Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels, but it has important insights on the Advent season. Read more here.
Advent: Week 1
Wait Expectantly for the Lord Think About It: Have you ever waited for something to happen? What did you wait for? How did you feel while you were waiting? What did you do while you were waiting? Listen To It: Jesus said, “No one knows the day or the time. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows. So watch out and be ready! You don’t know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:32-33 CEV) Talk About It: Have you ever heard people trying to predict when the world will end or trying to predict when Jesus will come again? What are your thoughts when you hear these kinds of conversations? Do Jesus’ words frighten you or give you hope? Explain. Learn From It: In Jesus’ time, just like today, there were people who were anxious to know when the world would end. But Jesus does not want us to be concerned about such matters since only God knows. Rather Jesus wants us to prepare our hearts so that we are always ready to receive him. When Jesus was born, no one expected the Messiah to come as a baby. But God often surprises us in wonderful ways! In the coming days, as you begin to get ready for Christmas, be open to God’s surprises in your life and prepare your heart so that you will be ready to welcome the Savior. (Read Mark 13:32-37) Pray About It: Lord Jesus, help me to wait for you. Prepare my heart to receive you. My hope is in you. In your holy and precious name I pray. Amen. Act On It: While waiting for Christmas, purchase a Scripture-based “window” Advent Calendar (one with Bible verses on the back flap of each window) or make your own Advent Calendar. If making your own calendar, photocopy the month of December from a wall calendar or create your own on a sheet of white drawing paper, and copy the following Bible verse citations from Luke’s Gospel in each of the 25 boxes for the first 25 days in December: 1:5-7; 1:8-10; 1:11-13; 1:14-17; 1:18-20; 1:21-22; 1:23-25; 1:26-28; 1:29-33; 1:34-38; 1:39-45; 1:46-50; 1:51-53; 1:54-56; 1:57-58; 1:59-60; 1:61-62; 1:63-64; 1:65-66; 1:67-68; 1:69-71 1:72-75; 1:76-80; 2:1-7; 2:8-20. Read the assigned Scripture each day and affix (or draw) a star (from a sheet of star stickers) in each day’s box.
Advent: Week 2
Get Ready for the Lord Think About It: How are you starting to get ready for Christmas? What things do you see taking place in your home, in your church, in your community? What are your hopes and expectations as you begin getting ready for Christmas? Listen To It: Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said, “In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.'” (Mark 1:3 CEV) Talk About It: What was John the Baptist’s message? Why was it important? How do you think people at that time reacted to such a message? If you saw someone on a street corner delivering the same message today, what would be your thoughts? Learn From It: John the Baptist was a prophet who preached in the desert, telling people that they needed to get ready for something new that God was going to do. He warned them to get ready by turning back to God and being baptized. As you continue to get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus, be open to ways you can “get the road ready for the Lord.” To whom might you tell the good news about Jesus? (Read Mark 1:1-8) Pray About It: Lord God, prepare my heart for the many wonderful and new things you are planning for me. Teach me to prepare for the coming of your Son, Jesus, and to tell others the good news. In all I do may you be glorified. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen. Act On It: Create hopeful hearts. Materials needed: construction paper, heart pattern (approximately 6 inches high), scissors, pencils/pens. Cut out several hearts. On each one invite members of your household to write something they hope for. Gather the hearts into a small basket. Each day during the week use the basket of hopeful hearts as part of your devotional time and pray about each hope that is expressed.
Advent: Week 3
Put Your Hope and Trust in the Lord Think About It: Have you ever hoped for something to happen, only to find out later that it either didn’t happen or that something else happened instead? Were you disappointed? surprised? As you prepare for Christmas this year, trust in God’s love and think of ways you can share that love with others and fill their hearts with the hope that the birth of the Savior brings. Listen To It: The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and temple helpers to ask John who he was. He told them plainly, “I am not the Messiah.” Then when they asked him if he were Elijah, he said, “No, I am not!” And when they asked him if he were the Prophet, he also said “No!” (John 1:19-21 CEV) Talk About It: Who did the religious leaders think John was? Why would they have thought he was the Messiah? Learn From It: John the Baptist is sometimes called the last “Old Testament prophet” because of the warnings he brought about God’s judgment and because he announced the coming of God’s “Chosen One” (Messiah). Some people believed that John the Baptist was Elijah. According to 2 Kings 2:11, Elijah did not die but was taken to heaven in a whirlwind. This led to the belief that Elijah would return one day, before the Day of Judgement (see Malachi 4:1-5). Why is the Day of Judgement described as both “great and terrible?” (Read John 1:19-28). Pray About It: Loving God, my hope and trust are in you. Help me to share with others, to do your will, and to bring the light of your message to those who are in spiritual darkness. May their hearts be filled with the hope that comes from you. In Jesus’ holy and precious name I pray. Amen. Act On It: Prepare messages of hope and love. Materials needed: used Christmas cards or other greeting cards (cut in half so that only the front picture remains), construction paper, scissors, glue, markers/crayons. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and paste one of the used greeting card pictures on the front cover. Inside prepare a list of Christmas wishes ” blessings you wish for someone else. Encourage members of your household to make several cards and deliver these “messages of hope and love” to a local hospital, convalescent home, other community organizations, or to homebound neighbors.
Advent: Week 4
Welcome and Receive the Lord Think About It: Christmas is almost here! Are you ready? When you know a guest is coming to visit, how do you get ready? Listen To It: Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her. (Luke 1:38, CEV) Talk About It: Mary’s response to the angel’s message indicates her willingness to say “yes” to God and to be the mother of God’s Son. She places her trust in God and in what God alone can accomplish. Have you ever experienced a time when you had to make a decision that required you to place your trust in God? Explain. Learn From It: Mary, a young woman living in Nazareth, was engaged to Joseph. But her life suddenly changed when God intervened and an angel of the Lord told her she would bear God’s Son. Since she was not yet married, pregnancy would put her at risk for being put to death by stoning, according to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 20:10). Yet Mary had submitted herself to the will of God and made the decision to say “yes” to God. What does Mary’s decision say to you about her faith? (Read Luke 1:26-38) Pray About It: Lord Jesus, with all my heart I praise you. I trust in God’s promises, and with joy and anticipation I await the celebration of your birth. Thank you for being my Lord and Savior. Amen. Act On It: Make “Welcome Jesus” Doorknob Hangers. Materials needed: heavy paper (card stock); doorknob hanger pattern; scissors; glue, glitter; markers/crayons; stickers (optional). Trace the doorknob hanger pattern on a sheet of heavy paper. (It should be rectangular in shape and measure 7″ x 10″ with the corners rounded off.) About 2″ from the top, cut a hole about 2-1/2″ in diameter and then cut a diagonal slit from the top left-hand corner to the hole. In large letters write *WELCOME JESUS on the doorknob hanger. Outline the letters in glue and sprinkle glitter over the letters. When dry, decorate the doorknob hanger with stickers or with artwork. Use the doorknob hanger as a welcome sign or decoration at home. (*You may wish to substitute with “IMMANUEL, GOD WITH US”)