4th Sunday of Advent

Opening Prayer

Precious Lord

I await Your coming!

I prepare for Your arrival!

Quietly

Peacefully

May I be ready!

AMEN

Journal/Reflection Questions

Isaiah 7:10-14

• Do you believe God’s plan included Jesus coming to earth from the beginning? Why or why not? What does this tell us about God if it was or was not?
• God gave a sign to Ahaz. Do you think God still sends signs to people on earth?
• Where do you see signs of God? (in the World? Community? Church? Family? Yourself?)

Romans 1:1-7

• What makes Jesus’ life story so different than other great men in history? Who is responsible for sharing His story?
• How does the “Spirit of holiness” emerge from your life?
• 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?
• Emmanuel means “God with us”. Jesus was born unto us to be with us always. How is this lived out in the Gospels? How is this lived out today?

General Questions for Journaling

• How do you share your faithfulness to God to your children and/or grandchildren, or other children in your life?
• If it was your job to give the sermon or homily on Christmas, what would you say?
• What characteristics does Joseph possess that you value in a man? Husband? Father?
• How is sleeping on a decision an act of prayer?
• Can you recall a dream you had where God spoke to you?
• Are there any big decisions you need to discern at this time? How are you creating space for you to work out the problem and allow God into the decision making?
• Do you feel weary? What causes you to feel weary?
• Do you think God ever gets tired? Why or why not?
• Have you ever ignored a sign from God? Share.
• Is there someone in your life who 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 me not forget

ALL:  the serenity of a new day.

Leader:  Lord, let me not forget

ALL:  the smell of a newborn child.

Leader:  Lord, let me not forget

ALL: there is joy in waiting.

Leader:  Lord, let me not forget

ALL:  there is peace in knowing.

Leader:  Lord, let me not forget

ALL:  the promises made and kept.

Leader:  Lord, let me not forget

ALL:  I am yours!

Challenge for the Week:  Signs are made to welcome people home, to say happy birthday, to attach to a car announcing, “Just Married”, to share good news.  You might also see signs at sporting events with catchy phrases, hoping to catch the eye of the camera man so your message can be seen.  While some signs share a positive message, there are some that reflect negative messages such as signs displayed during a protest or boycott.  Whatever the message on the sign, the 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, imagine you are holding a sign right now.  What does your sign say?  What do 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 of how you want to catch Jesus’ attention J

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