“ADVENT” is the season leading up to Christmas, officially beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing until Christmas Day. In this season, we remember the thousands of years God’s people were anticipating and longing for the coming of God’s salvation, for Jesus. That’s precisely what advent means — coming. There are a variety of ways to celebrate the Advent season depending on tradition and background. Popular traditions include the use of an Advent calendar, typically made up of 24 “windows” to count down the days until Christmas, or the progression of an Advent wreath made up of five candles. Regardless of tradition, Advent can be a significant time in the life of the church. It’s an opportunity for believers to remember God’s promise to send the One who would overcome sin and death forever. God promised a Savior, and He kept that promise perfectly. God has come to be where we are, as we are, so that we might be as He is. To help you personally and to encourage our families to remember God’s promise kept, we are glad to share this Advent guide with you.
US I N G T H E G UID E This guide contains four weeks of material, each week containing two parts: First, a section for personal study with scripture passages, a devotional and time of reflection. Second, a section for families to focus on the Advent season together through reading, discussion, prayer and activities. For some, this is the first time you’re considering all that God is saying through the birth of His Son. For others, it will be an opportunity to rediscover the way God intimately works in the details of life for His glory and the good of man. Whether you know the Christmas narrative well, vaguely, or not at all, don’t rush past what God has for you in this season. For all of us, may this season be one marked by hope, expectation, remembrance and worship. The King has come and is coming again! There is much to celebrate.
A NOT E FO R FAM IL IES This time of year can be filled to the brim with activities and obligations, especially for families. Before the calendar begins to overflow, set aside a few minutes to consider what you want this season to be for your family. Advent is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the birth of Jesus. Make a plan early so that a season intended to remember and celebrate doesn’t get swallowed up by lesser things. To help toward that end, we have provided a family portion each week that will help you create intentional time to talk about Jesus. Each week contains things to read, discuss, pray about and do as a family. The family portions were written with preschool and elementary-aged children in mind. If you have older children, consider having each person work through the “Personal Study” section, then come together to talk about what you learned. 4
WEEK 1 Brokenness and the Promise of Peace
WEEK 1 | Brokenness and the Promise of Peace
PERSONAL STUDY In your Bible, read Matthew 1:1-17 and Isaiah 9:6-7. We all feel and, on some level, know that we live in a broken world. A quick glance at the nightly news gives us insight into the violence, suffering, pain, and lack of peace all around us. We see it not only in our culture, but also in our own homes. We have broken relationships and broken families. Everything is not how God designed it to be. We innately know we need someone to step in and rescue us, for someone to be and do what we could not. Out of any brokenness, God can bring healing and wholeness. A stroll through the genealogy of Jesus shows this to be true. Some of us do not want to share the ugly truths in our family tree, but the Bible is brutally honest about the lineage of Christ. You think your family is dysfunctional? Check out some of those in Jesus’ lineage: Judah & Tamar (entrapment, lies and prostitution) Rahab, Boaz’s mother (a prostitute in Jericho) King David (disobedience, adultery, and murder) Solomon (disobedience, pride, selfishness) Solomon’s descendants earned the phrase, “[Insert name] did evil in the sight of the Lord.” It is out of this line of broken people that God chose to send His son. We fight, we wage war, and the results are destruction and brokenness. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus’ birth stating, “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7 We shattered our peace with God because of our sin, but God promised to restore our broken relationship. 6
WEEK 1 | Brokenness and the Promise of Peace
REFLECTION How have you seen brokenness in your life, your family’s life, or your community? Is your family tree as soiled as Jesus’? How have you seen God redeem the brokenness in your family? Can you give an example of when you saw God bring peace out of turmoil in your life or in your family?
FA M I LY D I S C I P L E S H I P Read as a family. 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. Isaiah 9:6 Before they left the garden, God whispered a promise to Adam and Eve: “It will not always be so! I will come to rescue you! And when I do, I’m going to do battle against the snake. I’ll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I’m coming back for you!” And he would. One day, God Himself would come. The Jesus Storybook Bible
Talk as a family. Has anyone ever made a promise to you and not kept it? How did that make you feel? Do you trust them to keep their promise the next time? 7
WEEK 1 | Brokenness and the Promise of Peace
When God makes a promise, He always keeps it. After Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God made a promise to make things right again. He promised to send someone to deal with sin and death, a Rescuer, and that someone was Jesus.
