GOD WITH US

---

GOD WITH US ADVENT DEVOTIONAL 2018

COPYRIGHT God With Us: Advent Devotional 2018 Copyright © 2018 by Christ Church. All Rights Reserved. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com Jesus Storybook Bible quotations are from The Jesus Storybook Bible. All rights reserved worldwide.

DEDICATION To the Christ Church Family with all of our affection: Cindie David Jessi Jordan Matt Paul

WHAT IS ADVENT? Advent means arrival. During the Advent season, we not only re-live Israel’s anticipation of the coming king, we live in eager expectation of his imminent return. As the ancient church considered how they could engage their people in a balanced reading and understanding of Scripture, they developed a rhythm of daily, weekly, and seasonal readings. Their readings were arranged around seasons of the year and would take you through the entire Bible in three years. Sunday’s messages would always be drawn from the weekly readings. Over time their schedule was called “The Church Calendar.” They reserved the four weeks leading up to Christmas to recall the events surrounding the birth and arrival of our Savior. When we celebrate Advent, we are not only embracing a practice that roots us in the rich traditions of the ancient church, we are also creating sacred space in an otherwise hectic season. During this Advent season, we will consider the prophecies leading to Christ’s coming while we explore the iconic images of the season—Mary, Shepherds, Magi, and of course the Baby in the manger.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE The Advent season usually begins on the fiirst Sunday of December and runs through the last week of the month. Our themes this season will be, Week 1: Prophecy, Week 2: Mary, Week 3: Shepherds, Week 4: Magi, Christmas Eve: The Birth of Christ, and Week 5: The Return of Christ. We have designed this book to serve you and your family in two ways. Each week contains a personal devotional and a family study guide drawn from the same passage of Scripture. The personal devotion contains a brief introduction to the passage, a reading from Scripture and some questions to consider. The family guide contains a reading from The Jesus Storybook Bible, a family discussion, and an activity to do together. Whether you grew up celebrating Advent or are new to the season, our hope is that this simple booklet will help you recapture the joy of the season and renew your love for Christ.

Page 1

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FAMILIES In the midst of a busy season, we know how difffiicult it can be to get everyone around the table and participate in a family activity. However, we hope you will try. Even if everything does not go as planned, we want to encourage you to take a few moments to look ahead to each week’s activity and consider how they might fiit into your family’s rhythms and schedule. We are praying for you and your family as you take a few moments during this Advent season to point your heart and young hearts to the wonderful truths of Christ.

WORSHIP THROUGH SONG We have also compiled a playlist of seasonal songs to stir your afffections for Jesus throughout this season. You can listen to these songs around the house, while you are driving, or as you are doing your activities together. The playlist can be found on Spotify by searching: Christ Church Advent 2018.

Page 2

PROPHECY — W EE K O N E —

The Christmas story was born in the heart of God long before there were trees or tinsel, shepherds or wise men, or even babies and mangers. Although God created us to know, love, and enjoy him, He also created us with the ability to ignore Him, walk away from Him, and quietly push Him out of our lives. The story of Israel is our story. In spite of God’s blessing, the people often grew complacent and took God for granted. Their complacency always led to a slow drift from God, and the slow drift from God always led to catastrophic consequences. Isaiah was assigned the unpleasant task of warning God’s people of impending doom when, by all appearances, things could not have been better. The nation was prospering. The people were growing wealthy. They even viewed their prosperity as a sign of God’s approval. As far as the people were concerned, everything was fiine. As far as God was concerned, their hearts were as far from him as they could possibly be. God graciously paints a portrait of hope, even before the people realize how hopeless things will become. Isaiah’s portrait of hope takes the form of a child. The child will become a king. The king will be more than just a king. He will be the ideal king. The King of all Kings. The king that will renew the hearts of God’s people and restore their fortunes. Isaiah encourages us to set our hope on the coming King. Page 3

A READING FROM SCRIPTURE 2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 6

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. 7

Of the greatness 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. — ISAIAH 9:2, 6-7

CONSIDER 1. What are some things you commonly put your hope in? 2. What about this child compels you to put you hope in him? 3. According to this passage, what can you expect when you place your hope in him?

