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 looking forward to celebrating Your birth this Christmas. Help us to be still amongst all the planning and the preparations, 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 extraordinary moment when an angel appeared and spoke with some shepherds on the hillsides outside Bethlehem.
Read by Asaph
Luke 2:8-10
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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 2:8-10 (NIV)
The shepherds kept their sheep safe at night by sleeping near by. They protected the sheep by staying close to them. And now God was entrusting these earthly protectors with the life-changing message that His eternal protector was coming for His sheep – that’s us, by the way!
The shepherds were terrified at first, but what the angel said to them really was good news – Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was coming, and He was going to bring joy to the world.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What good news have we heard over the last week or so? How did we feel when we heard it?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, when we feel scared or uncertain, we ASK You to remind us that You are our protector. And when we feel sad or low, for whatever reason, we ASK You to fill us with joy.
Jesus came into the world to be the Good Shepherd, to look after everything.
Creator God, thank You for making everything; the sheep on the hillsides, the billions of animals and plants around the world, the land itself – it’s all awesome. We ASK You to lead us and show us how to care for and look after all that You have made.
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 2:8-10
And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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 2:8-10 (NIV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say no to all the things that steal away our joy, and a big YES to receiving the joy that You give. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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!
