DAILY ADVENT READINGS December 1 - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 The Shema, or confession of faith, reminds us of who God is and the place He wants to have in our lives. 1) Why are actions, not just words, important in passing on our faith to future generations? 2) How can you weave your faith into your actions and words today? Go on a short walk in your neighborhood. As you walk, talk about what it means to love the Lord our God with all of your heart, soul and strength. During Christmas, a celebration that should be all about Jesus, has become about so much other things that are not as important. Why are these verses so important as we start out this Christmas time of year? December 2 Isaiah 6 Lost to Found 1) Read Isaiah 6:1-7. What would be your response if angels (seraphs) appeared with a message from God? 2) Read Isaiah 6:8-9. What message did God give to Isaiah? How does that connect to what God has asked us to do today? Play a family game of hide and seek in your home. For younger kids, hide an object and let them hunt for it. Talk about what it was like to be lost. Talk about what it was like to be found. Just like being found in hide-n-seek, God seeks us out to have a relationship with Him. Isaiah was instructed to go and tell others about God. And God has asked us to tell others too. Pray and ask God if there is someone He wants you to share your faith with this week. December 3 - Psalm 27:1-6 God is our light and salvation; we can trust His will for our lives. 1) How have you found God to be trustworthy in your life? 2) What difficult situation do you need to trust God with today? Turn off the light in your house. Sit in darkness for just a short time. Talk about what
the darkness is like. Turn the light back on. What is the light like? How is Jesus the light in our lives? Do we need to be afraid? December 4 Isaiah 42:1-4 The Messiah will bring justice and compassion. 1) Have you ever felt like a bruised reed or a smoldering wick? How has God strengthened and shown you compassion in those moments? 2) Ask the Spirit to make you aware of someone around you who is hurting. Do something outside of your comfort zone to encourage them. Grab a candy cane (a red and white one). We celebrate Jesus birth this month! These verses talk about how Jesus will save us and that Jesus won t come as a king, but rather a servant. Before you eat your candy cane, spend some time studying it. Look at the red stripe, the white stripe and the curve of the candy cane. What do you think those represent? Read the poem below: Look at the Candy Cane What do you see? Stripes that are red Like the blood shed for me White is for my Savior Who s sinless and pure! J is for Jesus My Lord, that s for sure! Turn it around And a staff you will see Jesus my shepherd Was born for Me! December 5 Isaiah 61:1-2 The Messiah will come to preach good news and set the captives free. 1) What is the good news the Messiah preaches? How does it bring freedom, release and comfort? 2) Verse 3 describes those who trust Him as oaks of righteousness... for the display of his splendor. How will you display God s splendor today? Spend some time talking about everyone s good news or highlights about the day. Isn t good news wonderful? Sharing about our good news and hearing other s good news is exciting. These verses talk about when Jesus is born He is coming to preach good news and save prisoners. What is the good news that He is going to share? How does your good news compare to the good news of Jesus coming?
December 6 - Luke 1:1-25 Even a faithful and righteous man like Zechariah doubted God at times. 1) What are the areas in your life that you find difficult to trust God? 2) How can you embrace the season of advent to develop an even deeper trust with God? Have you ever experienced a miracle? Have you heard about someone else who has? Why do you think the miracle of Christmas is one of the greatest miracles of all? As a family sing a Christmas song that reminds you of the miracle of Christmas. December 7 - Luke 1:26-38 Mary faithfully trusts in God's supernatural plan. 1) How do you think Mary was feeling during this encounter with the angel? 2) How can you faithfully trust God in your life right now? Think about a time you had to be really brave and trust God. Now share it with each other. The angel told Mary to not be afraid. Then the angel told Mary she would have a son and name him Jesus. Mary knew the name Jesus was special and meant that Jesus would save the world from their sins. A savior is someone who comes to our rescue, right when we need it most. A savior is courageous and selfless, putting the needs of others before his own. He rescues because we cannot save ourselves. There has never been a savior like Jesus! The Bible tells us many times to not be afraid just like the angel told Mary. When we know the savior Jesus we can be brave and trust too! Share how this truth makes you feel and how you can be brave knowing this truth. December 8 - Luke 1:39-56 Mary praises God for His faithfulness to His people. 1) What line stands out to you in Mary's song? Why? 2) How you can praise God in your life today and this week? Get out your family photo albums and baby books. Talk about the excitement of knowing a baby is coming. Let your parents share what they were feeling during this exciting time! Spend some time sharing what Mary might have been thinking and feeling as she was preparing for Jesus to be born. Gather around a computer and watch a music video together and think about the words of the song. https://youtu.be/ifcwn5pjgie Mary Did You Know? By: Pentatonix
December 9 Isaiah 9:1-7 The Messiah brings light to the darkness and will reign forever. 1) Which of the Messiah s names encourages you the most? Why? 2) Send an encouraging note or text to someone who is struggling today. In vs. 6-7 it declares that Jesus will be coming. We celebrate His birthday every Christmas. Jesus was given many names that describe who He is. Right now, look up the meaning of your name. Have your parents share how your name was chosen. There is so much power in names. This verse says Jesus has many names that are super powerful. Say the names of Jesus out loud from the verse. How do these verses describe Jesus? December 10 Matthew 1:18-25 Joseph obediently trusts in God's plan 1) How do you think Joseph was feeling in this passage? Why? 2) Think of an area in your life where it is challenging to trust God. How can you obediently trust him today and this week? Sit in a circle with your family and take turns asking the person next to you to do something for you, for example, Get me a glass of water. Refuse to do what was asked and instead do something different. Talk about what it feels like when someone doesn t do what you asked. Talk about how thankful and happy we are that Joseph obeyed God. December 11 - Philippians 4:4-7 Pray and rejoicing in God brings a powerful peace that can come from Him alone. 1) How are the rejoicing, prayer, anxiety, and peace all related together in this passage? 2) How can you prayerfully rejoice in God this advent season? Get out some paper and markers and either draw or write down things you are thankful for this year. Philippians 4:4 says to rejoice and again, I say rejoice. How does it feel to be thankful and rejoice? Go back and write or draw each thing you are thankful for again. Hang up the picture or lists to remember to continue to be thankful and rejoice. December 12 Isaiah 26:1-4 God gives peace to those who trust in Him.
