Advent is a Christian season that begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve.

The word advent means coming and this is the emphasis of the season a time of longing. Gods people have always been a people not just of celebration, but of expectation as well. Yes we look back in celebration of Gods accomplished salvation, but at the same time we look forward in anticipation of Gods coming salvation. In the Old Testament, Israel awaited the advent of the Messiah. Christians believe the Messiah has come in the person of Jesus Christ, but now we are a people awaiting His second advent. The Advent season is a time to cultivate this expectation. We relive the anticipation of Christs first coming, and in this way we teach ourselves how to properly long for His return. Ironically this season has been turned into a season realization the time of the year where we feed our appetites and get what we want. But this was not the original intent. The longing of Advent does indeed give way to the celebration of Christmas, and Christmas is a day when we should feast and enjoy good gifts, but before joy is realized it should be longed for, and that is the design of Advent. Toward that end, I have created this simple guide that I hope will renew the purposes of Advent in our church collectively and your life individually. There is a small order of worship to be enacted each Sunday evening. The advent candles are incorporated into the liturgy, so you will need to purchase an advent wreath with advent candles, or you may choose to make your own, or just five candles will do. Also there will be an advent hymn sung. You can choose to get creative and incorporate as many instruments that are available (encourage the kids to play their toy instruments!) or you can be like the Cunninghams and awkwardly stumble through the hymns with nothing but our off-key voices. The Advent readings include some discussion questions to aid your community in spending a few minutes contemplating the significance of the text. For families with little children, you may choose to use the Advent readings from Sally Lloyd-Jones The Jesus Storybook Bible.

This time is intentionally designed with community in mind. Obviously I would encourage families to do this together, but if you are away from family please do your best to participate within community gather roommates, other college students, a small group, etc. (Families, consider inviting those from our congregation who live alone to join you each Sunday night). On page 8, you will find a nightly refrain to be used before bedtime each evening of Advent. It is written with parent/child in mind but could be adapted to be used however even individually. The aim is to end every day of advent cultivating expectations for the coming Savior. Also, I have suggested some additional activities that your family/group may want to make use of as a way to practically live out what we are celebrating during this Advent season just some simple ideas for TCPC to bear witness to Christmas! May God richly bless our church this Advent season! Come Thou long expected Jesus,

Robert Advent, 2012

Tates Creek Presbyterian Church

First Sunday of Advent (December 2)

Advent Candle (The Candle of Hope) Have a volunteer light the first candle Another volunteer reads the words of hope from Psalm 33:18-22 Advent Refrain of Hope (Psalm 39) Leader: And now, O Lord, for what do we wait Community: Our hope is in you. Advent Reading Have a volunteer read Isaiah 40:1-5 1. According to vss. 1-2, what is the comfort that is coming to Gods people? 2. How did the first advent of Jesus secure that comfort? How will the second advent of Jesus complete that comfort? 3. According to the imagery of vs. 4, what were the predicted effects of the coming Messiah? What do you think this means? (Compare vs. 4 to Marys words in Luke 1:52) Advent Reading for Little Children The Terrible Lie (pg. 28, The Jesus Storybook Bible) 1. What happened when Adam and Eve believed the snake instead of God? 2. Can you think of something that has happened to you because of the terrible lie? 3. What did God promise to do for Adam, Eve, and all of us? Advent Prayers Spend some time together in prayers of response Advent Refrain of Hope (Psalm 39) Leader: And now, O Lord, for what do we wait Community: Our hope is in you. Advent Singing Come Thou Long Expected Jesus Advent Refrain of Hope (Psalm 39) Leader: And now, O Lord, for what do we wait Community: Our hope is in you.

Advent Devotional Guide Second Sunday of Advent (December 9)

Advent Candle (The Candle of Love) Have a volunteer light the first and second candles Another volunteer reads the words of love from 1 John 4:9-12 Advent Refrain of Love (Psalm 103) Leader: As far as the heavens are above the earth Community: So great is Gods steadfast love for us. Advent Reading Have a volunteer read Zephaniah 3:14-7 1. What is the assurance upon which all these promises of love depend (look at the repeated refrain of vs. 15 and 17)? 2. Read the actions of God in vs. 17. Do you believe this is true for you? Why or why not? 3. How does Christmas assure us vs. 17 is true? Advent Reading for Little Children The Young Hero and the Horrible Giant (pg. 122) 1. It is fun to pretend to be a hero, but what would you do if you really had to face a giant? 2. What is surprising about David? Is he big and strong like most heroes? Does he have special powers and weapons? 3. The story says that many years later God would send another Hero to fight the greatest battle, who is that Hero? Advent Prayers Spend some time together in prayers of response Advent Refrain of Love (Psalm 103) Leader: As far as the heavens are above the earth Community: So great is Gods steadfast love for us. Advent Singing Away in a Manger Advent Refrain of Love (Psalm 103) Leader: As far as the heavens are above the earth Community: So great is Gods steadfast love for us.

