INDEX
Introduction.......................................................................................... 3 How to Use........................................................................................... 4
DEVOTIONAL READINGS Advent 1 Devotions............................................................................... 5 Advent 2 Devotions............................................................................... 9 Advent 3 Devotions............................................................................. 13 Advent 4 Devotion.............................................................................. 17
FAMILY ACTIVITIES & LESSONS “O Antiphons” Family Activities.......................................................... 20 Children’s Memorizations.................................................................... 26
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INTRODUCTION:
EMMANUEL
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son. And they will name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God with us.” Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:23
At the heart of the season of Advent is this word: Emmanuel, Hebrew for “God with us.” Advent’s first three weeks each focus on a “coming” of Christ (Advent is Latin for “arrival” or “coming”): Christ’s first coming was when He was “conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” Christ’s second coming is when He “will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” And Christ’s third coming is His continual coming to us through “the forgiveness of sins” in His Holy Word, Holy Communion, and Holy Baptism. Simply, God wasn’t just with some people long ago; He is with us today in His Word, bringing to us the same peace He brought to people then. Advent is not a time to get worked up about a “ war on Christmas” or worry about how many of your friends say “Merry Christmas” or not. It isn’t even Christmas yet anyway, that’s the whole point of Advent. “God with us” in Advent is so much more significant.
Advent is our time to ponder with Mary the deep mysteries of the incarnation, that Christ has come to us as true Man. Advent is our time to rejoice with the angels that Christ continues to come to us in Word and Sacrament. Advent is our time to breathe a sigh of relief with the Shepherds that Christ will come again in the same way: humbly, gently, and as our brother. This is more important, more significant, more relevant, and more peaceful than anything we could possibly gain by waging a battle on the culture. God became Man. Read that again. God became Man. God became Man to be with you. He came to bring mankind to Himself. He is Emmanuel, God with us. If God could do that most amazing thing, then He has everything else in control too. Christ’s three advents mean He is with you. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
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HOW TO USE THIS BOOKLET This Advent devotional booklet is intended to be a tool to draw you and your family further into God’s Word during this special season.
This booklet draws on that tradition and especially for Advent 2 & 3 makes good use of readings from Isaiah.
Each week of Advent starts on Sunday. Since the Sunday Divine Service sets the theme for the week, the devotions in this booklet start on Monday.
Every devotion begins with the Trinitarian invocation, includes a reading from Scripture and some thoughts for discussion, and concludes with a suggested Advent hymn and blessing.
For each devotion the Scripture text itself is meant to be used as the basis for devotion, rather than a commentary on the text. Some thoughts for discussion are included with each text. In the past two thousand years since the birth of Christ, a tradition that developed for families privileged enough to own a Bible was the reading of the entire book of Isaiah during the season of Advent. Due to Isaiah’s amazing description of the Messiah and His work (some 700 years before He was born!) some have even termed the book “the Gospel according to Isaiah.”
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The father or head of the household should read the parts listed as “L” as well as the Scripture text. The rest of the household may respond with the parts listed as “A.” Also included are activities based on the seven great “O Antiphons” of Advent. These can be done 2/1 per week as noted or done on the actual day from December 17-23 that the Antiphon was meant to be read. It is the prayer of the Faith Lutheran Family Activities Committee as well as your Pastor that these devotions will help you build a habit that will last beyond Christmas so that you may always be prepared for Christ’s second Advent.
December 2-8
INVOCATION The first Advent candle (violet) is lit. The sign of the cross ( ) may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.
In the name of the Father, and of the Amen.
MON
Son, and of the Holy Spirit
GENESIS 3:1-24
The Promise of the Messiah is First Given Discuss: What promise did God give to Adam & Eve (v. 15)? Who was the “seed of the woman� that would be born? Why was He needed?
TUE
GENESIS 9:1-19
The Promised Messiah Alluded to Through the Flood Discuss: God had used water to save Noah and his family. He now promises to never destroy the world with water again, but He would do even more. How would the coming Messiah save the world? When/how does God use water to save us eternally?
WED
GENESIS 22:1-9
God Provides a Substitute Discuss: How did God provide a substitute for Isaac? How did God provide a substitute for us? Who was that substitute?
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Advent 1 | Christ the Coming King
THU
GENESIS 49:1-28
Judah is Given the Promise of a Ruler and Bringer of Peace Discuss: Focus on Judah (8-12). Through Judah, the promised Messiah would come. How would the Messiah fulfill the prophecies made to Judah?
FRI
NUMBERS 24:14-25
The Messiah Will Reign Over His Church, Israel Discuss: Numbers 24 expounds on the prophesy to Judah, son of Jacob. Who is the Star that would rise out of Jacob? What does it mean that He has a scepter?