PRAY AND REFLECT Spend a few moments reflecting on the truths of this passage and responding to God in prayer. Page 4

FAMILY GUIDE A READING FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE Operation “No More Tears!” | Page 144 DO YOU KNOW what your name means? Well, there was once a man called Isaiah, and his name meant “God to the rescue!” That might sound like a bit of a funny name to you, but it was just the right name for Isaiah because God had a special job for Isaiah. You see, Isaiah’s job was to listen to God and then tell people what he heard. Now, God let Isaiah know a secret. God was going to mend his broken world. He showed Isaiah his Secret Rescue Plan: Operation “No More Tears!” This is the message God gave Isaiah (it was like a letter God wrote to his children)… Dear Little Flock, You’re all wandering away from me, like sheep in an open fiield. You have always been running away from me. And now you’re lost. You can’t fiind your way back. But I can’t stop loving you. I will come to fiind you. So I am sending you a Shepherd to look after you and love you. To carry you home to me. You’ve been stumbling around, like people in a dark room. But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase away all the shadows, like sunshine. A little baby will be born. A Royal Son. His mommy will be a young girl who doesn’t have a husband. His name will be Emmanuel, which means “God has come to live with us.” He is one of King David’s children’s children’s children. The Prince of Peace. Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you! But he won’t be who anyone expects. He will be a King! But he won’t live in a palace. And he won’t have lots of Page 5

money. He will be poor. And he will be a Servant. But this King will heal the whole world. He will be a Hero! He will fiight for his people, and rescue them from their enemies. But he won’t have big armies, and he won’t fiight with swords. He will make the blind see, he will make the lame leap like deer! He will make everything the way it was always meant to be. But people will hate him, and they won’t listen to him. He will be like a Lamb – he will sufffer and die. It’s the Secret Rescue Plan we made – from before the beginning of the world! It’s the only way to get you back. But he won’t stay dead – I will make him alive again! And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever, the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy! The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fiill the whole earth – as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad will come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe away every tear from every eye. Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for him. Wait for him. He will come! I promise. Poor Isaiah. He read God’s letter over and over to God’s people, but no one listened to him—at all. Ever. They didn’t want to hear God’s promise. They didn’t believe it. Did it sound maybe too good to be true? A story that ends happily ever after? Well, it does sound like a fairy tale, doesn’t it? And, as anyone will quickly tell you, fairy tales aren’t true. Or are they? Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2010).

Page 6

FAMILY DISCUSSION 1. Has there ever been a time when you were really excited for something about to happen but you had to wait for it? Why were you so excited? 2. Why is it so hard to wait for something really special? 3. In the Old Testament, Israel was waiting for something special. Do you know what they were waiting for? 4. They were waiting for Jesus who was their promised Rescuer. Do you know what Jesus came to rescue us from?

FAMILY PRAYER Take a few moments to pray together celebrating the good news that the promised Rescuer has come.

FAMILY ACTIVITY BIG IDEA: Jesus was the one God promised to send, and he has come. Parents, as you consider the anticipation surrounding the coming of Jesus, plan a fun family activity toward the end of the week. Let the kids know early in the week that you are going to do something special together (watching their favorite Christmas movie, going to see the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, or ice skating, etc.). As the days go by, continue to remind them of the fun to come. Let the anticipation build throughout the week. Use this activity as an opportunity to remind your children of God’s promise to send a rescuer and the anticipation God’s people felt as they eagerly awaited his arrival.

