Advent Guide 2017
Advent
Advent 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. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus and literally means “coming.” During these four weeks, Advent reminds us to anticipate the coming of our great King. This anticipation 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.
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 poem, 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 serve as reminders of waiting or longing during Advent. Three of the five are purple in color–a color of mourning. There is one pink candle–symbolizing joy. 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.
O ther Elements
The poems, Scripture readings, prayers, and reflection questions 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 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.
How To Use This Guide
This booklet is meant to be a guide: 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. 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.
Cover photo and photos on pages 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 courtesy of Mark Neuenschwander.
Kids
Hope
Advent Week 1 December 3-9
Without Borders You may call me a dreamer, So be it.
I dream of a world Full of unarmed truth, Where hatred is unheard of, A myth. Where love runs wild, Never-ceasing, Without condition or contract. I dream of a world Where hands are for holding, Not handcuffs, Where words are for singing, Not screaming And slurring. I dream of a world So abundant and shining, Built high by neighbors, By strangers who just met on a park bench, But who are already in love. A world without anger, Where murder is just a muddled sound With no meaning, A world without borders, Without orders, lawless, Save the one true law: Love your neighbor as yourself. I dream of a world Where someone, anyone, Can walk their own street without fear, Without thinking, Without worry that they might be hurt. A world where church bells ring out each day, Full of hope, not of sorrow, Ring loud and ring true, A celebration. A world where the only death Is the cork in a bottle full of life, Brimful of color and peace, fierce and fearless love. You may call me a dreamer. So be it. I only dream of love.
By Sophia Miller
Readings Sunday
Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80: 1-7; 17-19 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 Monday
Thursday
Psalm 79
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Micah 4:1-5
Hosea 6:1-6
Revelation 15:1-8
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
Tuesday
Friday
Psalm 79
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Micah 4:6-13
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Revelation 18:1-10
Acts 11:19-26
Wednesday
Saturday
Psalm 79
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
Micah 5:1-5a
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Luke 21:34-38
Mark 11:27-33
Advent 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. With your family or community, read through some or all of the Scriptures for this Sunday and light the first purple candle—representing our longing for the hope of Christ.
Questions & Application What are you hoping for this year?
Have you allowed your life to rob hope from your heart? Remember God’s promises and your hope in his faithfulness. Will you trust him enough to hope in him? Will you share that hope this week?
Peace
Advent Week 2 December 10-16
L ook Up
Now is the time for symphonies, For sounds so complete in beauty and light That tears and prayers can be heard in one note.
Paint flowers on your face and smile until the sun comes back.
Sing until your voice breaks, and keep singing, Even when it hurts and no one likes your words.
And look up. Remember that the stars are with us. Look forward. Even in the night there is the moon. And start building. Use what you have. Use love, use peace.
Because you are important, and so am I, And our voices are like violins, Like novels, drums, and birds, Let us fill the air with stereophonic love.
Sketch the future on scrap paper, Outline the architecture of the next generation Where there will be no hatred, No borders, No ceiling.
Let us make the world safer than it is now, And let us do so with peace. Because we are the makers and the stars are our audience, Blinking down on us and sending love notes in the night, And the moon, like a mother, Sends out light in the dark so we can continue to write, To paint our dreams on the sidewalks and our arms. Because now is the time for painting. Use the brightest shades and as many colors as you can create, Soft and wild brushstrokes, wide sweeps of your hands Across surfaces that once were blank, were empty.
By Sophia Miller
Readings Sunday
Isaiah 40:1-5 Psalm 85: 1-2; 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 Monday
Thursday
Psalm 27
Psalm 126
Isaiah 26:7-15
Habakkuk 2:1-5
Acts 2:37-42
Philippians 3:7-11
Tuesday
Friday
Psalm 27
Psalm 126
Isaiah 4:2-6
Habakkuk 3:2-6
Acts 11:1-18
Philippians 3:12-16
Wednesday
Saturday
Psalm 27
Psalm 126
Malachi 2:10-3:1
Habakkuk 3:13-19
Luke 1:5-17
Matthew 21:28-32
Advent 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.
Questions & Application The Prince is here.
Will you let him pierce your season with his peace? Make the choice to let your soul be settled. Choose Peace whatever may come.
Joy
Advent Week 3 December 17-23
O Holy Night
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine. Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from the Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend. He knows our need, to our weaknesses no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend! Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.
By Placide Cappeau
Readings Sunday
Isaiah 61:1-4 Psalm 126 Luke 1:46b-55 Monday
Thursday
Psalm 125
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
1 Kings 18:1-18
2 Samuel 6:1-11
Ephesians 6:10-17
Hebrews 1:1-4
Tuesday
Friday
Psalm 125
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
2 Kings 2:9-22
2 Samuel 6:12-19
Acts 3:17-4:4
Hebrews 1:5-14
Wednesday
Saturday
Psalm 125
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Malachi 3:16-4:6
Judges 13:2-24
Mark 9:9-13
John 7:40-52
Advent 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
Questions & Application Have you received an amazing gift before?
Consider the magnitude of the gift of Jesus to our world. Are you overwhelmed with gratitude and joy? Tell someone about this terrific generous Savior you’ve been given! Spread the joy!
Love
Advent Week 4 December 24
A Christmas Prayer Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Readings Sunday
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Luke 1:46b-55 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-28
Advent 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.
Questions & Application Love has come. For you. Sit with that thought. Love decided to come for you. When love defines you, it changes things. How will it change you? Your tone? Your responses? Your choices each day? Rest in love, and share it this week.
Light
Christmas Eve December 24
Light Let light flood into your soul. Let it soak into your aching heart and ease your sorrow. Let the sunlight dispel the cold that settles around your bones. Let the moonlight soothe your tired eyes. The light was made to help you grow, to keep you warm, to help you see, to keep you safe. This is it. This is your time to heal and to be remade. Let the Light do its work.
By Caroline Miller
Readings Sunday
Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)
Advent 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.
Questions & Application Let there be light.
We’ve been given light from the beginning, and we are to be the givers of light as well. Share this news in the hopeless darkness. Have you found the warmth and healing here? How will you let it sink in and shine to others this week?
chjoplin.org/advent