Advent Devotional: December 4

Draw a picture or write a story about your favorite thing to do on Christmas morning with your family.

Elizabeth: The Wait of a Lifetime

Each Thursday, There will be a preview of whatever character we are going to be learning about in service on Sunday.  Today we are going be getting a little preview of Elizabeth's life.

 Read: Luke 1:5-25, 57-80, Genesis 18:9-14

What is the longest you have ever had to wait for something?  Nine months for a new baby a year for your birthday?  When I was growing up in MT I remember my best friend turned 12.  And he was so excited because he was allowed to go hunting at the age of 12, he said, I’ve been waiting to go hunting my whole life!” 

Well the characters in our story, Elizabeth and Sarah, like my friend have been waiting for something their whole lives.  Except they have been waiting much longer than 12 years.  Elizabeth and Sarah are both very old and have never had children.  In the Jewish culture at that time, bearing children and raising them were the primary functions of women.  So not being able to have children brought shame to both Elizabeth and Sarah. 

Imagine wishing and waiting for something your whole life.  When someone tells you that you will finally receive what you’ve been hoping for it’s almost too good be true.  No wonder Sarah laughed or Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband, doubted.  But God rewarded these women’s patience by giving them sons who would be very important to the nation of Israel and Christianity. 

Many times, especially as a child waiting can be hard.  We can’t wait to be older so we can stay up later or have more privileges or stop having to follow our parents rules.  However one thing I’ve learned is that along with all those privileges there are a lot of responsibilities that come with getting older as well.  I’m sure your parents will agree with me. 

But at the same time, it’s okay to be excited for Christmas and everyone has a hard time waiting for something!  But let’s try and enjoy the waiting and anticipation. 

Take time to thank God each day for the gift of Jesus and for this season of waiting.  Enjoy and participate in the advent activities found in this devotional and in the Advent Calendar.  These can range from scripture reading’s to attending a Christmas concert to decorating a gingerbread house. 

Remember that Christmas isn’t just about December 25 but about the entire Christmas season.  And our anticipation and waiting finishes in the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth! 

And remember we only have to wait 27 days unlike Sarah and Elizabeth who waited their entire lives. 

Advent Devotional: December 3

Prayer is one of the most important things we can do, both as a way to connect with God and with each other.  Pray together as a family.  Pray that God would prepare your hearts for the busy season of advent.  And that he would help you remind you to enjoy his peace and presence during this stressful time of year.

Advent Devotional: December 2

Listen to the song, Waiting for Christmas by Johnny Reid.  Thank God for the gift of music and think about how Christmas music impacts our celebration of the season.

Advent Devotional: December 1

In The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe., C.S. Lewis describes the never ending winter in Narnia with the harsh description of, “Always winter but never Christmas.”  That descriptions sets forth a cold, bleak and very dreary season.  Snowflakes and snow are beautiful but they are even more beautiful as a part of a cheery and bright Christmas season.  So to celebrate Advent today make some paper snowflakes to hang in your window. 

Check out the link below to find a handy guide to making paper snowflakes. 

www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-6-Pointed-Paper-Snowflakes/?ALLSTEPS

2nd day of Advent, November 30

Sometimes the hardest thing about life is waiting for a certain privilege or experience.  Have a discussion as a family about what the hardest things in life to wait for are.

1st Day of Advent!

Advent Season is upon us!  Today, Sunday November 29 is the first day of Advent.  I have written a family Devotional for North Creek Presbyterian Church for the season of Advent.  Each day I will publish that day's Advent devotional or activity, from this family devotional.  May this Advent Devotional help your family celebrate and and anticipate the joy of Christmas and Christ's birth.

Micah 5:2

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

This first Candle of Advent is the candle of Hope.  We light it and remember that above everything else Jesus birth brings hope into a world that desperately needs it.  May we constantly be reminded and remind those around us of the hope of Jesus this Advent season.