LOVE
PEACE
HOPE
JOY
2016 ADVENT CHRISTIAN CHURC GUIDE
LIGHT
2016 Advent Guide Delayed gratification is certainly an art. Why wait for something we can have now? For that, our culture has invented microwaves, credit cards, and even Netflix adds entire seasons of a show at a time so we don’t have to wait from week to week to follow a story. But we reap a greater reward when we give something the time it deserves–a good marinade or a vacation for which we’ve been saving for years.
Adventus and literally means “coming.” During these four weeks, Advent reminds us to anticipate the coming of our great King. This anticipation is twofold: It prepares us for the first coming of the Christ child–a baby born of a virgin, the promised Savior—and it keeps us ready for his second coming–the moment when Christ returns to restore perfection and righteousness to our broken world.
Advent is like the marinade of the Christmas season. It starts four weeks before Christmas to prepare our hearts for the true revelation of Christmas–a small child who came to bring hope, peace, love, joy, and light to the world.
So in eager anticipation, we sing with the chorus of God’s people, the church, “Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel.” This season of Advent, we invite you to join with us and with the Church to prepare our hearts and anticipate his coming.
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word
Come, Lord Jesus, Emmanuel.
How to use this guide: This booklet is meant to be a guide, not a prescription of do’s and dont’s. Use it to help prepare your heart for the coming of Christ that we celebrate at Christmas. If the details of this journey seem tedious or overwhelming, start somewhere small–maybe just with one or two elements a week. Sundays: Each Sunday of Advent introduces a new theme of the season. As such, traditionally Sundays are rather meaningful. In this guide, Sundays include a short explanation of the theme, Scripture readings, a discussion question, a weekly challenge or application, and an opportunity to light the Advent candles. The Advent Candles: There are five candles associated with Advent. They traditionally serve as reminders of the season of waiting or longing we experience during Advent. Three of the five are purple in color–a color of mourning. Lighting the
We also suggest that you experience it in community. Gather with your family, friends, neighbors, small groups, or community and work through the guide communally. It’s not imperative, but we believe it’s the best way to experience the material. We pray this will be a worshipful experience.
purple candles reminds us of how dire our situation really is without a Savior. There is one pink candle–this candle is lit towards the end of Advent during the week we are to contemplate and anticipate joy. Pink is a color of relief from the monotony and grief of the purple candles. And lastly, the white candle represents the light of Christ. Lit on Christmas Eve, the white candle signifies the destruction of darkness with the arrival of our Savior. Each week we encourage you to read the Scriptures on Sunday and light the candle for that week along with the candles of the previous weeks.
Other Elements: The Scripture readings, songs, poems, prayers, reflection questions, and weekly application are to serve as a reference point for you. They can be done any time of the day, and they can take as long or as short as you need them to. Feel free to look through the content and decide how to best approach each day or week as your family or community sees fit. We hope this guide helps prepare your hearts and minds for the celebration of the Christ child and reminds you of the true meaning of this wonderful season. 1
Advent Week 1 November 27 - December 3 2
HOPE
Hope is the longing of your heart and soul for the reign of King Jesus. It is only fitting that hope would begin the season of Advent. We begin by making sure our longing is in the right place. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, our longing this season should not only be for gifts, food, rest, or even family. Yes, all those things are beautiful gifts from God, but the most precious gift is the coming of God’s son. Advent must begin with our hearts set towards the coming of King Jesus. My heart likes to drift away from that desire. It finds other hopes to latch on to. All those hopes turn out to be poor moorings because, as good as they might be, I need something greater to hope for. Rest, family, and gifts are exciting around this time of year, but eventually I let out a sigh because I know my heart is hoping for something more, something greater. I think I long to hope for something greater
because hope leads to purpose. What I hope for causes me to act and think a certain way. Israel hoped for the coming of the Messiah and it changed what they did. People were willing to follow anyone who claimed to be the Messiah because they longed for God to be revealed in the Messiah and save Israel. Peter understood this. When given the chance to walk away from Jesus he said, “Where else can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” This first week of Advent is a time to align the desires of your heart with God’s desire to make Himself known to the world. Hope is why we can fight from a place of victory. Hope is why we keep saying “Yes” to Jesus. Hope is why we are determined to make disciples who change the world through the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God. Hope does not see an empty throne room. Hope knows the King is coming.
