Chapter One
Hope in the In-Between

Pastor Josh Yates

Family Advent Reading

First Reader: Today is special because it is the beginning of a new season. We call this season Advent. 

First Child: What does that mean? 

First Reader: Advent is a word that means “to come.” It is a time when we get ready, preparing ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child. 

Second Reader: What are some things that we might be doing to get ready? 

Second Child: We should get our hearts ready by thinking about Him. 

Another Child: We should become expecters. 

Second Reader: What we are doing right now around our Advent Wreath is a way of preparing for Christmas. 

Take time as a family to plan ways to prepare your hearts and home for the birth of the Savior. 

First Child: (Light the first candle.) I light this candle on the first Sunday in Advent to remind us that we must prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. 

First Reader: Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 (NIV) says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” 

Talk about the preparation in the Old Testament for the coming of the Messiah through the words of the prophets. 

First Reader: This candle is symbolic of the long years of waiting and hoping. The prophets, inspired by God, kept reminding the people to look forward to the coming of Messiah, the Son of God, who was to redeem the people from their sins. The Hebrew word for Jesus means “salvation.” Before Jesus left this earth to return to His home in Heaven, He told us we should watch and wait for His return. 

Click here to play “O Come, O Come Immanuel”. 

Pray and ask God to help us make room for Jesus in our hearts and in our homes. 

Thought for the week: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed.” Isaiah 40:3, 5  

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