FAMILY DEVOTIONAL
WELCOME Everyone seems to want to make Christmas meaningful. The rush and crush of this season can make that hard. This year at LCR, we are joining hundreds of other churches in a “conspiracy” to prepare for Christmas by getting ready to celebrate the way Jesus did—by worshipping God, giving of ourselves, and loving others together. Advent means “coming.” It is a time of expectation for the one who is to come. This Christmas, we celebrate heaven coming down through the birth of Jesus Christ, our savior. At LCR, we are joining in to be a part of the “Advent Conspiracy.” Our desire is to experience Christmas as something other than a consumer holiday. Our hope and prayer is that people will see Advent as a time to be intentional about giving—not just our money but also our time and our hearts. We hope you’ll consider making this focus on Christmas preparation a weekly event. To make this a special family memory, consider lighting a candle on an advent wreath each Sunday as you share the weekly readings, prayers, and activities, concluding with Christmas Eve. Consider making a paper chain with 25 links that include things to pray for daily. As you countdown to Christmas remove a link each day and pray over it as a family.
The Advent Conspiracy Family Devotional was developed at Living Waters Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota and used with its permission. We thank God for their efforts and their sharing. The content was adapted by the Adult Faith Formation Team for use by LCR. For more information about The Advent Conspiracy at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, please visit us online at LCRmarietta.org/advent.
Making the most out of your Family Devotional Prepare Spend a few minutes beforehand to review and gather supplies needed Include Everyone Have children light or blow out candles, remove a chain link, read scripture passages and participate in activities and conversations Make it Relational Have fun, laugh, and share Adapt This devotional is just a guide; make it appropriate for the age of your kids Focus on Jesus Be intentional about always bringing the conversation back to Jesus Act Don’t just talk about what God wants us to do - do it!
It is our prayer that this advent season you will experience heaven coming down through the story of Jesus Christ. We pray that you and your family will experience the excitement and joy of that first Christmas morning as we worship Christ, shine His light and celebrate the hope His birth brings to the world.
Paper Prayer Chain Make a paper chain with 25 links. Starting on December 1, remove one paper link and pray. Possible Topics for Chain Links Thank God for the Christmas season Pray for a friend who is sad or hurting Pray for everyone that will be singing at Atria on Dec. 3 Thank God for clean water Pray for the people of Guatemala who have so much less than we do Pray for the families who receive the animals that we will send through ELCA Good Gifts on Dec. 21 Thank God for His amazing love and His gift of Jesus Pray for our church Thank God for our military and for their families at home Thank God for your food and shelter Pray for your neighbors Pray for the pastors of churches around the world supporting ELCA World Hunger Thank God for your school and pray for the children who attend Pray for kids who need safety Thank God for sending Jesus on that first Christmas so long ago Pray for people who are sick and need healing Pray for people in countries who need to hear about God’s love Thank God for your family Pray for the families who receive gifts from the Brumby Tree Pray for kids who go to school hungry Thank God for our country Pray for the children that will receive the Project Linus Blankets we’re making on Dec. 17 Pray for kids who are experiencing Christmas without their families Pray for those in your family you don’t see often Thank God for His love and forgiveness
WEEK 1 Jesus is the beginning and the end. He gave up living in heaven to come to earth and be a part of our lives. Scripture Reading John 1:1-2, Philippians 2:5-7 Questions •
What did Jesus give up to come to earth (some descriptions in Revelation 4:2-3, 21:3-4, 21:21)?
•
Why would Jesus give this up to come live on earth?
•
What will I give up for Jesus this Christmas?
Prayer Dear God, thank you that Jesus willingly left heaven to come to earth to provide and show us the way back to you. You gave up so much for us; show us what we can give up for you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Family Activity As a family, brainstorm ways that you can help heaven come to earth this Christmas. Decide as a family what you will do this Christmas to make things here like they are in heaven. Think of different ways, including acts of service and giving. Live Out Your Faith Wednesday, December 3 5:45-6:15pm Dinner* 6:20-6:50pm Christmas Caroling at Atria Senior Living Facility 7:00-7:45pm Advent Worship Sunday, December 7 4:30-5:30pm Family Christmas Pageant 5:30-7:30pm Advent International Dinner *Please RSVP for dinner at LCRmarietta.org by noon on Tuesday
WORSHIP FULLY
WEEK 2 God so loved the world that He sent His only Son from heaven to earth. God loves us with an amazing, neverending love. He has more than enough love to share with everyone. Scripture Reading Luke 1:26-38, 46-50 or “Angels Visit” in the Spark Story Bible. Questions •
Why did Jesus come to earth?
