Table of Contents. SUNDAYS 9:30 am & 5 pm. Advent...2. The Advent Wreath...3. Week 1 The People s Hope...4 December 2-8

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1 2 018 A D V E N T D E V OT I O N A L

2 Table of Contents Advent...2 The Advent Wreath...3 Week 1 The People s Hope...4 December 2-8 Week 2 Mary s Joy...6 December 9-15 SUNDAYS 9:30 am & 5 pm Week 3 Joseph s Faith...8 December Week 4 The Magi s Worship...10 December Christmas The Shepherds Wonder...11 December 25 Journaling Prompts...12 Advent is the time of promise; it is not yet the time of fulfillment. We are still in the midst of everything and in the logical inexorability and relentlessness of destiny. From afar sound the first notes as of pipes and voices, not yet discernable as a song or melody. It is all far off still, and only just announced and foretold. But it is happening, today. Alfred Delp, Advent of the Heart 2018 Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church Author: Siv M. Ricketts Graphic Design: Nancy Ingersoll 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga, California mvpctoday.org

3 The Advent Wreath The Joyful Arrival Why Celebrate Advent? During the Christmas season we prepare our homes. During Advent we prepare our hearts. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, Advent is the season in the Church calendar during which we look forward to God s coming. In fact, advent is Latin for coming. The early Church used the equivalent word in Greek, parousia, to refer to the second coming, when Christ will return in all His glory to gather His people to Himself at the end of time. During Advent we look forward to the coming of the Christ child, and we also look forward to Christ s triumphal return when He will usher us into eternity. We celebrate God s coming to dwell among us in Jesus. We open our hearts to how God wants to come into our lives now. And we look forward in hopeful anticipation of everlasting life with God. Filled as it is with gatherings of family and friends, candlelight, holiday food, gift-giving and receiving, Christmastime may be the busiest time of year. Celebrating Advent helps us to be intentional about Christ in Christmas. It focuses and refocuses our attention on the truly important above the urgent. It gives us an opportunity to read and discuss Scripture with loved ones and, for those with children at home, it gives us an opportunity to train up our children in life and faith. It is our prayer that God will bless you as you take time out from the busy-ness to slow down and, in quietness and prayer, with family and friends, contemplate the coming of Christ. This Advent season, may you be open to God at work in new and life-giving ways, and may it bring you life-enhancing joy! 2 Waiting is a period of learning. The longer we wait, the more we hear about him for whom we are waiting. Henri Nouwen The Advent wreath candle lighting tradition is one way in which we celebrate God s coming and open our lives anew to Jesus. Each element of the tradition is symbolic and can add deeper meaning to our Christmas celebrations. The Advent Wreath (a circle) signifies eternity God is, was and always will be. There are four candles on the perimeter of the wreath. Three purple candles represent royalty and repentance; one pink candle (for week three) represents joy. The white center candle represents the divine nature of the baby Jesus. Evergreens represent everlasting life in Jesus and His everlasting love for us. The candlelight itself symbolizes Jesus, the Light of the World. Every evening during Advent you will say the words of John 8:12 as you light the candles Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life and end with a short prayer. Sunday candle lightings include Scripture reading and a meditation; for Monday through Saturday, a Scripture and discussion question replace the Scripture and meditation. During the first week, light only one candle. The second week light two candles, the third week three candles and the fourth week four candles. Light the center candle on Christmas to signify that the light of Jesus Christ has come into the world. You may find it helpful to set aside a special time each day and to establish either a routine or a rotation for who will light the candles, read Scripture and pray. For families with young children: Advent provides a seasonal opportunity to teach your children about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. Depending on the ages of your children, you may use flameless candles for safety. You may also read from a children s Bible, choose the shorter Scripture option, or move straight from reading Scripture to prayer. God blesses the reading of His Word, and we pray that you will be blessed by including this tradition among your Christmas celebrations. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: THE STAR Friday, December 7, 6:30 8:30 pm COME TO THE MANGER PARTY Sunday, December 16, during both services ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