Purple Candle: Sundays are special, set apart days of Advent. Traditionally, every Sunday of Advent we light a candle. Three of the five candles are purple—the traditional color associated with Advent. Purple represents mourning, longing, and grief. Without a Savior, we are left with our sin and are in desperate need of rescue. During Advent, we wait. We long, and we mourn. On this Sunday, we encourage you to light the first candle—representing our longing for the hope of Christ. With your family or community, read through some or all of the Scriptures for this Sunday and light the candle for hope.
Sunday: Readings: • Isaiah 2:1-5 • Psalm 122 • Romans 13:11-14 • Matthew 24:36-44
Prayer: Pray this prayer throughout the week. Every time you sit down at a meal or sit at a red light breathe this prayer: Sovereign Lord, help me to remember your promise. Direct my heart to follow you as King, for you have revealed yourself to the world and saved your people.
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HOPE Monday: Scripture Readings:
Daily Reflection Question: How have you seen God be faithful?
• Psalm 124 • Genesis 8:1-19 • Romans 6:1-11
Tuesday: Scripture Readings:
Daily Reflection Question:
Wednesday: Scripture Reading:
Daily Reflection Question:
• Psalm 124 • Genesis 9:1-17 • Hebrews 11:32-40
• Psalm 124 • Isaiah 54:1-10 • Matthew 24:23-35
Thursday: Scripture Reading: • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 • Isaiah 4: 2-6 • Acts 1:12-17 4
Do you believe God’s promises? Why or why not?
Why is it hard for you to expect what you cannot see?
Daily Reflection Question: How does your heart need to change to hope for God to come?
Friday: Scripture Reading: • Psalm 124 • Isaiah 30:19-26 • Acts 13:16-25
Daily Reflection Question: How do you demonstrate hope to others with your life and words?
Saturday: Scripture Reading: • Psalm 124 • Isaiah 40:1-11 • John 1:19-28
“Hope For Soon” By Lance Schaubert See, the day or hour no one knows When our King will draw his broom To sweep away the pain of earth But we know he will come soon
God was in the grave while he reigned on high Then released those saved for doom But disciples knew no Pentecost Didn’t know Christ would rise soon
When he comes, we will know And he’ll come not in ways we assume But for now we hope for soon
Jesus rode the virgin mount upon A red carpet: palms and tunics And the people asked their king to save So to conquer, he died soon
Not a one has loved their life so much As to hide Christ’s hope or boon They all wield their death as an armament So the kingdom will come soon
When he comes, we will know And he’ll come not in ways we assume But for now we hope for soon
They were asking God, “Send your Spirit down” So the Father shook the upper room Saw their neighbors healed, good news revealed ’cause they asked Him to come soon
There had been no king for millennia But the prophets sang their tune Of an Infant God in the virgin womb Mary begging, “King come soon”
When He comes, we will know And he’ll come not in ways we assume But for now we hope for soon
When He comes, we will know And he’ll come not in ways we assume But for now we hope for soon 5
Advent Week 2 December 4-10 6
PEACE
When God comes, peace comes. The people of Jericho were in rebellion against God. Generation after generation only worsened in their lifestyles of idolatry and oppression. Caring only for their own wellbeing, they warred with neighboring kingdoms, oppressed the weak and marginalized, and did terrible things during their religious rituals. Behind towering walls the city lived in rebellion, hostility and swelling fear. But then God came, along with a people living under his rule and reign. And when God comes, peace comes. He would not let Jericho’s oppression and rebellion continue. It was time for peace. But here’s the tricky thing about peace—it can come in only two forms, reconciliation or defeat. Rahab, one woman in Jericho, chose reconciliation, and she was joyfully received into the community of God’s kingdom. The rest of Jericho continued to rebel, and were defeated. God tore down their walls, and peace descended upon the land.
We care only for our own well-being, at war with our enemies, oppressing the weak and marginalized, and doing terrible things in the name of personal happiness. We’re still in rebellion; we’re still building walls. God is still breaking down walls; he is still bringing peace. And when Jesus—the Prince of Peace—came into the world, this peace also came in only two forms, reconciliation or defeat. But Jesus took the defeat that we deserved so we could choose reconciliation. “For he himself is our peace, who has…broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14 ESV). In an unforeseeable twist, the conquering king broke himself, not his rebellious subjects, so that he could be at peace with them. When God comes, peace comes. Peace is going to come no matter what. May you choose the way of Rahab and be reconciled to God this Christmas. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased” (Lk. 2:14 ESV).