•
Who will I share God’s love with this Christmas?
Prayer Dear God, thank you for showing us that you loved us so much that you sent Jesus to earth. Help us to share your love with others this Christmas. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Family Activity Look through the ELCA Good Gifts Giving Book and pray about whom would feel blessed by a Good Gift given in their name. Grandparents especially appreciate this type of gift. Pray about giving just one of these gifts in Jesus' name. Live Out Your Faith Wednesday, December 10 5:45-6:15pm Dinner* 6:20-6:50pm Brumby Tree Gift Dedication 7:00-7:45pm Advent Worship The Brumby Tree provides Christmas gifts for children who attend Brumby Elementary School. Take a bear off the tree in the narthex and plan to return the gifts no later than Dec. 10. *Please RSVP for dinner at LCRmarietta.org by noon on Tuesday
SPEND LESS
WEEK 3 Jesus’ birth is good news that changes lives. Jesus brought joy and hope on Christmas morning. Scripture Reading Luke 2:1-20, 2 Corinthians 8:9 or “Jesus is Born” in the Spark Story Bible Questions •
Who heard the good news of Jesus on Christmas morning? How did they respond?
•
How do I respond to the good news that Jesus has come to earth?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the good news of Jesus our Savior coming to earth. Help us to believe and live out this good news in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Family Activity Each of you think of one person who you know that could use some good news this Christmas. As a family, come up with a way to show them that you care for them (have them over for supper, send a card, do something nice for them, etc.). As a family, make a plan to do those things before Christmas if you can (or after if you can’t). Live Out Your Faith Wednesday, December 17 5:45-6:15pm Dinner* 6:20-6:50pm Project Linus Blanket Tying 7:00-7:45pm Advent Worship Project Linus Blankets provide a sense of love, security, warmth and comfort to children who are in need. *Please RSVP for dinner at LCRmarietta.org by noon on Tuesday
GIVE MORE
WEEK 4 The wise men traveled a long way to search for the Christ child. When they found Him, they worshipped Him and gave Him gifts. Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1-12 or “Wise Men” in the Spark Story Bible Questions •
How did the wise men worship Jesus?
•
How will I worship Jesus?
Prayer Dear God, thank you for the amazing gift of Jesus. All we have is from you and you alone deserve all our praise and worship. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Family Activity Worship is remembering and focusing our attention and hearts on who God is and on His goodness. This comes out in our songs and prayers, our thoughts and words, and our actions and giving. Worship as an action requires us to give back to God what He first gave us. As a family, spend time worshipping God in your unique way. For example: singing, drawing pictures, writing a poem, or going outside and praising God for His creation! Live Out Your Faith Sunday, December 21 ELCA Good Gift orders are due. “Good Gifts” are practical gifts, such as farm animals or water wells, given communities all over the world. Together, we can do more than we could ever do alone: grow the church, fight hunger and transform lives. Consider contributing to LCR’s goal of two Farm Families.
LOVE ALL
CHRISTMAS EVE Jesus is the light in our dark world and shows us the way to God. Once we enter into a relationship with God, He calls us to also shine His light in the dark places. Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Matthew 5:14-16 or “Salt and Light” from the Spark Story Bible Questions •
What happens when light shines in darkness?
•
Where can we shine God’s light for people who live in darkness, fear, & without hope?
Prayer Dear God, thank you for showing us the light of your love. Thank you for giving us that light to share. Help us to spend the whole year sharing your light with those who have lots of darkness. Amen. Family Activity Talk about what it was like to live with less this Advent and Christmas. By changing what we do at Christmas, we were able to care more for others. Jesus changed His life so that we could have Him in our lives. What are ways we can continue to worship and share God’s love, joy, and light in the world next year? Live Out Your Faith Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Worship 5 p.m. 8 p.m. 10 p.m. Nursery care provided at all services Join us for Christmas Eve services to hear about the child who changed the world and us.
LOVE ALL
Christmas isn’t over after Advent!
4814 Paper Mill Rd Marietta, GA 30067 / 770.953.3193 / LCRmarietta.org