The First Week's Devotion

Advent Family Devotional - First Sunday of Advent
(All scripture references are from the NRSV)

Gather around the Advent wreath.

You may want to assign the parts to family members

Scripture: A voice cries out in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be made low; the uneven ground shall become level and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all the people shall see it together. Isaiah 40: 3-5

Prayer: God help us, we pray, to make a way for you in our busy lives. Help us to see your light and love in our world.

Light the first candle

Scripture: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12.

Make plans to attend this years children's functions at church, usually a children's presentation and gingerbread night at which gingerbread houses are made. Gingerbread night is now full, but plan to attend the Children's service on Christmas Eve at 4 PM. Children can come dressed as shepherds or stable animals and participate in the service to welcome baby Jesus.

Devotion: This is the first Sunday of Advent. We’ve gathered here to think about Jesus and His coming into our world. Jesus is like a light that shines on us and shows us the way out of darkness. Jesus’ teachings are like a light to show us the way to live. We want to get ourselves ready for Jesus to come into our lives, into our hearts this Christmas. [Ask family members] What are some special things we can do to get ready this Christmas? Or, How can we be a light to others?

Some ideas for thinking about Light

* Ask each person to remember some special Christmas celebration from the past (get out pictures) Or, look through old Christmas cards recalling the folks who sent them and talk about how they “brightened” your life.

* Storytelling. Using a real event in your child’s life -- tell the [child’s name] story. . .”Once upon a time there was a little boy named James . . . . “ Tell how your child has brought light into your life and/or the life of the family.

* Rummage through a box of tree ornaments or Christmas decorations to find those that symbolize “Light” or Jesus as the Light of the World.

*Begin to talk about how your family can participate in one of the many projects that help others at Christmas.

If you have a crèche, a nativity scene, now’s the time to get it out. Put out just the empty stable or barn and talk about this special place that has been prepared for the baby. But don’t tell the Christmas story yet, let it unfold and build week to week.

Prayer: Dear God we ask you to be with us as we prepare for Christmas. Help us to enjoy this time of waiting. Help us to care for others as you care for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Suggested family activities for this first week in Advent

Make or purchase an Advent wreath to take to your neighbor who lives alone, or better yet, invite them to your advent devotions.

Relight the first advent candle at meal time and say a special prayer for those who need the light of God’s love in their life.

Make or buy tree ornaments that remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World.

Make or buy candles to give to friends with a card attached to remind them to burn candles in honor of Jesus the Light of the World.

If it’s a clear night, go out and look at stars. Begin to talk about this special light that led the way to the place of Jesus’ birth.

The Second Week's Devotion

Advent Family Devotional - Second Sunday of Advent
(All scripture references are from the NRSV)

Gather around the Advent Wreath
You may want to assign parts to family members

Scirpture: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

Prayer: God, journey with us to Bethlehem. Go with us and lead us to your love. Go with us and teach us to love others.

Light the first candle, and then the second candle.

Sing or read: O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark street shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

Devotion: This is the second Sunday of Advent. Today we remember that Mary and Joseph went on a journey to Bethlehem. We too are on our own journey. We travel toward Christmas, and the birth of Jesus because we want to know Him better, to feel His love, to see his face in our life today.

Devotion option: If you have small children in your family ask them to play the part of the donkey Mary rode on. When you read the cue, they are to say: “Clip clop, clip clop, clip clop.”

Joseph put Mary on a donkey to travel to Bethlehem
Clip clop . . .
The donkey carried Mary over hills high and low
Clip clop . . .
The donkey carried Mary under the sunshine
Clip, clop . . .
The donkey carried Mary through the dark
Clip clop . . .
Joseph walked beside, but the donkey carried Mary all the way to Bethlehem
Clip clop, . . .

Prayer: Thank you God for the Donkey who carried Mary and for the animals that greeted them in Bethlehem.

If you’ve set up the stable or barn of your nativity set, now’s the time to add the animals.

Some ideas for thinking about “Journey”

*Ask each person to remember (get out pictures) trips they have made. What kind of preparations did you make for the trip? What were the difficulties getting there? What fun did you have on the journey? Why were you going there?

*Make a list of family members and friends who live too far away to travel to your Christmas Celebration. Plan ways to contact them this year.

*Do you have neighbors who can not make the journey to be with family this year? Can you include them in your plans?

*If you will be traveling this Christmas, talk about the journey you will make and who will be waiting at the end of your journey.

Suggested family activities for this week in Advent

Light the two candles again each night at meal time. Pray for peace in Jerusalem and Bethlehem and for peace in the world. Pray for our President and country that our actions might bring peace to the world.

Find a hill where you can look down on the city lights after dark. Talk about how Bethlehem might have looked at night.

Have a picnic around the Christmas tree

Attend a special Christmas concert or event together as a family.

The Third Week's Devotion

Advent Family Devotional - Third Sunday of Advent
(All Scripture references are from NRSV)

Gather around the Advent wreath
You may want to assign parts to family members

Scripture: And Mary Said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47

Scripture: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, The Lord. Luke 2:8-10

Devotion: Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of joy. The young Mary who had every reason to fear, expressed joy in God’s favor. The angels comforted the frightened shepherds out on a dark hillside with the joy of the good news. The joy we find is never in our circumstances but in our relationship with God in Christ.

Light the first candle, light the second candle, light the third candle (which may be pink) and say “Today we light the candle of joy.”