These days, things are not much different.
Purple Candle: On this Sunday, we encourage you to light two candles – the first reminding us of the hope of Christ we anticipate during advent, and the second to remind us of the peace of Christ we look forward to in this season as well. With your family or community, read through some or all of the Scriptures for this Sunday and light the candles for Hope and Peace.
Sunday: Readings:
• Isaiah 11:1-10 • Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 • Romans 15:4-13 • Matthew 3:1-12
Prayer: Pray this prayer throughout the day: Father, show me the way to be at peace with you and at peace with others.
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PEACE Monday: Daily Readings: • Psalm 21 • Isaiah 24:1-16a • 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Tuesday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 21 • Isaiah 41:14-20 • Romans 15:14-21
Wednesday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 21 • Genesis 15:1-18 • Matthew 12:33-37
Thursday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 146:5-10 • Ruth 1:6-18 • 2 Peter 3:1-10 8
Daily Reflection Question: Have you built up any walls between yourself and God? Is there any way that you are living in rebellion against God?
Daily Reflection Question: Jesus has already suffered defeat for whatever rebellion you are in right now. How can you be reconciled to God today?
Daily Reflection Question: What are some ways that Jesus has brought peace into your life?
Daily Reflection Question: How can you bring peace into the lives of those around you?
Friday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 146:5-10 • Ruth 4:13-17 • 2 Peter 3:11-18
Daily Reflection Question: Do you know anyone who needs to be reconciled to God? How can you pray and talk to this person about the peace that God offers?
Saturday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 146:5-10 • 1 Samuel 2:1-8 • Luke 3:1-18
“I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I heard the bells on Christmas Day
And in despair I bowed my head;
Their old, familiar carols play,
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
And wild and sweet
“For hate is strong,
The words repeat
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
And thought how, as the day had come,
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
The belfries of all Christendom
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
Had rolled along
The Wrong shall fail,
The unbroken song
The Right prevail,
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 9
Advent Week 3 December 11-17 10
JOY
She is heard in the crushing roar of a stadium as the home team clinches the victory. She is audible in the screaming laugh of a woman as she reads the words “pregnant” on the test. She’s there between the waltzing steps of a father spinning his toddler around the linoleum kitchen floor. She rocks along with you in the sanctuary that is your car when you belt out your favorite song at the top of your lungs while playing an amazing drum solo on the steering wheel. In the moment where aching unknowns are swallowed up by relief, she’s there—and her name is Joy.
our circumstances or situations—we can rejoice because there is Jesus. Where there is Jesus, there is Joy.
This Advent, where we have welcomed a steady Hope and a restful Peace, Joy now bursts onto the scene with full-volume shouts, and twirls around the room performing her best victory dance. She is an energetic emotion, who hasn’t learned how to whisper. Joy is a party. Joy is a celebration. Joy is a perspective-changer.
Joy pleads with us to invite her into our Advent season, but often we crowd her out with other guests. Stress, Busyness, and Distractions bully their way in and will always try to rob us of our Joy. Instead, we must make room for her. We must embrace Joy. Allow the presence of Jesus and his Joy to overflow in your life. As you anticipate and celebrate the birth of Jesus, may his Joy—your Joy—be palpable to others. May uncontainable Joy be yours and may she point others straight to Jesus!
We find Joy in the best times in our lives; however, she isn’t restricted to living only in the good. Joy’s presence is not dependent on whether we are experiencing success or suffering. No matter
Christmas can not exist without Joy. She is the direct result of the birth of Christ. When he came, he invited her into the world with him. She danced in the sky as the angels sang of the highest glory. She filled the stable with gleeful squeals of relief. Where there is Jesus, there is Joy. Just as he promised, he came and will come again! Heaven and nature sing as we receive our long-awaited king!
Pink Candle: On this Sunday, we encourage you to light three candles – the first reminding us of the hope of Christ, the second reminding us of the peace he brings, and the third and pink candle of the joy that comes with his coming. On week three, our sorrow turns to joy, our grief to celebration, as we prepare for Christ’s coming
Sunday: Daily Reading: • Isaiah 35:1-10 • Psalm 146:5-10 • Luke 1:46b-55 • James 5:7-10 • Matthew 11:2-11
Prayer: Pray this prayer throughout the day. Every time you sit down at a meal or sit at a red light breathe this prayer: Lord Jesus, please allow your presence and joy to overflow in my life. May this uncontainable joy point others to you!
