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Alpha & Omega Messiah Wonderful Counselor 1 ALPHA & OMEGA 2 MESSIAH 3 WONDERFUL COUNSELOR 4 MIGHTY GOD 5 EVERLASTING FATHER 6 PRINCE OF PEACE 7 SON OF GOD 8 SON OF MAN 9 SERVANT 10 JESUS 11 SHIELD 12 LORD 13 THE WAY, THE TRUTH, & THE LIFE 14 IMMANUAL 15 TEACHER 16 FRIEND 17 SHEPHERD 18 THE CORNERSTONE 19 CREATOR 20 KING OF KINGS 21 SAVIOR 22 THE RESURRECTION & THE LIFE 23 LAMB OF GOD 24 LIGHT OF THE WORLD 25 INDESCRIBABLE GIFT November 29 ADVENT The Names of Jesus Mark 1:3 Get the road ready for the Lord How many of you have ever asked, “How many days until Christmas?” There is so much excitement, joy and anticipation, that it’s hard to hold it all together. Today we begin the season of Advent. Advent means, “it’s coming.” It is the time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas and it’s also a reminder that Jesus will come again. Advent includes the 4 Sundays that are before Christmas. This may seem like a long time to wait, and for some of us it is. But imagine how people like Adam and Eve, Moses, Noah, or Abraham felt. They had to wait thousands of years before that first Christmas. That time when God’s promise to send a Savior to take away the sins of the world would happen. Today we fill our days of waiting with shopping, decorating, baking, and parties. Before Jesus was born, people remembered, waited, and wondered when the Savior would come. Their spiritual lives were focused on the arrival of the One that God would send. Finally, on the first Christmas night in Bethlehem, God’s plan was fulfilled. Everyone in the stable that night knew the waiting was over, so they shared the Good News with great joy. So this Advent, with all the distractions that are thrown our way, let us set aside time to focus on the gift that was given to us so many years ago in that little town of Bethlehem, Jesus. We invite you to use the included strips of paper to create an Advent Paper Chain. Then, use that chain and these daily devotions to learn more about Jesus and count down to the birth of our Savior. Starting December 1st, this daily Family Advent Activity will explore the different names of Jesus. Did you know that there are over 100 names, titles and descriptions that can help us better understand and get to know our amazing, awesome God? By knowing more about Jesus, it will help us to prepare our hearts to receive Him this Christmas, to look forward to Easter, and to prepare for when He comes again! Let us fill our hearts so that we are able to share His love and joy with those around us. Dear Father- Please fill our hearts with the joy that only Jesus can give. Please help us prepare our hearts and homes as we keep our eyes on Jesus and help us to share that love and joy with others. AMEN! Have you ever waited for something for a long time? Was it hard to be patient? December 1 ALPHA & OMEGA Revelations 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. When the teacher says it is time to line up, there is always a hurried rush as everyone tries to be first. Very few people like to be last in line, or picked last for a team. There’s something about being first. Today we will see how Jesus makes being first AND last a great thing! The New Testament was written in Greek. Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Omega is the 24th and last letter of the alphabet. So, Jesus is our first and our last. Jesus was there at the beginning of time, during creation. He also promised to come back at the end of time so that we can live with Him in heaven. He died and rose. He is the answer to our eternal life. While Jesus is our first and last, He is also our everything in-between. We need to follow Jesus each and every day of our life from the time we are born, to the day we go to live with Him in heaven. Dear God- Thank you for being our Alpha and Omega. For creating us and for dying on the cross and being our last! Help us to follow you each and every day of our life and to look to you for all that we need. AMEN! What is your favorite thing in all of creation? December 2 MESSIAH Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Have you ever been chosen to be part of a group or team? It is such a good feeling to be picked. We feel important and special, but when we are picked last, or forgotten about, it hurts. In the Bible we see many times where people were chosen, or anointed to do certain things. David was chosen to be king over his older brothers, Moses was chosen to lead the children of Israel out of slavery, and Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. These are big amazing jobs! Maybe we feel like we couldn’t even be considered for something so special. But, regardless of how you feel, Jesus has chosen you to be His child. When Jesus came to earth He was God’s chosen, or anointed one. That is what Messiah means. By being our Messiah He brings love, forgiveness, and life to all of us by His death and resurrection. He was chosen to free this world from the ugliness of sin, and He has already chosen us as His loved children. Dear God- Thank you that Jesus is our Messiah. Thank you that He chose us to be His children and that we are loved and forgiven. AMEN! How does it change your life to know that the Messiah has chosen you as His loved child? December 3 WONDERFUL COUNSELOR Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor… Have you ever needed advice from someone to help you solve a problem? We all need advice or council at various time of our life. We might have one or two special people that we trust and go to for help. Jesus is our counselor because we know that we can trust Him. He is filled with wisdom and understands what we are going through. He will never lead us in the wrong direction. So, take time to talk to Jesus through prayer and spend time alone with Him to hear what He has to say! Dear God- Thank you for sending Jesus to be our wonderful counselor that we can trust and come to with our problems and concerns. Thank you that He knows us, understands us and loves us. AMEN! What is something that you need Jesus’ help with today? SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: Is there a family member, friend or classmate that needs your help or encouragement? Take some time today to send a card, text or letter to them. Letting them know that you are here to help! December 4 MIGHTY GOD Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called… Mighty God I think we have all seen the commercial with the Energizer Bunny. Did you know that the Energizer battery holds the Guinness Worlds Record for the “longest-lasting, most powerful AA battery?” Even with that record, we know that at some point the batteries are going to die and our toy will stop working. We are then left with sadness and a desperate search to find more batteries. When I think of power I am reminded of the children’s song that so many of us learn in Sunday school or preschool. “Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing our God can not do!” As we sing our hearts out and do the actions, we proclaim the power of God. We see His power in creation. We rely on His power to get us through tough times. His power never runs out. He has no limits to what He can do. He is our strength. Unlike the Energizer battery, God’s power will never run out or need replacing! He is our mighty God without any limitations. We should never put God in a box! Dear God- Thank you for being strong and mighty. Help us to rely on you for everything that we need. AMEN! How have you seen God’s mighty power in your life? December 5 EVERLASTING FATHER Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called…Everlasting Father How do you spend Father’s Day? Typically, Fathers Day is spent showing and telling our fathers how much we love them. Sometimes with a nice gift or a Father's Day card. It is our way of saying thanks for the love, care, support and encouragement that they give us during the year.
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