Family Advent Packet 2018

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Hope

Peace

Joy

Love

ADVENT: Advent means "the arrival of an important person" or "coming." When we celebrate Advent, we remember God's promise of the coming of Jesus.

This booklet is designed as a tool to help focus on Christ's advent, or coming, During the Christmas season, take a few minutes each day to enjoy focusing your hearts and minds on Him. It is our prayer that as you participate in the activities in this booklet, your family will grow closer to Christ and each other.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOKLET: Calendar: Each day leading up to Christmas includes a fun family activity to help focus on remembering Jesus and the gift of Christmas. Almost all of what you need to participate is written on the calendar.

Daily reading: There is a page in the booklet for each day of December. Each page includes a scripture reading for that date from the English Standard Version of the Bible. Each page also includes a simple devotional and basic discussion questions or a quick activity to help your family more deeply understand the passage.

Advent Chain: The bottom of each page includes 2 different color strips. Cut one strip off each day of December and use the strips to create a paper chain which will grow each day until Christmas.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Hope

Peace

Joy

Love

1 Read the Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-20) Explain how this relates to Christmas

2 Hope: to want something to happen or be true Pray for the world to hope for Jesus

9 Peace: a quiet and calm state Pray for peace in your family, with friends and in your city

16 Joy: source of delight, feeling of great happiness Pray for people to feel joy from knowing Jesus

23 Love: strong affection for another coming from personal ties

Pray for each member of your family

3

4

Prayer/Picnic: Drive to Foundations parking lot and picnic on Christmas treats, while praying for the church during this season (see pg 27 )

Prepare the Way: Each person write a prayer for Christmas on 8.5x11 paper. Lay out your papers in a path to to the Christmas tree, welcoming Jesus to your home

10 Star Gaze: Look at the stars.

Each family member point one out and tell what it might be like to follow it

17

11

Prayer drive: As you drive somewhere, pray for the people in the places you see around you. Let each person pray out-loud

18

Watch a Christmas movie together and tie it to the real meaning of Christmas

Stop/Drop/Run: Assemble a Christmas basket for a family in need and leave it on their porch

24

25

Attend Christmas Eve Service Read the Christmas Story (Luke 2:1-20)

Merry Christmas

5

6

Make or print out a Jessie Tree (see page 28)

Take cans of food to the local food bank

12

13

Neighbor Nice Night: Bake cookies or a treat for your neighbors

Bless the Postal Carrier: Put some of those treats from last night in the mailbox

19

20

Act out the Christmas story using characters from a nativity scene

Christmas Song Dance Party: Let each member of your family play their favorite Christmas song and dance in celebration

7

8

Make hot Cocoa and take it to the bell ringers

Attend Tuba Christmas in downtown Fort Collins. Say something nice to the person next to you

14

15

Lights Scavenger Hunt: FindJesus, Mary, Joseph, Star, Wise Men, different color lights

Make Christmas Cards for your "Foundations Kid's" leaders

21

22

Christmas Tree Campout: Have a family sleepover under the tree

Read all Christmas cards you have received and pray for each family/person who sent one

December 1

Read: Isaiah 7:14 In Isaiah 7:14, God promised to send a special gift to the world.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

At Christmas, we spend time focusing on God's gift. The gift is Jesus, Immanuel.

What is the most exciting gift you've been given? How did you feel when you got the gift?

How do feel knowing that God sent Jesus, His son, as a special gift?

December 2

Read: Luke 1:26-28 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!�

God sent an angel to greet Mary and help prepare her for Jesus' coming.

The angel told Mary, "the Lord is with you."

The Lord is with us today too!

Have each person in your family tell how it helps when you feel scared or alone to remember that the Lord is with you.

December 3 Read: Luke 1:30-31

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.

Mary was told by the angel "do not be afraid."

When are some times you feel afraid?

What are some things you can remember about Jesus when you feel afraid? Explain how remembering these things about Jesus can help you have hope when you feel afraid.

December 4

Read: Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.�

This verse tells us that not only will Jesus be a king, but that His kingdom will never end.

That's good news, because Jesus is a perfect and good king. That means we can hope or expect that we will always have a perfect and good leader!

Tell some things about Jesus that show that He is the perfect and good king.

December 5 Read: Luke 1:35

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

This verse tells us that Jesus is the Son of God. This means that He has the highest power. He is higher than angels and higher than people. He is the boss of all (in a good way).

Since He is the perfect authority or boss, we can trust that what He says is right and good. We can understand what He says is right and good from His words in the Bible.

As you read today's passage, allow each member of your family to see where it is found in your Bible.

Encourage those too young to read to touch the place on the pages where Luke 1:35 is found.

December 6

Read: Luke 1:38 Mary listened to God and she responded to God with obedience.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.� And the angel departed from her.

What are some ways that God wants you to be obedient?

December 7

Read: Luke 1:46-48 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed

Mary was happy about what God had done and what He would do! She had hope in what God planned for the future.

Let each family member share things that God has done in your family and things He promises to do. How does that give you hope?

December 8

Read: Luke 2:1,3-5 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Before Jesus was born, God had told people many things that would be true about Him. These things included His family line, and where he would be born. These verses tell us exactly how these things actually happend. This shows us that God's words are always true and He always does things just as He says!

How do you feel when someone keeps their promises? How do you feel knowing that God always keeps His promises?