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JOY Monday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 42 • Isaiah 29:17-24 • Acts 5:12-16
Tuesday: Daily Reading: • Psalm 42 • Ezekiel 47:1-12 • Jude 17-25
Wednesday Daily Reading: • Psalm 42; • Zechariah 8:1-17 • Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34
Thursday Daily Reading: • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 • 2 Samuel 7:1-17 • Galatians 3:23-29 12
Daily Reflection Question: Can you recall a time in your life when joy was audible? Perhaps through a laugh, a cheer, or a shout?
Daily Reflection Question: Why should joy be our natural response to God’s great gift of Jesus?
Daily Reflection Question: What elements of this season may be squeezing joy from your lives? How could you make more room for God’s rich joy this week?
Daily Reflection Question: How is it possible for joy to exist during difficult times in our lives?
Friday Daily Reading: • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 • 2 Samuel 7:18-22 • Galatians 4:1-7
Saturday Daily Reading: • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 • 2 Samuel 7:23-29 • John 3:31-36
Daily Reflection Question: In what ways do others see and hear joy in your life?
Daily Reflection Question: How is the joy the world offers different than the joy found in Christ alone?
“O Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” By Charles Wesley Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born thy people to deliver,
born to set thy people free;
born a child and yet a King,
from our fears and sins release us,
born to reign in us forever,
let us find our rest in thee.
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
By thine own eternal spirit
hope of all the earth thou art;
rule in all our hearts alone;
dear desire of every nation,
by thine all sufficient merit,
joy of every longing heart.
raise us to thy glorious throne.
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Advent Week 4 December 18-23 14
LOVE
Omnia vincit amor. Love conquers all. This Latin phrase was first coined by the Augustan poet, Virgil. It feels strange to use the word “conquer” in conjunction with the word “love” during the Christmas season, a time when words of war do not seem to belong in our vocabulary. When we think of love, we may think of the people we care about, the affection or feeling of loving someone. The promise of the Messiah was a message of rescue, of victory over the enemy. When Gabriel told Mary she would bear the Christ child, he told her she would bring a king into the world and that his Kingdom would never end. When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph rejoiced, angels celebrated, and shepherds searched for this new savior. Love had entered the world. When Jesus was presented at the temple, Simeon’s blessing included words of
prophecy to Mary, “and a sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:34-35). A sword will pierce through your own soul also. We celebrate the coming of Jesus as happy time, but there is an aspect to his coming that must not be forgotten. Jesus was born to die. His birth was the beginning of his conquest over sin. He came out of love, as love, to show love by dying on the cross. He was and is the perfect embodiment of love and when he entered the world and later when he died on the cross and rose again, he conquered sin and death and pain and sorrow and heartache. As you celebrate this season, remember how Christ chose to love his people in the best way anyone can be loved. His is a love that cannot be overcome for it has already conquered the things of this world.
Purple Candle: On this Sunday, we encourage you to light four candles – the first reminding us of the hope of Christ, the second reminding us of his peace, the third of his joy, and the fourth candle reminds us to anticipate the love Christ brings to the world. With your family or community, read through some or all of the Scriptures for this Sunday and light the candles for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Sunday: Daily Reading: • Isaiah 7:10-16 • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 • Romans 1:1-7 • Matthew 1:18-25
Prayer: Pray this prayer throughout the day. Every time you sit down at a meal or sit at a red light breathe this prayer: Father, show me your love and help me to show that love to others.
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LOVE Monday: Daily Reading: • 1 Samuel 2:1-10 • Genesis 17:15-22 • Galatians 4:8-20
Tuesday: Daily Reading:
Daily Reflection Question: How do you feel most loved? How has God showed his love for you in that way?
Daily Reflection Question: How do you show love to others?
• 1 Samuel 2:1-10 • Genesis 21:1-21 • Galatians 4:21-5:1
Wednesday: Daily Reading: • 1 Samuel 2:1-10 • Genesis 37:2-11 • Matthew 1:1-1
Thursday: Daily Reading: • Luke 1:46b-55 • Isaiah 33:17-22 • Revelation 22:6-7, 18-20 16
Daily Reflection Question: Who is the person or group of people that you find most difficult to love? How can you practice loving them better?