Page 7

MARY — W EE K TW O —

When the voice of God was all but forgotten, an angel appeared in the backwaters of a captive nation and breathed fresh life into the ancient promise. However we might have expected God to rip through the curtain of time, he entered time and space in the humblest of fashions. He sent the angel Gabriel, neither to Jerusalem nor Rome, but to Nazareth; neither to the highborn nor the meticulously religious, but to a teenage girl. While Mary is initially troubled by Gabriel’s presence (and who wouldn’t be), she responds with grace beyond her years. She hangs on Gabriel’s words with the sense of awe and wonder that is seldom found anywhere else except in the heart of a young girl. Mary’s world would be turned upside down. Whatever her dreams may have been, she will quietly lay them aside in order to realize God’s dream for her life. She is betrothed to Joseph, but her child will not be a product of their union. Her child will be born in a remarkable way and will restore the fortunes of God’s people. All of God’s good promises will be fulfiilled in Him. Her child will be “the child” Isaiah spoke about. She is undaunted by the gravity of the task or the implications this will have on her life and marriage. Barely more than a child herself, Mary responds with what her son would one day describe as “the faith of a small child.” In a moment of complete trust and surrender, she responds, “I am the Lord’s servant, May your Page 8

word to me be fulfiilled.” Mary would stumble along the way, but this is her best moment. She hears God’s word. She believes God’s promise, and she quietly and confiidently places her life in God’s hands.

A READING FROM SCRIPTURE 26

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfiilled.” Then the angel left her. — LUKE 1:26-38

CONSIDER 1. What stands out to you about Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message? 2. How does God’s promise to Mary encourage you? Page 9

3. What do you learn about God through this story?

PRAY AND REFLECT Spend a few moments reflecting on the truths of this passage and responding to God in prayer.

Page 10

FAMILY GUIDE A READING FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE He’s Here! | Page 176 EVERYTHING WAS READY. The moment God had been waiting for was here at last! God was coming to help his people, just as he promised in the beginning. But how would he come? What would he be like? What would he do? Mountains would have bowed down. Seas would have roared. Trees would have clapped their hands. But the earth held its breath. As silent as snow falling, he came in. And when no one was looking, in the darkness, he came. There was a young girl who was engaged to a man named Joseph. (Joseph was the great-great-great-great-great grandson of King David.) One morning, this girl was minding her own business when, suddenly, a great warrior of light appeared—right there, in her bedroom. He was Gabriel and he was an angel, a special messenger from heaven. When she saw the tall shining man standing there, Mary was frightened. “You don’t need to be scared,” Gabriel said. “God is very happy with you!” Mary looked around to see if perhaps he was talking to someone else. “Mary,” Gabriel said, and he laughed with such gladness that Mary’s eyes fiilled with sudden tears. “Mary, you’re going to have a baby. A little boy. You will call him Jesus. He is God’s own Son. He’s the One! He’s the Rescuer!” The God who flung planets into space and kept them whirling around and around, the God who made the universe with just a word, the one who could do anything at all—was making himself small. And coming down…as a baby. Wait. God was sending a baby to rescue the world? “But it’s too wonderful!” Mary said and felt her heart beating hard. “How can it be true?” Page 11

“Is anything too wonderful for God?” Gabriel asked. So Mary trusted God more than what her eyes could see. And she believed. “I am God’s servant,” she said. “Whatever God says, I will do.” Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2010).

FAMILY DISCUSSION 1. How would you feel if you were playing in your bedroom and an angel suddenly appeared? How do you think Mary felt? 2. What did the angel tell Mary? Was it good news or bad news? 3. The angel told Mary he had some really good news. What was the really good news? 4. How did Mary respond to the really good news? 5. How should we respond to this really good news today?

FAMILY PRAYER Take a few moments to pray together celebrating the really good news that God gave to Mary.

