FAMILY ADVENT DEVOTIONS

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

The second week of Advent is for preparing
our hearts for Jesus.
[Light two purple or blue candles]

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Reading: Luke 1: 5 - 22
While Zachariah was going about his priestly duties in the Temple the
angel Gabriel appears to him and tells him that he has a message from God.
When Gabriel tells Zachariah that he and Elizabeth are
going to have a child Zachariah laughs and questions the angel
saying… “Do you expect me to believe this? My wife and I are old.” Gabriel
says to Zachariah… “I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to
bring you this glad news. But because you won’t believe me, you’ll be unable
to say a word until the day of your son’s birth. Every word I’ve spoken will
come true on time ___ God’s time.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to remember that all things are possible with you.
Help us to learn from the story of Zachariah and Gabriel. Amen.
Activity:
Make a poster that says: All Things Are Possible With God!
Talk about the poster and what it means. Remember that there was
another story similar to this one in the Old Testament. The story of
Abraham and Sarah and their son Isaac. Talk about the poster and what it
means. Remember that there was another story similar to this one in the Old
Testament. The story of Abraham and Sarah and their son Isaac.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Reading: Luke 1: 23-25
Elizabeth soon learns that she is going to have a baby that will prepare
the way for Jesus. She basically hides from the public for five months
enjoying her pregnancy that she thought could never be.
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for gifts that are unexpected. Thank you for loving
us and for supplying our needs. Amen.
Activity:
Make a special gift or card for someone in your family. Give this gift or
card to them when they least expect it.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Reading: Luke 1: 26-38
When Elizabeth is six months pregnant, the angel Gabriel appears to
Mary and tells her of God’s plan for her life. The angel also tells Mary
that her cousin Elizabeth is going to have a baby. Mary willingly follows
and accepts God’s plan for her.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to be willing to serve you the way that Mary did,
trusting that you would keep her in your care. Help us to have servant’s
hearts toward each other. Amen.
Activity:
Adopt an older person who has no family members living near them to
dinner. Create special treats and placemats to make them feel part of
your family. Let them know that you are excited about them being in
your house as a guest.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Reading: Luke 1 : 39-56
Mary goes to visit Elizabeth and tell her what Gabriel said to her. Much
to her surprise, Elizabeth tells her that she knows that she is going to
have the Savior of the world. Mary stays for three months before she
returns to Nazareth.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to follow Mary’s example by taking time to be still
and know that you are God. Help us to appreciate the fact that you
have loved us and that you sent your Son to us. Amen.
Activity:
Make a ‘Thank You’ card for God. Be sure to thank Him for His love and
for the gift of His Son. Thank Him for making us in His image.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Reading: Luke 1: 57 - 66
At the end of Elizabeth’s pregnancy she has a son, just like the
Angel told Zachariah. Their friends and family kept calling the child
Zachariah, after his father, but Elizabeth tells them that his name is to be
John. The family argues with Elizabeth telling her that there was no one in the
family that had that name. Zachariah asks for a tablet to write on. He writes
“His name is to be called John.” The minute Zachariah acknowledges the
angels message from God he is able to speak again. Everyone realized that
God had His hand in John’s birth.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to be still and know that you are God. Help us to know that
all things are possible with you. Amen
Activity:
Make a cartoon of Zachariah writing on the tablet. Have the speech
bubble say… “His name is to John.”

Friday, December 11, 2009

Reading: Luke 1: 67 - 79
Zachariah begins to prophesy. He tells of the prophets who preached of the
Messiah’s coming. He tells of God’s mercy. He tells of God’s promise to
Abraham. Then, Zachariah calls John the “Prophet of the Most High.”
Zachariah says that John will present the offer of salvation to God’s people.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to always remember the stories of the prophets and your
promise to Abraham. Help us to remember the stories of David and how you
called a young shepherd boy to be King of
Israel. Amen.
Activity:
Make sugar cookies that are cut in the shape of stars and crowns. Talk about
God’s promise to make Abraham the father of nations and how God called
David as a young boy to be King.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Reading: Luke 1: 80
The scripture says that John grew up healthy and spirited, and that he lived in
the desert until it was time for him to tell people about
Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear God, Help us to tell others of Jesus and God’s love for us. Amen.
Activity:
Sing “This Little Light of Mine.” Make a special Christmas card for an older
Church member. Make sure that you have on the card … “God loved us
and sent His Son.”