Tates Creek Presbyterian Church Third Sunday of Advent (December 16)

*Note: Please join us for our Service of Lessons and Carols at 6:00 p.m. Advent Candle (The Candle of Joy) Have a volunteer light the first, second, and third candles Another volunteer reads the words of joy from 1 Peter 1:8 Advent Refrain of Joy (Luke 1) Leader: My soul magnifies the Lord Community: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Advent Reading Have a volunteer read Isaiah 12 1. What is that day of vss. 1 and 4? (Notice chapter 12 is a continuation of the promise of chapter 11:1) When did that day begin, do we live in that day, when will that day end? 2. According to vss. 4 and 5, what are we supposed to do with the joy of that day (Notice Luke 2:10)? How are you participating in this? Advent Reading for Little Children Operation No More Tears! (pg. 144) 1. What was Gods secret plan to rescue the world? 2. What is the difference between the Hero of this story and heroes from other stories? 3. Read the last paragraph again do you believe this story is true? Has it already taken place? Advent Prayers Spend some time together in prayers of response Advent Refrain of Joy (Luke 1) Leader: My soul magnifies the Lord Community: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Advent Singing Joy To the World Advent Refrain of Joy (Luke 1) Leader: My soul magnifies the Lord Community: My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Advent Devotional Guide Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 23)

Advent Candle (The Candle of Peace) Have a volunteer light the first, second, third, and fourth candles Another volunteer reads the words of peace from 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Advent Refrain of Peace (Luke 2) Leader: Glory to God in the highest Community: Peace on earth goodwill toward men. Advent Reading Have a volunteer read Isaiah 9:6-7 1. What is the government this child will bring and spread? (Reference his own words in Mark 1:15) 2. According to vs. 7, as this government increases what will consequently increase? 3. What does the Bible mean by Peace? Advent Reading for Little Children Get Ready! (pg. 170) 1. The people had a party and told stories from the Bible about the God who always rescues His people. What are your favorite stories from the Bible of Gods rescue? (Maybe parents could help remind them) 2. You are just 2 days away from Christmas now, what are you most excited about? 3. Could you imagine if you had to wait thousands and thousands of years for Christmas? That is how long people had been waiting for Jesus. How excited do you think they were when it was almost time? Advent Prayers Spend some time together in prayers of response Advent Refrain of Peace (Luke 2) Leader: Glory to God in the highest Community: Peace on earth goodwill toward men. Advent Singing Silent Night! Holy Night! Advent Refrain of Peace (Luke 2) Leader: Glory to God in the highest Community: Peace on earth goodwill toward men.

Tates Creek Presbyterian Church Christmas Eve (December 24)

*Note: Please join us for our Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 P.M. Advent Candle (The Candle of Christ) Have a volunteer light all five candles Another volunteer reads the news of Christs birth from Luke 1:26-35 Advent Refrain of Christ (Matthew 1) Leader: Mary shall bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus Community: For He will save His people from their sins. Advent Reading Have a volunteer read Luke 2:1-21 1. Notice the contrast between vs. 7 and vss. 9-11. What does this reveal about our God? 2. In light of vs. 19, spend some time together treasuring this scene. Let your imaginations run wild discussing the thought of God as a newborn. What does this mean for us? Advent Reading for Little Children Hes Here! (pg. 176) 1. What gifts did you get for Christmas last year? Are they broken or worn down? Are they as exciting to you as they were on Christmas day last year? Did they fix all your problems? 2. What if you could have a gift that never broke, brought you more joy and excitement each new day, and could fix all your problems? There is only one gift like that and this is the gift we celebrate on Christmas. 3. What is that gift? Advent Prayers Spend some time together in prayers of response Advent Refrain of Christ (Matthew 1) Leader: Mary shall bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus Community: For He will save His people from their sins. Advent Singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful Advent Refrain of Christ (Matthew 1) Leader: Mary shall bear a Son, and you shall call his name Jesus Community: For He will save His people from their sins.

Advent Devotional Guide Revelation Nightly Refrain (Psalm 62, Revelation 22)
Parent: For God alone my soul waits in silence Child: From God alone comes my salvation (Pause for evening prayers) Parent: Jesus said, Surely, I am coming soon. Child: Amen, come Lord Jesus

Suggested Advent Activities

Rather than purchasing an advent wreath to use during the worship times, make your own as a family/community Choose a service project to do together as a family/community (Visit the elderly, serve at the hope center, put together gift package for missionaries or soldiers, etc.) Memorize together a passage of Scripture related to Christs coming As Christmas cards arrive in the mail, let a child choose a card before dinner each night and pray for that person/family Think about acts of kindness you can do for your neighbors (Rake leaves, bake cookies and deliver them, volunteer to babysit kids, visit with the elderly, etc.) Invite TCPC college students over for dinner Invite international students over for dinner. (Contact Karen Papp to set this up karen.papp@uky.edu)

Tates Creek Presbyterian Church

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