Like many of the key moments of the calendar, Advent has the potential to trip some big and complicated feelings – making space and acknowledging those feelings isn’t diminishing or detracting from the joy of the season of Advent, though. Making space for conflicting feelings and experiences is an opportunity for us to gather our whole community into the experience of faith. Advent recognises a sense of hope, in the
middle of difficult circumstances. It recognises things growing out of struggle. It recognises the Kingdom of God breaking in – and subverting the expectations of the people who were looking for the Saviour. When we make space for difficult feelings, and name them as real and legitimate, we also make space for the grace of God to come and meet us all in our feelings and struggles and hardships, and we make space for new things to grow out of that.
PRAY
As we enter this time of Advent, we acknowledge that there are those within our community who hold grief in their hearts. For some their grief is long lived, a companion, not welcome but familiar. For others their grief is new, bright, and loud. For some their grief is approaching at a speed they cannot predict but with an inevitability that has already taken its toll. Hope and pain are held together in the story of the birth of Christ.
(light the candle)
We light this candle and remember Sara and Abram, Hannah and Ephraim, Elizabeth and Zechariah who waited and grieved.
We light this candle and remember the stories that remain untold because that much-loved child has not arrived.
We light this candle and remember the families who loved a child whose life did not get lived and the families who held those they loved only briefly.
We light this candle and remember that families come in many different forms.
At Advent, we tell this story of the birth of a child, unexpected, and beloved. And we hold in our hearts the knowledge that in a few months at Easter, we grieve the loss of that life, and all the things that it means to us as believers. Joy and grief, together. This is the story of a family who did not fit their society expectations, a family who loved and grieved, just as many of us in this space are family who love and grieve together.
We light this candle and remember that stories of birth and family are often touched by grief and pain.
We light this candle to remember those who weep silent tears of the heart.
We light this candle and remember.
by Stacey Wilson from: https://intergen.org.au/product/advent-series-something-is-coming/
READ 1 Kings 5-6
So I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to my father David, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.” (1 Kings 5:5)
Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, obey my ordinances, and keep all my commandments by walking in them, then I will establish my promise with you, which I made to your father David. I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.” (1 Kings 6:11-13)
REFLECT
The temple was really important. If you read all of 1 Kings 6, you’ll see how intricate and beautiful it was! It was very tall, and the whole thing was made of gorgeous wood, with pictures of trees and fruit and angels carved into it. The inside was covered in gold, so everything gleamed and sparkled.
It wasn’t just a building. It was the place where God and humans could meet. Before Solomon built the temple, God met his people in a big tent called a tabernacle. Inside the temple, there was a special room, called the Holy of Holies, where God lived. In that place, God and humans could be together. But God had even better plans. He didn’t want people to have to go into a tiny room to be with him in person. (And not just anyone—only certain people—could go into the room.) So, God decided that he would become the temple. Jesus called himself the temple. He is both God and human, the place where the two meet. We don’t have to go into a special room anymore. Now we can know God directly because of Jesus!
TALK
- Why do you think God wants us to meet him anywhere, not just in a special room in the temple?
- If we can meet God anywhere, what is so special about churches?
- Where do you "meet God" or feel closest to Him? (In the garden? Your bed? By the ocean?)
PRAY
Jesus, thank you for being the temple, the place where I can meet God. By your Holy Spirit, I am connected with God, and can meet you anywhere, anytime. Help me to remember that and sense your presence with me today. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree
Take someone to your favourite place to be with God and spend time together with Him.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
READ Isaiah 12:2-6 & Luke 3:7-18
This week, the readings encourage us to pay attention: to see the signs of the presence of God among us and encourage us to notice these markers and to act like the Kingdom is already here. Isaiah, written to people under threat from powerful nations, encourages people to remember and see what God has
done for them and amongst them and in Luke, John the Baptist preaches to the people, encouraging them to behave like people of the Kingdom of God. This week, we will add wise people and stars to our tree, recognising that paying attention to the signs, and acting accordingly can be risky. Today we’ll think about what God is asking us to do in response to the presence of the Kingdom.
REFLECT, TALK & DO
This is the third week of Advent – In the first week, we looked at anticipating and thought about how something incredible was going to grow out of something unimportant, and we built a tree, grown out of this stump, constructed of the branches of our hopes and anticipation for good things that are coming.
In the second week of Advent, we thought about Advent as being about preparing. We thought about the ways that the Bible had encouraged people to “make way” – prophecy about the Kingdom of Peace that was coming, and the way that the paths were being made straight and easier to walk on, and then John the Baptist, encouraging people to sort their lives out in preparation for Jesus to walk with them.
This week we are noticing the signs. When the wise men came to see Jesus, they didn’t arrive out of thin air – the Bible tells us that they had been watching the signs and portents: they could see that something very important was on its way. They believed the signs and they packed up and travelled a long way in order to see the thing that they believed they would see.
