Second Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Jesus

When my day is filled with activity;

may I remember not to get wrapped up in the busyness.

When I face a long list of tasks;

may I not become consumed in the hustle and bustle.

Instead, help me to take time to spend a quiet moment with you

and watch for you in hopeful anticipation!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Baruch 5 :1-9

• What do you put on yourself each day like a robe? What do you allow others to put on you?
• What does God robe you with? Do you feel comfortable with what God puts on you? Why or why not?
• How is what God puts on you different or similar to what you or others put on you? Explain.

Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

• How can you “partner” with the Gospel? What does that look like?
• Where do you see God’s Glory? Where do you feel it? Can you hear it or taste it or smell it?
• Can you name at least five good works God began in you? Can you list ten?

Luke 3:1-6

• How is your life proclaiming the Gospel?
• How does the Word of God come from you?
• Describe three ways you relate to the words from the Prophet Isaiah.
• How does this scripture speak of your life’s journey?

General Questions for Journaling

• How does the awareness of God’s presence affect your decisions? How often do you allow God to affect your decisions?
• When you make decisions; do you seek God’s perspective?
• How does God lead you to find joy? How often do you search for it?
• Do you pray for joy? Write a prayer for joy.
• How does God show affection? Do you have to ask for it or does God show it freely? Describe the last time you felt loved by God.
• What is God a witness to in your life? How are you a witness to God?
• In a 24-hour period, on average, how often are you a witness to God?
• Do you believe God can “make paths straight” and “move mountains” and “part the waters” and “level the valleys”? Why or why not?  Share an example of time when you were witness to this happening.
• Is there a time when you felt so overwhelmed you cried out to God and your faith lead you through?
• Make a list of images of God’s power and draw a picture of one.
• Where do you see the hope of Christ in the world today? Where do you see hope in your community? In your family?
• What is the purpose of having hope? What value do you put on it?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Awaken the gifts;

ALL:  the gifts we have before us!

Leader:  Enliven the joy;

ALL:  the joy within each soul!

Leader:  Ignite the hope;

ALL:  the hope around us!

Leader: Revive the peace;

ALL:  the peace deep within!

Leader:  Kindle the love;

ALL:  the love which brings us together!

Challenge for the Week:  Consider how God planted in you all the gifts you will ever need to bring Him glory and share His love with others.  How are you sharing these gifts?  Do you believe all your gifts have been opened?  Perhaps there are a few gifts left under the tree (within you) unopened; full of new and unimaginable opportunities and experiences.  As you go about your week, ponder the gifts you have been given which help you bring Glory to God and share His love.  Force yourself to go the extra step and dream about gifts you would need to possess so you can bring more attention to God.  What does that look like?  Are those gifts already opened in your life and you have discarded them or left them in the box?  Awaken to the possibilities on your journey.  God always gives what you need and He gives the BEST gifts!

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