Fourth Sunday of Advent

 

Opening Prayer

Precious Lord

We await your coming!

We prepare for your arrival!

Quietly

Peacefully

May we be ready!

 

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 7:10-14

• Imagine hearing these words for the first time…today you know these words to be true, but what if you didn’t know Jesus was to be born?
• Where do you see signs of God? World?  Community?  Church?  Family?  Yourself?

 Romans 1:1-7

• How do you know you belong to Christ? What makes you know?
• Saint Paul describes himself as a slave for Christ. What do you know about Paul which validates this statement?  Do you exhibit any of these qualities?

 Matthew 1:18-24

• What do you learn about Joseph in this scripture?
• What do you learn about God in this scripture?
• What would have happened if Joseph didn’t listen to God and followed through with his intention of divorcing Mary?

 

General Questions for Journaling

• Do you feel weary? What causes you to feel weary?
• Do you think God ever gets tired? Why or why not?
• Have you ever missed God showing you a sign? How do you know?
• Have you ever ignored a sign from God?
• Is there someone in your life whom steals your peace? What can you do to share it with them instead of being angry they disrupted it?
• Define obedience. What are some examples of obedience?  How are you obedient?  To whom?  To what?
• Are there things that stand in your way of having a positive attitude? What causes the negative to overcome?
• When you think about Christmas, does it give you peace and joy or are you overwhelmed with stress? What can you do to let go of some of your stress?
• What message do these scriptures send which you need to hear this year? What sign is God giving you?

 

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Lord, let us not forget

ALL:  the serenity of a new day.

Leader:  Lord, let us not forget

 ALL:  the smell of a newborn child.

Leader:  Lord, let us not forget

 ALL: there is joy in waiting.

Leader:  Lord, let us not forget

ALL:  there is peace in knowing.

Leader:  Lord, let us not forget

ALL:  the promises made…and kept.

Leader:  Lord, let us not forget

ALL:  we are yours!

 

Challenge for the Week:  We make signs to welcome people home, to say happy birthday, to attach to a car announcing, “Just Married”, to share good news.  We also often see signs at sporting events with catchy phrases, hoping to catch the eye of the camera man so our message can be seen.  Although not all signs share a positive message, people’s signs during a protest or boycott often reflect negative messages.  Whatever the message on the sign, our purpose is the same…for it to be seen and for people to take notice.  This week as you make final preparations for Jesus’ coming at Christmas, make time to think about what your sign says…or better…what you want it to say; what message do you want Jesus to see when He comes?  Then if you are able, actually create your sign and put it up somewhere you can be reminded how you want to catch Jesus’ attention!