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 are REFLECTING on what the shepherds did after the angels told them where to find Jesus.
Read by Asaph
Luke 2:16-18
So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding trough. When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:16-18 (NCV)
The shepherds obeyed the angel’s instructions, and they became some of the very first people to see the baby Jesus. In those days, people didn’t see shepherds as important, but God gave them an incredibly important role – not only were they some of the very first people to see Jesus, but just like the angels, they became some of the first messengers of the good news. And everywhere they told the story of Jesus’ birth, people were amazed!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: We’ve heard a lot about angels this Advent – what do we think angels look like?
Throughout the Bible, we find stories of God choosing unlikely people to play important parts in His plans.
Father God, thank you that you don’t always choose the clever people or the most popular people. Instead you choose people who are humble and kind, people who have open hearts and lives. And so we open our hearts and lives to You now, and we ASK You to choose us. We want to serve You.
Let’s pray for people, like the shepherds in today’s Bible passage, who have jobs that don’t feel important. Maybe they feel like other people look down on them.
Father God, everyone is important to You. No-one gets left out of Your love and affection. We ASK You to show those who feel unimportant just how important they are to You. Be near to them, and encourage them in some special way today.
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.
Luke 2:16-18
So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding trough. When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
Luke 2:16-18 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Father God, we want to be good news messengers, just like the shepherds in today’s Bible passage. We say YES to telling other people about Jesus, who came to bring joy into all the world.
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!
