You can find more resources about Family Worship on our website at fbcjax.com/familyworship.

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Berniece Goodman
6 years ago
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2 One of the things that we are passionate about at First Baptist Church is equipping parents to lead their children to love and follow Jesus Christ. As a part of that effort, we have been encouraging families to take up the practice of Family Worship in their homes. This booklet is a resource for you to use at home in the coming weeks to help your entire family prepare for Christmas. You will see that each week includes a passage for you to read together, a brief commentary, a song suggestion to sing, and a reminder to guide your family prayer time. These are the basic elements of worshipping at home together. Whether you have been participating in Family Worship for some time, or are completely new to it, we pray this Advent season will be a blessing to you. You can find more resources about Family Worship on our website at fbcjax.com/familyworship.

4 The First Candle DECEMBER 3, 2017 PROPHECY CANDLE Isaiah 9:1-7; Luke 1:26-38 The First candle to be lit is the Prophecy Candle. It represents the hope the Israelites had of a coming Messiah. Isaiah 9:1-7 is a great example of the kinds of promises the Israelites held close to their hearts as they waited for God s deliverance and restoration. In the same way we wait for God s deliverance and restoration. As they watched for the first coming of the Messiah, we now wait for his second coming. We wait and watch with great hope and expectation. We celebrate his coming 2000 years ago, and we eagerly wait for him to break through the clouds for the second and final time. Song Angels We Have Heard on High Prayer Daily Readings for the Family Dec 4 Isaiah 7:14 Dec 5 Matthew 2:10 Dec 6 Luke 2:12 Dec 7 Matthew 1:21 Dec 8 Acts 5:31 Dec 9 Luke 1:

5 The Second Candle DECEMBER 10, 2017 BETHLEHEM CANDLE Micah 5:2-5; 1 John 4:7-12; John 3:16 The second candle is the Bethlehem Candle and it represents love. God displayed his great love for us when he sent his son to live among us. Jesus went from the heights of heaven to taking on the form of a man. He was born a helpless baby and placed in a humble manger. This would foreshadow the kind of love and sacrifice that he would eventually display on the cross where he would give his life for our forgiveness. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his live for his friends. John 15:13 Song O Little Town of Bethlehem Prayer Daily Readings for the Family Dec 11 Luke 1:28 Dec 12 Luke 1:30 Dec 13 Luke 1:31 Dec 14 Luke 1:32 Dec 15 John 1:14 Dec 16 Matthew 1:

6 The Third Candle DECEMBER 17, 2017 SHEPHERD S CANDLE Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 1:46-55 The third candle is known as the shepherd s candle or the joy candle. It represents the joy that the shepherds and others would have experienced when they heard the good news of Jesus arrival. The passage we read from Luke 1 is Mary s expression of joy as she reflects on the birth of Jesus. Her soul exalted and her spirit rejoiced. This is the joy you would expect when the savior of the world is born. Christmas still produces this kind of joy. As we think about Jesus coming to save us, and how he brought hope and light into a dark world, it should fill us with joy. We still see darkness all around us, but as the name of Jesus is proclaimed around the world it continues to shine light wherever it goes. Song Joy to the World Prayer Daily Readings for the Family Dec 18 Luke 2:1-3 Dec 19 Luke 2:4-5 Dec 20 Luke 2:6-7 Dec 21 Romans 15:13 Dec 22 2 Corinthians 9:15 Dec 23 Psalm 29:11 5

7 The Fourth Candle DECEMBER 24, 2017 ANGEL CANDLE Zephaniah 3:14-17; Luke 2:8-14 The fourth candle is known as the angel candle, and it represents the peace that entered the world when Jesus was born. The angels came to announce in Luke 2 that peace had come. Without Jesus there could have never been peace between God and man. Now, because of him and his sacrifice for sins, forgiveness is possible. This means the enemies of God can become his friends. There can be peace! With each candle that is lit, more and more light shines, and we are reminded of the hope and light that Christmas brings into the world. Song Away in a Manger Prayer 6

8 The Fifth Candle DECEMBER 25, 2017 CHRIST CANDLE Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7 Normally, this candle is lit on Christmas Eve, and it is the Christ candle. It is usually white representing the pure white lamb of God. All of the prophecy and all of the expectations for deliverance are fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. He is the light of the world, and the lamb of God that takes away sin. The virgin, Mary, gave birth to a son, and she called his name Immanuel, which means God with us. God had come to live among us. He came to show us who He was, and came to save us from our sins. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and remember how he came to Bethlehem, let s be reminded that he will come again. Just like the people of Israel, we eagerly await our coming Savior years ago he broke into the world, and soon he will arrive again. Song Silent Night Prayer 7

9 Notes 8

Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts Copyright 2011 by Mark D. Roberts and Patheos.

Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts Copyright 2011 by Mark D. Roberts and Patheos.com Introduction Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping.