Advent is a period of spiritual preparation in which many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Celebrating Advent involves not only thanking God for Christ's first coming to Earth as a baby, but also for his presence among us today through the Holy Spirit, and in preparation and anticipation of his final coming at the end of time.
First Sunday of
Advent
(December 2, 2012)
I. Read Psalm 25:1-3.
II. Light the first purple candle
of HOPE - The light of the
prophets reminds us of the hope that God gives us. We can have hope because God is
faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Read Jeremiah 33:14-16. Our
hope comes from God. “And again,
Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over
the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with
all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
III. Devotion: Today we light the
first Advent candle. It is the candle of hope. It is a time to think about what
it means to celebrate Jesus’ birth and to follow Jesus. The Bible says that
Jesus is the light of the world. Read John 8:12. Jesus loves us and shows us
the way out of the darkness. Jesus shows us the way to live. We have many
lights around us at Christmas time to remind us that Jesus is the light of the
world. Our hope is based on our trust that God’s gracious promise will be
fulfilled. We light the candle in hope, looking forward to the time when all of
God’s people will safely live in God’s city.
IV. Prayer: Thank you, Jesus,
for coming to earth, just like the prophets said, and for your
promise to come
again. Thank you, Jesus, for being our light so we know how to live. God help
us to stop doing so many things so we can spend time with you. Help us to see
your light that shines in us and help us to see your love for the world. Help
us to love others the way you love them. Amen.Each night this week light the candle of Hope at dinnertime. Use this link for daily devotions through out the week: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/fotf/tf_2012advent/#/0
Second Sunday of
Advent (December 9,
2012)
I. The second candle is the
Candle of Preparation. Preparation means to “get ready.” Read Isaiah 40:3-5 “A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall
be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become
straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.”
II. Light the first candle of HOPE-
Reminding that during Advent we wait
in the hope that God’s promises will be fulfilled. Then light the second
candle, The Candle of Preparation which represents LOVE. God
kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Read Micah
5:2-5 about the promised ruler from Bethlehem. During
Advent we also wait, in love, knowing that the Good Shepherd loves his sheep
and gave his life for them. Read John 10:11-15.
III. Devotion: Today on the
second Sunday of Advent, we remember that Mary and Joseph were on the way to
Bethlehem. Their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was over 70 miles. Read
Luke 2:1-7. We are also on a journey. We are on our way to celebrate Christmas,
and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Sing or read: O Little Town of Bethlehem
IV. Prayer: Lord, thank you
that you love us so much that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, as a little
baby. In love, O Lord, we wait for you to restore us. In love we wait to
celebrate the coming of the Good Shepherd. Help us to be your sheep, depending
upon you for food, assurance, and protection. Watch over us and keep us safe.
May we live securely with you forever. Amen
Each night this week light the candle of Hope and Love. Continue using the 2012 Thriving Family Advent Devotional calendar through out the week.
Third Sunday of
Advent (December 16,
2012)
I. Read Psalm 95:1-7.
II. Light the first candle of HOPE,
we wait in the hope that God’s promises
will be fulfilled. Light the second candle of LOVE, both for our
love for God and God’s great love for us. Then light the third, pink candle, of
JOY. The light of the Shepherds
reminds us not to be afraid but to be joyful while we wait on the Lord.
III. Devotion: Today is the third
Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Joy! Mary was not afraid,
but joyful, because the Lord was
with her. Read Luke 1:46-47. The angels comforted the frightened shepherds out
on the dark hillside with the joy of the good news. Read Luke 2:8-11. Because
of our relationship with Christ, our salvation, we can experience unconditional
joy. God has given us the waters of salvation. Let us rejoice. Read Isaiah 12
“Songs of Praise.” Sing “Joy to the World.”
IV. Prayer: Lord, today we
rejoice. We rejoice because our Lord and Savior, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Fill our hearts and our days with joy while we wait on the coming of your Son. And fill us with joy as we serve a world that
needs the joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. We rejoice that you are with
us always. AMEN
Each night this week light the candle of Hope, Love, and Joy. Continue using the 2012 Thriving Family Advent Devotional calendar through out the week.
Fourth Sunday of
Advent (December 23,
2012)
I. Read Isaiah 9:6-7.
II. Light the first candle of HOPE,
we wait in the hope that God’s
promises will be fulfilled. Light the second candle of LOVE, both
for our love for God and God’s great love for us. Light the third pink candle
of JOY, reminding us not to be
afraid, but joyful, while we
wait on the Lord. Then
light the final purple candle of PEACE. The light of the Angels reminds us of the peace that God gives
us in Jesus Christ. A peaceful life is not just a life without stress or
conflict, but one in which our trust in God does not allow fear to rule our
lives. The way was prepared, God has come and redeemed His people, and we can
be at peace. Read John 14:27.
III. Devotion: Read Luke 2:15-20.
Mary and Joseph are with the baby Jesus in the stable. The angels told the shepherds
where to look for the Christ child. The Shepherds know that God gave them the
good news and sent them to see the new born King. While we have been preparing
our hearts for Christmas, God has been leading and guiding us to the true
meaning of Christmas. God has come into the world to be with us, so that we
will experience God’s grace and love. Sing: Hark!
The herald angels sing!
IV. Prayer: Thank you Lord for
giving us hope, love and joy even when life is difficult some times. Thank you
for the peace we have been given through our salvation. Help us to share the
true meaning of Christmas and tell others of the greatest gift of all,
Jesus. AMEN
Each night this week light the candle of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. Continue using the 2012 Thriving Family Advent Devotional calendar through out the week.
CHRISTMAS DAY - CHRIST IS BORN
Today is Christmas. The day we
have waited for and prepared for is finally here! Emmanuel: God is with us!
I. Read Isaiah 7:14.
II. Light the first candle of HOPE,
we wait in the hope that God’s
promises will be fulfilled. Light the second candle of LOVE, both
for our love for God and God’s great love for us. Light the third pink candle
of JOY, be joyful while we wait on the Lord. Light the final purple
candle of PEACE, God gives us
peace through Jesus Christ. Finally light the Christ Candle. We light the Christ candle honoring the birth
of Jesus, the Son of God, the One True Light, who has come to bring
light to our hearts and to our homes. The white candle reminds us that
Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! His birth was
for his death; his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus
coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world!” (John 1:29)
III. Eat together as a family.
Afterward read Luke 2:11.
IV. Prayer: Loving God, we rejoice that today in the city of David a Savior
is born. We rejoice that our hope is fulfilled, and God’s peace has come to
earth. We rejoice that we can fully know God’s love in Jesus Christ. Help us to
celebrate today and always that a Savior has been born to us. Amen.
V. Gather around a birthday cake
for Jesus and sing “Happy Birthday.” Enjoy the cake as a family and have each
person share something about Jesus that makes Him the greatest gift of all.
Enjoy being intentional in celebrating the true gift of Christmas, Jesus!
Crystal (:
