Advent Devotions Week 3: Joy
Joy to the World! This week is all about joy! Light your pink candle each evening as you read scripture and talk with your kids about what it means to have joy at Christmas.
Monday - Luke 2:8-24. It still brings tears to my eyes when I see Linus recite this scripture on tv each year! It is important to remember that the immediate joy that was felt at Jesus' birth was short-lived. Soon after, Mary and Joseph would flee to Egypt with their baby boy. And in 33 short years the crowds would demand his death. He just wasn't the kind of savior the people wanted. He was poor, humble, peaceful, and prefered the company of sinners. But the momentus event of God becoming man would bring joy that would last into the ages, as we light the candle of joy today, more than 2,000 years later. Pray together, thanking God for knowing better than us what kind of savior we needed. Tell him you celebrate this season with great joy!
Tuesday - 1 Lohn 1:3-4. Presents, big family dinners, and time off of work and school bring us joy that lasts a little while. It's why Christmas has remained a beloved holiday even for folks who don't know Jesus. But Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection gives a joy that is everlasting! Read these verses with your kids. Explain to them that John wasn't writing this letter to any particular person or church. He was writing to any and all Christians--which includes us today! When you pray today, thank God for the apostle John, who knew Jesus personally and left behind a letter addressed to us, so that we may fully share in his joy.
Wednesday - Psalm 9:1-2. When I read these verses, I can't help but think of Christmas. We tell of the marvelous things he has done with Nativity scenes and Christmas pageants. We sing praises to his name when we sing Christmas carols every week leading up to the big day! If your kids attend Kid's Church or have been to VBS here, they'll know who the Go Fish Guys are. Click on this link to sing a new version of a great traditional Christmas praise song to the Most High!
Thursday - Philippians 3:1. Read this verse together. Point out Paul's words, "whatever happens." Explain to your kids that Paul was saying bad things will come. Conflct, anger, sadness, getting our feelings hurt, etc. But "whatever happens," we are to rejoice in the Lord. Have any of those bad things happened to anyone in your family lately? How can you work through it to rejoice in the Lord no matter what? When you pray today, ask God for help in having joy despite the yucky stuff, like Paul did.
Friday - Isaiah 35:10. Isaiah was the prophet who knew more about the coming King than any other. He looked forward with great anticipation to this "everlasting joy." How exciting is it that we sit here today, completely ransomed and filled with the joy and gladness that Isaiah only dreamed of? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving today for what God did for you and your family when he sent Jesus to save us.