Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for this season. Help me to focus on You and Your Son, and not about the gifts and parties that take so much time during this season. Amen.

Read: Matthew 2:1-12
Reflect: What does the story of the Magi teach us about Jesus? Why do you think Matthew includes so many details about their visit to Jesus? How do these first stories about Jesus shape the way Matthew’s readers will understand Jesus?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Child in the Manger
Child in the manger,
Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger,
Lord of all,
Child who inherits
All our transgressions-
All our demerits
On Him fall

Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Gently and lowly
Lived below.
Now as our glorious
Mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him-
Infant of wonder;
Angels below Him
On His throne.
Worthy Savior
Of all our praises;
Happy forever
Are His own.

Closing Prayer: I come and adore the newborn King. Thank Your, Lord for the best, and most important gift of the season. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for this season. Help me to focus on You and Your Son, and not about the gifts and parties that take so much time during this season. Amen.

Read: Luke 2:1-21
Reflect: Why do you think Luke finds it important to recount the minor details of Jesus’ birth, such as the journey to Bethlehem, and the shepherds coming to visit Jesus? What do we learn about Jesus from this account of his birth?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Child in the Manger
Child in the manger,
Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger,
Lord of all,
Child who inherits
All our transgressions-
All our demerits
On Him fall

Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Gently and lowly
Lived below.
Now as our glorious
Mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him-
Infant of wonder;
Angels below Him
On His throne.
Worthy Savior
Of all our praises;
Happy forever
Are His own.

Closing Prayer: I come and adore the newborn King. Thank Your, Lord for the best, and most important gift of the season. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for this season. Help me to focus on You and Your Son, and not about the gifts and parties that take so much time during this season. Amen.

Read: Matthew 1:18-25
Reflect: Does Joseph’s response seem appropriate to you? What did Joseph believe about Mary’s pregnancy prior to this vision coming? How did the vision change Joseph’s perspective on Mary’s pregnancy? What does this story teach us about Jesus?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Child in the Manger
Child in the manger,
Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger,
Lord of all,
Child who inherits
All our transgressions-
All our demerits
On Him fall

Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Gently and lowly
Lived below.
Now as our glorious
Mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him-
Infant of wonder;
Angels below Him
On His throne.
Worthy Savior
Of all our praises;
Happy forever
Are His own.

Closing Prayer: I come and adore the newborn King. Thank Your, Lord for the best, and most important gift of the season. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for this season. Help me to focus on You and Your Son, and not about the gifts and parties that take so much time during this season. Amen.

Read: Luke 1:26-56
Reflect: How does Mary’s reaction to the news that she will be pregnant surprise you? Why do you think she went to see Elizabeth? What does the announcement of Jesus’ coming by the angel Gabriel tell us about Jesus? What do we learn about God’s plan through Jesus in this passage?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Child in the Manger
Child in the manger,
Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger,
Lord of all,
Child who inherits
All our transgressions-
All our demerits
On Him fall

Once the most holy
Child of salvation
Gently and lowly
Lived below.
Now as our glorious
Mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious
O’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him-
Infant of wonder;
Angels below Him
On His throne.
Worthy Savior
Of all our praises;
Happy forever
Are His own.

Closing Prayer: I come and adore the newborn King. Thank Your, Lord for the best, and most important gift of the season. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for the love you show me through your son. Help me to receive the gift of your love, and celebrate it this season. Amen.

Read: Isaiah 11:1-10
Reflect: How did Jesus fulfill this prophesy? What is left to be fulfilled in this prophesy? Why does Isaiah use the images of the animals who are usually enemies being at peace together?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art-
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart!

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a Child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts along.
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill me with the joy and hope of the Advent season. Help me to see how you are working now, and ground me in the hope of your coming again. Amen.