Advent Ideas for Churches

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Compiled by Allison Hall

HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE

2016 Edition 1


You are destined for greater than you can see For you, dear candles, shall be a light for me

THE ADVENT CANDLES (The poem, The Advent Candles is adapted for non-commercial purposes, from, The Three Candles by Evaleen Stein. This edition contains all new content not attributable to the original author; however the structure of first poem was maintained. I therefore acknowledge the first author.)

First candle, you are HOPE for the lost earth That waited so long for the Messiah’s birth Second candle, you are a song of PEACE and PREPARATION To people in all the world, especially this nation Third candle, do you know you are such a JOY To man, woman, girl and boy? Fourth candle, the greatest of all is LOVE The nature of the triune God above

One mid-November in a city store Four candles stood tall on a shelf by the door They shared their dreams of giving light Of making their buyers world bright Said the first one, "I shall be Giving light to carollers in a community!" Said the second, "I shall give light To some poor person’s home tonight!" Then the third said, "As for me, I shall shine on top of a Christmas tree!" Then the fourth gave out to all, “I am going to the New Year’s Eve ball.”

So you see, you are fulfilling your mission to all To listen and answer to God’s continuous call For I know the plans God has for you Plans to make bigger, better dreams come true

Then late one morning at sunrise To the poor candles’ surprise They were bought and taken away To a church on a hill far away “Why are we all here?” They kept saying; Confused, worried, hoping and praying

The candles smiled bright and began to sing Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming….. Revised by Allison Hall For Greater Portmore Baptist Children’s Ministry, Advent Presentation The poem was presented dramatically. Children read the parts of narrator, the candles and Jesus. When Jesus called their names they responded, “Yes Lord, yes my Lord or yes Jesus.”

Then a large candle appeared in angelic white “Do not be afraid. I have heard your plight 2


JESUS IS COMING Tune: Freedom is Coming, Traditional South African freedom song. New verses have been added to the song for the Advent celebration.

1. Jesus is coming (clap, clap) Jesus is coming (clap, clap) Jesus is coming Oh yes, I know

Shine on us now Shine on us now Shine on us now Light of the World, shine on us now

Oh yes, I know Oh yes, I know Oh yes, I know Jesus is coming, oh yes, I know

Jesus is coming (clap) Jesus is coming (clap) Jesus is coming Oh yes, I know. Oh Jesus Oh Jesus Oh Jesus Jesus is coming, oh yes I know

2. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love (clap, clap) Hope, Peace, Joy, Love (clap, clap) Hope, Peace, Joy, Love He gives to all

Revised by Allison Hall For Greater Portmore Baptist Children’s Ministry, Advent Presentation Original lyrics: Traditional/Anders Nyberg Musical Arrangement: Anders Nyberg

He gives to all He gives to all He gives to all Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, he gives to all 3. Light of the World (clap, clap) Light of the World (clap, clap) Light of the World Shine on us now

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JESUS IS COMING SOON

JESUS IS COMING SOON

(Jesus Is Coming Soon" is a 1942 gospel song composed by R. E. Winsett. This version was revised by Allison Hall for the Greater Portmore Baptist Church Advent celebration)

(Jesus Is Coming Soon" is a 1942 gospel song composed by R. E. Winsett. This version was revised by Allison Hall for the Greater Portmore Baptist Church Advent celebration)

Advent of Christ is here Filling men's hearts with cheer Freedom is very near Darkness will break Welcome the Son of God Save us from Satan’s rod Seek the way He will trod Christians awake

Advent of Christ is here Filling men's hearts with cheer Freedom is very near Darkness will break Welcome the Son of God Save us from Satan’s rod Seek the way He will trod Christians awake

Jesus is coming soon Morning or night or noon Herod will meet his doom No more around All of the angels rise Singing in starry skies Shepherds will hear the cries; Jesus is found

Jesus is coming soon Morning or night or noon Herod will meet his doom No more around All of the angels rise Singing in starry skies Shepherds will hear the cries; Jesus is found

Troubles will soon be o'er Happy forevermore Christ is the Gentile’s door Freedom is here Rising up in the sky Star of the Lord Most High Bethlehem shine with thy Glory to share

Troubles will soon be o'er Happy forevermore Christ is the Gentile’s door Freedom is here Rising up in the sky Star of the Lord Most High Bethlehem shine with thy Glory to share

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8. What are the colours of the Advent candles? (a) Red, green, gold (b) Purple and pink (c) Purple, blue, white

ADVENT QUIZ 1. What does the word Advent means? (a) coming (b) pre-Christmas (c) winter

9. What do the Advent candles represent? (a) Hope, Faith, Joy and Love (b) Faith, Hope, Love and Peace (c) Hope, Peace and Preparation, Joy and Love

2. The word advent has its origin in the _________ word, adventus. (a) English (b) Arabic (c) Latin

10. Name the two prophets who predicted Jesus’s birth. (a) Ishmael and Malachi (b) Isaiah and Micah (c) Isaac and Matthew

3. ___________ main candles are lit to celebrate advent. (a) Three (b) Two (c) Four

Total 10 marks

4. A candle is sometimes placed in the middle of the candles. The candle symbolises ___________. (a) Angels (b) Christ (c) Christmas

List five things you will do for Advent to help the church you attend. Remember they must benefit the church and help you to grow in Christ.

5. Advent is celebrated for _____ Sundays leading up to Christmas. (a) Three (b) Four (c) Five

return and that they should prepare their

1._Tell others in my home that Christ will

hearts and soul. 2._____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 3.______________________________________________

6. Which song is usually sung at Advent? (a) Joy to the World (b) O Come, O Come Emmanuel (c) Alive, Alive, Jesus is Alive

_______________________________________________ 4._____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 5.______________________________________________

7. Circle one of the things Christians should do during Advent and always? (a) Evangelise (b) Spring clean for Christmas (c) Bake and giveaway

_______________________________________________

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JESUS IS COMING (SKIT) © Allison Hall Use for non-commercial purposes ONLY

FLOOR LAYOUT Narrator Isaiah

Extras Actors enter here.

Actors exit here.

Audience

Audience

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NAME

CHARACTERS Narrator God Isaiah PROPS mattress, costumes, portable microphones

THE CAST

God

Narrator

Isaiah

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JESUS IS COMING (The Prophecy of the Messiah) Narrator:

Long, long ago in Israel, there lived a great prophet called Isaiah. Almost every day he would walk through the city streets and tell people to obey God’s teachings. One day when Isaiah was getting ready to go into the city to preach, he decided to talk to God, as he felt no one was listening to his messages anymore.

Isaiah

Oh Lord I have really tried, but some of the people will just not listen to me.

God

Do not worry Isaiah. You have done very well. I will be coming soon to speak to people, face to face.

Isaiah

(opens his eyes wide and looks shocked) You are going to do what my Lord?

God

I am sure you heard what I said. I am coming to earth and I will walk and talk with men.

Isaiah

But Lord, I am afraid that if you come to earth your brightness will kill us!

God

Isaiah, Isaiah. Remember I made man in my image. So how do you think I am going to look? Close your eyes and see.

Isaiah

(Isaiah closes his eyes; then opens his mouth. He is in shock. He then opens his eyes and smiles) Thank you Lord. Your advent is near. I must tell the others (Isaiah starts rushing to tell others)

God

Isaiah! (Isaiah stops and turns around)

Isaiah

Yes Lord.

God

Remember, I can come at any time – morning or night or noon. (Isaiah runs off) Children join the actors on stage to sing, Jesus is coming soon

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ADVENT CRAFTS FOR KIDS

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ADVENT COLOURING PAGE

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TEACHERS’ NOTES

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