4 Week 1 DECEMBER 2-8 The People s Hope Say aloud together: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light the first candle (middle purple candle): We light these candles to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, who comes into the darkness to bring hope. Read Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7 (Shorter reading: Isaiah 9:2-3) Read: Though now we trudge in darkness through our daily toil, we do not fear because our hope is in you. Sunbursts of light will illuminate our way to you as we joyfully anticipate the birth of this baby who will bring peace, justice and righteousness. We will rejoice before you then and forever when we see the face of our Mighty God, our Prince of Peace. Pray: Father God, we joyfully anticipate the birth of your Son. In His name we wait and pray, Amen. Monday 1 Kings 8:56-58 How does God s presence fill you with hope and joy? Tuesday 2 Chronicles 13:12 What hope does it give you that God is your leader? Wednesday Psalm 46:1-3, 7 How can God s presence turn your fear into hope? Thursday Ephesians 1:4-6 What encouragement do you have from being chosen by God? Friday Colossians 1:27 What does the hope of glory look like in your life? Saturday 1 Peter 1:3-5 Describe the living hope you have in Jesus. Activities Invite someone to join you for the Christmas on the Hill Concert this Saturday at 7 pm or Sunday at 4 pm. Share Christmas hope with a child served by one of MVPC s local mission partners as you choose an angel from the Giving Tree. Purchase and deliver gifts to the MVPC office by December 11. In anticipation of all the season s celebrations, have a conversation with your family (or yourself) about hope. What emotions are primary as they think about the holidays, and why? Which events does each person expect to attend, and what do they hope for those gatherings? What do they hope will be on the holiday menu? Do they hope to receive certain gifts? What hopes do they have for extending charity? When the new year dawns and they look back on this month, what do they hope to have experienced and/or accomplished? How do they hope to have encountered God? CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL CONCERT Saturday, December 8, 7 pm & Sunday, December 9, 4 pm You keep us waiting. You, the God of all time, want us to wait. For the right time in which to discover who we are, where we are to go, who will be with us, and what we must do. So, thank you for the waiting time. John Bell, quoted in The Westminster Collection of Christian Prayers 4 The Joyful Arrival ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 5

5 Week 2 DECEMBER 9-15 Mary s Joy Say aloud together: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light two candles (purple): We light these candles to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, who comes into the darkness to bring hope and joy. Read Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, (Shorter reading: Luke 1:30-33, 46-49) Read: The angel announced, Mary, highly favored one, the Lord is with you, and Mary rejoiced at the role she would play in the coming of the Son of the Most High. God s Spirit whispers to each one of us, You, too, are God s servant, with a special role to play in God s story. The story may turn and twist in ways we can t anticipate but let us say Yes! to God s calling and rejoice in His presence. Pray: We rejoice in God our Savior who has been mindful of His humble servants. In the name of Jesus we wait and pray, Amen. Activities Make a list of ways you can spread Christmas joy, such as: Take a Christmas treat or poinsettia to someone who lives alone. Find a way to serve someone, for instance, clean an older neighbor s gutters. Invite friends to join you for a cookie decorating party and/or viewing of a favorite Christmas movie. Create handmade thank you cards and attach candy canes for your teachers or church leaders. Gather a group and go caroling. Pray over each Christmas card you receive, inviting God to rain joy over each household. Monday 1 Samuel 8:6-7 How can you rejoice in Jesus your King today? Tuesday Psalm 5:11 How does God s protection increase your joy? Wednesday Habakkuk 3:17-19 How can God increase your joy even when times are difficult? Thursday Acts 16:33-34 How does believing in God give you joy? Friday Galatians 5:22-23 Ask the Spirit to increase your joy. Saturday Jude Read these verses aloud as joy-filled praise to our good God! We praise God not to celebrate our own faith but to give thanks for the faith God has in us. To let ourselves look at God, and let God look back at us. And to laugh, and sing, and be delighted because God has called us his own. Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith 6 The Joyful Arrival ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 7