FAMILY ACTIVITY BIG IDEA: Jesus is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Parents, as you consider the birth of Jesus, plan a fun family celebration this week! Pick an evening to cook your family’s favorite meal, or go to your favorite restaurant. Whatever you do, don’t forget dessert! Page 12

After you have enjoyed the meal, have everyone share what their favorite gift has been through the years. What were they? Why were you so excited to receive them? Do you still have them? Could you see yourselves ever giving those gifts away? Remind your children that, during Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift ever given, Jesus. The gift that will never break, never get lost, and never need to be replaced.

Page 13

SHEPHERDS — W EE K TH R E E —

If the birth of our Lord was unremarkable, the announcement of his birth was even more unremarkable. You almost get the idea that the angels were eager to broadcast the news. The fabric of history had been ripped open, and the event threatened to escape the world’s notice. They longed to provide the visible fanfare that was absent, but God said, “No.” Rather than dazzle the world in a fashion worthy of the moment, God limits the display to a lonely hillside, a short hike from the village of Bethlehem. While David had been a shepherd, and Abraham a shepherd before him, shepherds were a remnant of an all too humble past. When the Good Shepherd entered the world, shepherds were little more than social outcasts in a culture that had long since forgotten its roots. They were ritually unclean, socially uncouth, and (despite of their best effforts) could never rid themselves of the lingering aroma of their wooly companions. They smelled like sheep, told offfcolor jokes, and were always last to be invited to the party. Yet, God chose to announce the birth of His son neither to priests nor kings but to shepherds. Don’t miss the words, “to you.” “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.” The birth of Jesus was more than an event; it was a gift—a gift from God Himself. The angels told the shepherds, “God did this for you and people like you...people whom the world has forgotten but whom God will never forget.” Page 14

Luke allows us to participate from afar in what was without a doubt, the most spectacular display this world has ever witnessed. Some might say it was wasted on the shepherds. God thought otherwise.

A READING FROM SCRIPTURE 8

And there were shepherds living out in the fiields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrifiied. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will fiind a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16

So they hurried offf and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. — LUKE 2:8-20

CONSIDER 1. How might you have expected God to announce the birth of his son? Page 15

2. Why do you think he chose to announce Jesus’s birth to shepherds rather than to kings or priests? 3. What does this story tell you about the heart of God? 4. How is the gospel good news of great joy for you this season?

PRAY AND REFLECT Spend a few moments reflecting on the truths of this passage and responding to God in prayer.

Page 16

FAMILY GUIDE A READING FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE “Light of the World” | Page 184 THAT SAME NIGHT, in amongst the other stars, suddenly a bright new star appeared. Of all the stars in the dark vaulted heavens, this one shone clearer. It blazed in the night and made the other stars look pale beside it. God put it there when his baby Son was born—to be like a spotlight. Shining on him. Lighting up the darkness. Showing people the way to him. You see, God was like a new daddy—he couldn’t keep the good news to himself. He’d been waiting all these long years for this moment, and now he wanted to tell everyone. So he pulled out all the stops. He’d sent an angel to tell Mary the good news. He’d put a special star in the sky to show where his boy was. And now he was going to send a big choir of angels to sing his happy song to the world: He’s here! He’s come! Go and see him. My little Boy. Now where would you send your splendid choir? To a big concert hall maybe? Or a palace perhaps? God sent his to a little hillside, outside a little town, in the middle of the night. He sent all those angels to sing for a raggedy old bunch of shepherds watching their sheep outside Bethlehem. In those days, remember, people used to laugh at shepherds and say they were smelly and call them other rude names (which I can’t possibly mention here). You see, people thought shepherds were nobodies, just scrufffy old rifff-rafff. But God must have thought shepherds were very important indeed, because they’re the ones he chose to tell the good news to fiirst. That night some shepherds were out in the open fiields, warming themselves by a campfiire, when suddenly the sheep darted. They were frightened by something. The olive trees rustled. What was that…A wing beat? They turned around. Standing in front of them was a huge warrior of light, blazing in the darkness. “Don’t be afraid of me!” the bright shining man said. “I haven’t come to hurt you. I’ve come to bring you happy news for everyone everywhere. Today, in David’s town, in Bethlehem, God’s Son has been born! Page 17

