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.