etc ) Keep doing what you have always done, but find a way to share them with others! 1

3 THE ADVENT WREATH Ever wonder why we light the Advent wreath? Here is an explanation of its origins and meaning to us today: The season of Advent is celebrated the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day. The name of this season is taken from the Latin word, adventus, which means coming. In the early Church the word was used mainly for Christmas Day itself, the day of the coming or birth of our Savior, Jesus. As Christianity began to grow and spread, the yearly marking and celebrating of the important events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ became important in the liturgical life of the Church. Adventus took on new meaning as a special time of waiting, a time set aside to prepare our hearts to receive the greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, sent to live and dwell as one of us. Sometime during the early Middle Ages the understanding of Advent as a season of waiting and preparing evolved further, as the Church began thinking of and consequently observing Christ s advent in three different ways: 1) his coming as a baby in Bethlehem (past); 2) his continual coming through grace into the hearts and souls of his people (present); and 3) his promised second coming (future). It is in this way we celebrate Advent today - we wait and prepare to celebrate the past, Christ s birth; we wait and prepare to receive Christ anew in the present; and we wait and prepare for Christ s glorious second coming. Although a long-standing Church tradition, the origin of the Advent Wreath is uncertain. We do know that pre-christian Germanic cultures lit candles placed on evergreen wreaths during the cold, dark days of December; the evergreens reminded them of that life continued even in the dead of winter, while the light of the candles symbolized their expectant hope for the warm, sun filled days of spring. Possibly from these roots, sometime in the Middle Ages, Christians began using similar wreaths with candles during the Advent season. Lighting the candles reminded them, as it now does us, that the light of the world (John 8:12), is coming and indeed is also here. This Christ, God s only Son, came to earth for us and what has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (John1:3b-5) Hope, joy, love, and peace are the gifts he brings. As the candles are symbolic of the light of Christ, there is also great symbolism found in the wreath itself. The circular shape and the traditional evergreens are a reminder of eternal life; holly leaves with their sharp points, are often added to represent the crown of thorns and remind us of Christ s suffering for our sake; and the interspersing of pine cones, which fall to the ground only to release seeds, symbolize new life given to us now and forevermore through the Incarnation. During this season of Advent, I pray you will experience the wonder of Christ s birth in a powerful new way. May this centuries old tradition become a meaningful avenue for you and your family to draw closer to our Lord, and to each other, as we eagerly anticipate his coming! Rev. Deniece Mason Associate Pastor - FMUMC 2

4 The Many Symbols of the Advent Wreath The symbols of the Advent wreath can help deepen your contemplation and discussion as you light your wreath. Here are just some of the symbols we can find on Advent Wreaths: The symbolism of light. In winter the days become shorter and the nights become longer. Right before Christmas, however, this changes, and the days begin to get longer and the nights shorter. The progressive lighting of candles symbolizes the coming of the spiritual light of Christ into the world and anticipates the change in physical light which takes place at Christmas. The wreath itself is round, a circle. This reminds us of the crowns worn by kings and of crowns made of laurel (bay) leaves presented to those who were victorious in the athletic games of the ancient world. It points out to us that Jesus Christ is our true King and that He is victorious over those things which would hurt us - evil, sin, and death. The wreath, again, is circular and this is a symbol of the eternity of God, who, like a circle, has no beginning nor an end. The candles placed on the wreath remind us that in Jesus birth at Bethlehem, He who was eternal, the Son of God, entered into our world of time and change. As we light a new candle each week, the differing lengths of the candles show us the passing of time as we get nearer to Christmas. Time is always moving forward, and this reminds us to prepare! Each candle on the wreath stands for a Sunday (and its following week) of the Advent season. Candles 1, 2, and 4 are purple. In the ancient world purple dye was very expensive and could only by afforded by kings. The purple candles tell us that the one whose birth we are preparing to celebrate is our true King. The rose candle (3rd Sunday) tells us that Advent is half over and Christmas is getting nearer and nearer. Its lighter color is a symbolic anticipation of our joy when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Advent wreath is usually made of evergreens, which are symbolic of life itself and, since they last through the winter, point to God s gift of life which comes to us even when the world is dark and threatening. 3