6 Week 3 DECEMBER Joseph s Faith Say aloud together: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light three candles (two purple, one pink): We light these candles to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, who comes into the darkness to bring hope, joy and faith. Read Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 (Shorter reading: Matthew 1:18-21, 24) Read: A good man, Joseph found himself in what looked like a bad situation. While he quietly planned a way out, an angel assured him that he had no reason for fear: what seemed like bad news would be good news for everyone. Mary s baby wasn t just any baby this would be God s baby, Immanuel, God with us! When we accept God s plan, God turns our fear to faith and our faith to joy. Pray: Holy Spirit, where we feel fear, plant your seed of faith. Grow our faith into joy in your presence. In the name of Jesus, we wait and pray. Amen. Activities Invite someone to join you for one of MVPC s Christmas Eve worship services: 5pm Family Service, 9pm Carol Service and 11pm Candlelight Service Make a list of things in which you put your faith, for example, that your alarm will go off in the morning or that the lights will come on when you flick the switch. Try to count as least ten. Then ask: Is it (or, why is it) sometimes easier to trust in these mundane things than to trust in the God who sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior? Incorporate silence into your daily routine and use it as a chance to talk with God. Drive with the radio off. Go for a quiet hike. Sit in silence with your morning cup of coffee. Read your Bible, and let God share with you His perspective on what you re facing each day. Monday Deuteronomy 7:8-9 How does God s faithfulness inspire your faithfulness to Him? Tuesday Psalm 93:1 How do you hang on in faith that God is in control? Wednesday Isaiah 26:3-4, 12 What worries do you need to put in God s hands? Thursday John 14:27 Let go of your troubles and receive Jesus peace. Friday Colossians 1:3-4 Who can you thank God for as an example of faith in Christ? Saturday Hebrews 11:1 How do you define faith? It is faith that what happens to me matters to God as well as to me that gives me joy, that promises me that I am eternally the subject of God s compassion, and that assures me that the compassion was manifested most brilliantly when God came to us in a stable in Bethlehem. Madeleine L Engle, Glimpses of Grace 8 The Joyful Arrival ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 9

7 Week 4 DECEMBER 23 The Magi s Worship Say aloud together: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light four candles: We light these candles to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, who comes into the darkness to bring hope, joy and faith, and to inspire our worship. Read Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 (Shorter reading: Matthew 2:1-5a, 9-11) Read: The Magi had open eyes. They actively searched for signs of the King s arrival and, when they spotted the star, they took a long journey to joyfully worship Him face-to-face. Herod, however, had his eyes and ears shut tight to the good news of Jesus birth. May we be constantly on the lookout for signs of God s presence with us and respond to Him in joyful worship. Pray: King Jesus, we joyfully bow down in worship before you. In your name we pray, Jesus. Amen. Christmas DECEMBER 25 The Shepherds Wonder Say aloud together: Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Light all the candles: We light these candles to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, who comes into the darkness to bring hope, joy, faith and wonder and to inspire our worship. Read Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Read: Humble shepherds went about business as usual, guarding sheep in the fields by night, when they received an interruption unlike any other. Suddenly, black night gave way to noonday light and heavenly messengers announced joy to the world at the birth of a baby. Wondering, they left their flocks and ran to see this good news with their own eyes. Returning to their flocks, they left amazement and wonder in their wake as they glorified and praised God and spread the word about what had happened. Pray: Everlasting Father, we still wonder at the good news of great joy of the birth of your Son Jesus. In His precious name we will rejoice forever, Amen. God is here! God is here! Jesus is born to you to you! The glad tidings are to you to you! It s like the sky is filling with a light that is different from the sun or the stars or anything of this world. It s like one star leaned too close to the glory and majesty of the God-become-Baby and blew up bright. The flame of it lit up the shepherds on the hills, and they blazed bright too, full of wonder. Those shepherds ran all the way to the manger, where even the fiery star seemed dim next to the brilliance of Jesus, the Light of the World. All over the world right now, a thousand thousand trees dance with light. Next time a sunrise steals your breath, All over the world right now, or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, a thousand thousand gifts are given. Do you like it? I did it just for you. All over the world right now, at the foot of every tree, Max Lucado, The Great House of God we are all unwrapping love. Ann Voskamp, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift 10 The Joyful Arrival ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 11

8 REFLECT Week 1 DECEMBER 2-8 What parts of your life need God s light right now? How can you prepare and make room for His arrival so that you and/or your family can respond to His arrival with joy? Week 3 DECEMBER When have you seen God show up in your unexpected or unwanted circumstances? Where do you need to experience His presence currently? Week 2 DECEMBER 9-15 How is God asking you to be His servant this season? Are you willing to trust Him and receive Him with joyful obedience? Week 4 DECEMBER What will you do to add to your daily life more wonder-filled worship of Christ your Savior? 12 The Joyful Arrival 13

9 WO R S HIP WIT H US Advent is the time of promise; it is not yet the time of fulfillment. We are still in the midst of everything and in the logical inexorability and relentlessness of destiny. From afar sound the first notes as of pipes and voices, not yet discernable as a song or melody. It is all far off still, and only just announced and foretold. But it is happening, today. Alfred Delp, Advent of the Heart CHRISTMAS EVE DECE MBER 24 5 pm Family Service 9 pm Carol Service 11 pm Candlelight Service 10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga, California