Week 5: December 6–12 Key of Opening Blessed are you, O God of ; You have come to your people and set them free.

Readings

Sunday Key of David Key 22:22 Questions for reflection: ● Isaiah’s oracle in chapter 22 refers to a servant of God who is a steward, who takes care of the things that belong to God - how do we steward those things that God has given us to take care of? ● How does Jesus set us free?

Monday Shepherds Shepherd’s crook Psalm 23 Questions for reflection: ● The words of Psalm 23 convey deep trust in God, even as we walk in the valley of the shadow of death - where do you find strength to trust in God? ● Jesus prayed the psalms as well - what might this psalm have meant to Jesus?

Tuesday King David Crown 2 Samuel 5:1-5 Questions for reflection: ● David’s forty-year reign in Israel was a mixture of faithfulness to God as well as falling short. How does God use us even when we fall short? ● David makes a covenant with the people, just as God makes a covenant with Israel and with us - what does the idea of covenant mean to you?

Wednesday Temple 1 Kings 3:3-28 Questions for reflection: ● Solomon asks God for help, for wisdom in the work he is called to do - what would you ask from God to help you do the work you are called to do? ● What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?

Thursday Elijah & the Raven Elijah & raven 1 Kings 17:1-16 Questions for reflection: ● The ravens fed Elijah in the wilderness - how are we sustained by the earth and its creatures? ● How do we pass on the blessings we have received to others, as Elijah did for the widow of Zarephath?

Friday Elisha & healing Hand & dove 2 Kings 5:1-27 Questions for reflection: ● How are bodily, emotional, and spiritual health related to each other? ● How do you believe God is involved in our healing on various levels?

Saturday Isaiah in the temple Scroll :1-8 Questions for reflection: ● In Isaiah’s vision, God is depicted as sitting on a throne, filling the whole temple. What does this description mean to you? What images are meaningful to you as you think about who God is? ● Have you had an experience of God’s presence that changed your life?

Ornament-making & Reflection

Prayer Collect for Advent 5 Gracious God, your Son Jesus Christ opened wide the gate of heaven, making plain the way that leads to eternal joy: Grant that we who have been buried with Christ in baptism and raised to new life may strive courageously for the freedom and peace of the world; through the same your Son, Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.

With children Dear God, your Son Jesus came so that all people might be free in body, mind, and spirit. Be with people who are in prison or feeling trapped in any way, and help us to work for freedom everywhere we are. Amen.

Song Verse 5 (Key of David) of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Closing Blessed are you, O God of Israel; You have come to your people and set them free.

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