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:
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."
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