5 ADVENT WEEK 1 - HOPE Candle Lighting You may use this prayer while lighting the first candle: O God, thank you for Advent, the time we wait for the birth of your son. As we light this candle, remind us that Jesus is our hope, the light of the world. May he brighten our way and lead us in everything we do. Help us to be Christ s light in the world as we wait for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Read Isaiah 9:2-7 Common English Bible (CEB) 2 [c] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. 3 You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. 4 As on the day of Midian, you ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. 5 Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. 6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be vast authority and endless peace for David s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. Devotion Have you ever been in a totally dark room? It is so dark you cannot see your hand in front of your face, then someone plugs in a night light, and you can see again. Isn t it amazing how that one small light makes the darkness go away? When God created the world, the first thing God said was, Let there be light! God knew that light would help us find our way and help us not to be afraid. Over the years God has continued to send us light. God sent light to God s people in the wilderness to guide them to the Promised Land. God sent a light to shine over a stable in Bethlehem: a beacon to guide those who were searching for the Christ child. Best of all, God sent Jesus, his son, to be the light of the world. He shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome his light. Thanks be to God! 4

6 Closing prayer: Loving God, thank you for sending us your light. May that light comfort and guide those who are frightened and lonely tonight. Show me ways that I may reflect your light and offer hope to those around me. In Jesus name, Amen. Caring Conversation Take time to create A Christmas Pledge. Be creative! Hang it on the Christmas tree or the refrigerator for all to see. Spend a few minutes each week contemplating or talking with your family about how each of you is living out your Christmas pledge. EXAMPLE: Believing the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to: Be more loving Sharing the hope of Christmas with my family and friends Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends Focus on Jesus coming rather than presents Ritual and Tradition This Christmas consider making luminarias. Lighting luminarias is an old Hispanic tradition, begun as a symbolic way to light the way for the Christ child. These decorative lights are brown or white lunch bags, folded down about one inch at the top and filled with two to three inches of sand and one votive candle. Arrange the luminarias along your walkway or driveway, showing Christ the way into your home. Once it is dark, light the candles and celebrate Jesus coming again into your heart, your family, and your community. Service Bring some light into the lives of those who are in need this Christmas. Find a need in your community or in the world and make that your Christmas project. Bring canned goods to the food bank. Cook a meal for the homeless shelter. Adopt an angel from our Angel tree in the sanctuary. Visit the elderly who are homebound or in nursing homes. Write to prisoners in jail. Become a light in your community! 5

7 ADVENT WEEK 2 - Peace Candle Lighting - You may use this prayer while lighting the first & second candles: O God, rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son. As we light these candles, may we become blessings to one another. Use us to be your messengers and peacemakers. May we be the ones crying out the good news as we prepare the way of the Lord. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Read Matthew 3:1-12: Common English Bible (CEB) In those days John the Baptist appeared in the desert of Judea announcing, 2 Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven! 3 He was the one of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke when he said: The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight. [a] 4 John wore clothes made of camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and all around the Jordan River came to him. 6 As they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized by John. He said to them, You children of snakes! Who warned you to escape from the angry judgment that is coming soon? 8 Produce fruit that shows you have changed your hearts and lives. 9 And don t even think about saying to yourselves, Abraham is our father. I tell you that God is able to raise up Abraham s children from these stones. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn t produce good fruit will be chopped down and tossed into the fire. 11 I baptize with water those of you who have changed your hearts and lives. The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am. I m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 The shovel he uses to sift the wheat from the husks is in his hands. He will clean out his threshing area and bring the wheat into his barn. But he will burn the husks with a fire that can t be put out. Devotion: We all know the excitement when someone special is going to come to visit. The entire family is busy making preparations. The house smells wonderful with all the special foods being made to celebrate the visit. Gifts are made or purchased, and wrapped with brightly colored paper and ribbons. Candles are lit, and the house may be strung with special lights. John the Baptist s job was to get the people ready for the birth of the Messiah. He not only wanted them to repent, turn away from the evil things they were doing (either intentional or unintentional), but also to ready their hearts to receive the Lord and to celebrate His coming. As we decorate, cook, and shop, preparing for Christmas, remember to take the time to prepare our hearts as well; for the most important one, the Prince of Peace, is coming! 6