You can go and see him. He is sleeping in a manger.” Behind the angel they saw a strange glowing cloud—except it wasn’t a cloud, it was angels…troops and troops of angels, armed with light! And they were singing a beautiful song: “Glory to God! To God be Fame and Honor and all our Hoorays!” Then as quickly as they appeared, the angels left. The shepherds stamped out their fiire, left their sheep, raced down the grassy hill, through the gates of Bethlehem, down the narrow cobble streets, through a courtyard, down some step, step, steps, past an inn, round a corner, through a hedge, until, at last, they reached…a tumbledown stable. They caught their breath. Then quietly, they tiptoed inside. They knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard about this Promised Child and now he was here. Heaven’s Son. The Maker of the Stars. A baby sleeping in his mother’s arms. This baby would be like that bright star shining in the sky that night. A Light to light up the whole world. Chasing away darkness. Helping people to see. And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine. Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2010).

FAMILY DISCUSSION 1. If you had really important news, who is the fiirst person you would tell? 2. Who were the people God told about the birth of his son? 3. Why do you think God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to a handful of shepherds? 4. After the angels left, what is the fiirst thing the shepherds did? 5. What are some things we can do to celebrate Jesus’s birth? Page 18

FAMILY PRAYER Take a few moments to pray together celebrating the good news that God has sent his Son to rescue us.

FAMILY ACTIVITY BIG IDEA: Jesus is the true light who has come into the darkness to rescue us. In the southwest, people create special lights called “Luminarias” to prepare for the coming of Christ. The Luminarias line their sidewalks and driveways to welcome Christ into their homes. Parents, as you consider how Jesus came to be the light of the world, create some Luminarias and place them in front of your house. You might want to do a Google search for Luminarias to help you imagine the possibilities. You will need some paper lunch bags, tea light candles (real or battery-operated), and sand. Place one cup of sand in the bottom of each lunch bag. Place the candle in the bottom of the sack toward the center. Light the candle and place them along the sidewalk. After you have set out your Luminarias take a walk through your neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. When you return, grab some hot chocolate and take a few minutes to talk about light. Why is light important? What does light do? What would you do without it? Describe to them how Jesus came to bring light into a dark world.

Page 19

THE MAGI — W EE K FO U R —

What are we to make of the Magi? The song describes them as three kings from the orient. We have no idea how many there really were, and whatever else they might have been, they were defiinitely not kings. Our best clue is Daniel. You’ll remember that Daniel was one of the young nobles from Jerusalem who was taken captive and compelled to serve the king of Babylon. Daniel and his companions distinguished themselves through a series of events involving healthy eating habits, vivid dreams, fiiery furnaces, and lion’s dens. They were elevated to the highest positions in the land. Daniel was placed over the province of Babylon and all of her wise men. There you have it. The wise men were known as “Magi.” By and large, they were astrologers who looked to the heavens in order to discern whether or not the omens were in the king’s favor. Daniel, of course, never looked to the stars. He looked to the one who made the stars. He must have quietly laughed to himself, every time they thought they were onto something. Daniel probably shared his dreams and visions with them. Visions of a kingdom that would bring an end to all kingdoms, and a king who would reign over all the nations of the earth—one like a son of man coming on the clouds of heaven. Page 20

Since the Magi looked to the stars, God gave them a star. Kind of an incredible star when you think about it. It actually came to rest over the home where Mary and Joseph were staying. When they arrive, they are not simply bearing gifts, the gifts they bear are a form of royal tribute. They were not only honoring the one who was born to be the “King of the Jews,” they are paying homage to the one who would one day rule the world in grace and peace.

