Week 3 - Catching up with Advent

Anyone else running a little behind on Christmas? This past Sunday we stopped by a tree lot on our way home from church. It was pouring down rain and we were in our "church clothes". It was Heidi, myself, and four teen-agers. We faced the challenge of choosing a tree that we all agreed upon. Democracy often presents its own weaknesses. This lot had hundreds of options to choose from...Well, we eventually found one, took it home, strung lights on it, and finished decorating it last night. Dawn Oas, our Senior High youth pastor, dropped by while were in the middle of this. We spent some time doing our "Advent Wreath" and working through the related discussion questions, prayer time, and attempting to sing together. It ended up being far from a stoic event -- there was lots of laughter, some expressed frustration (particularly in trying to coordinate our guitar playing/singing), tangent conversations and an overall REAL experience together. I don't think observers would have been impressed - there wasn't a great deal of order and concentrated focus. But, there was joy, laughter, some conflict, and some meaningful interaction -- in our book, these things constitute "quality family time."

The THIRD Week of Advent
The Angel's Candle
Joy in Heaven
Read: Jesus said; "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)
Light: The Prophecy Candle, the Bethlehem Candle and the Angel's Candle
Read: The night Christ was born, heaven rejoiced. An angel choir was dispatched from the courts of heaven to serenade the shepherds tending their sheep just outside Bethlehem. There was a party in heaven! The Son of God has been given to mankind as a redeemer! The scripture we just read reminds us that the party continues in heaven every time another man, woman, boy or girl receives the good news about Jesus into their life, repents of their sins and invites Jesus to be their savior.
Share: Each one tell briefly about when they first believed, repented and invited Jesus into their life.
Pray: Take time to thank Jesus for His love and your salvation... what a miracle!
Sing: "Joy To The World" (verse three)