December 9

Read: Luke 2:6-7 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Talk about the manger. What might it have been like?

Let each family member make sounds like a particular animal that might have been present.

Talk about how Jesus would have been born in this place. Remember that Mary had been visited by an angel and that Jesus is the Son of God. Do you think Mary was able to have peace in the manger and why?

December 10

Read: Luke 2:8-10 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

In Luke 2 we learn about another angel visit! This time the angel told shepherds some very good news!

This good news would also bring peace and joy.

What is the best news you've ever heard? How did you feel hearing it?

Can you guess what good news the angel told the shepherds?

December 11 Read: Luke 2:11-12

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.�

The angel told the shepherds about Jesus' birth. The angel also told them exactly how they would find Jesus.

They were told it was a "sign" for them.

Hearing God's words and then seeing them happen just as He says brings peace.

What are some ways you've seen God's words happen in your life?

How do you feel peace about that?

December 12

Read: Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!�

The shepherds also saw a giant group of angels praising God. The angels said "Glory to God and peace on earth" What does peace mean? How do you think Jesus brings peace?

December 13

Read: Luke 2:15-16 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.� And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

When the angel came to the shepherds, the shepherds were afraid. After the angel declared God's good news and praised God, the shepherds wanted to go find Jesus.

They weren't afraid anymore, they just wanted to see Jesus.

What are some ways you know to praise? Songs? Bible verses? When you feel afraid, how can praising God give you peace?

December 14

Read: Luke 2:17-18 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.

The shepherds were so excited after seeing God's words fulfilled, or come true, that they wanted to tell other people all about this! They wanted to share what they learned about Jesus.

As a family pray about ways you can share Jesus.

December 15 Read: Luke 2:19

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

Mary experienced lots of crazy things. She was visited by an angel and gave birth to baby Jesus, the Son of God in a manger!

Mary had peace in her heart about these things. The Bible says Mary treasured things in her heart.

Pretend that your heart is a treasure box. Think about the good things you know about Jesus. Talk about some together, or even write some down.

Let each person choose a few to tuck into their pretend treasure box. (even making the motion of putting them into your heart). Talk about how you can remember those treasures when you need peace.

December 16

Read: Luke 2:20

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The shepherds got to see the big angel band praising. Then they saw baby Jesus! After they saw Jesus in person, the praised and glorified God. Praising God can come from the joy of being with Him. When you are with Jesus, how do you like to praise Him? What is your favorite song to sing to Him?

December 17

Read: Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.�

Some churches celebrate Epiphany on January 6. This celebration includes the story we will be reading over the next few days about the Wise Men from the East coming to Jesus. The celebration focuses on Jesus coming for the Gentiles (or those people who weren't children of Abraham's family) In these verses, God provides a star to lead the wise men to Jesus.

Discuss ways God leads you to Him. Do you feel joy knowing that God does big things to lead you to Him?

December 18

Read: Matthew 2:5-6 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Jesus called Himself the good shepherd. He loves the sheep and came to offer salvation for all of them. We are His sheep.

Play a game of "Hide and Sheep".

One person will be the Shepherd, or seeker. The others are sheep and will hide. When a sheep is found, that sheep will stay with the Shepherd to seek the rest of the sheep until all are found.

When you are done with the game, discuss how Jesus loves and seeks all of his sheep.

December 19 Read: Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

When the wise men saw the star, the Bible says they rejoiced with great joy! The star led them to Jesus.

Talk about what you know about Jesus that makes you believe in Him and how knowing these things brings you joy.

December 20

Read: Matthew 2:11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men gave gifts to Jesus.

They have him gold, frankincense and myrrh. They also gave Him the gift of worship.

Play or sing a worship song to Jesus as a gift.

December 21

Read: Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

Jesus is the great light! He shows light in the darkness.

Get a lamp and put it in the middle of a room. Turn out all the lights and sit in the dark for a little while. After a few minutes, turn on the lamp.

What happens to the darkness? What does this teach us about Jesus?

Thank God for the light.

December 22

Read: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Repeat out-loud the names for Jesus from Isaiah 9:6.

What do you think each name means and why is it good?

December 23 Read: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Have each person in your family repeat this verse or rephrase it in their own words.

What does this verse say about God's love?

December 24

Read: 1 John 4:14

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Talk about the word testify, which means: to make a statment that something is true.

What are some ways that you can testify to others that Jesus is the true Savior of the world?

Things you can pray for Foundations Church during Christmas: Pray for the Children who will be attending Christmas services to hear the truth about Jesus Pray for Children receiving the Operation Christmas Child boxes Pray for Jesus to be honored and glorified through Foundations Church during the many Christmas gatherings.

Pray that any visitor who attends Foundations gatherings will feel welcome and will clearly see Jesus Christ.

Pray for the pastors and staff to have energy, stamina and blessing during the Christmas season

Jesse Tree Information A Jesse Tree is a great way to look forward in hope to the birth of Jesus. The basic idea is to use thoughtfully chosen ornaments that represent and reflect on the coming of Jesus. Some versions include ornament patterns to represent Jesus ancestors, telling the story of His heritage. Below are website links that include free printable color ornaments and instructions on making a Jesse Tree http://www.whimsicledesignstudio.com/2014/11/24/free-printable-jesse-treeornaments/ https://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2006/12/my_jesse_tree_o.html/

Use this QR code for a webpage with information on the Jessie Tree