Pray as a family. Thank God for always keeping His promises and for sending Jesus to take care of our sin. Pray that your family would love others like Jesus loves you.
Do as a family. Start a prayer chain. Cut strips of paper to create a paper prayer chain throughout the season of Advent. Each day, write the name of someone you know (friend, family member, neighbor, teacher, etc.) on a strip of paper, pray for him or her together and attach it to the chain. Hang the chain in place you will see and remember each day. Donate unused toys. Boys and girls living right around us don’t get to have the type of Christmas many of us enjoy full of delicious food, loving family and new toys under the tree. Spend time this week going through toys, and pack a box or two to donate to a local opportunity organization like Goodwill. Check out what’s going on in the community. Browse around the community and look for fun family activities like the Festival of Lights at Tanglewood. Choose a few and intentionally plan time in the coming weeks to do things together. For more ideas, check out page 21 at the back of this guide.
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WEEK 2 Great Anticipation
WEEK 2 | Great Anticipation
PERSONAL STUDY In your Bible, read Matthew 1:18-24 and Romans 8:19-21. Have you ever looked forward to something with great anticipation? You count the days until that family vacation. You can hardly wait for that special evening with that special someone. You get excited about the arrival of a friend or family member who has been away for a while. In the animated film, The Secret Life of Pets, the main character is Max (a dog) who sits and waits at the door with great anticipation for his master to return home. Maybe you even have a pet that does this same thing to you! We have all experienced anticipation in some form or fashion. Even creation longs with eager expectation for its Creator to make all things new. We innately know that the brokenness in our world was not a part of God’s good, harmonious design. The Old Testament is full with the news of the coming Messiah as God promises time and time again to restore all things. This Messiah would deliver people out of darkness and bring them into light (Isaiah 9:2; John 8:12). Perhaps no one waited with more anticipation for Jesus than John the Baptist as John had a unique role to play in the anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied about this great anticipation of the Messiah, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:76-79 John’s role was to prepare the way for Jesus. Much like John, we are to prepare the way for others to see and believe in Jesus today!
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WEEK 2 | Great Anticipation
REFLECTION What is something that you have waited for with great anticipation? Think of how much Mary and Joseph must have anticipated Jesus’ arrival! How are you preparing the way for others to see, hear and believe in Jesus? The anticipation of Jesus’ arrival is over, but are you living with eager expectation for His return? Would you and your family be found ready if He returned today?
FA M I LY D I S C I P L E S H I P Read as a family. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Mary, you’re going to have a baby. A little boy. You will call him Jesus. He is God’s own Son. He’s the One! He’s the Rescuer! The Jesus Storybook Bible
Talk as a family. What is something that is really hard to be patient for? When it’s finally time for that thing, how do you feel? When that thing is over or done, how do you feel then?
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WEEK 2 | Great Anticipation
All of creation was waiting for Jesus to be born. God waited thousands of years before sending the Rescuer. That’s a long time! Some days, God’s children waited patiently for Jesus, and others they waited with sadness and anger. They even began to wonder if God had forgotten about His promise. Remember, God always keeps his promises. He reminded his children over the years that He had not forgotten, and at just the right time, Jesus would come.
Pray as a family. Thank God for His faithfulness. Pray that your family would learn to be patient with one another and as you wait for things. Pray that you would learn to trust God more and more.
Do as a family. Bake cookies to share. Mix up a batch of your family’s favorite cookies to share with someone you are thankful for. While you’re patiently waiting for them to bake in the oven, write a note to send with the cookies when you drop them off later on. Remember Christmases from the past. Spend an evening gathered around pictures or watching home videos from previous Christmases. Share stories and memories from those times together and talk with excitement about the upcoming Christmas! Practice patience. Play a board or card game together that requires taking turns. As kids wait for their next turn, encourage them to wait calmly and treat others with kindness. For more ideas, check out page 21 at the back of this guide.