1) Based on this passage, why can we trust God? 2) How can you bring peace to your friends, your family, or your home this week? Create a peaceful environment for your family such as sitting together looking at stars outside, turning off electronics, or being in a quiet room. Explain why you feel peace around you. Discuss how Jesus gives true peace inside us. Talk about ways to tell others how to have true peace. December 13 Micah 5:2-5a Even when our surroundings look hopeless, the Messiah brings us peace. 1) How do God's strength and peace fit together in this passage? 2) What is an area of hopelessness in your life that needs God's strength and peace right now? Write down or draw special Bible verses to encourage others. As a family, deliver them to a neighbor s mailbox, leave some in a hospital emergency room or take them to a retirement home. December 14 - Micah 6:6-8 God doesn't ask us to perform grand gestures toward Him. Instead, He calls us live with humility and mercy. 1) How does verse 8 differ from verses 6 and 7? 2) How can you walk humbly before God and show mercy to others this week? Pray about a family that God would want you to spend time reaching out to over the holidays. If you can, invite them over for dinner, play a game together or watch a favorite Christmas movie. You don t have to throw a big party, but you can show love and mercy to another family simply by spending time together. December 15 - Luke 1:57-66 John the Baptist s birth highlights the meaning of his name: God is gracious. 1) What do verses 57-58 and 65-66 tell us about God? 2) Name some ways that God shown great mercy in your life this year?
Get out some cleaning supplies...a mop, some sponges and dust rags. Talk about how when we know company is coming over we clean our house and get ready for our guest. Imagine how we would prepare if we heard a King was coming over! Long before Jesus was born, a prophet named Isaiah said that before Jesus would be born, there would be one who would come before him to prepare the way for him. His name was John. The Bible tells us that John was like a voice, crying in the wilderness, telling people that Jesus was coming and that they needed to prepare for his coming. When John told people that they needed to prepare for the coming of Jesus, he wasn t talking about a clean house. He was talking about a clean heart. Talk about ways we can have a clean heart as we remember Jesus the King of Kings was born! December 16 Isaiah 11:1-10 Death to Life A branch from the stump of Jesse brings hope 1) What elements of Isaiah s prophecy about Jesus stand out to you? 2) How is God calling you to look at Christmas differently this year? Is there a new perspective He is showing you on the Christmas story? Take some time to look at your Christmas tree as a family. Admire the lights, special ornaments and its overall beauty. Talk about the tree stump that is left behind when a Christmas tree is cut down in the forest. Describe the tree stump. Compare the tree in your house to the tree stump. The stump may seem dead, but sometimes a new tree starts growing from it, starting with a little branch. In Isaiah 11:1, it talks about a branch growing from the stump. That branch is describing Jesus coming to the world that many thought was dead. God always has a plan even when things seem impossible. December 17 - Luke 1:67-80 Zechariah s song of praise and proclamation of blessing over his son John. 1) The words of a parent to a child are powerful, what does Zechariah proclaim over his son Jesus? Why are these words significant? 2) How can you prepare the way for Jesus to the people around you today? Talk through the steps you took to set up a Christmas tree in your home. This includes picking it out, setting it up, adjusting the lights and hanging the ornaments. Each step was important in preparing your home for your Christmas celebration. What are some of the steps that God went through to prepare the way for Jesus birth? One of the steps
He chose was to send John the Baptist to tell Israel about Jesus coming. How can you tell others about Jesus today? December 18 John 1:1-9 God stepped into humanity and John prepared the way. 1) How have you seen the message of Jesus change our world for the better? 2) Take notice today of where you see the work of Jesus in your everyday life. Take a walk or drive through your neighborhood and look at Christmas lights at night. Compare a house with lots of lights next to one that doesn t have any at all. Which house can you see more clearly up close? From down the street? What if only one house on the street had lights and all the other houses were dark, could you still see it? Jesus is the light of the world, which means Jesus bring life to a world dark with sin. Even more than Christmas lights shine in the night, Jesus light shines in the whole world. December 19 John 1:10-14 Those who believe in Him become children of God. 1) While everyone has a unique experience of childhood, to be a child of God is the ultimate and ideal expression of parent-child relationships, what does being a child of Creator God mean for you? 2) Reflect today on this verse, to those who believe in Him, he gave the right to become children of God. What does your family have a membership to? Many families have memberships to libraries, amusement parks, aquariums, museums or zoos. Look at the membership cards you have. What benefits do they give you? As a member you have access to certain special events, discounts and, at the local library, you can even borrow items for free. Through Jesus we are given membership to God s family. You are entitled to all the benefits of a being a child of God! And, the best part is Jesus already paid the price for our membership, so it s a free gift to you! December 20 - Philippians 2:5-11 Jesus is the model for how we live our lives. 1) Throughout Jesus life, he served the people around him. Take a moment to think about a story from the Gospels that stands out to you, why? If you don t have one, consider this passage Matthew 9:35-38 2) Consider one way you can serve another person today and put it into practice.