SAT
DEUTERONOMY 18:15-19
The Messiah Would be Like Moses, But Greater Discuss: A prophet “like Moses” means that the coming Messiah would be true Man, just as Moses was. How would the Messiah be greater than Moses? In addition to being true Man, the Messiah was also true ___? What would He do that Moses couldn’t?
Devotion continues on the next page.
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December 2-8
HYMN
SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS, COME | CW 2
One or more verses may be sung each night during Advent 1. You can find a Spotify recording of this hymn at the DIY Advent link on FaithLutheranOregon.com 1. Savior of the nations, come; Virgin’s Son, make here your home. Marvel now, O heav’n and earth, That the Lord chose such a birth.
4. From the Father’s throne he came And ascended to the same, Captive leading death and hell -High the song of triumph swell!
2. Not by human flesh and blood,
5. Praise to God the Father sing,
By the Spirit of our God Was the Word of God made flesh, Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.
Praise to God the Son, our King, Praise to God the Spirit be Ever and eternally.
3. Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child Of the virgin undefiled, Though by all the world disowned, Yet to be in heav’n enthroned!
PRAYER & BLESSING Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and be saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen. The almighty and most merciful Lord, the Father, the Holy Spirit bless and preserve us. Amen.
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Son, and the
December 9-15
INVOCATION The first and second Advent candles (both violet) are lit. The sign of the cross ( ) may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.
In the name of the Father, and of the Amen.
MON
Son, and of the Holy Spirit
1 CHRONICLES 17:1-14
His Kingdom will Last Forever Discuss: The doxology we pray as part of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thine is the kingdom... forever and ever” is taken from this prophecy of David’s descendant. Who would this descendant be? How would His kingdom last forever?
TUE
2 CHRONICLES 7:11-22
The Ruler Over Israel Discuss: Verse 18 says “You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.” This was more than just any descendant. Who was “the Man” who would rule forever? What kind of reign is this?
WED
ISAIAH 11:1-10
The Root of Jesse Discuss: Think of a family tree. A descendant will come from the family of Jesse to bring peace. What kind of peace will this be? Talk about the really strange things that Isaiah lists as a metaphor for this incredible peace.
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Advent 2 | Watchfulness
THU
JEREMIAH 23:2-8
The Lord Our Righteousness Discuss: The coming descendant of David will be called ‘the LORD’ and ‘Our Righteousness.’ Why is He called ‘LORD’ (Lord is a title reserved for God alone)? Why is He called ‘Our Righteousness’? What does it mean to be righteous?
FRI
JEREMIAH 30:1-22
The Messiah Will Restore His People Discuss: Vivid imagery describes the suffering of God’s people. How does sin make us suffer? How will God finally “deliver us from evil?”
SAT
JEREMIAH 33:14-18
The Lord’s Name Given To His People Discuss: Jeremiah uses the words we have heard this week from Isaiah, 1 Chronicles, and Jeremiah 23. But now Isaiah says that she will be called “The Lord Our Righteousness.” Who is this she? (Judah/ Jerusalem: The Church). Talk about how God gave us His name in Baptism.
Devotion continues on the next page.
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December 9=15
HYMN
THE ADVENT OF OUR KING | CW 1
One or more verses may be sung each night during Advent 2. You can find a Spotify recording of this hymn at the DIY Advent link on FaithLutheranOregon.com 1. The advent of our King 4. As judge, on clouds of light, Our prayers must now employ, He soon will come again And we must hymns of welcome sing And his true members all unite In strains of holy joy. With him in heav’n to reign. 2. The everlasting Son
5. Before the dawning Day
Incarnate deigns to be, Himself a servant’s form puts on To set his servants free.
Let sin’s dark deeds be gone, The sinful self be put away, The new self now put on.
3. O Zion’s Daughter, rise To meet your lowly King, Nor let a faithless heart despise The peace he comes to bring.
6. All glory to the Son, Who comes to set us free, With Father, Spirit, ever one Through all eternity.
PRAYER & BLESSING Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Your only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may worship You with pure minds; through the same, Jesus Christ,Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen. The almighty and most merciful Lord, the Father, the Holy Spirit bless and preserve us. Amen.
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Son, and the
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December 16-22
INVOCATION The first, second, and third (rose/pink) Advent candles are lit. The sign of the cross ( ) may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.
In the name of the Father, and of the Amen.
MON
Son, and of the Holy Spirit
ISAIAH 2:1-5
Through the Messiah, God will Lift Up His Church Discuss: This is a figurative description of what God will accomplish through the Messiah. The mountain is the Church. What will this Church be like?
TUE
ISAIAH 24:21-25:5
The Lord Will Come Again In Glory Discuss: At Christmastime, we think a lot about lights and stars. In verse 23, Isaiah says the sun and moon will be ashamed because something would shine even more glorious than they. What would that be?
