Step by Step

Third Week of Advent

In the midst of all the excitement; the wonder of being visited by angels, the good news of great joy that a son was coming,  daily life was still going on for Joseph and Mary.  There was work to be done, and rules to follow.  Just like today, as our excitement for Christmas grows, we still get up, go to school, do our chores, and follow the rules.  Even thought we can hardly wait, we must.

In that time, an order went out that everyone had to be counted.  This meant that Joseph had to make a long journey to the hometown of his family 80 miles away!  This was a long trip.  It probably took about 10 days, so that if you began walking today, you would have to keep walking until Christmas day to complete the journey!

So Joseph and Mary set out to walk the long valley.  It was a road home in many ways, but it must have been hard, and a little bit scary along the way.  

Joy was near.  The end of the long journey that began with a visit from the angel was upon them.  So much to look forward to, so much to rejoice.  Step by step.

Prayer: 

Dear God, Step by step,  nudge me toward you.  Guide me with your loving hand.  Joy is near! Amen

Luke 2:1-5

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.     

Sunday - Sing 

Verse 3 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Monday  - Create

Make joyful outdoor ice ornaments like these

Tuesday - Dream

Try making a  homemade band - here

Wednesday - Love

Ask these 5 questions:

Does life ever seem hard?

Is there anything in your life that is painful?

Who can help you be strong and joyful, even when life gets hard?

Who did Jesus turn to when he needed help?

How is love connected to joy?

Thursday - Share

Write joyful post it notes and place them randomly in a hymnal pew pad on Sundays

Friday - Pray

Prepare and celebrate the birth!  Create a paper lantern here

Unexpected Company

Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

Unexpected Company with Big News

Last week, we read about a man named Isaiah who delivered a message from God promising a son, a shepherd to guide the people!  It came a long long time ahead of the birth of Jesus.  God's people were waiting!  Finally, the time was near.  God sent a new message to Mary and Joseph who were engaged to be married.  This was a big message for the world!   So big that God sent his angel to them to deliver the news directly:  

"Greetings, most favored one, and do not be afraid.  God has chosen you among all women.  Very soon you will have a baby, you will call him Jesus" 

Mary bowed before the angel Gabriel and told him she would be true to God and that she wanted to do as God wished.  When she got up the angel had gone. 

Joseph was worried when he found out that Mary was expecting a baby. He wondered if he should put off their wedding altogether. Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: 

'Don't be afraid to have Mary as your wife.' 

The angel explained that Mary had been chosen by God to be the mother of his Son and told Joseph that the baby would be named Jesus which means 'Saviour' because he would save the people. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel had told him to do and took Mary as his wife.

The time was finally here.  The promise God made way back through Isaiah was coming true!  Peace on earth was near.  A time when people of good will could come together and experience a new beginning.  

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We pray that your dream for a peaceful world will come true.  Thank you for your promise, thank you for your hope, thank you you for your love.  Amen

Sunday - Sing: O Come O Come Emmanuel (Verse 2)

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

Who ordered all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Monday - Dream

Turn off all the lights, or have your kids cover their eyes with cloth, and listen to the world around them.  What do they hear?  How do they feel?

Tuesday - Love

Practice creative conflict resolution here

Wednesday - Share

Ask these 5 questions:

How would you describe yourself in three words?

How would you describe a friend? 

How would you describe a stranger?

How can you change a stranger into a friend?

What keeps you from that action?

Thursday - Create

Create a "stained glass" peace window and post it in your front window to promote peace to those around you. Inspiration here

Friday - Pray

"A day in the life of St Francis" here

Help your children write a prayer like the Peace Prayer,  based on the things they want to do to help each day.

Isaiah 9:6

"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah Delivers

First Week of Advent

Once, a long time ago, long before Jesus was born,  there lived a man named Isaiah.  

Do you have special jobs to do at home?  Isaiah did! Isaiah was a special man with a special job - his job was to listen to God and share what he heard with the people.  I imagine it was kind of like being a mailman, an important job when you are delivering a letter from God!

The letter that God wanted Isaiah to deliver went something like this:

Dear Family,

It seems as though you are drifting around like lost sheep!  I've noticed! I want to help.

 I'd like to do something.  I am going to send a shepherd.  Someone who can help look after this wandering flock, and bring you home to me!  

He will be a leader, a king, and a hero.  

His name will be Immanuel.  Immanuel means "God with us" so you will know how much I love you.  How much I want to be with you.  How much I am with you already.

Watch for him, wait for him, hope for him!  He will come.  This is my promise to you.

Love,
God 


Isaiah delivered his news, and asked the  good people to watch and wait and hope.  And so we begin our season of Advent just as full of wonder!  Immanuel!  God with us! 


Prayer:  Dear God, we are your flock.  Thank you for watching out for us.  Thank you for the promise of a shepherd to guide us.  Help us to follow faithfully.  With hope, we pray.  Amen

Mark 1:1-3

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;  the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" 

Sunday - Sing

O Come O Come Emmanuel 

Monday - Create
Have fun making your own advent calendars here 

Tuesday - Love
Ask these five questions:

What Was the Best Part of Your Day?

What Was Your Biggest Challenge Today?

What Are You Most Proud of Today?

What Person Needed Help Today?

What Person Are You Thankful For Today?

Wednesday - Dream
Heart of Hope Dream Catcher here

Thursday - Share
Prepare a simple thank-you card to color and give to someone who is meaningful to you at church. You may want to draw a flower on the front of a folded piece of paper and write the words Thank you on the inside.

Friday - Pray
 Encourage your children to write their own prayers.  Have them follow the this simple acronym:
C.A.R.T (Confession, Adoration, Request, Thanksgiving)

Welcome to Advent

Welcome to Faith Sprouts - an advent devotional for families with children.  Take some time to gather, sing, and imagine the wonder that is the coming of Jesus.  This devotional will follow the weekly themes of:

HOPE,  PEACE,  JOY,  AND LOVE

Fun Facts to help begin the journey

When is advent?
Advent is the season that includes the 4 Sundays leading to Christmas Day
The First Sunday occurs at the beginning of December/end of November.

What is Advent
Advent comes from Latin, and translates as "coming"
Advent is a time of preparation.  
Advent is a time to sing, pray, and imagine the gift that is unfolding.  
Advent is a time of waiting, and a time to set aside the busy-ness that the Christmas season often brings.
Gathering as a family is especially wonderful.  A time to experience together all the wonder that is around us.

What about the candles, wreath, and traditions?
The wreath is a circle that holds four candles. 
The circle stands for God's everlasting love, the greens stand for life.
The light of the candles represents the light that Christ brings to the world.
One candle is lit each week, and the final Christ Candle in the center is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.