Prayer: God, we too rejoice. We rejoice that Jesus is born in Bethlehem. We rejoice that you give us what we need. Fill our days with joy and help us to share that joy with others.

Sing: Joy to the World

Now is the time to add Mary and Joseph and Shepherds to your nativity scene.

Suggested Family Activities

Make plans to attend the Cumming First UMC’s Chancel Choir’s Festival of Lessons and Carols when it is presented in the morning worship services on December 16.

Make hot chocolate from scratch and watch a TV Christmas Special as a family enjoying each other’s company.

Decorate a shoebox with the Advent color purple. As Christmas cards come in, place them inside the box. Each night at dinner, draw out a card and talk about how the person who sent it has brought you joy. Pray for that person.

Put lights in the windows. Each time you turn on the lights, say “Christ is welcome in this home.” Or, when you turn on your tree lights say, “Jesus, the light of the world, the joy of our hearts.” Do this each time you “turn on” your lights. Children love this repetition - and they learn from it.

Write on pieces of paper “jobs” that need doing around the house to get ready for Christmas. Make sure “jobs” are appropriate for children. Each family member draws a “job” from a jar or box. Each family member is to do this job within the next week. These jobs are done in order to prepare for Christmas. This job is their Christmas gift to the family. When a job is complete, light an Advent candle and say, “We are getting ready for Christmas with joy.

The Fourth Week's Devotion

Advent Family Devotional - Fourth Sunday of Advent
(All Scripture references are from NRSV)

Gather Around the Advent Wreath
You may want to assign parts to family members

Scripture: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord had made known to us.”
Luke 2: 15

Devotional: Mary and Joseph are in the stable. Angels have told the shepherds where to look for them. They know that it is God who has given them the news and sends them to Bethlehem. While we have been preparing our hearts for Christmas, God has been leading us, guiding us to the true meaning of Christmas - that he has come into the world in Jesus to be with us -- to be close to us. God will help us to see and to hear what we need to see and hear this Christmas.

Light all four candles of the Advent Wreath.

Sing: “Silent Night, Holy Night”

Silent Night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent Night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly host sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is Born.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to wait for what you will show us this Advent. Help us to see that you are with us. Guide us by your holy light to that place where we take Jesus into our hearts. Help us to notice those around us who may be bearers of your light to us. Help us to be the bearer of your good news to others.

Now is the time to add the shepherds and sheep to your nativity scene

Suggested Family Activities

*The prophets said that Messiah had many names, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, The Suffering Servant, the Lamb of God and Emmanuel (which means “God is with us”). Talk with your children about these names and what they mean. Then tell your children about their own names and why they have the names they do. Ask children to think of new names for the baby Jesus. Write these on pieces of paper and leave them around the Advent wreath.

*Light the wreath each night at dinner and pray for people you love - and people who need your prayers -- by name, thanking God for all they mean to you.

*Make Chrismons (monograms for Christ) out of white and gold paper and bows. Make and decorate in the shape of a cross, fish, manger, or crown. These symbols represent Jesus’ and are a shortened way to say his many names. Hang them on your tree as you sing “Jesus Loves me.”

*Write a note or letter to each person in your family (each one does this). Tell them how you love them. Wrap the letter or note in a gift box with a bow to be opened on Christmas day. Place it under the tree.

*Try to learn the names this week of all the people you meet, the sales clerk, the postman, the Salvation Army Bell Ringer, the policeman directing traffic, the clerk in the window taking your order at McDonalds. Keep wrapped cookies on hand to share with all you meet.

A Final Advent Devotion

One of my favorite stories of Christmas is the fictional story about the Fourth Wiseman written by Henry Van Dyke.

Artaban was a Magi who lived among the mountains of Persia. He and three friends from far away had made a discovery that a perfect star would appear in the heavens and proclaim the birth of a great king. He would be sent from one God, the Son of the most high.

Artaban had made his plans and had sold everything he owned to purchase three jewels as gifts for the king. His gifts: a blue sapphire as blue as the Persian sky, a ruby as red as the rays of sunshine, and a pearl as white and pure as snow.

The star appeared as predicted and the four men began their travels from the Temple in Babylon. If he did not arrive in 10 days his friends would go without him. The story of Artaban continues when he misses the meeting with his friends because he stopped to help a man who was robbed and beaten. He must sale his gifts to help others as he continues his search for 33 years to find the Messiah.

He does find the King, but as one can imagine, it happened in Jerusalem and it was revealed to Artaban that he had been serving the King when he had helped other people..

I was reminded of the Left Behind series written by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye as I thought about this Fourth Wiseman. Here was a man who was left behind by his friends but he continued to seek the King. His journey through the years were filled with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people. He left behind healed or helped people as he fulfilled his calls to ministry.

At this season of Advent I am reminded daily of the traditions my parents left behind, what other loved ones left behind for us to remember. The traditions of Christmas Past are marked by years of doing for others less fortunate than we were. The traditions of Christmas were the moments of celebration with family and friends as we heard the choirs, the children, and the messages of Advent proclaimed. Each year as the Chrismon tree is put in place in our own sanctuary, I remember the love left behind by the group who made the first Chrismons.

Each ornament is a person to me and when we place the Advent wreath, I remember others. Family and church traditions are important in our family.

What kind of traditions are you leaving behind for your family and your children?

Is it time to start a tradition?

What gifts do you bring to the newborn King?

Can you give him your heart?