Advent Week 3
Week 2 was decidedly better than week 1. Onward! If you’ve got young kids and you don’t mind a non-committal collection of Bible translations, this might be for you!
Week 3 is the Week of JOY
Day 1 — Isaiah 12:6 (MSG)
“Sing praise-songs to God. He’s done it all!
Let the whole earth know what he’s done!
Raise the roof! Sing your hearts out, O Zion!
The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel.”
Day 2 — Luke 2:8-12 (MSG)
“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
Day 3 — Isaiah 35:10 (NLT)
“Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.”
Day 4 — Isaiah 9:3 (MSG)
“You repopulated the nation,
you expanded its joy.
Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!
Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.”
Day 5 — Psalm 47:1 (CEB)
“Clap your hands, all you people!
Shout joyfully to God with a joyous shout!”
Day 6 — Psalm 28:7 (MSG)
“Blessed be God—
he heard me praying.
He proved he’s on my side;
I’ve thrown my lot in with him.
Now I’m jumping for joy,
and shouting and singing my thanks to him.”
Day 7
For the final day of the week we will look back over the week and talk about where we saw, felt or shared joy. I’m hoping to tell the boys about my grandmother, Pat, who was known for her joy all her life. She wrote her life story so I’d like to look up the part where she talks about her joyfulness as child and read it to the boys. There is so much that they can live into that was set in motion by their great-grandmother. What a gift.
Music
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Jesu, joy of man’s desiring
Holy wisdom, love most bright
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
With the fire of life impassioned
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
——-
Other Advent Posts
Week 1: Waiting with Kids
Week 2: Waiting with Kids… Turns Out It’s Kinda Hard!