A READING FROM SCRIPTURE After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 4

6

“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you fiind him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. — MATTHEW 2:1-12

Page 21

CONSIDER 1. What is signifiicant about the fact that people from other nations (and religious backgrounds) are coming to worship the King of the Jews? 2. Why do you think Herod is threatened by Jesus’s presence? 3. How should your response to the Shepherd-King resemble that of the Magi?

PRAY AND REFLECT Spend a few moments reflecting on the truths of this passage and responding to God in prayer.

Page 22

FAMILY GUIDE A READING FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE The King of All Kings | Page 192 FAR AWAY, in the East, three clever men saw the very same star. The star that God had put in the sky when Jesus was born. They knew it was a sign. A baby king had been born. They had been waiting for this star. They knew it would come. “He’s here!” they shouted. “He’s here!” (And I’m sure if you’d been there, you would have heard them laughing and dancing and singing until the sun came up!) At dawn, they packed up their camels and wrapped gifts for the baby. They brought their most precious treasures of all: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. Special, sparkly, lovely-smelling, gleaming things—just right for a king. The three Wise Men (actually, if you’d met them, you’d have thought they were kings because they were so rich and clever and important looking) set offf. They rode their camels…Across endless deserts…Up steep, steep mountains…Down into deep, deep valleys…Through raging rivers…Over grassy plains…night and day, and day and night, for hours that turned into days, that turned into weeks, that turned into months and months, until, at last, they reached…Jerusalem. Jerusalem was by far the most important city for miles around and, as anyone can tell you, that’s where a palace would be and kings are born in palaces. So that’s where they went. But they were in for a surprise. They went to see King Herod. Surely he’d know where this baby was. But he didn’t. In fact, he didn’t like the sound of a new king—it made him cross. He didn’t want anyone to be king, except him. But Herod’s advisors told the three Wise Men what was written in their books—what God had said about the baby king: “Go to Bethlehem. That’s where you’ll fiind him.” Suddenly the star they had seen in the East started moving again, showing them the way. So the three Wise Men followed the star out of the big city, along the road, into the little town of Bethlehem. They followed the star through the Page 23

streets of Bethlehem, out of the nice part of town, through the not-so-nice part of town, into the really-not-nice-at-all part of town, down a little dirt track, until it stopped right over…a little house. But wait. It wasn’t a palace. And there weren’t any guards. Or servants. Or flags. Or red carpets. Or trumpets. Or anything. Did they get it wrong? Or was this what God meant? Sure enough, in that little house—there, sitting on his mother’s knee—they found him. The baby King. The three men knelt before the little King. They took offf their rich royal turbans and gleaming, golden crowns. They bowed their noble heads to the ground and gave him their sparkling treasures. The journey that had begun so many centuries before had led three Wise Men here. To a little town. To a little house. To a little child. To the King God had promised David all those years before. But this child was a new kind of king. Though he was the Prince of Heaven, he had become poor. Though he was the Mighty God, he had become a helpless baby. This King hadn’t come to be the boss. He had come to be a servant. Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2010).

FAMILY DISCUSSION 1. Why do you think the Wise Men traveled over mountains, valleys, and rivers to see King Jesus? 2. Why do you think the Wise Men brought their most precious treasures and gave them to Jesus? Why was Jesus so special? 3. If you would have been one of the Wise Men, what precious treasure would you have given to Jesus? 4. Even though the Wise Men gave Jesus some great gifts, Jesus is actually the greatest gift ever given. Why is Jesus better than any gift you will ever receive?

Page 24

FAMILY PRAYER Take a few moments to pray together celebrating the greatest gift, Jesus.

FAMILY ACTIVITY BIG IDEA: We give gifts to others because we have been given the greatest gift, Jesus. Parents, as you consider the three Wise Men and the gifts they gave to Jesus, plan to make some gifts to give to others this week. You could go shopping for toys to donate to a local charity or bake Christmas cookies to share with your neighbors and friends. After you have delivered your gifts, take a few minutes to ask your children about the importance of giving to others. Ask them what they enjoyed most about picking out gifts for other children or delivering cookies to your neighbors. Remind them that it is important for us to give to others because Christ gave so much for us.