It seems like the wise men took a huge risk – leaving their lands and homes and families, to travel a really long way, in order to see the thing that the signs were pointing to. It sometimes feels like God asks us to trust him, to make big choices, in hope. That can feel really risky. So, this week, we are going to spend some time, quietly reflecting on the ways that God is asking us to take a risk and go on a journey with him.
- What signs have you seen that God might be asking you to do something?
- What risky thing might God be asking you to do? Maybe it’s taking a stand about something at work or school, or to befriend someone that you don’t know very well, maybe it’s about going to study, or volunteer for a worship team or one of the church ministries?
- Who can you talk to about it? And what might be your next steps?
As you think, write and colour on the stars and Wisemen as your prayer or commitment and then put it on the tree here, or take it home, to remind yourself that being brave and doing a risky thing that God is asking us to do is a gift that we can give to God.
PRAY
The wise men watched and saw the star – they paid attention to the signs and took a risk. They traveled far and they traveled long, to see the one who was foretold. The wise men brought gifts: gold for the King that the baby would be, frankincense for the priestly way that Jesus would connect us to God, and myrrh for the death that was coming. We bring these wise men and stars as symbols of risky journeys and challenges that we are thinking about, as we try our best to follow God. Please help us to remember and commit to these things. Amen.
Watery Advent - JOY
Usually, during Advent, we do an advent candle wreath, however this year we are doing a water wreath! Especially in the hot Australian Summer water is something that we anticipate, that we hope for. A cup of cool cup of water on a hot summer’s day, rain for our farmers and lawns, water to swim in, water for baptism! Water is a powerful symbol.
So each week, just like we would with a candle wreath, we’re going to fill a new cup instead of lighting a new candle as we reflect on Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy.
1: As we pour the water for our Advent wreath, we remember our deep thirst for God’s joy.
All: We long for your joy, O God. [Pour water into the third glass.]
2: Joy which soaks into us and makes our world stand still, like a sudden summer downpour.
All: We long for your joy, O God.
1: Joy which makes our soul dance like kids under a sprinkler on the lawn.
All: We long for your joy, O God.
2: Joy which becomes the centre of our life with others, like the water boiling in the kettle for a cuppa with friends.
All: We long for your joy, O God.
1: I invite you to name aloud people and places which are in particular need of God’s joy at this time e.g.: ► People spending Christmas far away from loved ones; ► People feeling pressure to buy expensive presents; ► People living with mental health problems, especially depression; ► People around the world suffering the effects of disasters; ► People facing the possibility of losing their homes or farmland; ► People living in isolation; ► People living with the loss of their abilities and independence; ► People struggling to be faithful in difficult circumstances.
1 & 2: Advent God, we worship you with joy.
All: We long for your joy, O God. Amen
Materials adapted from: https://intergen.org.au/product/advent-series-something-is-coming/ & https://sa.uca.org.au/documents/intergen-docs/resources/Engage-Together-Advent-2020.pdf
READ 2 Samuel 5, 8
The Lord said to [David]: “It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel. (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
REFLECT
Kings and shepherds seem like exact opposites. Kings sit on thrones. They wear expensive clothes and talk to important people. Shepherds, on the other hand, stand on the hillsides. They wear clothes that can get dirty, and they talk mostly to sheep.
David was both. He was a shepherd that God chose to be king. A shepherd would probably make a very good king, since shepherds have to be humble, and they probably care more about people than about power.
Can you guess who else is a shepherd-king? If you guessed Jesus, you’re exactly right. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He knows all of us as well as a shepherd knows his sheep, and he was willing to die so that we can live. Jesus is also the King of kings. He beat the powers of sin and death. Now he sits on his throne, ruling over all of creation.
It’s an honour for David to be called both “shepherd of my people Israel” and “ruler over Israel” because he’s not the only shepherd-king in Scripture. In John 10, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, the one who knows all of his sheep and lays down his life for them. And he is also king, the one who is victorious over the powers of sin, death, and evil.
TALK
- Why would a shepherd be a good king?
- What could some of the rulers and leaders of our country today do better at?
- How could you help them?
PRAY
King Jesus, thank you for having the heart of a shepherd! How wonderful that you are both mighty and gentle, both self-sacrificing and victorious. Would you bring a spirit of gentleness and self-sacrifice to the political rulers and leaders of society today? Amen
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree.
Find a way to bless a political ruler or leader in your society.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
READ: 1 Samuel 1, 3, 9, 16
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” (1 Samuel 16:1)
Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. (1 Samuel 16:10-15)
REFLECT
It’s hard not to love the story of an underdog. Like so many people in Jesus’ family history, Samuel and David are unlikely picks. Samuel is the son of Hannah, a much longed-for child who was dedicated to the Lord and was called by God by name early in his life. And here he is, being asked to anoint a new king after the last one was rejected – but it’s not the firstborn as everyone expects, It’s David, the baby of the family, the last of Jesse’s eight sons. In his life thus far, he hasn’t been much of a hero. When Samuel anoints him, David hasn’t defeated Goliath. He hasn’t created complex battle strategies. He’s an unknown farm boy.