WED
ISAIAH 25:6-10
The Church’s Feast Discuss: True Advent hope: the result of the Messiah’s advents. What is a feast? Talk about how awesome this feast will be. Even though we are not yet fully able to partake of this feast, we are offered a glimpse through means of bread and wine in Christ’s 3rd advent.
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Advent 3 | Rejoice!
THU
ISAIAH 26:1-21
An Advent Song of Salvation Discuss: When might you hear a victory song? This is a victory song for the “righteous nation” that can enter God’s gates. This is not possible for any physical nation, but it is for God’s people who are declared righteous through the Righteous One.
FRI
ISAIAH 51:1-16
Promised Comfort Discuss: Verse 2 asks us to recall God’s promises to Abraham and Sarah which He fulfilled. Why are past promises fulfilled comforting when God gives us a new promise: a new “Eden”? What was life in Eden like? When will we experience this Eden?
SAT
ISAIAH 52:1-12
Hope in Tribulation Proclaimed by God’s Messengers Discuss: As it seemed for Israel the many times they were oppressed by Egypt and Assyria, our life can often seem hopeless. Yet God calls us to “awake” from hopelessness. Can you think of some people that God uses to continue to bring this good news today (v. 7)? Devotion continues on the next page.
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December 16-22
HYMN
ON JORDAN’S BANK THE BAPTIST’S CRY | CW 16
One or more verses may be sung each night during Advent 3. You can find a Spotify recording of this hymn at the DIY Advent link on FaithLutheranOregon.com 1. On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Come, then, and listen, for he brings Good news about the King of kings. 2. Then cleansed be ev’ry life from sin
And furnished for a guest within, And let us all our hearts prepare For Christ to come and enter there. 3. We hail you as our Savior, Lord, Our refuge and our great reward. Without your grace we waste away Like flow’rs that wither and decay.
4. Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, And lift us up to fall no more. Oh, make your face on us to shine, And fill the world with love divine. 5. All praise to you, eternal Son, Whose advent has our freedom won, Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Spirit evermore.
PRAYER & BLESSING Lord, we beseechYou, give ear to our prayers, and enlighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen. The almighty and most merciful Lord, the Father, the Holy Spirit bless and preserve us. Amen.
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Son, and the
December 23-24
INVOCATION All four Advent candles are lit. The sign of the cross ( ) may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.
In the name of the Father, and of the Amen.
MON
Son, and of the Holy Spirit
ISAIAH 40:1-11
John the Baptist Prophesied Discuss: Repetition is the Hebrew way of driving home a point. What is important here in these verses? This message would be proclaimed by a certain “prophet in the wilderness.” Who was John the Baptist? Talk about how John and all true preachers of Christ use the Law to “make rough places smooth” and the Gospel to bring comfort.
MON EVENING
CHRISTMAS EVE
TUE
CHRISTMAS DAY
In the Jewish way of counting days, the next day begins at sundown. For special days, a vigil would be held to await the morning light. That is why we hold a (relatively subdued) Christmas service starting already on the Eve of Christmas. Celebrate that God has come to you by going to where God has promised to be.
After the vigil, the waiting is over and the feast is fully here. Celebrate “Christ’s Mass” by going to where He is for you, in His Word and Sacrament at church today.
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Advent 4 | Forerunners of Christ
HYMN
O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL | CW 23 v. 1
The first verse of O Come that we are familiar with is actually the last verse. It was meant to be sung as an antiphon on December 23. You can find a Spotify recording of this hymn at the DIY Advent link on FaithLutheranOregon.com 1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
PRAYER & BLESSING Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, and help us with Your great might, that whatever is hindered by our sins may be speedily accomplished by Your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen. The almighty and most merciful Lord, the Father, the Holy Spirit bless and preserve us. Amen.
Son, and the
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ANTIPHON INTRODUCTION An antiphon is a psalm, hymn or prayer sung or chanted in alternate parts. These “O Antiphons” have been used at the end of the Advent season - one each day from December 17 through December 23 - since the very early Church. Each “O Antiphon” highlights a title for the Messiah: O Wisdom, O Lord, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring, O Desire of the Nations, and finally, O Emmanuel. Each name comes from the prophecy of Isaiah about the coming Messiah. Many of the details we are familiar with at Christmas
come from Isaiah’s prophecy and their repeated use over the years in these Antiphons. The beginning letters of the titles of the “O Antiphons” when taken backward form the acrostic, ERO CRAS which translated from Latin means “Tomorrow, I will come.” This reflects the theme of Advent. In Advent, we remember how Christ came at Christmas, how He continues to come today through His Word and Sacraments, and how He will come again at the end of the world.
