Advent Guide Activity:
Say: During the Christmas season, things can feel crazy, and commercials and ads can promise joy by acquiring some product they are selling, but in Acts 20:35, Paul credits Jesus as saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” There is a great joy that can come from giving.
Do: To allow your family to experience that joy, plan to surprise someone with a gift of some Christmas baking. Ask God which family member, relative, or neighbor is in need of extra encouragement. Use the experience as an opportunity to talk with your children about how joyful they feel when they bless another person with a gift. Compare this to the joy they feel when they receive gifts.
Family Advent Reading:
Do: Grab your candles either from your swag bag or a white or purple candle from around the house.
Say: Today we remember the candle of HOPE and the candle of PEACE, and light the third candle of Advent which represents JOY.
Ask: What does joy mean?
Do: Let them answer. Below are some examples.
Preschool Definition: As happy as you could ever be!
Elementary Definition: A feeling of great pleasure or happiness; a state of being content and satisfied as opposed to an emotion
Examples (if the kids get stuck): Joy is the feeling when something amazing happens. It is what you feel when you wake up on Christmas morning. It is the feeling of puppies or a yummy cupcake.
Say: As the prophet Isaiah declared about the coming Christ to Israel: “Be glad and rejoice forever in what God is creating; for God is about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.” We recognize that God wants to create that same joy in our lives today. Create us anew in the joy of the Lord no matter what we may be facing in life, and help us to see your glory as you fill our lives with your living Spirit. Amen.”
Do: Light the purple and white candles together.