Advent: A Time of Love
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.
Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:13-15
Memory Verse
While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (CEV)
Angels are cool. Did you ever wonder about angels?
As you read the Christmas story, listen to the angels. Each time an angel speaks, notice that the angel describes Jesus and tells how God will change the world. The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that his son John would “get people ready for the Lord.” Gabriel described Jesus to Mary as “the Son of God Most High.” Joseph heard from an angel in a dream that Jesus “will save his people from their sins.” To the shepherds in the fields, the angel described the baby as their Savior, so the shepherds couldn’t wait to go and meet him.
Much later, Jesus himself proclaimed the full meaning of the angels’ announcements saying, “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16). All the angels’ messages showed God’s unending love. Through the angels, God revealed his plan, introduced his Son, and showed his love for his people.
Take time today to enjoy the love that God offers. Let’s remember to love others as God loved us when he gave us his most precious gift.
Prayer
Savior God, help us to put you first in our lives so that we may know your love and show it in our lives. Teach us to love. Help us walk in your love 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.