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Advent Devotions for Second Baptist Church 2006
Introduction: Advent is the time before Christmas that Christians use to prepare for the coming of Christ. It begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. This year it begins on December 3rd. The season reflects a time of waiting and anticipation for Christ to enter our lives again. The waiting is hopeful; we know Jesus comes! Although the season comes at a time when each day has less light; it is a season of light –the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not put it out. (John 1) Many families have a simple Advent Candle Lighting Ceremony on each Sunday in Advent. On this sheet are devotions for all the Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day. If you are a single person, read and reflect on them. If you are a couple, take turns reading. Where there are children and grandchildren, involve them also, as they are able, in the reading and lighting of the candle. And we especially invite you to our Children’s Christmas program and dinner on December 10 at 5:00 pm. Lessons and Carols at 10:30 AM and Christmas Eve Service at 5 PM on December 24th. **adapted from: Sandy Dixon, Everlasting Light: A Resource for Advent Worship. Chalice Press, 2000. Used with permission.
First Sunday in Advent 2006 December 3rd Coming Together: Today is December 3rd —the first week in Advent. Now is the time we begin preparing our hearts and lives to receive Jesus.
Reading from the Bible: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Message of Waiting: Advent is about waiting and being ready. We are waiting for the Christ to come. Again. We have had many Advents and Christmases. Yet, we wait again. The waiting gives us time to get ready. We must watch in our daily lives this Advent, as during the whole year for ways the Christ enters our lives. And as we wait for God, we know that God works within our lives, using our spiritual gifts. We know we are God’s people and can wait in strength and hope.
Light the candle and pray: God and Father of Christ our Savior, help us as we wait for the coming again of the baby Jesus. Keep us alert, awake and aware of the times in our lives when we know your salvation. Even more, help us share that good news of salvation with others. Amen.
Second Sunday in Advent 2006 December 10th, Coming Together: Today is December 10th—the second Sunday in Advent. We wonder how we can prepare for the coming of Christ when there are so many rough places in our lives that need smoothing out.
Reading from the Bible: Isaiah 40:3-4 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.”
Message of Waiting: When you see the Rocky Mountains or the Appalachians or even some of the Ozark mountains, you probably wondered how people in the early days crossed them in covered wagons or on horseback. Back then there weren’t the good highways cutting passes through the mountains. People who crossed the mountains probably wished that the high places could be made smooth, the way straight as the plains were. As we prepare for the coming of Christ, look for ways to smooth out the rough and impossible places where your lives cross God’s. Do this by praying and seeking ways to help others.
Light the candle and pray: God, you sent your Son into a world that if filled with rough places. Life is sometimes difficult. Yet, because you gave us your Son, we know that with Jesus’ help, we do not have to go through the rough places alone. We know you are with us. Draw us closer to you as we wait for Jesus’ coming. Amen.
Third Sunday in Advent 2005 December 17th Coming Together: Today is December 17th—the third Sunday in Advent. We are still waiting for the Christ’s birth and sometimes wonder as we read the papers and see the TV news, into what kind of world Christ is coming.
Reading from the Bible: Isaiah 61:1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.
Message of Waiting: God doesn’t want us to just sit around and wait for his Son’s coming; God wants to join with Him to bring redemption to all God’s people. Each year can be the “year of God’s favor” as Christians of all colors, denominations, and beliefs faithfully act in God’s world. We need to be bringers of good news, comforters, freedom-givers now in Advent and all the rest of the year. And we can as the Psalmist says, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." (Psalm 126:1-3) 3The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Light the candle and pray: Dear God, you have done great things among us. You have provided us with food and shelter, warmth and protection. You have brought freedom and hope to discouraged lives. You have sent Jesus the Christ to redeem us. Guide us to serve you and by our actions bring light to a dark world so that all will rejoice in your name. Amen.
Fourth Sunday in Advent 2006 December 24th Coming Together: Today is Christmas Eve—the fourth Sunday in Advent. God chooses all kinds of people to be leaders and messengers to bring God’s reign on earth. This last week before Christmas while we wait for Jesus’ birth, help us see those who are acting in God’s name.
Reading from the Bible: Luke 1:47-48 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”
Message of Waiting: It is so easy to think that one has to be important or rich or highly educated to make an impact or change on the things going on in our world. Yet Mary, the mother of Jesus, describes herself as a lowly servant. King David was a shepherd, Moses a slave. These were ordinary people doing ordinary work. God has always used regular people to bring about God’s kingdom. God worked through them, using each one’s special gifts. As Christmas approaches just around the corner now, let yourself be open to be used by God. You can make a difference in God’s world; pray for direction on how. Light the candle and pray: Thank you for all those you have chosen to bring light to our world. Show me the ways we may help your kingdom come here in my neighborhood, my city. As we wait for Christmas to come soon, let us rejoice in God our Savior.
Monday December 25thth Coming Together: Today is December 25th—Finally Christmas Day is here after these long weeks of waiting.
Reading from the Bible: Psalm 96:1-4 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. 4For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.
Message of Waiting: Today we celebrate that God sent Jesus, the beloved and only Son so we could understand God’s laws, instructions and directions better. God sent Jesus to be Emmanuel: “God with us.” Jesus showed us, taught us, lived among us. Jesus, God’s Son, gave everything he had for us. By his gift, which surpasses any gift, God is saying to us, “ I understand what it is like to live on earth. I am there with you.” Today we can celebrate this wonderful gift to us. Emmanuel. God with us. God understands and loves us because God is among us! Read the Christmas story from Luke 2: 1-20. Light the candle and pray: Thank you, God for the greatest gift we could ever be given, a gift that has the power to transform our lives. This Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of your Son, our Savior. Thank you for knowing exactly what we need as you gave us our Christmas present! Amen. |
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9030 Clayton Road (at McKnight Road, 3/10 mile west of the Galleria) St. Louis, MO 63117 (314) 991-3424 |