Page 25

JESUS — CH RI ST MAS E VE —

If it were not enough for Jesus to be born into the coarse hands of a carpenter and cling to the breast of a young peasant girl, his birth took place miles from the comfort of friends and family. Micah had written, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Bethlehem would have been the last thing on Mary and Joseph’s mind, but God moved heaven and earth to fulfiill his promises in exactly the way he promised he would fulfiill them. Caesar demanded a census, and Quirinius conducted the census according to Jewish custom, requiring people to return to their ancestral home. So, Joseph and Mary packed their meager belongings and made their way to Bethlehem. When they arrived, the road weary couple were compelled to convert the space normally occupied by farm animals into a make shift nursery. The baby was swaddled and laid to rest in a feeding trough. So there he laid—the one who spoke the universe into being, wrapped in rags, sharing space with donkeys, sheep and goats—all created by Him. Humble does not even begin to describe the way our Lord entered the world.

Page 26

A READING FROM SCRIPTURE In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the fiirst census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her fiirstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. — LUKE 2:1-7

CONSIDER 1. The birth of Jesus was not flashy or extravagant. In fact, Luke simply says, “She gave birth to her fiirstborn, a son…wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” What do the circumstances surrounding Christ’s birth reveal about the heart of God? 2. How does this story challenge you to reorient your heart and life during this Advent season?

PRAY AND REFLECT Spend a few moments reflecting on the truths of this passage and responding to God in prayer.

Page 27

FAMILY GUIDE A READING FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE He is Here! | Page 176 Now, Mary and Joseph had to take a trip to Bethlehem, the town King David was from. But when they reached the little town, they found every room was full. Every bed was taken. “Go away!” the innkeepers told them. “There isn’t any place for you.” Where would they stay? Soon Mary’s baby would come. They couldn’t fiind anywhere except an old, tumbledown stable. So they stayed where the cows and the donkeys and the horses stayed. And there, in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift. The baby that would change the world was born. His baby Son. Mary and Joseph wrapped him up to keep him warm. They made a soft bed of straw and used the animals’ feeding trough as his cradle. And they gazed in wonder at God’s Great Gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus, “Emmanuel”—which means “God has come to live with us.” Because, of course, he had. Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2010).

FAMILY DISCUSSION Take a few moments to tell your children why you are thankful for the birth of Jesus. Ask them why they are thankful for the birth of Jesus too.

FAMILY PRAYER Take a few moments to pray together thanking God for the birth of Jesus.

Page 28

FAMILY ACTIVITY BIG IDEA: Jesus, our Rescuer, has come. Attend a Christmas Eve service as a family in order to worship Jesus together. On your way home, share one thing that you love about Jesus with one another.

Page 29

THE RETURN — W EE K FI V E —

C. S. Lewis once mused, “If we fiind ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” We all live with the nagging suspicion that nothing is precisely as it should be. We long for more from ourselves, the world around us, and the people we love. We build comfortable homes but never quite feel at home. We surround ourselves with friends and family but live in fear that they might not love us if they only knew who we really were. We gather for worship but feel strangely distant from the God we worship and the people we worship with. The bottom line is we are broken people living in a broken world where we experience glimpses of God’s glory, but nothing is as it should be. Through the gospel, Christ rescues us from our sin and brokenness. He begins to restore everything we’ve lost to the ravages of sin, but we will not be everything God created us to be—our world will not be everything God created it to be—until Christ returns and completes the work he began in us when we received him as Lord. Theologians often describe our current experience with the terms “already, but not yet.” We have already received fullness in Christ, but we will not experience his fullness in all of its fullness until he returns and makes all things new. Page 30

John captures the thought beautifully, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are …what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Colorado is nice, but it will pale in comparison to what God has in store for us.

