Advent ROCKHARBOR ELEMENTARY
A Note to Parents The heart behind this guide is that families would come together and be reminded of why we celebrate Christmas. In the midst of the busiest seasons of the year, may we be people that pause and fix our eyes on Jesus. The parties, preparation, and presents are not bad but can so easily take center stage. We find ourselves singing All is calm... and feel the exact opposite. My prayer for you is that this would not be a time marked by busyness, rushing, buying, and stress. May it be a season full of gathering, celebrating, and reflecting on Jesus, the hope of the world. Please feel free to use this guide in whatever way works best for your family. It is designed with the intent of gathering every Sunday to experience and anticipate the coming of Jesus. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out! Merry Christmas, Kaycee Dobbins RHCM Elementary Director kdobbins@rockharbor.org "You are most prepared for Christmas when you are done trying to make your performance into the gift and instead revel in His presence as the Gift." -Ann Voskamp
What is Advent? Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means coming. It is a time where Christians all over the world prepare for the coming of Christ. This season of Advent is marked by hopeful anticipation, expectant waiting, and joyful preparation. Advent officially begins four Sundays before Christmas (which means December 3rd this year) and ends on Christmas Day. Many people celebrate Advent differently. Some use an advent calendar which is typically made up of windows with different things inside of them to symbolize the anticipation of the day of Jesus birth. Others use an advent wreath with candles that symbolize hope, peace, joy, love, and Jesus. As more and more candles are lit, we see that darkness is overcome by light and that the birth of Jesus brings light to the world. Whichever tradition your family chooses to hold, each remind us of the promise that God would send His son; the One who would overcome sin and death. In this good news, we can place our trust.
HOPE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3RD Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7. Study: In the very beginning, God created everything as it should be. We walked in an unbroken relationship with God. We knew God and got to enjoy His presence fully. Everything immediately changed when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. As they took the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world and broke our relationship with God. The peace, communion, and beauty we shared with God was broken. Darkness, depravity, fear, and shame entered the game separating us from God. But God, being rich in mercy, spoke hope into being. A savior was to come into the world, defeat death, and deliver His people from sin. "Before they left the garden, God whispered a promise to Adam and Eve: It will not always be so! I will come to rescue you! And when I do, I m going to do battle against the snake. I ll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I m coming back for you! And he would. One day, God Himself would come." The Jesus Storybook Bible Connect Questions: Just like Adam and Eve, we also need to be rescued from our sin. What are some things that you need to be rescued from? The people of Israel waited for the Promised Savior for hundreds of years. Can you think of a time when you had to wait a long time for something you really wanted? Blessing: As you go on with your week, may you remember that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
PEACE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10TH Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 Study: This passage gives us a sneak peak into how Jesus will come on the scene of the story. Mary was sought out by God to be the mother of the hope of the world. Joseph was chosen to be the earthly father of the Son of God. These were two jobs that Mary and Joseph did not take lightly. They knew that God loved them and entrusted them with one of the most important jobs in history. Even though it was scary and confusing, they trusted God s plan to save the world. Sometimes, we experience things that are confusing and difficult but this passages can remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He came to the world to bring us peace that we desperately need. Connect Questions: What do you think it was like for Mary when Gabriel told her that she would give birth to Jesus? Can you think of a time when God gave you peace about something that was difficult? What are some ways that we can remind ourselves that God gives us peace? Blessing: May you know that God loves you and is worthy of all of our trust and praise.
JOY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17TH Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 Study: Christmas is getting closer and closer! As the anticipation and excitement of Christmas grows bigger and bigger, JOY is palpable. You can see it, you can hear it, you can feel it. As we read the story of Jesus coming into the world, we are reminded of why we have joy! Jesus coming into the world means God kept his promise to save us. His plan was this little baby in a manger all along. Because of that baby, we can rejoice in our freedom over sin and death. Take a few minutes to talk about joy today. God loves when His kids experience joy. Connect Questions: What brings you joy? What is the source of that joy? How can you tell others about the joy God has given us this Christmas season? Blessing: May God fill you up and encourage you to spread His joy to others this week.
LOVE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH Scripture: Luke 2:8-18, Philippians 2:6-8 Study: As Mary and Joseph held their new baby boy, God was at work spreading the news to an unlikely group of people, shepherds. In that day, shepherds were looked down upon. Some people thought they were liars and criminals. These were the very first people that God decided to tell about Jesus. At first the shepherds were terrified, but then realized that the angels had come with very good news. God kept his promise to save us. God wanted to walk with us again just like He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. Even though sin separated us, God made a way to be with us again simply because He loves us. After the shepherds met Jesus, the Bible tells us that they went home glorifying and praising God. Connect Questions: Why do you think God chose to tell the shepherds about Jesus first? How can you share the good news of God s love with other people? Blessing: May you know that God loves you and is willing to do anything to save you.
Christmas Day DECEMBER 25TH "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'" Luke 2:11-14 Merry Christmas! Today, we get to remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior! As you celebrate Christmas today, remember that God brought us hope, peace, joy and love through Jesus. O Holy Night The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining 'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees O hear the angels voices. O night divine O night when Christ was born. Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name. Fall on your knees O hear the angels voices. O night divine O night when Christ was born O night divine, O night, O night divine..
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6
Mary's Song of Praise And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. Luke 1:46-55
A Year of Praise Take some time and think about the past year. What happened in that month that you can look back and praise God for? January: February: March: April: May: June: July: August: September: October: November: December: