Advent again is almost upon us, normally the season of Christmas starts
about an hour after the thanksgiving turkey has been devoured. Actually it seems like they were putting up the Christmas decorations even before Halloween. This year I have a plan - a plan to look forward as I reflect back upon Christ's Birth. Advent can be really special if we seek to make it special. I'm not going to focus on wants, but what we've already been given, and use that for His glory. As I put this plan together, I've also included links to videos of performances of the Messiah, the best music focusing on the person of Jesus Christ. Written by George Frederic Handel, this oratorio was first performed as a benefit to support a hospital in Ireland. By playing small sections of this I hope to inoculate a younger generation to the enjoyment of great music. Each video I picked is different, from different places in the world, and different styles to see the global impact that G.F. Handel made.
So please follow along with our family as we prepare for Advent.
Instructions for Advent Family Study:
1) This is a daily event that would happen before or after a meal, it will take roughly 20 minutes, which includes prayer, scripture reading, hymn singing, discussion, and watching a video (Messiah).
2) The Advent candles are a set of 3 purple candles, one rose, and one white colored candles, that are in a wreath or centerpiece to the table. Candles are progressively lit, week after week.
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3) Plan ahead, make sure you have the hymn printed out and maybe download the midi file or an actual recording. have your computer or MP3 player ready so everything goes smoothly.
4) Make sure everyone is prepared for what will happen, delegate responsibilities to the children and adults: light the candle, read, lead the hymn, or pray.
5) This is a form of liturgy, a way to organize your study and focus on the scripture, don't limit yourself to doing just the framework, I'm looking for ideas to make these lessons come to life for my family. Maybe it might be a craft project, or a new song, or an illustration.
6) Depending on your children's age and temperament, adjust.
7) Most of all: Be consistent!
Click here for a PDF File of the Plan
or see below
| Week |
Candle |
Date |
Reading |
Topic of Discussion |
Hymn |
Messiah |
| First Week |
1 |
Thursday
November 28, 2013 |
Genesis 3:1-22 |
Sin Entered the world, But a promise is made |
Of the Father's love begotten |
Sinfony (Overture) |
|
Friday
November 29, 2013 |
Isaiah 40:1-5 |
Comfort to the weary |
Comfort, comfort now my people |
Comfort Ye My People \ Every Valley shall be
exalted |
|
Saturday
November 30, 2013 |
Isaiah 52:7-10 |
Good News is beautiful |
How beauteous are their feet |
How beautiful are the feet of Him |
|
Sunday
December 01, 2013 |
Isaiah 40:9-11 |
We are sheep, we need a Shepherd |
The Lord is my Shepherd |
He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd |
|
Monday
December 02, 2013 |
Genesis 15:1-6 |
Abraham God is talking to you |
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart |
Thus saith the Lord \ But who may abide |
|
Tuesday
December 03, 2013 |
Deut. 18:15-19 |
Prophets speak truth |
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's Cry |
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion |
|
Wednesday
December 04, 2013 |
Isaiah 9:2-5 |
The World needs to hear the Gospel |
I Love to tell the story of unseen things above |
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth /
The people that walked in darkness |
And he shall purify |
| Second Week |
1
& 2 |
Thursday
December 05, 2013 |
Malachi 3:1-6 |
Sin must be dealt with |
Angels, from the realms of glory |
For unto us a Child is born |
And the glory, the glory of the Lord |
Friday
December 06, 2013 |
Isaiah 9:6-7 |
Jesus is the Redemption of the world |
What child is this, who, laid to rest |
Surely, He hath borne our grieves |
Pifa (Pastorale) |
Saturday
December 07, 2013 |
Ps. 89:1-4 |
From David's Line |
O come, all ye faithful (Adeste fideles)
(Peuple fidèle) |
There were shepherds abiding in the field / And
lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them / And suddenly there was with
the angel |
Glory to God |
Sunday
December 08, 2013 |
Is. 11:1-10 |
Jesse - The Branch still Grows |
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming |
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion |
Then shall the eyes of the blind open'd |
Monday
December 09, 2013 |
Zech. 6:12-13 |
Jesus is the Branch |
Come, thou Fount of every blessing |
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd |
My yoke is easy, and my burthen is light |
Tuesday
December 10, 2013 |
Mic. 5:2-4 |
Bethlehem |
O little town of Bethlehem |
Behold the lamb of God |
He was despised |
Wednesday
December 11, 2013 |
John 1:1-8 |
Jesus is the Word |
Joy to the world! the Lord is come |
All we like sheep |
All they that see Him, laugh Him to scorn |
| Third Week |
1,
2, & 3 |
Thursday
December 12, 2013 |
John 1:9-18 |
Jesus is the Light |
It came upon the midnight clear |
He trusted in God, that He would deliver Him |
|
Friday
December 13, 2013 |
Mark 1:1-3 |
Jesus is the Way |
Les anges dans nos campagnes (Angels we have
heard on high) |
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart / Behold, and
see if there be any sorrow |
|
Saturday
December 14, 2013 |
Luke 1:5-13 |
Zacharias |
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan |
He was cut off out of the land of the living /
But Thou didst not leave his soul in hell |
|
Sunday
December 15, 2013 |
Luke 1:14-17 |
Zacharias Can't Talk |
Gloria, gloria, in exclesis Deo! |
Lift up your heads |
Unto which of the angels said he at all time |
Monday
December 16, 2013 |
Luke 1:18-25 |
Zacharias Marvells |
While shepherds watched their flocks by night |
Let all the angels of God worship Him |
|
Tuesday
December 17, 2013 |
Luke 1:26-35 |
Gabriel sent to Mary |
Hark! the herald angels sing |
Thou art gone up on high |
|
Wednesday
December 18, 2013 |
Luke 1:39-45 |
Mary is Chosen |
Gentle Mary laid her child |
The Lord gave the word |
|
| Fourth Week |
1,2,3
& 4 |
Thursday
December 19, 2013 |
Luke 1:46-56 |
Mary's Magnificat |
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed |
He that dwelleth in heaven \ Thou shalt break
them with a rod of iron \ Hallelujah |
|
Friday
December 20, 2013 |
Luke 1:57-66 |
His name shall be called John |
To us a child, of royal birth |
Their sound is gone out into all lands |
|
Saturday
December 21, 2013 |
Luke 1:67-80 |
John the Baptists |
Good Christian men, rejoice |
Why do the nations so furiously rage together |
|
Sunday
December 22, 2013 |
Matthew 1:18-25 |
His Name is Jesus |
Long time ago in Bethlehem |
Let us break their bonds asunder |
I know that my Redeemer liveth |
Monday
December 23, 2013 |
Luke 2:1-20 |
Shepherds Worship |
The first Noel, the angel did say |
Since by man came death / by man came also the
resurrection |
Behold, I tell you a mystery / The trumpet
shall sound |
Tuesday
December 24, 2013 |
Matthew 2:1-2 |
Wise men Seek Him |
Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht! (Silent night,
Holy night) (Ô nuit de foi! Sainte nuit!) |
Then shall be brought to pass / O death, where
is thy sting? |
But thanks be to God |
| All |
Wednesday
December 25, 2013 |
Luke 2:21-35 |
Simeon Sings |
I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Nuc
Dimittis |
If God be for us |
Worthy is the Lamb |
I pray that this Advent will be a very Christ focused time of the year for all of us. May we desire more of Him in our every day lives.
