Advent: A Time of Joy
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” 13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: 14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.” 15 After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay. 17 When the shepherds saw Jesus, they told his parents what the angel had said about him. 18 Everyone listened and was surprised. 19 But Mary kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant. 20 As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said.
Luke 2:8-20
10 If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him. 11 I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am. 12 Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you.
John 15:10–12
Memory Verse
Luke 2:10-11
10 But the angel said, “Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.
When was the last time God did an extraordinary thing in your life? Are you waiting for God to do something amazing?
In the reading today, the shepherds probably couldn’t wait for morning to come. Night was a dangerous time for sheep. They might wander off in the darkness, and more predators hunt at night. So these low-paid workers eagerly waited for the early morning sun to make things easier for them. Instead, they experienced something totally unexpected and really big: first, an angel appeared and announced to them joyful news about a newborn Savior, and then a sky full of angels praised God. Overwhelmed with joy, they ran to meet this wonderful baby, and then they spread the word, glorifying and praising God. God had changed everything!
Maybe God did something really big in your life, like answer a prayer in a huge way. Maybe you were going through a really tough time and an unexpected blessing came just at the right moment. When we can point to something amazing God did, we’re awestruck and filled with praise for God.
But maybe that hasn’t been your experience. Maybe when someone asks you about your day, you respond with, “Nothing special.” And yet, God is at work, even when we don’t always see it. We don’t always expect God to show up and bless us, but we should, because that’s what God does. Maybe it’s a small thing, like a friend saying something kind when you really need it. Maybe it’s a beautiful early morning sunrise. What has God done today that brought you joy? What makes you want to glorify and praise him? Look for God’s blessings and anticipate that he will do something. He always does!
Prayer
God in the highest heavens, thank you for all your blessings. Help us to be on the lookout for the ways that you are working in our lives and in the world. Help us walk in joy during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for Jesus’ coming. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.Related Resources
Ron VandenBurg
Senior Producer of Children’s Ministry at ReFrame Ministries
Ron VandenBurg joined the ReFrame Ministries team in 2014. He plans and develops projects specifically for the spiritual formation of children. Before coming to ReFrame, Ron taught middle-school for 27 years. Ron completed a M. Ed. degree in Teaching, Learning and Development at Brock University. Ron and Rachel have three fantastic adult children and one grandchild and reside in Ontario.