Begin by singing a favorite Christmas song.

Explain the Advent wreath. Our themes this year will be: JOY (wk 1); FAITH (wk 2); LOVE (wk 3); PEACE (wk 4). But the over-arching theme is our hope in the future God is bringing. Talk about hope. Hope is living in this world in light of heaven.

Light the first Advent candle and ask, “What was our theme from last week?” The answer is JOY. Discuss joy What is joy? What should be the source of our joy? Why can we be joyful no matter what is happening in our lives?

Light the second Advent candle and ask, “What is our theme this week?” The answer is FAITH. Discuss faith. What is faith? What does it mean to live by faith and not by sight?

Light the third Advent candle and ask, “What is our theme this week?” The answer is LOVE. Discuss love. What is love? What is the standard of our love as Christians? Where does the power for love come from?

Light the fourth Advent candle and ask, “What is our theme this week?” The answer is PEACE. Have a discussion about peace using the following discussion questions.

• Q. The word for “peace” in the Bible is shalom. It means “things as they are supposed to be.” Right now, things as not as they’re supposed to be in the world. Can you give some examples?
• Q. Why are things not as they’re supposed to be? Who’s to blame?
• Q. Whose job is it to make things right again? (Hint: not ours!)

Stop and pray, confessing your sin and asking Jesus to forgive you and to undo the wrong you’re responsible for.