Daily Reflection Question: Where do you see the love of God in your life?
Friday: Daily Reading: • Luke 1:46b-55; 2 • Samuel 7:18, 23-29 • Galatians 3:6-14
Daily Reflection Question: What can you do to show the love Christ this next year?
“Of The Father’s Love Begotten” By Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (c. 400 A.D.) Of the Father’s love begotten
Let the heights of heaven adore him;
ere the worlds began to be,
angel hosts, his praises sing:
he is Alpha and Omega —
powers, dominions, bow before him
he the source, the ending he,
and extol our God and King;
of the things that are, that have been,
let no tongue on earth be silent,
and that future years shall see
every voice in concert ring
evermore and evermore.
evermore and evermore.
O that birth forever blessed,
Christ, to you, with God the Father
when a virgin, blest with grace,
and the Spirit, there shall be
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
bore the Savior of our race;
and the shout of jubilee:
and the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
honor, glory, and dominion
first revealed his sacred face,
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore.
evermore and evermore.
This is he whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord, whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word; now he shines, the long-expected; let creation praise its Lord evermore and evermore.
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Christmas Eve December 24 18
LIGHT
What is light, anyway? We know that it sometimes comes from the sun. It shines down from the sky, and on a calm winter afternoon it can even warm you up a bit. Scientists have figured out that it moves really, really fast. And when it reflects off of the stuff around us and into our eyeballs, we can see!
the other hand, this kind of light doesn’t show us the condition of our souls, does it? It can’t radiate into the future and show us what the world could be. This light does not glisten upon a life which is broken, dull, and dark, and display wholeness, vibrancy, and health.
So light is this thing that helps us to see. But not only that! When we see, we are actually seeing the light and not the thing it bounces off of. Of course the trees, bricks, cars, windows, and people are actually there, but if there were no light bouncing off of them we wouldn’t see them. A world with no light would surely be hard to navigate.
But take heart! There is a Light that has come unlike the light we already know—this Light is different. This Light is brighter than the brightest star, and it can light up our hearts. This Light illuminates for us a future free from tears and mourning and pain—a future free of death. This Light doesn’t just show us what is there, it reveals things for what they truly are. This Light entered into darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
However, that’s not the world we live in, is it? Light is all over the place! I wake up, and there’s the sun. I walk my dogs at night, and the flashlight on my phone shows the way. On
Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, is the Light of the World, who comes so that we might not live in darkness but be brought into his marvelous Light.
White Candle: On Christmas Eve, at long last, we light the white candle. On this day, we celebrate relief from the mourning and longing for a Savior. White, like light, pierces the darkness and brightens the future with hope, peace, love and joy. The arrival of a Savior is a celebration. Our anticipation of the coming King ends with the birth of a baby to a virgin in a stable. Jesus is the light of the world that shines in the darkness and that now shines in and through us. Come, Lord Jesus, the Light of the World.
Readings: • Isaiah 52:7-10 • Psalm 98 • Hebrews 1:1-4 • John 1:1-14
Prayer: Creator God, you made light that we may see, and you sent your Light that we may not live in darkness any longer. We thank you for your Son—in him we have the forgiveness of sins, hope in the resurrection, and anticipation of eternal life. This Light enables us to see the world as you see it, not plunged into darkness but in the midst of brilliant transformation. Let your Light, which dwells within each of us, shine forth in all we say and do. Let us decrease, and let your glory increase. Amen. 19
Christmas Day December 25 20
“In the Bleak Midwinter” By Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894) In the bleak mid-winter
Angels and archangels
Frosty wind made moan,
May have gathered there,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Cherubim and seraphim
Water like a stone;
Thronged the air,
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
But only His mother
Snow on snow,
In her maiden bliss,
In the bleak mid-winter
Worshipped the Beloved
Long ago.
With a kiss.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
What can I give Him,
Nor earth sustain;
Poor as I am?
Heaven and earth shall flee away
If I were a shepherd
When He comes to reign:
I would bring a lamb,
In the bleak mid-winter
If I were a wise man
A stable-place sufficed
I would do my part,
The Lord God Almighty,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Jesus Christ.
Give my heart.
Enough for Him, whom cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk And a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels Fall down before, The ox and lamb and camel Which adore.
Readings:
• Isaiah 9:2-7 • Psalm 96 • Titus 2:11-14 • Luke 2:1-14 21
2016