“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” The Christmas season is a time filled with promise. But what is the promise of Christmas? If we’re not clear about what Christmas really promises, we might just miss out on what makes it the most wonderful time of the year...
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The Film shown at the Family Service last Sunday! |
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The Film the amazing Vineyard Kids team put together for the family service last year! Thanks Dave J for the animation and music (see how many carols you can hear through the music)! |
Advent 1 Hope:
As we read the news and see all the unsettling and frightening events happening around us there is comfort to be had in knowing that the truth of this season does not fluctuate depending on what is in the news: a long time ago in a land far, far away in a battle torn nation occupied by violent oppressors, in a country full of fear and racial and religious tensions, a baby was born. God in his mercy, and passionate love for all mankind (hands up if you’re not included in that statement) became a helpless baby. He grew up to be the kindest, most loving, honest, loyal, compassionate and incredibly revolutionary person this world has ever known. Whether we’re feeling full of the joys of the season, or battle worn and weary, this truth remains the same:
As we read the news and see all the unsettling and frightening events happening around us there is comfort to be had in knowing that the truth of this season does not fluctuate depending on what is in the news: a long time ago in a land far, far away in a battle torn nation occupied by violent oppressors, in a country full of fear and racial and religious tensions, a baby was born. God in his mercy, and passionate love for all mankind (hands up if you’re not included in that statement) became a helpless baby. He grew up to be the kindest, most loving, honest, loyal, compassionate and incredibly revolutionary person this world has ever known. Whether we’re feeling full of the joys of the season, or battle worn and weary, this truth remains the same:
- Read: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5
- Prayer: God of life and light, Thank you that the Advent season is about hope—hope that beyond the tinsel and shopping, I will find the light and life that Jesus offers me. Thank you for coming as light into our darkened world. Amen.
- Family Activity: Frederick Buechner wrote, “The worst thing is never the last thing.” He can say this (and we can, too) because of the hope we have in Jesus as our Saviour. As a family, create a collage of hope for Advent. Gather magazines, markers, glue, scissors and a piece of poster board. Look through the magazines and cut out pictures of images that bring hope to your family. Use the markers or crayons to draw pictures and write words that communicate hope. Also include images and words representing what brings hope to the whole world. Place your collage of hope in your home where everyone can see it, or give the collage to someone who needs hope. Thank God in prayer for the hope Jesus brings to your family and all people!
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If you think you know the answer do email hello@vineyard53.org: |
Advent 2 Love:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. – John 3:16-17
This is perhaps the most well known text in the entire Bible. We do not often think of it, however, as a passage that talked about the meaning of Advent and Christmas. Yet that’s precisely what it did: it said that in Jesus, God expressed in a personal, redeeming way the depth of God’s love for the whole world. God’s love did not mean wishing the world well from afar. Instead, God’s love led him to become one of us in the person of Jesus.
- Read: 1 John 4:7-16, John 15:9-13 and Romans 5:1-8
- Prayer: Lord God, thank you that you weren’t content to love our little planet from a distance. Thank you for coming in Jesus, and for putting your saving love into action on our behalf. Jesus, you love because you ARE love. I am loved, at all times and in all ways, because you ARE love. What an amazing promise and the most incredible gift. Amen.
- Family Activity: Love is one of the many fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. This Advent season, discover verses and Bible stories about God’s love. Share God’s love with one another and your community with your word and actions. Growing love doesn’t have to be practiced in big, fancy ways. Find small, yet meaningful ways to share God’s love with others. Ask God to grow love in our heart and lives.
