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WEEK one 1 Whit DEUTERONOMY 7:9 Welcome to the first day of Advent. Have you ever counted down the days until Christmas? It s pretty exciting when those numbers get low, isn t it? For an Advent calendar, we do the same thing. We also count down to Christmas by lighting candles on a wreath. Advent focuses on Jesus His birth, how He is with us every day, and His promise to one day return to earth. Advent wreaths are made of evergreen branches, which symbolize God s faithfulness because they remain green all year. At one meal each day this week, light the first purple candle. Purple is a color of royalty, and this color represents Christ as King. God s people trusted in their heavenly ruler, that He would keep His promise to Adam and Eve and send a Savior to rescue all of us from sin and death (Genesis 3:15). So each time you see the evergreen branches, think about God s faithfulness in your life. 4 advent_aio_2013_ml.indd 4 4/15/2015 2:39:27 PM
2 2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17 e en Eug Here s a clever diversion for your family: Find a fellow family member and attempt to hold a balloon between your bodies without using your hands. The rest of the family should then challenge said pair to perform specific activities, such as walk down a hallway or sit on a chair, all without letting the balloon fall. As you will quite easily observe, the laws of physics require you to stay close to your partner at all times. In a similar way, our Father in heaven always stays near to us, and He is ever ready to send His Holy Spirit to comfort us and give us hope. When Adam and Eve sinned, their punishment was that they could no longer be in God s presence. That is why God sent His Son, Jesus, as a baby to enable us to draw near to Him again. 3 ROMANS 12:4-8 Do you like drawing? When you draw, does everything end up looking like a fish wearing a tutu? Maybe that s just what happens when I draw.... Anyway, never fear, because I have an easy art project for you! Our fingerprints are all different, and so are our talents and abilities. Some people are good at making others laugh or comforting friends. People say that I m good at figuring out what people need oh, and I m great at collecting Good Eatin Cereal box tops! God made each of us different so we can use our gifts to show others His love. o to n Trace your family members hands on a piece of paper so your wrists and palms become a tree s trunk and your fingers stick out like branches. See how each handprint is different. Then give everyone a different color of ink or paint. Use your fingerprints to make the tree s leaves. Wo BO NU S Make your own Christmas scene with paper-craft buildings from the town of Odyssey! 5 advent_aio_2013_ml.indd 5 4/15/2015 2:39:37 PM
CHRISTMAS DAY! 25 LUKE 2:1-20 whit Rejoice! Celebrate! The Savior is born! Advent ends on Christmas Eve because the waiting is over. Today is a day of celebration. To help in your celebration, play the ABC Advent game to remind your family about Jesus birth. To do this, come up with 25 things related to the Nativity. For example: A is for the Announcement of the birth of Jesus by Gabriel. B is for the Baby born in Bethlehem. C i s for the Choir of angels. (Skip the letter X if you want an even 25.) This family activity may take only about 15 minutes out of your day, but it will remind your family about the reason for this celebration. Then, light the white candle in the center of your Advent wreath to represent Jesus, the Light of the World. 18 advent_aio_2013_ml.indd 18 4/15/2015 2:42:11 PM
ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY Album List Dec. 1 Dec. 7 Dec. 2 Dec. 8 Start the Advent season by learning more about having a generous heart in Adventures in Odyssey s The Reluctant Rival. Album No. 7: On Thin Ice Learn more about God s comfort amid brokenness in Adventures in Odyssey s Monty s Christmas. Album No. 7: On Thin Ice Dec. 3 Hear how others have used or hidden their talents in Adventures in Odyssey s The Popsicle Kid. Album No. 39: Friends, Family and Countrymen Dec. 4 Enjoy a funny story about sacrificial love in Adventures in Odyssey s Gifts for Madge & Guy. Album No. 1: The Adventure Begins Dec. 5 Discover the reasons why people give gifts in Adventures in Odyssey s A Christmas Conundrum. Album No. 45: Lost & Found Dec. 6 Find out how one family made a grandparent feel welcome in Adventures in Odyssey s Grandma s Christmas Visit. Album No. 52: Cause and Effect Go deeper into how forgiveness helps heal broken relationships in Adventures in Odyssey s Where s Your Daddy? Album No. 12: At Home and Abroad Enjoy a hilarious rendition of the Christmas story when Jimmy directs the Christmas pageant in Adventures in Odyssey s Unto Us a Child Is Born. Album No. 22: The Changing Times Dec. 9 Learn more about the value God places on people in Adventures in Odyssey s It s a Pokenberry Christmas (part one). Album No. 31: Days to Remember Dec. 10 Hear how friends can encourage each other in Adventures in Odyssey s It s a Pokenberry Christmas (part two). Album No. 31: Days to Remember Dec. 11 Discover why busyness isn t a good Christmas tradition in Adventures in Odyssey s Peace on Earth. Album No. 3: Heroes Dec. 12 Explore the rich history of Christmas celebrations in Adventures in Odyssey s A Time for Christmas. Album No. 19: Passport to Adventure 19 advent_aio_2013_ml.indd 19 4/15/2015 2:42:17 PM