Yet it’s David, the underdog, whom God chooses to lead his people. God subverts expectations, choosing a young boy to later anoint the Kings of Israel and a young shepherd to be the King. God has a habit of subverting expectations. David was an unexpected choice, as was Israel as a whole. If you wanted to bless the world, would you work through a tiny people group, often dominated by other nations?
And when you finally came to save your people and express your love for the whole world, would you come in the flesh as a member of that underdog nation? Would you be born as a baby, vulnerable and unknown? Would you work as a common tradesman, acquiring none of the experience or accolades of a political victor? Would you submit to humiliation, persecution, and even death at the hands of a powerful empire?
In Jesus Christ, a descendant of Jesse and David, God’s love for the whole world is shown. Jesus is the one anointed to be king, not just of Israel but of all people. In the greatest subversion of expectations, God makes himself the underdog and triumphs over sin and death.
TALK
- What other stories have an underdog as the hero?
- How is God using you, even though you’re not a grown-up or the most powerful and richest person?
PRAY
Sometimes you surprise me, God! You like to use people whom the world doesn’t think are important. Thank you, Lord, for working in ways contrary to what I expect. Please help me remember that you want to use me, too. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree
Do something kind or unexpected for someone who others might think of as unimportant.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
READ: Ruth 1-4
Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” [Ruth] said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.” (Ruth 3:1-4:12)
REFLECT
If you read the whole book of Ruth, you may notice where the action takes place: in Bethlehem. It’s not the last time we’ll find ourselves in that town this Advent.
Maybe you know this story as a story about a woman uncommonly devoted to her mother in-law. Or a story about a woman humble yet bold enough to find favour with Boaz, who could make life easier for these two widows. And certainly, it is a story about Ruth’s faithfulness. But it’s also a story about Boaz’s faithfulness, which points to the faithfulness of one who was born in Bethlehem years later.
In Israelite law, there was a provision for widows with no sons. The brother of the deceased man was commanded to take the man’s widow as his wife, both redeeming the man’s land and providing a son to carry on the family name. Without this man, called a kinsman-redeemer, the widow would be left with nothing, and the family would cease to exist.
In the book of Ruth, Boaz steps up as the kinsman-redeemer, a relative of Naomi’s husband with the power to redeem the land, marry Ruth, and carry on the family. Who else do we know who steps up as a kinsman-redeemer? Indeed, Jesus Christ is our kinsman-redeemer. By virtue of his humanity, he is our brother, our kinsman, and he is willing to become the bridegroom in order to redeem us. He faithfully steps up to save us. He lovingly joins himself to us, impoverished though we are, and makes us his own. Thanks be to God.
TALK
- What about Boaz made him willing to marry Ruth, even though he didn’t know her?
- Why do you think Jesus was willing to rescue us?
PRAY:
Jesus, thanks for taking me and making me part of the wonderful family of God. How humbling it is that you would consider yourself my kinsman, a member of my family. And how humbling that you would pay the price with your life to redeem me. Thank you. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree.
Think about and share with someone 3 great things that happened this year.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
READ: Joshua 1-2 2:1-21
Then Joshua, son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So, they went and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and spent the night there. The king of Jericho was told, “Some Israelites have come here tonight to search out the land.” Then the king of Jericho sent orders to Rahab, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come only to search out the whole land.” But the woman took the two men and hid them. (Joshua 2:1-4)
Before they went to sleep, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land. ... The Lord your God is indeed God in heaven above and on earth below. Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the Lord that you, in turn, will deal kindly with my family.” … The men said to her, “Our life for yours! If you do not tell this business of ours, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you when the Lord gives us the land. … We will be released from this oath that you have made us swear to you if we invade the land and you do not tie this crimson cord in the window through which you let us down,” … She said, “According to your words, so be it.” (Joshua 2:8-21)
REFLECT
The Israelites have been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and now it’s finally time to move into the land that God promised them. That land is called Canaan, and it’s filled with people who don’t love or trust God. Joshua is put in charge after Moses dies, and it’s his job to get them to the promised land.
But when two Israelite spies sneak into the city of Jericho in Canaan, they get help from someone they least expect: a woman named Rahab. Even though she’s not an Israelite, she has heard about the God of Israel. And she believes that he is the true God. After she helps the Israelite spies, she asks them to protect her family when the Israelite army comes to knock down Jericho. The spies agree—if she hangs a red rope in her window so they know which house to protect. The red rope will save Rahab’s life. That red rope hanging in her window looks a lot like a trail of blood, which reminds us of the blood of Jesus. When Jesus died, his blood saved our lives, just like the red rope saved Rahab’s life. If we trust in God, like Rahab did, we get to join God’s family and be protected.
