Freeze: The Advent Wreath, Monday, December 2nd

FREEZE!

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

Read Together: Isaiah 9:1-2, 6a -- Those who were in distress won’t be exhausted. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. Those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 

Think About: A long time ago the people who loved God were taken from their homeland and brought to another country. They had to work there night and day. They were not allowed to leave. Even though the sun came out every morning, they felt as though they lived in the darkness because they were so sad and wanted to go home and pray to God the way that they wanted. 

The prophet, Isaiah, gave the people hope that things would be better. He told them that God would take care of them and that God would send light to the world in the form of a special baby. It didn’t happen right away -- it took a long time. The people didn’t like to wait, but they did.

While they waited, they thought about their hopes for how the world should be. They used their imaginations to think about what God hopes the world should be like.

Do Together: Imagine the world that God hopes for. What do you think that looks like? How do people act? What is different from the way the world is now? Color, draw, or write your picture of what God hopes for our world. You can do this all together or separately and share. Pray together.