USING THE ANTIPHONS These activities on the names of Jesus from Isaiah can be done weekly as noted below, or daily from December 17-23. Regarding the memorizations, it is a good idea to begin memorizing early. December 2-8 O Wisdom, O Adonai December 9-15 O Root of Jesse, O Key of David December 16-22 O Dayspring, O King of the Nations December 23 O Emmanuel 21
O WISDOM
December 17
Memorize:
The first name of Jesus, O Wisdom, from Isaiah 11:2-3:
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; 2
Activity: In addition to starting your Christmas list, make a list of all the ways Jesus is wise. Instead of mailing this list to Santa, why not mail it to your pastor? Pray: O Wisdom, come and teach us what You have done for us. Amen.
O ADONAI
December 18
Memorize:
The second name of Jesus, O Adonai, from Isaiah 33:22:
For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us;
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Activity: Look up, print, color, and display Alpha & Omega symbols to explore Jesus being Lord of all times. Pray: O Come Lord Jesus, quickly come. Amen.
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O ROOT OF JESSE
December 19
Memorize:
The third name of Jesus, O Root of Jesse, from Isaiah 11:1 & 10:
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 10 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.” 1
Activity: Talk about names that get passed down through families or names that get folded into a child’s name so they know they are part of a family. Jesus was called the “root of Jesse” so that people would know who He was: He was part of the family of Jesse, meaning He was of the family of all people. Pray: O Son of Jesse, come lead our family and let us live in peace with each other. Amen.
O KEY OF DAVID
December 20
Memorize:
The fourth name of Jesus, O Key of David, from Isaiah 9:7:
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 7
Activity: Show a set of keys. Talk about how keys open/close. Jesus has come to open heaven to all people. He gives His Church the authority of “the keys” to preach forgiveness to all people, and “open heaven” to those who repent. Pray: O Key of David, come forgive our sins and open the door of heaven to us. Amen. 23
O DAYSPRING
December 21
Memorize:
The fifth name of Jesus, O Dayspring, from Isaiah 9:2:
The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 2
Activity: Talk about the color of the paraments in church. They are the color of the sky before dawn (when many children are heading to school). The day is already, but not yet fully here. Talk about how our hope at Advent in Jesus’ Second Coming is like this. We are already children of light, even though we still walk in darkness of sin and death on earth. Pray: O Dayspring, come bring light to us who live in the darkness of our sin.
O KING OF THE NATIONS
December 22
Memorize:
The sixth name of Jesus, O King of the Nations, from Isaiah 2:4:
He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. 4
Activity: Use a map or globe to point out all the places where Jesus is Ruler, i.e. everywhere. Admit to the problems in different places due to sin and look forward to the day when Jesus will come again and will deliver us out of the world to a place free from all trouble. Pray: O King of the Nations, come bring peace to the world. Amen. 24
O EMMANUEL
December 23
Memorize:
The seventh name of Jesus, O Emmanuel, from Isaiah 7:14:
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
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Activity: Explore the meaning of “God with us.” Explore the hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” or recall the ways different characters in the Christmas story were surprised to find that God was with them. Where does God promise to “come to us” today? (In His Word, in the Lord’s Supper, and Baptism). Pray: O Emmanuel. Come, be with us today and always through Your Word. Amen.
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CHILDREN’S MEMORIZATION LESSONS Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:8-14
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of 8
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great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:15-20
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. 15
Matthew 1:22-23
So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
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the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
RECITATION
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
Let the earth now praise the Lord, Who has truly kept His word And at last to us did send Christ, the sinner’s help and friend. What the fathers most desired, What the prophets’ heart inspired, What they longed for many a year Stands fulfilled in glory here. Abram’s promised great reward, Zion’s helper, Jacob’s Lord - Him of two-fold race behold Truly came, as long foretold.
HYMNS
O Come
O Come,Thou Wisdom from on high, Who ord’rest all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O Come, All Ye Faithful | CW 55 v. 2
God from true God, and Light from Light eternal, Born of a virgin, to earth He comes, Only begotten Son of God the Father. Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh, come, let us adore him, Oh,come,let us adore him,Christ the Lord. As Angels Joyed with one Accord | CW 5 v. 2, 5
He came, not clothed in majesty Nor pow’r that suits his deity. In lowly state he walked till he In dying set us captives free.
He comes in water to the child And cleanses it, from birth defiled. This washing seals his pard’ning grace And shows the Father’s kindly face. 2nd Article of the Creed
I believe that Jesus Christ is true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary; and that He is my Lord, Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood, and with His innocent suffering and death; in order that I might be His own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true. 27
Produced by Faith Lutheran Church, Oregon, WI Advent, Anno Domini 2018
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns taken from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” verses taken from the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary.