WEEKLY ADVENT DEVOTIONS

WEEKLY ADVENT DEVOTIONS

(Can be used in a group each week

or as family home devotions)

THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT: PEACE

Reader:

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Today we begin to prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ, the one who would be called the “Prince of Peace.” As we wait for Jesus to come to us, let us think about what our lives would be like if there truly was peace: peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in our nation, peace in our world.

· Take some time in silence, then share one thing, large or small that you can do to prepare for the coming of “The Prince of Peace”.

· Light the first candle.

Reader:

We light the first Advent candle for peace. May the coming of the Christ child bring peace into our lives.

Sing Verse one of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

Prayer:

God of peace, as we prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ, help us to look into our own hearts. Give us the wisdom to see the ways we can work for the Prince of Peace, and the strength to carry that work into the everyday acts of our lives. Amen.

THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT: JUSTICE

Reader:

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. We continue to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ who is to be know as “The Messiah”, God’s Anointed One. The coming of The Messiah means that times of sorrow, of pain, and of trouble will come to an end. The coming of the Messiah means that those who take advantage of the misery of others will no longer be in control. The coming of the Messiah means that those who suffer will be comforted.

· Read Isaiah 11:1-10

· Take some time in silence, then share one thing you could do to ease the suffering of another, and one place in your own life where you need to be comforted.

· Light the first and second candles.

Reader:

We light the first candle, the candle of peace. And today we light the second candle, the candle of justice. May we, like those who waited for the Messiah so long ago, find the Messiah’s justice calling us to a better life.

Sing verse two of “Joy to the World”

Prayer:

God of justice and mercy, as we prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ, help us to look into our own hearts. Give us the wisdom to see the ways we can work for the Messiah, and the strength to carry that work into the everyday acts of our lives. Amen.

THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT: JOY

Reader:

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Our preparation for the coming of Christ, who will be “The Light of the World”, continues. Our excitement builds as we think of the joy that his coming will bring. The Light of his love will drive away the dark of doubt and despair. We rejoice as we think of the world bathed in that light which heals and gives new life.

· Read Isaiah 35:1-10

· Take some time in silence, and then share one of the joyful parts of your life.

· Light the first, second, and third candles.

Reader:

We light the first two candles, the candles of peace and justice. And today we light the third candle, joy. Its light reminds us that Christ comes to fill our lives with joy.

Sing verse three of “Silent Night”

Prayer:

God of joy and rejoicing, as we prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ, help us to look into our own hearts. Give us the wisdom to see the ways we can work for Jesus, who is the light of the world, and the strength to carry that work into the everyday acts of our lives. Amen.

THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT: HOPE

Reader:

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. We are coming near the end of our waiting. All of our expectations of who Jesus will be crowds into our minds. We think of Jesus, the King, the Mighty. And yet, as Mary and Joseph come into Bethlehem, the only room they find is the stable at an overcrowded inn. We suddenly realize that if Jesus is truly to be Emanuel, “God with us”, then his birth will be like ours, he will be human, like us. We are now asked to place our hope in a tiny, vulnerable, fragile baby.

· Read Isaiah 7:10-17

· Take some time in silence, and then share one perhaps seemingly impossible thing you hope for.

· Light the first, second, third and fourth candles.

Reader:

We light the first three candles, the candles of peace and justice and joy. Today we also light the fourth candle, the candle of hope. May its flickering light continue to give us hope in the world.

Sing verse one of “Away in A Manger”

Prayer:

God of hope, as we prepare ourselves for the birth of Christ, help us to look into our own hearts. Give us the wisdom to see the ways we can work for Jesus, Emanuel, and the strength to carry that work into the everyday acts of our lives. Amen.

Deepening Faith: Youth Ministry Resources and Some Miscellaneous Advice

Rev. Lizann Bassham, Front Porch Spirit Press