LONG EXPECTED 2017 ADVENT GUIDE Introduction ‘I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near: a Star shall come out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.’ Numbers 24:17 This guide goes through the week after Christmas so be sure to continue Prophecies like Numbers 24:17 and Zechariah 6:12-13 filled the Jewish reading after Christmas. Each devotional may also include discussion people with a hope that God would one day send a Deliverer. The questions, accompanying song suggestions, daily readings for the star, the branch, and the scepter became symbols associated with this remainder of the week, and directions for parents hoping to lead their messianic figure who would fill the roles of Prophet, Priest and King. families in a time of worship (although you certainly can utilize the Prophet: The One who reflects the Light of God’s Word (star). Priest: Family Worship section even if you aren’t married or don’t have kids!). The One interceding on our behalf and through whom we are grafted Most of the activities suggested for each week’s Family Worship time can in as God’s children (branch). King: The One who will reign over all be planned the week of, however, please take note of Week 4’s activity creation forevermore (scepter). The season of Advent (meaning “arrival” as that one may require a little bit of advanced planning if you hope or “coming”) is a time when the Church rejoices over the first coming of to accomplish it the week before Christmas. The second section is a Jesus, this long expected Messiah, who humbled Himself by entering our list of Additional Resources. We would recommend checking out the world as a little baby. It’s a joyful time as we reflect on the truth that that Additional Resource section before you begin this guide in case you little baby in a manger is our Prophet, Priest and King. Advent is also want to incorporate any of these resources and suggestions for the a time when we watch and wait for His second coming, when He will coming weeks. victoriously return to judge the living and the dead. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! But because of all the hustle and bustle that comes this time of year, Thank You it can quickly change from being the most wonderful to the most for taking the time to work through this guide during the Advent season. stressful. So our hope is that the devotionals and resources contained We pray that the Lord might use it to grow each of us in the grace and in this guide will help direct our eyes back to Jesus; the “reason for the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. season.” Additionally, we hope this guide will assist parents in leading and discipling their children well in the midst of the bombardment of ‘And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the Man whose commercialism we all face, and also encourage the establishing of God- name is the Branch: for He shall branch out from His place, and He glorifying, fun and memorable traditions in the home. shall build the temple of the Lord. It is He who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on His throne. This guide is laid out in 2 sections. The first section contains the Advent And there shall be a Priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall devotionals. These devotionals are intended to be read one a week on be between them both.”’ — Zechariah 6:12-13 Sunday for six consecutive Sundays, starting the first Sunday of Advent, as well as Christmas Day. Week One DISCUSSION QUESTIONS THE MAN OF HOPE | HEBREWS 2 1.) What about being human makes us more valuable than angels? “What is man, that you are mindful of him…?” This is the 3:15), displaying His mercy and kindness by honoring the most natural response for us to give upon hearing the good value He placed on them before the foundation of news of the coming of our Lord. It’s natural because we the world. easily observe the many wonders of God’s creation every day, from the vibrant colors of the fruit in the produce So, we are given this hope, the hope in the coming of the 2.) How does Genesis 3 shape the way we aisle at the store to the birds chirping outside the kitchen second Adam, Jesus Christ. He did not come for the sake think about Christmas? window. We are naturally struck with awe and wonder by a of angels (Heb. 2:5, 16), but for the redemption of flesh mountaintop view or contemplating the depths of the sea and blood. God, the creator and sustainer of all life, became upon finding a tiny shark’s tooth on the shore of a beach. a man so that through His death on a tree, a tree that He God’s creation often serves to humble us into understanding spoke into existence, He may redeem all His sons and that we are merely just men. So what value is in man that daughters and defeat the curse of death that we brought the God of all creation would be mindful of us? upon ourselves (Heb. 2:14, 17-18). Such hope is only 3.) Is it enough to believe that Jesus is God? realized once we put our “trust in Him” (2:13), by “Him” I The answer to this question is actually quite ironic: the mean the Man who Charles Spurgeon describes in this way: value that God sees in man has nothing to do with man’s accomplishments, but instead has everything to do with “My Master will not be satisfied with the acknowledgment who God is. In Genesis 1, we are given the creation account that His character is lovely, His doctrine pure, and His and in it we see God speaking everything into being (v. 3, moral teaching super – excellent. He will not be content 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). Man is set apart from the rest of with your admission that He is a Prophet greater than any creation in that 1) he was made in the very image of God (v. prophet who ever came before or after Him. He will not rest 27), and 2) God breathed the breath of life into this creature satisfied with your admission that He is a Teacher sent from (2:7). God was mindful of Adam/mankind before Adam Heaven, and a being who, on account of His virtues, is now even existed, and yet upon his existence he provided no peculiarly exalted in Heaven. added value by his conduct but instead perverted this innate value through the corruption of sin in the fall (Gen. 3). All this is true, but it is not the whole truth; you must also believe that He who, as man, was born of the Virgin, and In that moment, when Adam and Eve are hiding from was dandled upon her lap at Bethlehem, was, as God, none God, mankind displays no true value: he is weak, guilty, other than the everlasting Lord, without beginning of days and altogether useless. In response to Adam’s rebellion or end of years. You do not receive Christ in very deed and against Him, God did not respond like we might expect truth unless you believe in His real humanity and actual an omnipotent Judge to respond to a cosmic crime of Godhead… So, in order to be saved by Him, you must disobedience by destroying mankind and starting all over receive Christ as being God as well as man.” again. But God, in His anger towards their sin, responds with justice and grace in offering up His own Son (Gen. DAILY READINGS FEATURED SONG Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Monday: Genesis 1:1-13 Tuesday: Genesis 1:14-23 Wednesday: Genesis 1:24-2:3 Verse 1 Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy Thursday: Genesis 2:7-9, 15-18, 21-25 people free; From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest Friday: Genesis 3:1-13 in Thee. Saturday: Genesis 3:14-24 Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Verse 2 FAMILY WORSHIP Joy to those who long to see thee, Dayspring from on high, appear; ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Come, thou promised Rod of Jesse, of thy birth we long t - Explain to your children that each candle represents the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and finally Jesus o hear! - Have someone light the first candle and explain how the first candle represents Hope O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth; “Go to him, your praises bringing; Christ the Lord has come STUDY GOD’S WORD to earth.” - If you have already led the devotional time then re-read Hebrews 2:14-18. If not, now is a good time to lead your Verse 3 family in that. Come to earth to taste our sadness, he whose glories - Talk to your children about the importance/need for Christ to ‘be made like His brothers’. knew no end; - Who does Jesus help? By his life he brings us gladness, our Redeemer, - Talk with your kids about how because of sin we live in darkness, but because of Jesus we have hope.