Freeze: Advent Family Devo for Friday, December 6

Gather: around the Advent wreath and light one purple candle. Remind each other that this is the Hope candle. 

Think about: Take a deep breath and smell the greens of the Advent wreath. For thousands of years, people have brought evergreen branches into their homes. Long ago people thought that the smell of the evergreen branches would make them feel better when they were sick. The smell would last a long, long time in their homes and remind them that sometimes things don't happen right away. But, just like the beautiful smell, God is with us even while we are waiting. Evergreens were also considered special because they don’t lose their leaves. They remind people that even when other things end -- like trees losing their leaves -- God’s love never ends. That is why we use evergreen branches to make our Advent wreaths. The wreath reminds us that God’s love never stops.

Read Together: Psalm 130: 5-7 

I hope, Lord.
My whole being hopes,
    and I wait for God’s promise.

My whole being waits for my Lord—
    more than the night watch waits for morning;
    yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!

Israel, wait for the Lord!
    Because unending love is with God.

Discuss Together: What is the longest you’ve ever had to wait for something?  We are counting down the days to Christmas and waiting to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. In ancient times Israelites waited and waited for someone to let them return to Jerusalem. They waited for years. Sometimes we wait for things to change and we work on changing them while we wait. Nelson Mandela waited and hoped for the end of apartheid in South Africa for many, many years.

Why do you think that we sometimes have to wait for things? Does waiting for something  ever make you want it more? What can we do during the waiting?

Pray Together: Bless our waiting. Help us to spend our time thinking about your hope for our world.