8 Closing prayer: Loving God, help us to prepare for Jesus coming. Turn us away from sin and help us focus on you. Bless those in our lives who bring your message to us: our friends, our families, our mentors and teachers, and our pastors. May we be your messengers of peace to all we meet. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Caring Conversation What are your traditions when guests are expected? Are there foods or drinks that are only prepared on special occasions? Do you enjoy certain music? Contemplate or talk about your favorite things you do to welcome guests. Ritual and Tradition Talk with your family about the origin of a special tradition. How did it get started? Is it relatively new, or has it been passed down for generations? Plan a dinner with family or friends and invite everyone in the kitchen to help to prepare a special meal or treat. Service Expand your tradition to include others. If your tradition is to prepare a special food, consider placing that item in a container and sharing it with a friend or neighbor. Enclose a note of friendship and hand-deliver it to your special friend. 7

9 ADVENT WEEK 3 JOY Candle Lighting - You may use this prayer while lighting the first, second, and third (the pink) candles: O God, with gratefulness we remember the promise of your Son. As we light these candles, we are reminded of the joy this promise brings. Open our ears to hear your word, and give us a voice to share what we hear. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Read Zechariah 2:10-13 Common English Bible (CEB) 10 Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Zion, because I am about to come and dwell among you, says the LORD. 11 Many nations will be joined to the LORD on that day. They will become my people, and I will dwell among you so you will know that the LORD of heavenly forces sent me to you. 12 The LORD will possess Judah as his inheritance upon the holy land; he will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be silent, everyone, in the LORD s presence, because he has moved from his holy habitation! Devotion Welcome. It s a word that we say often but rarely take to heart. If we have manners, we say, You re welcome most every day. It just rolls off our tongue. But if we spend some time thinking about it, there are few words that can make us feel at home, like we belong, or as accepted, more than the word welcome. Pause for a moment and let it sink in. Think about a time when you have felt truly welcomed. Maybe it was how someone welcomed you into their home, church, or even their family. Remember what that felt like, what warmth your heart felt. This scripture from Zechariah has two beautiful sides of welcome in it. God invites us to both Shout, and be glad, and Be still, because God is coming. All we have to say is, God, you are welcome; welcome in our hearts and welcome in our lives. On the flip side, God tells us that Many nations will become my people, and I will dwell among you. God is saying to us, Child, you are welcome; I have claimed you for my own. During this season of Advent, how are you preparing to welcome God in to your life, your home, your heart? How are you preparing to thank God for this wonderful gift? Closing prayer: Dear God, Open our hearts to receive your son. As we listen to the story again this year, fill us with joy. As you have welcomed us, help us to welcome everyone in your name. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. 8

10 Caring Conversation Think about someone that made you feel truly welcomed. It may have been a small gesture from their perspective but one that made a big difference for you. Consider calling them or writing them a short note to thank them for their gesture of welcome. Let them know how much you appreciated their actions. Ritual and Tradition Begin a tradition of intentional welcome at your church, job, or school. Each week, say hello to someone new as a small gesture of welcome. That simple habit will go a long way! Service As a family, or just you, plan & make a meal to welcome someone into your home. Invite them in for a comforting dinner and caring conversation. 9

11 ADVENT WEEK 4 - LOVE Candle Lighting - You may use this prayer while lighting the first, second, third, and fourth candles: O God, Thank you for loving us. As we light these candles we are filled with thanksgiving, knowing that you are near. Make us your servants and help us to reach out with love to those in need. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Luke 1:26-33, 38 Common English Bible (CEB) 26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David s house. The virgin s name was Mary. 28 When the angel came to her, he said, Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you! 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, Don t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom. 38 Then Mary said, I am the Lord s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said. Then the angel left her. Devotion: "Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you!" The Gospel lesson tells us that Mary was confused. I think so! Can you imagine the surprise? Mary, a young woman, is told by an angel that she will have a child that will rule forever. "Greetings favored one! The Lord is with you!" Today, let these words be for you. For you are like Mary, favored, and like Mary, the Lord is with you this day. That is good news! But, it is also life changing. When Mary agreed to be the mother of Jesus, everything she had planned for her life changed. She had planned to marry Joseph and to live a quiet life. But, in a moment she was asked give up all those hopes and dreams, and wholly trust God. Like Mary, God is asking us to trust. How will receiving Jesus change your plans today? Are you willing to allow Jesus to change your life? Closing prayer: Dear God, Thank you for your favor and thank you for your promise to be with me this day. Help me to say yes, to receive the gift of your Son in a new and special way this year. May I share the love he brings, realizing that knowing you is the only way I can know love. In Jesus name, Amen. 10

12 Caring Conversation Most of us don t have God moments quite like Mary, but we can often see and hear God if we are looking and listening. Contemplate or discuss a God moment you have recently had. Ritual and Tradition Take time during this week to pause at the end of your day to reflect on how God s love, grace and mercy were present to you. Let it become a prayer of thanksgiving. Service Throughout the day, at home, work, or school, offer prayers to God for each person you encounter. Try to be fully present and actively engaged in what others have to say. Listen! 11

13 CHRISTMAS - Christ Candle Candle Lighting Light all four Advent candles in silence. Then you may use this prayer while lighting Christ candle: Gracious God, tonight we light the Christ candle. As we gaze upon this light, we are reminded that you sent your son on this day to bring light to all peoples. You are the light in the darkness. The beauty of these lighted candles reminds us that there is always light to be found in darkness. Christ, our light and our hope, has come. May our lights always shine bright, for your glory. In the name of him who is born today, Jesus Christ, Amen. Read: Luke 2:1-7 (CEB) 2 In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists. 2 This first enrollment occurred when Quirinius governed Syria. 3 Everyone went to their own cities to be enrolled. 4 Since Joseph belonged to David s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. 5 He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn child, a son, wrapped him snugly, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guestroom. Devotion: When I read this part of the story, I am astounded. It seems so ordinary. People are simply going about their business, tending to their taxes, traveling. In the midst of this everyday life, there comes a man and a woman, and a baby to be born. No one stops to make a special place for them. As the famous carol says, it is a silent night, a holy night; and all is calm, all is bright. The child is born in a barn, laid in a manger, and sleeps in heavenly peace. The Savior of the world comes in an ordinary way amidst the bustle of the city; people are too caught up in their lives to notice. In the same way, there are many things that distract us from noticing the baby that is born this night. Ribbons and bows wrapped around things we want: beautiful gifts we are waiting to open. The bustle of our lives on this night keeps us from noticing the most important thing: he has come! Emmanuel - God With Us. And so it goes on throughout the year, things distract us from the daily ways that God enters our life. How will you find time this day, and in the days to come to make a special place for this baby to be born? 12

14 On this special night, gather your family or friends and take turns sharing why you are glad that Jesus was born. Plan how you will continue to look for him and follow him throughout the year. Think of ways to continue sharing the love of Christ with others. Closing prayer: Almighty God, Glory in the highest! We thank you that you sent your extraordinary son into the midst of our ordinary lives. Come again, Lord Jesus, to all the places where people are busy, lonely, anxious, tired, homeless, sick, and afraid. May we feel your love, joy, hope, and peace. Come Lord Jesus, be born in us today. Amen. 13