The family line of Jesus is full of unlikely people. They regularly forget, disobey, or betray God and Rahab is one of these. In a genealogy that stretches from Abraham to Jesus, she’s one of just five women named. In a patrilineal genealogy—a record of fathers and sons—she makes the cut. And God invites her to play a role in the story of Israel claiming the land God has promised. He grafts her into the family early enough that she gets to be one of Jesus’ great- great- great-grandmothers. What an encouragement, not only does God want us in his family, but he also wants to use us.
When we join the family, he’ll put us to work, helping move this story along to its beautiful conclusion. Rahab got to play a part in Jesus’ coming as a baby, but we get to join in as Jesus comes in glory.
TALK
- Why do you think the Israelite spies told Rahab to hang a red rope in her window?
- Do you ever feel unworthy to be part of God’s family?
PRAY
God, your grace is astonishing! You could care less about my pedigree, and youre even willing to overlook my sin as you graft me into your family and your story. Would you help me to be faithful like Rahab as I do the work you've called me to do?
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree.
Bless someone you don't know with a random act of kindness.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
READ: Exodus 2-3, 19-20
Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. (Exodus 2:1-6)
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites. (Exodus 19:3-6)
REFLECT
Moses’ story is pretty amazing. He was a Hebrew boy, saved as a baby, and then grew up as an Egyptian Prince. He was sent away, lived as a shepherd, had an encounter with God in a burning bush, sent back to Egypt to save the Israelites from slavery, escaped, then led the Israelites around in the desert for 40 years, spoke to God in a cloud, and was given the task of giving God’s laws.
Have you ever read the rules at the pool? Shower first; No running; No diving; No unsupervised children; No food or drinks. Who made up those rules? Showering first just seems silly, doesn’t it? It’s like the pool people are trying to spoil all our fun!
The Ten Commandments and other Laws that God gave Moses can seem that way too, like a list of rules that God gave us to ruin our fun. But God’s not like that. He gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments to help everyone live together well and to set them apart as his people. He didn’t tack up the Ten Commandments on a wall and leave the Israelites on their own. No, God had already chosen the people of Israel and promised to love them. When he gave the commandments to Moses, he planned to stay with his people and keep loving them.
We should follow God’s commandments not just because they’ll keep us safe, like the rules at the pool. We should follow them because God loves us. And the best news of all is that Jesus helps us to follow them!
TALK
- Which of the Ten Commandments is hardest for you to follow? Why?
- Which is the easiest? Why?
PRAY
God, will you remind me of how much you already love me? Help me remember that following your rules doesn’t make you love me. I am so thankful that your life fulfills the law I daily fail to keep. Holy Spirit, work that mysterious process in me and make me one with Christ. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree.
Bless someone by telling them about how Gods Love and how his Laws help us live with him.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html
READ Genesis 37
Now [Jacob] loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. … So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. (Genesis 37:1-36)
REFLECT
Little brothers and sisters can be the worst. In Joseph’s case, his father, Jacob, loved him more than all his brothers. Jacob gave Joseph a special coat, which made them jealous. And at the breakfast table in the mornings, Joseph liked to tell his family about his dreams. He often dreamed about being in charge of all his brothers. That made his brothers furious.
Big brothers (and sisters) can be the worst, too. In this story, Joseph’s jealous brothers decided to kill him and his stupid dreams. They didn’t quite kill him, but they did take his special coat and sell him to some slave traders for twenty pieces of silver.
Joseph isn’t the only child to have been his father’s favorite and make his brothers want to kill him. The Bible says that Jesus is God’s beloved son, kind of like God’s favorite. And when Jesus started sharing his message with people, they got so mad they tried to kill him. They took his coat, too.
The Good News is that the story about Joseph and his brothers ends well. Joseph does end up being in charge, but it helps save his family—just like in the story of Jesus. Jesus is sold for thirty pieces of silver and then killed. But he comes back to life and is king over the whole world. The people that hated Jesus are the same people that he came to save. And do you know who those people are? They are you and me.
TALK
- How did Joseph’s brothers feel?
- How could Joseph still love his brothers when they hated him so much?
- How can you love your brothers and sisters even when they do things that upset or hurt you?
PRAY
Wow, Jesus! Im amazed that you and Joseph were willing to love the people who hated you. Im also thankful because it means that you love me and have saved me. Amen.
BLESS & DO
Add the next picture to your tree
Do something nice for one of your family members and forgive them for a past hurt you might be holding on to.
Materials adapted from: https://www.faithward.org/jesse-tree/, http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-jesse-tree-printable-pictures.html