Advent Family Worship- Day 1

Begin by singing a favorite Christmas song (maybe Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer)

Read the “Advent Introduction” below.

Every year, for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, we observe the season of Advent. The word Advent means “a coming or an arrival.” It is a time of contrasts: an honest reflection on the barrenness of our lives apart from Jesus Christ and a joyful celebration of his first coming as a baby born in Bethlehem. Each Sunday during this Advent season, we will emphasize a different aspect of the kingdom of God, heaven coming to earth in the coming of Christ, the Messiah, the King. This great event, the apex of human history, is also one of the greatest contrasts: the King of the Universe comes as a poor little baby, and the Kingdom of God is ushered in and celebrated by the lowly and the forgotten. In this, we have much to ponder and to celebrate.  

• Q. What is Advent? What does the word mean?
• Q. Christmas is close now- only a month away! How hard is it to wait for Christmas to get here? Why is it so hard to wait? What does it feel like while you wait?

In the months and years and decades and centuries before Jesus was born, God’s people were waiting. They went 400 years without any word from God. Then, Jesus came and everybody was so happy- kind of like how we feel when Christmas morning finally gets here. Advent is a time for us to remember that we are waiting too. Although Jesus came the first time at Christmas, we are waiting for Jesus to come back again. Until he comes, we have to wait. That can be hard because until he comes again, life is full of sadness, disappointment, and loss.

Read Philippians 3:20 and Hebrews 10:37-39 together.

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ... [37] For,“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; [38] but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” [39] But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

(Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 10:37-39 ESV)

• Q. What will it be like when Jesus comes again?

The Bible ends with the promise, “Surely I am coming soon.” John’s response to this was, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Sing “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

Finish by praying for Jesus to come again soon!