A READING FROM SCRIPTURE Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the fiirst heaven and the fiirst earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

CONSIDER 1. What are some places in our world where you catch glimpses of God’s glory? 2. Where do you see and experience brokenness?

Page 31

3. How should the anticipation of what God has in store for us shape our experience as broken people in a broken world?

PRAY AND REFLECT Spend a few moments reflecting on the truths of this passage and responding to God in prayer.

Page 32

FAMILY GUIDE A READING FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE A Dream of Heaven | Page 342 JOHN WAS ONE OF Jesus’ helpers. He was old now and living on an island, which might sound nice except it was a prison. (The Leaders put him there to stop him from talking about Jesus, but I’m sure you don’t think a little thing like being in a cell, in a prison, on an island, in the middle of an ocean, could stop God’s Plan, do you?) One morning, Jesus appeared—right there, in John’s cell. Jesus’ eyes were bright, shining like the sun. “I am going to show you a secret, John,” Jesus said, “about when I come back.” His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. “Write down what you see so God’s children can read it, and wait with happy excitement.” Then Jesus gave John a beautiful dream—except John was wide awake and what he saw was real and one day it would all come true… I see a throne. And on the throne is a king. And the King is Jesus. All around the throne people are bowing down. They are giving him their treasures. There are loud cheers and clapping, clapping and bright laughter like a thousand waterfalls and everyone bursts out singing a new song… “This is our King! The Lamb who died, so we don’t have to – our Rescuer. All Honor and Glory! Forever and ever.” And every creature everywhere, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, joins in. And I see Satan – God’s horrible enemy – thrown down, defeated. I see a sparkling city shimmering in the sky: glittering, glowing – coming down! From heaven. And from the sky. Heaven is coming down to earth! God’s city is beautiful. Walls of topaz, jasper, sapphire. Wide streets paved with gold. Gleaming pearl gates that are never locked shut. Where is the sun? Where is the moon? They aren’t needed anymore. God is all the Light people need. No more darkness! No more night! Page 33

And the King says, “Look! God and his children are together again. No more running away. Or hiding. No more crying or being lonely or afraid. No more being sick or dying, Because all those things are gone. Yes, they’re gone forever. Everything sad has come untrue. And see – I have wiped away every tear from every eye!” And then a deep, beautiful voice that sounded like thunder in the sky says, “Look, I am making everything new!” One day, John knew, Heaven would come down and mend God’s broken world and make it our true, perfect home once again. And he knew then that the ending of The Story was going to be so great, it would make all the sadness and tears and everything seem like just a shadow that is chased away by the morning sun. “I’m on my way,” said Jesus. “I’ll be there soon!” Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz, 2010).

FAMILY DISCUSSION 1. Do you remember a time when you were really sad? What happened that made you so sad? 2. Have you ever broken a toy or lost something important to you? How did it make you feel? 3. In our story we saw that God is making everything new by removing sadness and fiixing broken things What are some things you can’t wait to see God fiix and make new?

FAMILY PRAYER Take a few moments to pray together thanking God that he is going to make everything new.

Page 34

FAMILY ACTIVITY BIG IDEA: One day Jesus is coming back to complete his work and make everything new. Parents, as you consider the return of Christ and the new heavens and new earth, we have created an activity that will help you talk with your children about all the things God will make new. Our reading reminds us that there will be no more sickness, tears, or death, and the people of God will be with God, worshiping him forever. Head over to https://christ-church.com/advent2018 and follow the download instructions to get your PDF. Print the PDF, cut out the images, and put them in a bag. Have your child grab one image at a time from the bag. Talk to your children about what the image represents and ask them if it will be in the new heavens and new earth. Images: King Jesus, People, Music, No More Sickness, No More Tears, and No More Death.

Page 35

Even So...Come Lord Jesus

Page 36

C H R I S T- C H U R C H . C O M 2 0 1 C H U R C H PA R K R D . C E D A R PA R K , T X 7 8 6 1 3