Week: Voices of Advent
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Lord Jesus, we’re excited about celebrating Your birth this Christmastime. Help us to be still amongst all the busyness, to rest in Your presence and remember what and who we are celebrating.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Asaph
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’
Luke 2:10 (NIV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on the story of the wise men, who travelled a long way to find Jesus by following a star that they saw in the sky.
Read by Asaph
Matthew 2:1-2
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. When Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, ‘Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’
Matthew 2:1-2 (NCV)
We don’t know much about the mysterious wise men. We don’t even know how many there were. Most people think there were three, but the Bible doesn’t actually say that.
What we do know is that these wise men saw an unusual star, and somehow they knew that it was a sign from God that a new king had been born. Perhaps they’d learned that God sometimes spoke in strange, unexpected ways, and so they were on the lookout for signs like this? They knew that the star was a clue, and so they packed their bags and followed it for many, many miles until they arrived at Bethlehem, the place where Jesus had been born.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What people can we think of who have to follow clues as part of their job?
God leaves clues everywhere – they’re all around us – little signs of His love, His kindness, His justice, His creativity. Jesus encouraged us to keep our eyes and ears open for these clues, because these clues – these signs of God’s Kingdom – are all around us (Matthew 13).
Creator God, thank You for filling the universe with clues – with little signs that help people find You and come to know You. We ASK You to help us to keep our eyes and ears open, so that we see and hear You more.
As we think about the light of the star that led the wise men each day and night, it reminds us that Jesus said, ‘You should be a light for other people. Live so that [the world] will see the good things you do. Live so that they will praise your Father in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:6b, NCV).
Lord Jesus, We ASK You to help our church be a light in our community so that they see the good things that You want to do in their lives.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Matthew 2:1-2
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. When Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked, ‘Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’
Matthew 2:1-2 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. We say YES to following You, and going wherever You lead us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’
Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Asaph is 9 years old. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his younger sister Adelina, father and mother. He enjoys riding his bike, camping, reading, playing flag football and watching Bible Project videos. Asaph is kind and smart and loves hanging out with friends!