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WEEK 3 The Promise Fulfilled
WEEK 3 | The Promise Fulfilled
PERSONAL STUDY In your Bible, read Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7 and Luke 2:25-32. If you’ve ever been in an airport, you’ve surely seen the large screens travelers gather around to check departure and arrival times of flights. You’ve also probably witnessed (or experienced) the change of emotion upon seeing a time that is earlier or later than expected! There is nothing quite like arriving home and lying in your own bed after that long, stressful flight. When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, they had no choice but to seek shelter in a stable, for there was no room for them in the inn. In Luke 9, Jesus said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Luke 9:58 The sinless Son of God had no place to call home here, because He ultimately came to bring us home. When someone makes a promise, there is anticipation in seeing if it becomes fulfilled. Simeon was a man who anticipated the arrival of Jesus and actually got to see it come to pass. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32
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WEEK 3 | The Promise Fulfilled
Jesus – fully God and fully man – was born into this broken world, and brought with Him the cure for our brokenness. God, through Christ, mercifully entered into our mess. Jesus’ birth was the fulfillment of thousands of years of anticipation and promises. He lived and walked on the same earth that we live and walk on. He lived in a way that we never could have, in order to make up for us living in a way that we never should have. The anticipation is over, the promise fulfilled. We are no longer waiting, expecting, praying, hoping and preparing for the arrival of Christ. Jesus has delivered the hope, healing, wholeness and peace that our broken world and lives so desperately need!
REFLECTION Simeon was overjoyed at Jesus’ arrival. How can we shift to being more excited about the arrival of our salvation than the arrival of our Christmas gifts? Does the reality and impact of Jesus’ arrival influence how you live your life day by day?
FA M I LY D I S C I P L E S H I P Read as a family. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 And there, in the quiet of the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby Son. The Jesus Storybook Bible 15
WEEK 3 | The Promise Fulfilled
Talk as a family. Jesus is the King of Kings. Where does a king usually live? Where was Jesus born? Why do you think God planned for Jesus to be born in a stable instead of a castle or palace? God’s plan is always perfect. Many people thought the Rescuer would be a mighty warrior or king, but instead, God sent Jesus as a tiny baby. Jesus wasn’t born in a palace, but in a stable, because God’s plan was for the Rescuer to come as a humble, kind and compassionate servant. He may not have been what people expected, but He was exactly what they needed. God’s plan is always perfect.
Pray as a family. Thank God for His perfect plan. Pray that your family would celebrate and focus on the best Christmas gift ever this year, Jesus!
Do as a family. Make an edible manger. Spread peanut butter or Nutella on a slice of bread and place a few pretzel sticks on top to outline a stable (like a house with two walls and a roof). Place mini marshmallows or chocolate chips inside the stable to show Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Visit a farm. Jesus was born in a stable, surrounded by farm animals! As a family, take a trip to a nearby farm and talk about what animals may have been there and what that night would’ve been like. Bake a birthday cake for Jesus. Mix, bake and decorate a cake to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Invite a few friends over and tell them the story of Jesus’ birth and why it’s something to remember and celebrate! For more ideas, check out page 21 at the back of this guide.
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WEEK 4 Wholeness and Peace
WEEK 4 | Wholeness and Peace
PERSONAL STUDY In your Bible, read Luke 2:8-20 and Matthew 2:1-12. Picture yourself on a peaceful, clear night on top of a mountain or in a large field. The breathtaking sight of a multitude of shining stars fills the sky. Now, imagine how terrifying it would be for an angel to appear out of nowhere with the glory of God shining all around you in the middle of the night! That’s exactly what happened to a group of shepherds, minding their own business on the night Jesus was born. The angels brought a message from God, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people…Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10, 14 The angels were delivering the gospel to the shepherds, not the social elite, just to emphasize that the good news is for everyone and anyone. All of heaven responded to the arrival of Jesus on earth because all of heaven knew that Jesus would be the first to live out God’s will on earth. It’s why Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed is your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Mark 6:9-10 Jesus would usher in peace. We were created to live at peace with Him, and Jesus restored our broken relationship with God. The Shepherds experienced the glory of God and peace of God like never before. What was their response? Worship and sharing! The magi also experienced the peace of God like never before on the night of Jesus’ arrival. What was their response? Worship and generosity! By God’s design, we were created by Him and for Him. Created to worship 18
WEEK 4 | Wholeness and Peace
Him and live at peace and joy in relationship with Him. Jesus didn’t leave us alone after the resurrection. He knew his followers would respond in fear and be anxious without him. That’s why when someone repents and believes in the good news of Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside of them. Jesus’ promise of never leaving or forsaking His disciples is fulfilled because of the Spirit. Followers of Christ have the power and peace and presence of Christ with them all the time.
REFLECTION What should our response be to such an unexpected gift from God? Have you and your family responded in worship and generosity like the magi? Have you responded in worship and sharing this good news like the shepherds?