Imagine what it s like to live in a palace, with lots of money and wear a crown. Imagine what it s like to be a servant every day who works very hard but lives with very little money. Would you rather live like a King or Queen or a Servant? Even though Jesus was a King and had all the rights and benefits of royalty, He chose to become like a servant. The only crown he ever wore was a crown of thorns. If we want to be like Jesus, we must be willing to be a servant too. December 21 - Luke 2:1-7 Jesus humble birth to a marginalized and poor couple in the middle of nowhere. 1) Why is it significant that the Creator of the Universe would choose to come into the world under such humble circumstances? 2) It can be easy to overlook the people right in front of us when we are caught up in our daily activities. Take an hour today to slow your life down enough to notice and acknowledge the people around you. Find a poinsettia. Which part is the flower? Which part are the leaves? The yellow part is actually the flower and the red part is actually part of the leaves. Most people think the red part is the flower. Somethings surprise us and look different than we expect. Jesus coming as a baby and being born in a manager wasn t the way most people expected a King to arrive either. But sometimes God works in unusual ways! December 22 - Luke 2:8-20 Fear not! I bring you Good News. 1) In the news and in our lives, there is no shortage of things to fear. How can the good news of Jesus bring hope to the world? 2) Look for a news story today and spend a few moments praying for the situation. Talk about what it means to take care of a pet. It needs food and water, it needs a place to sleep and live, it needs to be kept safe from predators and sometimes it can be dirty. Talk about what things you would need to do if you were a shepherd. Taking care of animals takes work and responsibility. The Shepherds had an important job taking care of sheep, but they certainly weren t famous. Shepherds were normal people, with regular responsibilities. But God chose to announce the arrival of Jesus to the Shepherds, ordinary people. Think of how exciting (and a little scary) it must have been for the angels to appear to the Shepherds. The Good News of Jesus is for all people, not just the rich or the famous, but everyone on earth!
December 23- Isaiah 53 Jesus brings hope to the nations 1) Why is important to focus on Jesus s suffering and death as we celebrate Christmas? 2) Christmas and Easter cannot be separated in our celebration of Jesus life. To see how beautifully they are woven together, look up the lyrics and listen to all the verses of the Christmas carol What Child is This? Take some time as a family to talk about a time you had to break a promise. Even when we want to do something, we sometimes have to break our promises. What is amazing about God is that He never breaks His promises. Read Isaiah 53 as a family. These verses are a prophecy, which means it s God s promise of what is to come in the future. This passage was written about 700 years before Jesus was born and clearly talks about His life, death and resurrection. Look at the passage and see if you can pick out a few prophecies that are familiar to you. December 24 John 3:16-17 God sent Jesus because of His great love for us. 1) Consider one thing you value most. If it were lost, at what lengths would you go to find it? Reflect on how much more valuable you are to God, and the length at which God went to find you. 2) Ask if you could pray for someone you talk to today. Grab a wrapped present from under your tree that you can open early as a family. Do you have to work or pay for this gift? Why do we give gifts? Who is the gift to? Who is it from? God sent the world a special gift in Jesus, it is for everyone! However, the gift is not ours until we choose to accept it. Like this present, you have to receive it, unwrap it and make it your own. Enjoy unwrapping your present and thank God for the best Christmas present ever, Jesus! December 25 Matthew 2:1-12 Finding Jesus, finding Joy 1) When the Magi found Jesus, they rejoiced and worshipped. Take a moment to remember the last time an encounter with God brought you joy, what was the circumstance? 2) Reflect on a few ways God has provided for you or ways in which God has answered your prayers. Take time to thank God for his many blessings. The Magi brought Jesus expensive gifts of gold, frankincense (something scented you
burn) and myrrh (a perfume). What gifts does Jesus want from us? Find a mirror in your home and look at your reflection. The best gift you can give Jesus is yourself! He wants a relationship with you more than any other object in the world. If you haven t already done so, this Christmas pray and give your life to Jesus!