St. John Lutheran Church Advent Devotional 2015

Transcription

1 St. John Lutheran Church Advent Devotional 2015

2 What is Advent? Advent refers to the coming or arrival of the infant baby Jesus. The first Sunday in Advent occurs near or on November 30th of each year. It always includes four Sundays and varies in length. Advent ends with Christmas Eve. What s a Advent wreath? An Advent wreath is a ring holding four candles decorated with greenery. The circle symbolizes God s ever lasting love for God s creation and the evergreens represent Christs gift of eternal life. The light of each candle represents the light that Christ brings to the World. Talking about Faith at Home Faith is important to talk about at home, and faith is talked about but it is also lived. Here are a few ideas for you and your family to live out your faith this Advent season. 1. Make a Christmas ornament to take to someone in the community who lives alone, or if possible invite him/her; or a family to your advent devotional. 2. Pray for a member of the congregations travels during the Christmas season, or for relatives that may be traveling this Christmas. 3. Wrap a present to Jesus and put it under the tree with a slit on top. Throughout Advent drop in pieces of paper on which you have written ways you are sharing the light of Jesus with others. 4. Write a letter, poem or song to members of your family and tell them why they are important to you and how they bring peace in your life. 5. Share a random act of kindness with a stranger by bringing them some hot chocolate or writing them an encouraging note!

3 Christmas Day Candle 5 December 25th, 2015 Scripture: John 1:1-5 Merry Christmas! The day we have waited for and prepared for is finally here! What is the color of Advent? The color of Advent is blue. In some Advent wreaths the candles are colored. There are three purple and one pink. The Christ candle in the center of the wreath is white. Emmanuel: God is with us! Light the firsts candle and say: The light of the prophets reminds us of the hope that God gives us on the way to Bethlehem. Light the second candle and say: The light of Bethlehem reminds us of God s love on our journey to Bethlehem. Light the third candle and say: The light of the Shepard's reminds us to not be afraid but to be joyful on the way to Bethlehem. Light the fourth candle and say: The light of the Angels reminds us of the peace that God gives us in Jesus Christ. Light the Christ Candle and say: Now we light the Christ candle honoring the birth of Jesus, the son of God, the One True Light, who has come to bring light to our hearts and to our homes. Why do we light the Advent wreath? We light the Advent wreath in preparation of the birth of the baby Jesus. Regular devotions and time in prayer help people of God to experience the presence of Christ in their heart. Advent is a time for waiting, expectation and longing. Gathering around an Advent wreath is an important family faith practice. Family gatherings become a tradition and help children enjoy family time together as well as learning about God!

4 1st Sunday in Advent November 29th, 2015 Candle 1: Hope Reading: Isaiah 7:14 The lighting of the first candle reminds us of the hope that God gives is on the way to Bethlehem. Talk About: 1. Talk about what you are looking forward to this Christmas. How does Christmas bring you hope? 2. Sort through your Christmas ornaments and find those that symbolize the Light of Jesus who is the Light of the World. What help does the light of Jesus give you? 3. What are you hopeful for this Christmas? Let us pray: We are a people of hope! We are a people who rejoice in the promise that even in the darkest of times you come to us to bring a ray of light, providing hope and healing amidst brokenness and pain. We ask that as we await the Christ who comes to us, that you would remind us of your faithfulness and steadfast love. Amen 4th Sunday of Advent December 20th, 2015 Candle 4: Love Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7 The lighting of the fourth candle reminds us of the love of God in his gift of Jesus. 1. We have been on a journey in this season of Advent. Like Mary and Joseph were on their way to Bethlehem. What kind of trips do you take as a family? 2. What kind of transportation do you use? What is fun or difficult about your trips? What would it be like to ride a donkey? 3. If you are traveling at Christmas, what kind of gifts can you bring that show that you are learning to follow Jesus who shows us the way to live? Pray this Dear God, we thank you for your limitless love that you give to us. We thank you for the love of our families and we thank you for the love of all of your people. In your name we pray. Amen

5 3rd Sunday of Advent December 13th, 2015 Candle 3: Joy Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-10 The lighting of the third candle reminds us of the joy of the birth of the baby Jesus. 2nd Sunday in Advent December 6th, 2015 Candle 2: Peace Reading: Luke 2:15-20 The lighting of the second candle reminds us of the peace that God gives us in Jesus Christ. 1. Talk about the gifts you are giving to others and the joy it brings you when someone is excited about your gift? 2. Talk about what gift you will bring to Jesus. 3.Share something joyful that happened today or this week? Share something you need to pray about. Talk About: 1. How do you think the birth of Jesus Christ changed history? 2. How did the birth of Jesus change your life? 3. How does Jesus bring peace to your life? How does Jesus bring peace to the world? Let us pray: Dear God, we thank you for the emotion of Joy. We thank you for being with us in our sadness and in our times of gladness. Please help us to remember the joy of the Advent season when sometimes we forget. In your name we pray. Amen Let us pray: We pray for peace. We pray for peace in our lives and around the world. The gift of the infant Jesus is a sign of peace. Please be with us this week as we experience peace in the season of Advent. In your name we pray. Amen