ADVENT ADVENTURE WEEK FOUR DECEMBER 18-25
Two opportunities to use the Advent Wreath: the fourth Sunday and Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: Week 4 features the Peaceable Kingdom, the Second Coming, and the hymn “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.”
And Christmas Eve, we light the Christ Candle and sing “Once In Royal David’s City.”
Some families also celebrate this event with a Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Cake and the youngest child present blows out the single candle.
Jesse Tree Remaining Ornaments:
THEME 21: BELIEVING GOD’S BLESSING
Luke 1: 5-25 Think About It:
Elizabeth was Mary’s cousin. She had no children, just like Sarah we read about before. She and Zechariah had prayed for many years for a child. God heard their prayer, because He was ready to send Jesus into the world. He needed someone, a prophet, to proclaim He was coming, and to baptize people. That man’s name was John the Baptist.
The angel Gabriel told Zechariah all about the characteristics of his son, John, even before he was born. Gabriel was the same angel who told Mary she would become the mother of Jesus.
Zechariah was amazed, and did not really believe what he was being told. After all, like Abram and Sarai, they were old, well beyond the years when they could expect to have a child.
This is the story of John. He was a few months older than Jesus. In fact, when Mary went to visit Elizabeth when they were both present, the Bible says that Baby John, not even born yet, leaped in her womb when He sensed Jesus was near.
Now, here’s the hard part of the story. You’d think Zechariah would want to share the excitement he felt that he was about to be a father after all these years. But, because he doubted God could make this happen, God made him mute. He couldn’t talk until after John was born.
It is not a good thing to doubt what God says. Zechariah probably learned that lesson the hard way!
The Bible tells us we should pray believing. If we do not believe what we are praying for, how will it happen? So, when we see God answering what we think might be impossible prayers, we are not praying believing that all things are possible to those who love Christ. He indeed does answer seemingly impossible prayers.
THEME 22: BAPTISM PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father:
Help us to not judge on appearances. When You sent John the Baptist, You were preparing for His Birth and His ministry on earth. Help us to remember that You can and do speak through people who do not look like the prosperous, put together people we might expect, but that You can and do use ordinary people to be Your servant leaders. We are thankful for that. Amen
Matthew 3: 1-6
THEME 23: A SPECIAL JOB FOR GOD Luke 1: 26-38
The Old Testament had predicted it. A virgin would birth the Messiah! This is God’s account of how this whole thing happened. Mary was the chosen one, and even she was not sure how all this was going to happen. She was no one special, except in God’s eyes. She was not yet married to her betrothed, Joseph. She did not think of herself as exceptional in any way. But God called her blessed, and gave her the privilege and heartache of raising the Son of God.
Again the angel Gabriel is the messenger. Her response shows her humility and the giving of her will to the Lord.
She says, “I am the servant girl of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!”
THEME 24: A SPECIAL DAD JOB Matthew 1: 18-25
Dear Heavenly Father:
We are thankful Jesus grew up in a loving home, that he was protected by Joseph, and that Joseph was a common working man, not the one, again, expected to be the father of The Son of God. Priests thought Jesus would be born to one of them. As a king, He should have been born in a castle. Instead Jesus came as a servant, an example to us that humble beginnings can be just fine, and that He can use anyone, and does. Amen.
THEME 25: JOURNEYS Luke 2: 1-5
THINK ABOUT IT
It was about ninety miles of travel for Mary and Joseph. That’s a long way to walk. That’s a long way to ride on a donkey’s back when late in pregnancy.
God didn’t ask for the impossible, for Mary or Joseph, or for any of us. But it was difficult. The road was hard and dusty. There was no hotel room waiting for them. They couldn’t even find a place to stay without great difficulty, and then, it was a stable.
Much has been written about the nativity. Were the wise men even there that night? No. Did the shepherds have trouble finding the stable? Probably. Were Mary and Joseph tired after their trip, and especially after the delivery of the Baby Jesus. For sure.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us remember that Emmanuel means God with us, and indeed He is.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father,
Let us remember that You loved us enough to send Jesus to us. Let us remember to be grateful that You protected Him, that there were shepherds and angels, and later wise men to worship Him, and that we can worship You now and in all eternity. We are forever grateful that Mary and Joseph walked those many miles to where You wanted Jesus to be born, and that You do all things well in Your own sense of timing. Amen.
THEME 26: THE BIRTH OF THE KING OF KINGS Luke 2: 6-21 THINK ABOUT IT
Well, the day is here! Jesus is born in Bethlehem. More importantly, let Him be born in your heart and let the evidence of His mission show in your life. Many people think of Jesus only as a baby, or later, hanging on the cross, and do not pay much attention to what He taught us about God, His Father.
Jesus came to us to teach us more about God and to enter into a relationship, restoring what was lost in the Fall of man in Genesis. Learn about Him. Trust in Him for your salvation, and know that He loves us.
CHRISMON ORNAMENT CELEBRATIONS FOR LAST WEEK OF ADVENT:
DAY 22:
THE IOTA ETA SIGMA
“These three Greek characters are the first letters in the name “Jesus” [IHSOUS] (The eta is the same as our “H”) In ancient times, this became a widely recognized monogram of the Christ. Although many traditions have arisen, giving various other meanings to these three letters, most Church historians hold to the original and most simple explanation.”
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: We know that at the Name of Jesus, all knees shall bow. Those from every nation, those from every tribe, those from every people group, those speaking any tongue, will fall prostrate before King Jesus. We long for that day. We thank You that His message has reached from shore to shore, from country to country, and that Your Word is proclaimed throughout the generations. Thank You for the Cloud of Witnesses who have gone before us and instructed us in the faith. Thank You for the provisions You have made for man to know You. Thank You that your creation shouts out Your name in praise. May we eternally do the same. In Jesus’ Name and for His sake, we pray. Amen.
“This contemporary symbol* consists of four hearts, representing love, converging into a circle, which represents the world. It was inspired by the familiar words of Jesus recorded in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
PRINCE OF PEACE
“’PAX’ is the Latin word for peace. As such it beautifully symbolizes that which has been promised to those who choose to follow Christ. When the angel announced our Lord’s birth, the heavenly host shouted “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
This promise had actually been foretold centuries earlier when Isaiah wrote: ‘For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given … and he will be called … Prince of Peace. ‘Then, on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus comforted His disciples by reminding them ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled.do not be afraid.’” (John 14:27)
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
“A candle and the light it produces is symbolic of both God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son. Light is also to be a distinct characteristic of all those who claim Christ as Lord. The Apostle John wrote: ‘This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.’ (I John 1:5)
Jesus claimed the same quality for Himself when He stated: ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. (John 8:12)”Those who have chosen to become followers of Christ are called to share this ‘light’ with others. Jesus said: ‘You are the light of the world … Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14-16)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,:
Times haven’t changed much. Your Old Testament heroes and plain folks like us longed for the Light to shine on them, as do we. Be present with us, Light of the World, for the earth is indeed in darkness without Your Presence. We need Your light, Your truth, Your love to navigate the places where we find strife, envy, traps for the soul, and things on the pathways which cause us to stumble and fall.
Thank You that in perfect light, there is no shadow of doubt or uncertainty. Thank You that in heaven, there will be no need for sun to shine, for Jesus will be the light. There will be no shadow or turning from the light of His Presence. We thank You for that promise.
We thank You that You have provided glimpses of that perfect light, and we thank You that You indeed are the only hope and light for this sin-sick world. Yet for Your own, those who seek Your light, the Light of Your presence, You are indeed the comfort and joy we celebrate at this Christmas season. For You have come to show us the Light of truth and peace, and we welcome You this day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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