FA M I LY D I S C I P L E S H I P Read as a family. 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…And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told to them. Luke 2: 15-16, 20 At dawn, they [the magi] packed up their camels and wrapped gifts for the baby. They brought their most precious treasures of all: frankincense, gold and myrrh. Special, sparkly, lovely-smelling, gleaming things – just right for a king. The Jesus Storybook Bible
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WEEK 4 | Wholeness and Peace
Talk as a family. What are some things that bring you joy at Christmas? If you get a gift you really wanted, do you hide it away or play with it and tell your friends about it? Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. After the shepherds met Him, they went and told others about this amazing gift! When the magi came to see Him, they brought gifts to worship and praise Him! We should celebrate Jesus each day and tell others about this gift just like the shepherds and the magi.
Pray as a family. Thank God for sending Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Pray that your family would be thankful for and share the Good News of peace with those in your life.
Do as a family. Go and tell. Invite a family over that doesn’t know Jesus. Show them all you’ve done during the Advent season together and tell them the story of the first Christmas. Make a plan to pray. Have each person think of someone who doesn’t know Jesus. Write those names down on post-its or notecards and stick them in a place you will see each day like the fridge or bathroom mirror. In the coming year, pray together for those people and look for opportunities to love them like Jesus and share the Good News of the gospel. Take time to be thankful. Spend time at dinner one night reflecting on all the fun spent together this Advent season. Allow each person to share a favorite memory or something they are thankful for. Finish your meal by praying as a family and thanking God for those things! For more ideas, check out the next page! 20
FA M I LY A C T I V I T I E S FOR THE ADVENT SEASON 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.
Fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child Serve a meal together as a family at a local shelter Drive to a store that has a Salvation Army bell ringer just to donate Raid the pantry for canned goods to donate to a local food bank Anonymously pay for the Santa photos of the person behind you in line at the mall Invite a few friends over for a cookie decorating party Visit a “live” nativity scene Read the Christmas story in the Bible Spend time on your bellies playing with the family nativity scene and acting out the story Cut your lunch sandwiches into the shape of stars and talk about the original Christmas star Make paper crowns and talk about the wise men and the gifts they brought Jesus Decorate the Christmas tree together Visit a few friends’ houses to sing Christmas carols and hand out candy canes Hop in the car in your jammies and drive around to look at the Christmas lights Check out books from the library about how people celebrate Christmas in other countries Make and send Christmas cards to a few friends Make a handmade Christmas ornament and give to a friend Make paper snowflakes to hang around the house Make a pinecone bird feeder and hang it from a tree in your yard Have a living room dance party to a fun Christmas album Wrap Christmas gifts together Pull out mattresses and have a family slumber party under the tree Make some personal and family New Years goals Have a family movie night with popcorn and snacks Draw names and write a note for a family member in the house Have a fancy dress code for dinner one night Remix a classic Christmas carol by re-writing new words for a silly version of the song
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The Son of God The seed of woman The seed of Abraham The tribe of Judah The seed of David Born in Bethlehem Born of a virgin Called Immanuel Children of Bethlehem slain Being called out of Egypt Being anointed with the Spirit Being a Prophet likened to Moses A Priest in the order of Melchizedek Public entry into ministry Ministry beginning in Galilee Entering publicly into Jerusalem A Shepherd for God’s people
Psalm 2:7 Genesis 3:15 Genesis 17:7; 22:18 Genesis 49:10 Psalm 132:11; Isaiah 9:6 Micah 5:2 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 7:14 Jeremiah 31:15 Hosea 11:1 Isaiah 11:2; 42:1; 61:1 Deuteronomy 18:15-18 Psalm 110:4 Isaiah 61:1-2 Isaiah 9:1-2 Zechariah 9:9 Ezekiel 34:1-31
OT PROPHECY
Matthew 3:17; Luke 1:32, 35 Galatians 4:4 Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16 Luke 3:33; Revelation 5:5 Acts 13:23; Romans 1:3 Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-6 Matthew 1:22-23 Matthew 1:22-23 Matthew 2:16-18 Matthew 2:15 Matthew 3:16; John 3:34 Acts 3:20-22; John 6:14 Hebrews 5:5-6 Luke 4:16-21, 43 Matthew 4:12-16, 23 Matthew 21:1-5 John 10:1-18
NT F U LF ILLME N T
Jesus was the perfect fulfillment of all that was spoken through the prophets about the Messiah. Below is a list of some of the Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus’ coming. They serve as a reminder of God’s perfect faithfulness to do all that He has promised.
PROPHECY & FULFILLMENT
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